The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“You’ve indeed come a long way, even learning the tactics of the women in the inner house. You know now to treat others as they treat you.”

After all, Mrs. Ruo managed to get the flirtatious King of Qi into her hands through her beauty and unscrupulous means. Now it would be worthwhile to show her how others use the same tactics to snatch away this King from her side.

The reason Chu Jinnian is returning to the Qi King’s mansion tonight is probably not only to see what tricks the King of Qi has up his sleeve, but mainly to observe Mrs. Ruo’s helpless and depressed state.

Who knows, he may even add a few more wounds to her heart.

Well well, one should never provoke Chu Jinnian.

“Mutual, mutual.” Chu Jinnian glanced at Chu Yunzhao.

Chu Yunzhao had clearly had the same plan just now.

Chu Yunzhao was caught off guard and felt guilty. He just touched his nose and sighed, “Your serious demeanor truly makes you seem far more mature than me, Chu Jinnian. If we were standing together, one would not be able to tell who is the older cousin and who is the junior one.”

In terms of actual age, Chu Yunzhao is a full four months older than Chu Jinnian.

“I don’t mind that,” Chu Jinnian said, clasping his hands behind his back and blissfully leaving the Qingan Garden.

“Hey… how…”

Chu Yunzhao was so flustered behind him that he nearly stumbled.

Isn’t that what he meant by not minding it? He’s the legitimate cousin and the junior one, if he’s mistaken for the older one, he only benefits from it.

“Fourth Prince, Imperial Concubine Hui has sent someone to invite you to dinner. Princess An Ning is also in attendance,” a maid came to report.

Princess Anning is the daughter of Concubine Hui, and also Chu Yunzhao’s younger sister.

But even if they are siblings, given the strictly hierarchical palace, they do not often see each other, and it has been more than a month since their last meeting.

“Alright, I’ll go right away.” Upon hearing his sister’s presence, Chu Yunzhao replied cheerfully and went into the inner chamber to change into a new outfit.

After being busy for two consecutive days at home.

Zhuang Qingning went to the county town today. Her main objective was to find Cheng Ruize, whom she had discussed business with prior concerning century eggs, to have a more detailed discussion about the new shop setup. Before Zhuang Qingning could find Cheng Ruize, she first went to Zhuang Yutian.

She wanted to check on the mosquito repellent herbs and decided to bring him along to oversee some things.

Zhuang Yutian was both astonished and ecstatic when Cheng Ruize took the initiative to propose a partnership to Zhuang Qingning.

“The Cheng family has plenty of businesses. Getting hooked up with the Cheng family would surely solve any distribution problems.”

“I also know about the third young master from the Cheng family. He’s responsible for the local business here. Though he looks young, he’s very shrewd in doing business. Previously, the herbal shop took initiatives which, according to Manager Qian, was an idea of the third young master.”

“I’ve also heard people discuss that this third young master is just young and just starting out. If he can take over these businesses in the future, he will also take charge of the business in Zeng County.”

“Cheng’s family has the intention to vigorously develop in the Jiangsu- Zhejiang area in the next few years. From then on, the business will get bigger and bigger.”

Zhuang Yutian laughed, “Look at me being so happy that I’ve rambled on so much. But it’s alright if it’s a bit messy. The point is, doing business with the Cheng family, our future is in good hands.”

“Let’s hope your words bring us luck, Uncle Yutian,” Zhuang Qingning laughed. “Oh, it’s not borrowed from my words! I am borrowing your good fortune,” Zhuang Yutian laughed and waved his hand.

His cloth shop, well, in the county town, isn’t considered one of the best ones. It cannot compete with those larger and longer-established ones, but it’s not particularly bad either. It makes enough money to support the family and earn some extra silver coins.

But now, help selling Zhuang Qingning’s mosquito repellent herb packs has made him more money than a year’s sale of cloths. Isn’t he benefitting from Zhuang Qingning’s good fortune?

“It’s a mutual thing, give and take. I had products but couldn’t move them. Luckily, Uncle Yutian’s shop could help sell them. It’s a win-win,” Zhuang Qingning smiled, looking around in the shop where employees were busy moving goods back and forth. “Did you get a new shipment in?”

“Oh yes, now that it’s getting cooler, we have cloth for autumn and winter outfits. We’re selling more cloth these days.”

As the weather cools and the number of mosquitos decreases, the sales of mosquito repellent herb packs, except for the ones supplied to Cheng’s herbal shop for sale in the south, have dropped a bit here.

This place was initially a cloth shop, so it has to sell cloth.

“Because they came to buy mosquito repellent herb packs before, I have attracted many return customers to my cloth shop. This year’s business will definitely be much better than last year’s. You can tell this by the number of people coming in to buy cloth and make clothes these days.”

“It’s about time. Since your shop is on West Street, why don’t I go with you and take a look?”

“Alright.” Zhuang Qingning nodded.

Zhuang Yutian delegated the responsibility of looking after the shop to his employees and Mrs. Meng, then left the shop with Zhuang Qingning heading for West Street.

Zhuang Qingning had been to the county town several times before but always for business. Her objectives were always very clear, and she almost never had any free time to wander around. As such, she hadn’t been to West Street very much.

Once there, she saw the stores lining both sides of the street and the various stalls. As Cheng Ruize had said, this place had a heavier flavor of life, and sold mostly everyday necessities, as well as all kinds of food and ingredients.

None of the shops stood out, but given the hustle and bustle of people, they must have been making a good deal of money.

Soon, Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Yutian arrived at the shop that Cheng Ruize had mentioned.

P>The shop was being renovated. The entrance had been cleaned and freshly painted, and the sign above the shop was still empty. Half of the door was blocked, and you could see people busily going in and out.

When a young salesman saw Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Yutian standing outside the door, he trotted out. “Are you both Managers Zhuang?”

“Oh?” Zhuang Qingning looked at the young man, who was not very old but appeared very savvy. She smiled and asked, “You recognized us?”

The young salesman shook his head with a full face of laughter. “Our shop manager told me that the shop manager Zhuang was coming today to discuss the shop. He asked me to wait here and call him when the person arrived.” “Although the shop manager didn’t tell mewhat Manager Zhuang looked like, he did mention that Manager Zhuang and the Manager of Zhuang’s Cloth Shop in the county are from the same hometown. I thought that the young woman who came with Manager Zhuang should be Manager Zhuang as mentioned by our shop manager.”

This was indeed a very smart and sincere assistant.

Just as the saying goes, what kind of shopkeeper you have is the kind of assistants you get.

Zhuang Qingning laughed and said, “In that case, please let your Manager Cheng know that today we had made an appointment with him to discuss some matters concerning the shop.”

“I’ve already sent someone to inform the shop manager just now. Can Managers Zhuang please go to the tea house opposite to have a cup of tea first?”