Chapter 397 Face-Slapping Operation (Two)
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“Looking at the time? Do you think you’re a fortune teller?” Fu Mingzheng scoffed at Mingzhu’s explanation and then sat comfortably, instructing Su Lan and others, “Make tea for me, get the best tea from your lord and lady’s private stash.”
Su Lan and the others suppressed their laughter and quickly brewed the tea to serve. Fu Mingzheng then asked Mingzhu, “I heard you’ve created some special recipes. How come you haven’t invited me to taste them? You only remember me when you need something?”
Seeing his confrontational expression, Mingzhu quickly explained, “It’s just that I haven’t had the chance yet. I originally planned to go back to my mother’s house the day after the Winter Solstice and bring back a copy of the recipe, but who knew so much would happen that day?” In fact, she had wanted her whole family to come over to enjoy and play, but considering the Great Empress Dowager in the palace, she had to let go of that idea.
“Prepare a good table tonight, I want to eat,” Fu Mingzheng ordered, seeing Mingzhu looking gentle and slightly relieved, his gaze softened as he looked at her abdomen, “Is the child behaving well? Not causing trouble for you again? When he grows up, I’ll teach him how to ride horses.”
Mingzhu finally found a chance to nag him: “Teach him? He has his own father. If you’re capable, give birth yourself and teach your own son. Fu Lin is about to get married, and you, as an elder, are still single. What does that mean? People are gossiping outside, saying that your parents treat you poorly, not letting you get married.”
Fu Mingzheng became impatient: “If my parents have nothing to say, why do you have so much to say? If you’re really concerned, then go find someone for me. I want someone as beautiful as a celestial being, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with a clean family background, intelligent, virtuous, and clever…”
Mingzhu pressed him with her words: “Would you agree to marry if I really found someone?”
“Yes!” Fu Mingzheng sneered. Could such a person be found? Even if they could, would they marry him? Don’t make jokes.
“Alright, remember what you said today.” Mingzhu called on the people around as witnesses: “Remember, in the future, you’ll be our witnesses.”
Su Lan and the others laughed along. Fu Mingzheng didn’t take it seriously, he dismissed Su Lan and others, asking Mingzhu about the bird’s nest soup. Mingzhu sighed, “It’s not the Great Empress Dowager’s doing. Misunderstandings were cleared up face to face, but she said, ‘Different paths do not conspire.'”
One sentence had already cut off all possibilities.
They were still relatives, wouldn’t resort to lowly and vicious means against each other, but from now on, it would be a battle of wits.
“Well, it’s better to have an open confrontation than to pretend to be affectionate on the surface while stabbing knives behind the back.” Fu Mingzheng brought up the matter of supporting the relatives from the southern branch and letting Fu Zifei enter the palace: “News from the relatives on the southern branch hasn’t been officially announced, but people are already on their way. They deliberately kept it secret, saying they went to Zifei’s uncle’s house, but in reality, they are heading to the capital. They should arrive in a few days.”
In other words, supporting the relatives from the southern branch and letting Fu Zifei enter the palace was a move planned by the Great Empress Dowager long ago. Mingzhu sighed, “Father must be feeling very uncomfortable, right?”
Fu Mingzheng had no emotional attachment to the Great Empress Dowager and didn’t have much contact with her, so he remained calm: “It’s okay. Since the day Father agreed to your marriage with Ying Wang, he anticipated this day. Different paths do not conspire; what he’s more worried about is that internal strife will bring disaster to the Fu family.”
Just as he was speaking, Zheng Momo returned. She first greeted Fu Mingzheng and then whispered to Mingzhu, “Second Miss Jiang went to the shop and brought many noble ladies with her. I had someone inquire carefully. This time she’s being low-key, not saying it’s her shop, just claiming it’s a relative’s.”
She’s being low-key, huh? Trying to make a fortune quietly? She won’t let her. Mingzhu smirked, “Is that relative of hers here?”
“Yes. Busy entertaining guests.” Zheng Momo added, “Business seems good. She’s quite adept at it, cooking and stewing meat on the spot, attracting a crowd to watch.”
“The livelier, the better.” Mingzhu clapped her hands, signaling Fu Mingzheng, “Let’s go.”
Upon hearing they were going to deal with Jiang Shanshan, Fu Mingzheng’s eyes lit up with excitement, mixed with a hint of disdain as he scolded Mingzhu, “Are you so bored? Always bullying people, huh? She’s already miserable enough, can’t you just let her be? Must you push her to a dead end?”
The worst one was him. How could he still have the nerve to say that to her? Mingzhu rolled her eyes, “Perfect, then. She’s as beautiful as a flower, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with a good family background, intelligent, and virtuous. Her reputation surpasses mine by miles.”
Fu Mingzheng mocked, “I’m afraid she’ll poison me on the same night, so I’ll leave her for someone else to enjoy.”
The siblings bantered as they led a large group of people toward Tianquan Street. It was noon, a sunny day, and the street was particularly crowded. People were bustling about, and Jiang Shanshan’s shop was indeed surrounded by many people. Mingzhu could smell the aroma of food and hear laughter from behind the carriage curtains.
She saw that several large stoves had been set up temporarily in front of Jiang Shanshan’s shop. Iron bars were used to divide the stoves into many small ones, each with a drip dew pot on top, stewing various delicacies. On the other side were several tables, displaying freshly cooked dishes made with drip dew pots. Many people were sampling, some were buying, and many were observing. The atmosphere seemed lively, indicating good sales.
Compared to her aloof attitude in her past life, this time Jiang Shanshan was indeed more down-to-earth. Mingzhu knocked on the carriage wall, “Stop the carriage.”
The carriage stopped about a yard away from the shop. The noisy crowd quieted down, all curious to see this luxurious-looking carriage and who was inside.
Zheng Momo and several maidservants got off the carriage with stern faces, loudly proclaiming, “Make way, make way!” The crowd, sensing their imposing manner, spontaneously made way for Zheng Momo and the others to walk to the front of the shop.
The attendant who was busy attracting customers at Jiang Shanshan’s shop noticed Zheng Momo and the others’ extraordinary attire and imposing manner. He became alert and approached them, “Are you esteemed guests here to buy a pot? Our pot is very good…”
Zheng Momo glanced at the maid beside her, who raised her chin and handed over a drip dew pot they had previously bought from here, “This pot is from your shop, right?”
The attendant only glanced briefly and confirmed, “This is indeed our pot.”
The maid said, “How much did you sell this pot for? Remember?”
“Twenty taels of silver each.” The attendant smiled, “All the drip dew pots in our store are priced the same, fair and honest.” He turned the pot over to show the engraving on the bottom to Zheng Momo and the others, “Look, there are words engraved here, ‘Jiang’s drip dew pot.’ Any pot without this word is fake. There’s no mistake, this is our pot.”
Zheng Momo coldly retorted, “Scammer!”
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