Chapter 328 - Chapter 328: My Zhaozhao Is Really Smart!
Chapter 328: My Zhaozhao Is Really Smart!
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“If the Hundred Flowers Restaurant was doing business properly, I wouldn’t feel so aggrieved.” Second Manager You spread out his hands weakly. “But they used such despicable methods to attract customers. I’m just unhappy!”
“Second Brother You, does Official Ji know the true colors of the Hundred Flowers Restaurant?” Shen Yao lowered his eyes to hide the thoughts in his eyes and asked softly. “He should know, right? I’m not too sure either.” Second Manager You frowned and said, “Actually, this Hundred Flowers Restaurant has only been open for half a month, but in this half a month, the county office has come two or three times.”
“1 think Official Ji should know what to do. It’s just that he hasn’t found anything on the Hundred Flowers Restaurant yet.” Shen Yao knocked on the table lightly and seemed to be deep in thought. “Second Brother You, don’t be too anxious. After all, Hongxing Restaurant has been open in Dingyuan County for so many years. Those customers just want to try something new. However, they will still come back after some time.”
After all, a person’s eating habits would not change overnight.
Moreover, the current predicament was only temporary.
Second Manager You naturally understood this logic.
However, he felt aggrieved, so after complaining to Ji Zhao and her husband, he felt much better.
…..
“Let’s not talk about these depressing things.” Second Manager You smiled and changed the topic. “By the way, All Tao, didn’t you say that you found a suitable shop in the prefectural city? How’s business?”
“The Spring Breeze Pavilion in the prefecture capital has already opened. Business has just started, but I believe it will get better and better in the future.”
“That’s for sure!” Second Manager You nodded without hesitation. “After all, your culinary skills are there. Business is a step-by-step process. Take it slow. Don’t be anxious.”
After staying at Hongxing Restaurant to accompany Second Brother You for lunch, Ji Zhao and Shen Yao bade farewell.
After the two of them walked out of the Hongxing Restaurant, they exchanged glances with each other. In the end, their gazes landed on the plaque with the words ‘Hundred Flowers Restaurant’ engraved on it not far away.
“Could the owner of Hundred Flowers Restaurant be targeting our family?” Ji Zhao gently tugged at Shen Yao’s sleeve and asked worriedly.
Not to mention the grudge between Shen Yao and Sun He, the Wind and Moon Restaurant and the Shen family did not get along either!
The list of bribed officials also fell into Shen Yao’s hands.
“Don’t worry.” Shen Yao held her hand and said with a faint smile, “In short, we’ll deal with whatever comes our way.”
Ji Zhao fell silent. Then, she suggested softly, “Shen Yao, why can’t we take the initiative to attack?”
Lord Sun of Thunder Mountain County was just a lackey of the Sun family.
The real power of the Sun family was in the capital!
“What does Zhaozhao mean?”
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Ji Zhao raised her eyebrows slightly. She already had a plan in mind.
She tiptoed and whispered into Shen Yao’s ear.
Shen Yao gave her a heartfelt thumbs up.
“My Zhaozhao is really smart!”
“Of course!” Ji Zhao raised her eyebrows smugly. Her beautiful eyes were filled with charm.
“This method is feasible, but your candidate?” Shen Yao hesitated. He did not want to use himself as bait to go to the restaurant to obtain information.
After all, the smell of cosmetics on those brothel girls was really too unpleasant.
“Actually, there’s a suitable candidate.” Ji Zhao’s eyes immediately lit up.
When Qin Minghong received the letter from the couple, he was so angry that he almost laughed.
First Madam Qin, who was copying Buddhist scriptures, couldn’t help but laugh when she saw the unpredictable expression on Qin Minghong’s face. “What’s going on?”
“I was not careful when making friends.” Qin Minghong shook his head with a smile. “They’re clearly bad friends. They actually thought of such a method…”
Hundred Flowers Restaurant?
After understanding the ins and outs of the matter, First Madam Qin’s curiosity was aroused.
“Has the Sun family become so arrogant now? A cheap relative of a small county magistrate from the side family dares to directly challenge Ji Ting’an? This is really interesting.” First Madam Qin could not help but laugh.
“Aunt, are you very familiar with the Sun and Ji families?” Qin Minghong asked curiously. “Who exactly is Ji Ting’an?”
“The Ji family in the capital is a century-old prestigious family. The only daughter of Grand Princess Imperial of Chang’an, Princess Kang Le, married the Earl of Yong’an, Ji Wenbo. The Ji family can be said to be a relative of the imperial family,” First Madam Qin explained softly. “As for Ji Ting’an, he is the nephew of the Earl of Yong’an. Princess Kang Le is his aunt.”
Only then did Qin Minghong know that Ji Ting’an’s background was so prominent.
“Ji Ting’an’s father is Ji Wenyuan, the Hanlin Academy’s Grand Secretariat who is trusted by His Majesty.”
“If Ji Ting’an is so powerful, why would he come to the remote Dingyuan County and become a county magistrate?” Qin Minghong asked curiously.
First Madam Qin put down the goat hair in her hand and smiled faintly. “Most things in the bureaucracy are complicated and unpredictable. Speaking of which, have you ever thought about your future?”
Qin Minghong did not expect his aunt to suddenly change the topic. He shook his head in confusion.
“If it weren’t for the scene caused by Madam Liu, 1 would have chosen a good marriage for you during your birthday banquet. After all, you’re not young anymore.”
“Aunt, I’m only 23…” For some reason, Qin Minghong suddenly felt a little wronged.
Is twenty-three very old?
“You’re an opinionated child, so 1 thought about it carefully and decided not to interfere in your marriage. After all, relationships are all about fate.” Seeing his puzzled expression, First Madam Qin couldn’t help but laugh. “No matter what, you have to think about it carefully. What do you want to do in the future? Do you want to continue doing business or enter an official career?”
“Aunt, actually, I’ve thought about this.” After a moment of silence, Qin Minghong slowly looked up and said firmly, “Although I like to do business, the status of a businessman is still too low. If 1 call myself a businessman, I won’t be able to protect the people I want to protect.”
Among gentry, farmers, skilled workers, and merchants, merchants were at the end of the line.
Since ancient times, the status of merchants had been too low.
Qin Minghong decided to become an official. With the Qin family’s current status and power, it was not difficult for him to become an official.
“Then have you ever thought about where to go?” First Madam Qin was not surprised by Qin Minghong’s choice at all. “If you’ve already thought of where to go, why don’t you talk to your father openly?”
“Your father has indeed neglected you these years. This is his fault, but the reason why he did this is also related to Madam Liu’s instigation. Under Madam Liu’s description, your image in your father’s heart is that of a silkpants, not as good as a scholar like Mingyao. However, Aunt wants to advise you. If you want to obtain your father’s help, you still have to repair your relationship with him.” “Aunt, can 1 ask you something?” Qin Minghong hesitated for a while before asking, “Is my father… really Uncle’s brother?”