Chapter 626 - 404: A Painful Lesson

Chapter 626: Chapter 404: A Painful Lesson

Meanwhile, Feng Yi received another letter from Yun Zhao. He was already on the road back to the Capital City.

He finished the letter with a grim face, his mood worsening. ’The Empress Dowager is really something else.’

Feng Yi placed Yun Zhao’s letter into a small box and stepped out of his tent to gaze up at the starry sky. Tonight, the sky was brilliant, and moonlight bathed the land. The air was cold enough that his breath formed a faint white mist.

The climate of the Northern Land was much harsher than the Capital City’s. Winter had not yet arrived in the capital, but here, the mornings were already frosted over.

"Your Majesty, it is time to rest." Meng Jiuchang checked the hour and hurried over to remind him.

’The Emperor is traveling through the night and barely gets any sleep during the day. This can’t go on.’

Feng Yi remained silent for a long moment. Meng Jiuchang stood by with his head bowed.

A biting wind swept across his face. Feng Yi slowly turned and walked back toward the tent. Meng Jiuchang breathed a quiet sigh of relief and quickly followed.

’I wonder what Lady Ming wrote in her letter to make the Emperor so unhappy.’

The news about Baozhuang Building and Treasure Pearl Building had indeed stirred up a lot of discussion in the Capital City. The effects at Baozhuang Building were not yet apparent, but things were much livelier at Treasure Pearl Building. In particular, previous customers were all coming to ask if their past purchases counted.

Naturally, they didn’t. Unlike the integrated systems of later generations, the shop’s ledgers weren’t detailed enough to record who bought what or how much.

However, to compensate the customers, Song Yunzhao had the shop implement a packaging return program. Any customer who brought back a Treasure Pearl Building box could receive the lowest available discount on one purchase.

This move attracted a large number of returning customers. For the past several days, Treasure Pearl Building had been bustling with a constant stream of people.

Song Yunzhao had a deep understanding of the common person’s psychology. Many promotional activities in later eras were all for show—the gifts were flashy but rarely useful, designed just to create a buzz.

But she wasn’t interested in superficial gestures. She gave real benefits back to the people. The products available for point redemption were actual items sold in the store, and the tier-based discounts were a tangible perk.

Each customer received a carved wooden flower plaque with a unique number corresponding to their personal account ledger. Song Yunzhao had commissioned these wooden plaques from the Inner Workshop. They were exquisitely crafted with gorgeous color schemes. The plaque alone was enough to make many young, beauty-loving ladies cherish it.

Song Yunzhao had collected a full set for herself. She loved them too; they were genuinely beautiful.

With Treasure Pearl Building’s business booming, Xie Jinshu was absolutely beaming. He had been running himself ragged for the shop.

Things were moving a bit slower on Ling Yunhe’s end. The Ling Family had only just been consolidated after his third uncle’s branch was completely kicked out. Because of this, many people were calling him cold and heartless. His third aunt, in particular, was going around ruining his reputation.

Ling Yunhe hadn’t held back this time. He knew that the other members of the Ling Family had allowed his third uncle’s family to act so recklessly simply to test his limits.

So, Ling Yunhe simply washed his hands of the whole affair. He was also blunt about the Baozhuang Building matter, stating that whoever took over the Ling Family could be the one to handle the negotiations.

But who else in the Ling Family had the connections to get in touch with Ming Fei? Forget Ming Fei—even getting a meeting with Xie Jinshu, the man who handled her affairs, was now difficult for them.

Xie Jinshu and Ling Yunhe were very close friends. How could he stand by and watch others in the Ling Family suppress Ling Yunhe?

Ling Yunhe’s move wasn’t just for show. He truly handed over the ledgers and keys and then disappeared.

The Ling Family was instantly thrown into chaos. The rumor that they had offended Ming Fei by secretly colluding with the Tao Family had already spread far and wide. However, because of the relationship between Ling Yunhe and Xie Jinshu, others hadn’t been quick to make a move against them.

Now that Ling Yunhe had openly turned against the Ling Family, what was there to be afraid of? In a short period, the Ling Family’s businesses had shrunk considerably.

This sent the Ling Family into a panic. Forget one Third Master Ling; they would kick out anyone they needed to.

They couldn’t let one person ruin the entire Ling Family’s business.

By the time they went to ask Ling Yunhe back, the terms were no longer the same.

Xie Jinshu had helped Ling Yunhe take control of the Ling Family, and the business of Baozhuang Building had fallen back into Ling Yunhe’s hands. To celebrate, Ling Yunhe specially invited Xie Jinshu out for drinks.

After three or four invitations, Xie Jinshu finally found the time to accept.

They met at a restaurant owned by the Xie family. Xie Jinshu went straight to the third floor, pushed open the door to their private room, and saw Ling Yunhe already waiting for him. He said directly, "I told you before, there’s no need for all this trouble. Does our friendship really depend on this one meal?"

"Well, well. It seems Second Young Master Xie’s status has risen with the tide. Is having a drink with me such a grievance for you now?"

Xie Jinshu: ...

Fine!

After taking a seat, Xie Jinshu looked at Ling Yunhe. "You look like you’re in a good mood."

Ling Yunhe poured Xie Jinshu a cup of wine. "This time, it was all thanks to your righteous help. Otherwise, I’m afraid I would’ve never gotten back on my feet."

"Cut the flattery. With your skills, how could you not get back on your feet? You’re just too soft on your family. You should have been tougher with a traitor like Third Master Ling." Xie Jinshu clinked cups with Ling Yunhe, then took a sip of wine.

Ling Yunhe picked up some food with his chopsticks and said to Xie Jinshu, "The Ling Family really went through a major shakeup this time. We lost a lot of business."

"If they don’t cough up some blood, how would they ever know how capable you are?" Xie Jinshu scoffed. "And that was me going easy on them for your sake. Otherwise, I would have made sure they were crippled so they’d learn their lesson properly."

"My friend, thank you." Ling Yunhe raised his cup.

Xie Jinshu smiled, raised his cup as well, and downed it in one go before asking, "How is Uncle Ling doing?"

"He was heartbroken by my third uncle this time and fell ill for a bit. He’s been much better these past two days," Ling Yunhe said.

"That’s good. It will all pass." Xie Jinshu nodded. ’If Mr. Ling hadn’t been so indulgent with his younger brother, none of this would have happened. It’s not too late to see his family’s true colors.’ He then said aloud, "You’ve seen the commotion at Treasure Pearl Building. You need to be prepared for the same at Baozhuang Building."

"It will definitely work in the Capital City, but we’ll have to take it slow if we expand to the south," Ling Yunhe said. "The Capital City has many prestigious families and wealthy people. Everyone wants to show off, so they’ll definitely be willing to spend the money."

"But outside the capital, people might not be willing to spend so much on these things."

"You’re not thinking it through," Xie Jinshu said with a light chuckle. "If items that are hard to obtain in the Capital City become available in the provinces, don’t you think people there will send them to the capital as gifts?"

Ling Yunhe was taken aback.

Xie Jinshu glanced at him. "Is there any shortage of ’tribute’ sent to the Capital City from the provinces every year? Rare treasures, gold, silver, jade, and all sorts of ’charcoal’ and ’ice’ gifts—isn’t it all to curry favor with superiors? Why would items from Baozhuang Building be any different?"

In the Capital City, demand far outstrips supply, but it’s a different story in the provinces. It would be much easier to get the items there.

Ling Yunhe was overjoyed. "My good friend, why didn’t I think of that?"

’As long as we can get people into the shop, our profits won’t be limited to just the exclusive items.’

Ling Yunhe had a moment of sudden clarity, his mind instantly flooded with new ideas. This drink had been well worth it.

Watching Ling Yunhe’s re-energized appearance, Xie Jinshu mused to himself, ’Looks like Lady Ming’s profits this year will be quite substantial. In that case, my goal has been achieved.’