Chapter 58: Reputation

Chapter 58

Reputation

During this time, Nie Shuang was extremely busy, even though she had declined numerous invitations from people wanting to pay their respects. She drafted the conditions for the concession to be reviewed by Master Wen in detail. Essentially, Xiangyun would not interfere with local tea shops but would distribute its own products, protected as an official tea leaves shop. It would also purchase renowned teas from various cities to sell. In the end, she received approval for the concession from Master Wen without any changes. The Minister of Finance saw that the royal court stood to lose nothing—on the contrary, they would acquire horses at no cost, and Xiangyun’s tea trade routes would enhance trade between different provinces in the Da Ye Region.

Once news spread that Xiangyun Tea House had secured the tea trade concession, a group of malicious individuals began attacking the tea house. They claimed Xiangyun was using General Song’s power to monopolize the tea trade, taking advantage of local businesses and aiming to dominate the buying and selling of tea.

Shortly after these slanderous rumors circulated, protesters appeared in front of Xiangyun Tea House. It seemed there were people stirring up trouble behind the scenes. The tea house’s business suffered for several days, but Nie Shuang ordered her staff not to respond or defend themselves, especially Song Qilin who looked ready to kill someone. Instead, she had her people calculate the annual cost of purchasing warhorses and converted it into tax per household—an amount representing a hefty war tax. These figures were posted at four locations: outside Xiangyun Tea House, at the city gates, in front of the government hall, and in front of the now-closed Chun Shui Shop.

The next day, public opinion shifted. People began praising Xiangyun Tea House. If Xiangyun hadn’t sent their tea to trade for warhorses with the Xi Region, the common folk would have been burdened with enormous tax increases. With the war dragging on for years, poor families would have suffered even more. Moreover, the concession wasn’t permanent; once the war ended, Xiangyun Shop wouldn’t retain the concession. The tea house was seen as selflessly contributing to the greater good, benefiting the masses.

Nie Shuang foresaw that once the war ended, even without the concession, Xiangyun Shop would have already solidified its reputation as the number one tea shop in the land! The brand would hardly need any further advertising—people would remember Xiangyun as a shop of high-quality government-certified teas, with a positive social image firmly embedded in their minds.

After the bad rumors about Xiangyun faded, Ding Tao tearfully brought the deed to Chun Shui Shop to Nie Shuang’s mansion.

"Please, Young Furen, have mercy. My Ding family will leave Huangjing City as soon as possible and never return. Please, I beg you, speak to General Song on our behalf."

Nie Shuang could only shake her head—Song Qilin must have done something behind her back again...

No matter how much she pressed Ding Tao to reveal what the General had done, he refused to say. Even when she tried to insist that he accept money for the tea shop, he refused and only continued to beg for her mercy. After shoving the deed into her hands, he hurriedly left. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of threat her husband had made this time!

Ding Tao was still trembling. In the past, he had bullied many people through thuggish means, but he never expected General Song to be even more ruthless. He stormed into the Ding family mansion and beat every male in the family until they were black and blue. Despite the fact that they had cleaned up any trace of the rumors and left no evidence linking them to the slander, General Song didn’t care. He simply said that if anything happened to his wife, the Ding family would be held responsible. Staying in the city was unsafe; even their long journey to the southern border would hold no guarantees for their safety if they displeased the General!

Kang Wang had not visited the mansion again, though he facilitated her very well as she had asked for permission to hold the Qixi day’s event. This festival was a celebration of love for married couples and the day of asking for wisdom. Nie Shuang had contacted several embroidery and stationery shops to participate. By now, she had become an influential figure in Huangjing City. Whatever she did, people responded eagerly. Even the Tian Fo Si Temple sent representatives to help set up the shrine to Weaver Goddess Zhinü and God Niuqian, and they had commissioned a grand painting of the deities for worship. It seemed that after the festival, the temple would keep the painting as a permanent offering for visitors.

The city’s academy also reached out to her, suggesting a calligraphy competition for boys in addition to the needle-threading contest for girls. Nie Shuang approved of the idea, and it was added to the event schedule. Invitations were sent to neighboring cities in advance, and it seemed the festival would be a lively affair. Once the arrangements were finalized, Nie Shuang invited Song Qilin to visit the tea house with her one day.

They headed to a private room where a maid poured tea for them before leaving. Song Qilin held his teacup with a teasing expression.

"Who do you want me to meet today?"

Over the past few days, he had accompanied her to meet many people. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her work, though each time she made sure to bring the children along, as if ensuring he would get to spend enough time with them.

The door to the room opened, and Kang Wang stepped inside. Both men froze momentarily upon seeing each other. Kang Wang composed himself, walked over, and sat down across from them, not even glancing at Song Qilin. Nie Shuang greeted him with a respectful bow, while Song Qilin remained silent, his eyes fixed on his friend.

"Lady Boss...I’m not sure what business brings you to invite me here today,"

Kang Wang said politely.

"Your Highness, I apologize for troubling you. I am but a humble merchant and wouldn’t dare disturb you at your palace. I merely wanted to express my gratitude for all the help you’ve provided. If not for your peaceful governance of Huangjing and the Nan Fang province, I would never have been able to build my success."

Kang Wang smiled gently at her, brushing off her thanks with modesty.

"It’s all because of your own abilities, Lady Boss. It has little to do with me. There are countless people in Huangjing, yet none have risen to wealth and prominence as you have."

"It was all thanks to you, Your Highness. If not for your support in the beginning, purchasing my Lü Cui tea and sending it to the palace, Xiangyun Tea House would not be as well-known as it is today. Even the poem you recited has kept Lü Cui and Hong Bao teas on everyone’s lips. If I had to say who has benefited me the most, it would undoubtedly be you,"

Nie Shuang spoke sincerely, and even Song Qilin felt touched. His friend had helped his wife far more than he had known.

Kang Wang smiled, pleased that she remembered all he had done.

"Your Highness, some people are born to complement each other. You are a ruler, and I am a merchant; we are not of equal standing. But we support each other like teeth and lips. A city with wealthy merchants will always prosper, and a peaceful and stable city is always ripe for investment. I admire you and have faith in you. Between us, there can only be mutual respect, nothing more. I’m sure you understand this..."

Kang Wang lowered his eyes to the teacup in his hand, his face falling as he listened to her. If she were to say such words, it would have been better not to invite him at all...

"Wuqian...I’m deeply grateful to you. I have to go far away soon and won’t be able to care for her. With you here, I can rest easy,"

Song Qilin spoke with heartfelt gratitude, no longer dwelling on the punch from the other day.

Kang Wang had spent the past few days reflecting on it all. None of this was Song Qilin’s fault—it was he himself who couldn’t restrain his heart...He knew all along it was impossible but had foolishly let himself hope.

"Mm...I should apologize for hitting you..."

"Forget about that. It’s nothing,"

Song Qilin said generously, and then they both sipped their tea with a warm smile. Soon, the tension slowly eased. Nie Shuang, observing this, finally felt at peace.

"Your Highness is kind and full of wisdom. Should the day come when you embark on something grand, I, Nie Shuang, will be ready to pledge my support to you."

Kang Wang was taken aback but quickly masked his surprise. How did she know!? He had always acted as a reserved Wang, content with governing distant provinces and avoiding palace intrigue. He glanced briefly at Song Qilin, but his friend also looked equally surprised, shaking his head slightly. Unable to resist, Kang Wang asked,

"Lady Boss! What are you saying!? I have no such..."

He quickly denied it, but Nie Shuang only smiled. Song Qilin had never told her anything, but she had been in business for so long, so she could see through the political undercurrents and had a hunch about his ambitions.

"The road ahead is long. Once the external wars are over, who can say there won’t be internal ones? Wars always need a strong supply chain, do they not?"Lady Boss was truly terrifying, thought Kang Wang.