Chapter 385
~ TAKE REFUGE IN THE FIRST PRINCE ~
After sending the parrot out, Mu Yunyao returned to her room and started to ponder over what was written in Yue Wang’s letter. These days, she wasn’t only busy with the matters of Ni Yun Fang, but she also paid a lot of attention to the matter of Bu Xian Luo. It was just a teahouse, but it was completely different from the embroidery store. So, it was impossible to adapt the methods of Ni Yun Fang to Bu Xian Luo.
The shopkeeper in charge of Bu Xian Luo in the Capital has surnamed Yue and was Yue Wang’s trusted aide. He was familiar with the corresponding things in Bu Xian Luo with Steward Qin. Before coming to the Capital, he had been told repeatedly to treat Miss Mu with extreme respect and treat her like his master. Thus, when he heard that Mu Yunyao had left the residence, he hurriedly rushed to Ni Yun Fang over to seek an audience.
“Greetings, Miss Mu.”
“Shopkeeper Yue, there’s no need to be so polite. Jin Lan, please serve the tea.”
“Thank you, Miss Mu. In fact, I’m here this time because I want to ask Miss Mu for advice.”
Mu Yunyao slightly nodded. “Is it because of the matter of Bu Xian Luo’s opening?”
“Yes, I heard that Miss Mu has prepared a new set of plans for the opening of Ni Yun Fang. Now that it all set up, I thought I’d come and wanted to ask if there’s anything I can do about Bu Xian Luo.” Shopkeeper Yue was a bit embarrassed. However, he recalled that Steward Qin had said that if I am unsure about something, I could come and consult Miss Mu for advice. He felt uneasy if he doesn’t come to ask.
Mu Yunyao smiled. “Actually, I’ve already thought about the opening of Bu Xian Luo a long time ago. Bu Xian Luo is a teahouse, so the business is also different from Ni Yun Fang. Ni Yun Fang is filled with ladies and young ladies, and it’s bustling with noise and excitement. However, Bu Xian Luo faces mostly male guests, so it’s bustling with elegance. The opening of the two is naturally different.”
When Shopkeeper Yue heard this, he immediately felt his heart light up: “That’s right.”
Mu Yunyao continued, “Ni Yun Fang can be very popular because no matter how famous you are, it’s only an embroidery store. It does women’s business and can’t become a big deal. While BU Xian Luo, it was enough to seek stability. At the moment, it was the best plan that was calm and steady. So you don’t have to think too much about makes the opening a bit more lively? It’s not bad to be plain and light.”
“But if that’s the case, won’t it be difficult to create an opening?”
“There was once an elder who told me that it takes a bit of time to moisturize things for a long time without making a sound. If Shopkeeper Yue is interested, you might as well learn from Jingling City and set up some tea stalls on the wharf, city gate, and both sides of the road. It can also be said that you have accumulated some good names by providing tea for others.”
Shopkeeper Yue quickly noted it down in his mind: “Yes, it should be like this. I will follow Miss’s previous words told shopkeeper Qin before. I will pay extra attention when setting up the tea stand so as not affect other people’s business.”
Mu Yunyao nodded her head. “This is for the best. In addition, you should pay more attention to the guests. After all, the Capital is not like other places.
There are more noble people, and there are more unnatural things. Don’t offend others easily. There is a limit to how much the guest can afford, and there is also a limit to how many guests can be entertained every day. Don’t be greedy. Let Bu Xian Luo’s Si Cha be more meticulous and speak less if they can. Just make a good brew of the tea in their hands.”
The purpose of establishing Bu Xian Luo is to help Yue Wang converge the news. However, the Capital was filled with people, and if something was wrong, it could be easily exposed. In the past few months, or even half a year, Bu Xian Luo would have to act as low-key as possible, and standing a firm foothold in the Capital was the most important.
Shopkeeper Yue’s heart trembled as he hurriedly bowed to Mu Yunyao. “Thank you for the advice, Miss.”
“Everything else is just as usual. In addition, the accounts should be recorded clearly. The Chinese New Year will be more than two months away. It is inevitable to have porridge during Laba and New Year. Also, you will have to spend more silver at that time. These things are not urgent, so we can just slowly prepare them in the future.”
“Yes, after hearing what Miss Mu has said, I finally have some confidence. I’ll go back and make the arrangements.”
Mu Yunyao nodded. “Jin Lan, send Shopkeeper Yue out.”
After sending off Shopkeeper Yue, Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but think of Qi Ming. At this time, Qi Ming should have gone to the First Prince to seek refuge.
It was night. In the First Prince’s Palace, the physician carefully withdrew the silver needles and reported to the steward, “Steward, he is temporarily out of danger. You should to take good care of him and feed him medicine on time. He should be able to wake up in the middle of the night.”
“Ok, sorry to trouble you, physician.”
After sending off the physician, the steward returned to the study room in the front courtyard. He looked at Ling Wang, who was reading a book behind the table, and said, “Your Highness, that person is indeed Qi Ming who cheated the salt merchant in Yangzhou before.”
Ling Wang put down the book in his hand, and his eyebrows wrinkled involuntarily: “Qi Ming. I have been looking for him for so long, but I didn’t expect that he take the initiative to send himself to the door. Can anyone find out who is hunted him down?”
“The person who caught him had committed suicide, so we didn’t find any useful clues. However, we found a few shreds of paper oon Qi Ming’s body. It seems that they haven’t been burnt completely. Please have a look, Your Highness.”
Ling Wang took a few shreds of paper, and when he saw the words written on them, he suddenly sat up straight. His eyes flashed with a sharp light: “This handwriting …. It’s Ning Junjin....”
“Is there anything else?”
“There’s nothing else.”
After thinking about it carefully for a moment, Ling Wang suddenly revealed a smile, “Have someone take good care of Qi Ming, and don’t let him die. Also, keep an eye on Jin Wang and see if there are any movements from him recently. As soon as Qi Ming wakes up, come over and report it to me.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
In the latter half of the night, Qi Ming woke up in a daze. Not long after he woke up, he heard footsteps at the door, and then Ling Wang walked in.
Qi Ming turned pale with fright: “Ling…Ling…”
“It seems that you know me. This is rather strange. Aren’t you a merchant? How do you know me?”
Qi Ming looked around, seeing the unfamiliar arrangement, and a look of despair flashed in his eyes: “His Royal Highness Ling Wang sent people to capture me was probably to kill me and vent his anger on me. Since that’s the case, then please make a move.”
“If I really wanted to kill you to vent my anger, would I even let a physician treat your wounds?”
Qi Ming moved and wanted to get up, but then lay back on the bed due to the pain: “Why did you send people to to chase me, tand then you asked someone to save me? Do you want to use this kindness to win me over?”
Ling Wang frowned: “I have never sent anyone to hunt you down. Instead, I sent someone to kill the assassin that was chasing you and save your life. As for who actually wants to kill you, don’t you have any speculation in your heart?”
“Not you?” Qi Ming frowned and thought for a while before his face suddenly changed, “Could it be … That’s impossible!”
Seeing Qi Ming like this, Ling Wang’s eyes flashed with a smile: “You should have guessed it right, the one who wants to kill you is your Master, Jin Wang!”
“This is impossible… I have made great contributions for Master....” Qi Ming clenched his teeth and burst out in grief and anger. Because he was too excited, the wound on his chest started to seep out blood. “Your Highness … Are you trying to set me up?”
“It seems that you should have guessed in your heart. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have such a huge reaction due to my words.”
Qi Ming closed his eyes and no longer looked at Ling Wang. No matter what he said, there was no response.
Ling Wang slightly narrowed his eyes and turned his head to the steward beside him. “Take good care of Lord Qi. Ask the best physician and use the best medicine. Make sure that Lord Qi recovers as soon as possible.”
“Yes.”