But after Dong Huiying had been imprisoned by Pei Yu for a year and came out of the He Mansion once more, she found that the world had already changed beyond recognition, and the people were no longer the same.
Because of Pei Yu’s influence, her properties had already gained a bad reputation, and now that there was another rival playing against her, her situation had worsened like adding frost to snow.
Facing He Su’s inquiry, the Coachman could only shake his head, "I don’t know, that person is very mysterious, and those shopkeepers who cooperate with him are tight-lipped. I really can’t find anything out."
Tie Hailan was sitting by the side and saw that He Su was troubled, her heart moved with compassion. Just as she wanted to comfort He Su, she saw He Su gesture to her coachman, "Do me a favor..." After that, He Su’s face showed a touch of ruthlessness as she divulged her plan.
After hearing it, the Coachman was shocked, and Tie Hailan had an expression of surprise.
Seeing that both of them were making a big fuss, He Su thought for a moment, then sadly bowed her head, "Hai Lan, I have no choice... It’s obvious that they are targeting me; if I don’t retaliate, I can only keep taking hits. I’ve already lost a granary, and I want to hold on to the rest."
Tie Hailan opened her mouth and then sighed, "I understand." She expressed her understanding, but although her mind could comprehend it, emotionally, He Su’s method had a great impact on her.
Tie Hailan came from Jun City and had been clothed in silk and fed with jade since she was young. She might seem like an ignorant and irresponsible heir, often frivolous. But deep down, she detested the deceit and trickery of the business world and had been reluctant to manage her family’s businesses because of this aversion in the past.
She had thought that He Su was merely a merchant, albeit a different kind, but only today did she realize that the world was the same everywhere. She had been naive; she had overly idealized He Su, thinking too highly of her.
For a moment, Tie Hailan felt an immense sense of loneliness.
When the incident occurred, Shujun was playing chess with her young mistress under the eaves, advancing their horses diagonally, moving their elephants in a character "田" shape, and inching the pawn soldiers forward one step at a time.
From outside the courtyard, a drunken Sister Li staggered in, running and waving her arms.
Shujun raised an eyebrow, "Sister Li, has something happened outside?"
The drunk said, "Isn’t Tianji Shop known for selling pastries? Their pastries sell really well, even I’d rather drink one less pot of wine to buy some to taste. But there’s been trouble! Someone ate Tianji’s pastries and got poisoned, they’re lying outside Tianji Shop right now!"
Shujun narrowed his eyes, a cold smile appearing on his lips, "I see, thank you for letting me know, Sister Li."
He took out a string of copper coins to reward Sister Li, and after sending her away, he turned around only to see the young mistress looking worried.
The recipes for Tianji’s pastries had been improved by her before she gave them to Shujun. These days, she had been staying in the courtyard, keeping company with Shujun but had also been busy. Knowing that Shujun was contending with He Su’s shops, she had provided recipes, techniques, and innovative ideas. But now, someone had died from eating Tianji’s pastries, this...
Shujun quickly walked towards his mistress, cupping her small hands in his palms, soothing tenderly, "Don’t worry, there must be something fishy about this."
Dong Huiying pursed her lips, "I know, I can guess, it must be something He Su did, but a human life..."