Chapter 179: Strength

Words : 1348 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Before Song’s Ice Shop made a big purchase of ice, there were customers at Su Jin’s ice shop, but they were sparse. After Song’s Ice Shop bought five thousand taels of ice blocks— As Su Jin said, the business completely boomed. No one is a fool. Song’s Ice Shop sells ice, so why would they buy so much ice? It’s not to hoard and sell to others. They bought it at one tael of silver, it’s impossible to sell it again at one tael, investing manpower and resources for nothing. Originally, everyone was moved by the ice prices of Conscience Ice Shop. That was truly a heartfelt price. Just afraid of the backing behind Song’s Ice Shop, they suppressed the desire to act. Now that Song’s Ice Shop is buying ice from Conscience Ice Shop, why shouldn’t they? Do they want to wait for the ice at Conscience Ice Shop to sell out and then buy expensive ice from Song’s Ice Shop? They don’t have money to burn! Once the news spread, Conscience Ice Shop became crowded. This outcome left Manager Wang shocked. This is not what he had in mind at all! What made him even more anxious was that for the ten free blocks of ice from Conscience Ice Shop, customers were buying at least a hundred taels of silver... In past years, a hundred taels of ice would barely relieve the heat, but this year the same amount of money ensures a much more relaxing summer, spending it feels no pain at all. More importantly, the ice shop promised to offer double compensation if the ice blocks ran out. Even more importantly, customers could pay first and pick up the ice blocks later, not worrying about them melting before the peak heat. There’s no service more honest, thoughtful, and comprehensive than this. Manager Wang just stood at the door watching. Face grim beyond words. The young assistant shuddered, words rising to his throat several times but swallowed back. He didn’t dare say it. But that strong intuition terrified him. He felt that if the ice shop didn’t lower prices, the ice in the ice cellar would end up unsellable. Those were the ice blocks they pulled out of the river in the dead of winter... As more people came to buy, the crowd even spilled onto the steps of Song’s Ice Shop, and Manager Wang kicked someone in the behind. A poor servant from some house stumbled forward. With a crash. Knocking over several others. The servant rubbed his kicked sore buttock, knowing it was from Song’s Ice Shop, angry but not daring to speak. Eyes seething with anger, with such an attitude, even if the prices were the same, he wouldn’t buy from them, let alone when their prices were double! Serves them right for provoking the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, even the Empress Dowager has suffered defeat at her hands, let alone a small ice shop! In the crowd, someone stepped and fights broke out. The commotion reached the backyard. "Why is it so noisy outside?" Su Jin asked. With more people in the shop, they had moved to the backyard to chat. Several were sunbathing in the yard. No choice, the backyard was chilly, so they needed the sun to warm up. Xingxing went to check, then came back saying, "There are too many people buying ice, they started fighting." Su Jin was both amused and helpless. "They must be afraid the ice will sell out," laughed Chu Shun. "Miss, you better go take a look, if everyone starts fighting, they might tear our shop apart," Xingxing said. Su Jin got up and went out. She stood at the entrance and shouted several times before the scene calmed down. Su Jin smiled and said, "I’m very pleased that everyone has come to visit our little shop. You don’t need to fight; there is as much ice in our shop as you want. As long as you bring money, the ice shop will deliver." Seeing the crowd was large and chaotic, Su Jin said, "Line up nicely, don’t block the road, and don’t block the entrance to Song’s Ice Shop opposite, let them do their business." Manager Wang, "...!!!" The young assistant, "...!!!" Honestly. If this shop wasn’t the owner’s. And the losses weren’t the owner’s. They’d likely spit blood on the spot. The Heir of Marquis Beining, shaking the jade fan, laughed and said, "Sister-in-law’s stab is quite sharp." "Don’t be fooled by her delicate frame, she’s carrying a several-meters-long sword," said Prince NanAn. "Laced with poison, deadly at the first cut," the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo added. "...." "Are you guys badmouthing my Miss?" Xingxing interjected with a sideways glance. "That’s a compliment," Prince NanAn laughed. Xingxing was dubious. Those buying ice blocks were obedient, they genuinely started lining up. The young assistant at Song’s Ice Shop couldn’t hold it anymore, looking at Manager Wang and saying, "If their ice shop really has endless ice, then the owner’s five thousand taels are gone, and with so many people buying ice, who will buy ours?" In the sweltering summer, the households that can afford to use ice to cool off are wealthy families. There are many such families in the Capital, but they are limited. The consumption of ice blocks is fixed; buying from Conscience Ice Shop means they naturally won’t buy from us. The young assistant remembered the harsh words from the servant of Prince NanAn— Within three days, let their ice shop go out of business. In the assistant’s view, it didn’t even take three days, half of Song’s Ice Shop was already closed now. "I don’t believe they have so many ice blocks to sell!" Manager Wang stubbornly held onto his belief. Or rather, he was forcing himself to believe it. He couldn’t imagine how enraged Duke Chong’s Mansion would be upon hearing the news. Fortunately, this rotten idea to buy out Conscience Ice Shop was not theirs, but Princess Nanzhang’s. Otherwise, they would be doomed. Staying in the backyard for a short while. The shopkeeper came over, smiling so broadly he couldn’t close his mouth, and said, "We’ve already made over thirteen thousand taels." "That much already?" The Heir of Marquis Beining exclaimed. A young assistant came running over with three silver notes, saying, "Drunken Immortal Pavilion is buying ice blocks worth two thousand five hundred taels." Drunken Immortal Pavilion consumes a lot of ice during summer. Not only does the body need ice to stay cool, but the downstairs needs ice basins, and the upstairs private rooms require even more, so the amount of ice blocks needed is naturally considerable. Today, with Conscience Ice Shop’s opening, Drunken Immortal Pavilion saved at least three thousand taels of silver. Xingxing looked up at the sky, laughing with arched eyebrows, "Miss, we should also go take care of Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s business." "Let’s go, time to eat." Su Jin and her group headed to Drunken Immortal Pavilion. The shopkeeper of Drunken Immortal Pavilion personally welcomed them, saying, "Today’s the grand opening of the ice shop by the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion and several masters, Drunken Immortal Pavilion is offering a feast to celebrate." "So generous?" Prince NanAn laughed. The shopkeeper forced a laugh. Being generous was not a choice, it was a necessity. If by any chance they angered the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, and she opened a restaurant opposite Drunken Immortal Pavilion, what would happen then? She indeed has two Imperial Chefs, and the Emperor favors her, getting one or two more is no challenge. They have the power to make Drunken Immortal Pavilion close down. Song’s Ice Shop is a cautionary tale. Cannot afford to offend, must appease. Su Jin smiled, "Later, we’ll deliver three hundred blocks of ice to you, consider it a token of reciprocation." The shopkeeper was impressed by Su Jin’s actions, truly magnanimous. Chu Shun and the others were also impressed. Big sister-in-law invited three times. Not once did she pay from her own pocket.

Chapter 179: Strength

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