Chapter 81: Turmoil in the Bustling Market

Chapter 81 - Turmoil in the Bustling Market Note: Don't Forget to join my Pãtreon/flokixy to get access to +60 Advance Chapters or unlock the full story from the shop support so I can bring more Chapters for you The next morning, Su Li planned to go out, but to her surprise, Wei Yuan Yao came looking for her first. "Lie, you and Prince Jing, you two..." "Stop right there, Cousin. There's nothing between us," Su Li quickly interjected upon seeing the look on her cousin's face, knowing exactly what she was thinking. "I haven't even said anything yet! I meant to ask, how well do you know Prince Jing? Why did he come to propose as well? Do you realize how envious all the women in the capital are of you right now? Being proposed to by four families at once—this is something not even the storytellers would dare write!" "Right now, all over town, they're saying that both Prince Jing and the Sixth Prince are utterly infatuated with you, to the point of nearly coming to blows over you..." Su Li sighed helplessly. "These rumors are completely ridiculous. I've only met Prince Jing a few times, and I've barely exchanged a few words with the Sixth Prince. What 'infatuation' are they talking about?" Wei Yuan Yao chuckled mischievously. "That's why I say my little cousin is amazing! Without even exchanging a word, people are already coming to propose. Some people have been shamelessly clinging to the Sixth Prince for years and still haven't earned so much as a glance from him." Su Li continued organizing the Xuan paper in her hands, ignoring her cousin's teasing. Wei Yuan Yao went on. "Cousin, do you know? Meng Zhiyun is absolutely devoted to the Sixth Prince—it's common knowledge throughout the capital. When news broke that the Sixth Prince came to your family to propose, she must've been absolutely furious." "Huh? Cousin, what's this?" Wei Yuan Yao asked curiously, watching Su Li organize the papers. Peering closer, she saw that the sheets were covered in drawings, with detailed notes written alongside them. Su Li explained, "I'm planning to convert a few empty storefronts into an inn. These are some layout designs and ideas for management." Wei Yuan Yao's eyes lit up. "Cousin, are you going into business?" Su Li nodded. "In these times, money is the most practical thing. The shops are just sitting empty anyway, and renting them out won't bring in much. It's better to take them back and try something new. For now, I don't have enough funds to start big, so I'll just open one or two places as a trial." "Cousin, if you're short on funds, just let me know! Wait here—I'll go get some money! My brother has plenty of idle cash lying around; I'll bring it all to you!" Before Su Li could stop her, Wei Yuan Yao was already rushing toward the door. Su Li quickly grabbed her arm. "Cousin, no need. I have enough for now. Besides, I'm not sure if this venture will make money. If it fails..." Wei Yuan Yao waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I don't need that money anyway. If we lose it, so be it." Su Li thought for a moment. She believed the inn wouldn't fail, so involving her cousin might even help accumulate a dowry for her. "Alright, but let's keep this between us for now—just the two of us. Don't let the elders find out." In Tianqi society, merchants ranked low among scholars, farmers, artisans, and traders. Before achieving success, Su Li didn't want any interference. "Don't worry! Let's quietly amass our fortune!" With that, Wei Yuan Yao hurriedly left. Su Li couldn't help but laugh. Her cousin's impulsive nature was so much like her uncle's. "Si Qin, prepare the carriage." "Yes." The carriage moved slowly through the bustling streets, as the market district required reduced speed due to heavy foot traffic. Outside, the sounds of people shouting, carts rolling, and vendors hawking their wares created a cacophony. Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a stop, followed by commotion outside. Si Qin called out loudly, "What's going on?" The driver's voice trembled with panic. "It... it seems we hit someone." At that moment, a woman's voice rang out. "Who's inside the carriage? You've hit someone!" Accusations and murmurs from the crowd began filtering into the carriage. Si Qin lifted the curtain and stepped down. There, near the carriage, lay an elderly man, curled up and seemingly lifeless. Seeing someone emerge, the surrounding voices grew louder. "You were speeding through the busy market! Now that you've killed someone, are you just going to hide instead of turning yourselves in to the authorities?" "Isn't that the Su Family's carriage?" "Poor old man." Just then, a young woman rushed forward, wailing, "Father! Father! What happened to you? How could this happen in the blink of an eye? Father! What will I do without you?" Sympathy for the weak naturally drew more criticism from the crowd. "This poor girl... sigh..." "The Su Family hit someone and hasn't even come out to speak!" "So this is what they call an upright official? Pathetic." "Sigh, ordinary folk shouldn't meddle with officials. Let's stay quiet to avoid trouble." Si Qin tried to approach, her face tense. "Don't touch him! Stay away from my father! Father! Father!" Si Qin stopped reluctantly and spoke gently. "Young lady, the situation has gone far enough. Let's take him to the clinic immediately. Rest assured, we will cover all expenses." "What good is money?! My father is already gone—what use is a clinic? I demand justice! Take them to the authorities!" The woman cried bitterly, refusing to listen to Si Qin's reasoning and insisting on taking the matter to court. As the standoff continued, a clear and refined voice cut through the air. "The person inside the carriage, come out! You've allegedly killed someone and still refuse to show yourselves—how arrogant!" From within the carriage, Su Li's gaze turned icy. Today's incident was clearly no accident. Meng Zhiyun, I warned you. This time, I won't show mercy! Meng Zhiyun stepped forward, bending down to comfort the sobbing woman. "Don't be afraid, young lady. My father is the current Right Chancellor. Since I've encountered this matter, I'll ensure justice is served." The woman kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Miss! Please see justice done for us!" "Miss Meng is truly kind-hearted." "Yes, she's beautiful inside and out. Look at the Su Family—they hit someone and haven't even shown their faces." "Who's inside the Su Family carriage? Is it Madam Su or Miss Su?" The crowd naturally assumed it was a female member of the Su household since Si Qin had exited the carriage. Meng Zhiyun addressed Si Qin loudly. "This maid belongs to Miss Su Li. Surely the person inside must be Miss Su herself. Why hasn't she shown herself yet? Is she too ashamed of her appearance or too guilty after hitting someone?" Si Qin gritted her teeth and replied coldly, "Miss Meng, choose your words carefully. Hitting someone was unintentional. Our Su Family isn't avoiding responsibility—we'll cooperate fully in resolving this matter." Meng Zhiyun sneered. "Cooperate? You think sending a mere maid suffices? Who do you think you are, acting so high and mighty? Step aside!" She raised her hand to slap Si Qin. "Enough!" A sharp command echoed from the carriage. All eyes turned as the curtain was lifted by a pale, delicate hand. Si Qin stepped forward guiltily. "Young Miss." Carefully assisting her mistress, she helped Su Li descend from the carriage. The crowd watched as a red-clad maiden emerged gracefully, her face veiled and her demeanor cold. Beneath elegantly arched brows, almond-shaped eyes glared icily at Meng Zhiyun. For a moment, the scene froze. Everyone was struck by the innate nobility exuding from the young woman. Seeing her, Meng Zhiyun felt a surge of resentment. "Su Li, you finally decided to show yourself!" Su Li smirked coldly. "Miss Meng went through great lengths just to see me, it seems." Her gaze swept over the father-daughter duo lying prone and seated respectively. Meng Zhiyun snorted. "You killed someone and think throwing money at them will suffice? How heartless can you be?" The woman immediately burst into exaggerated wails. Su Li calmly responded, "According to Miss Meng, should I offer my life in recompense?" Meng Zhiyun stiffened—of course, that wasn't possible. "At the very least, you should apologize and take responsibility. This young woman is now alone—you should provide for her." Su Li sneered. "If this person truly died because of me, your demands would be reasonable. But this person did not die from being hit." The sobbing woman's back stiffened. Meng Zhiyun's expression flickered briefly before she regained her righteous composure. "Su Li, your words are laughable. So many witnesses saw this person perish under your carriage wheels. Are you denying responsibility?" Dissatisfied murmurs spread through the crowd. Phrases like "ugliness reflects inner corruption," "hideous people cause trouble," and "twisting facts" reached Su Li's ears, darkening her expression. "Even if none of you report this to the authorities, I will. Lao You, go file a report!" Lao You, the Su Family's coachman, immediately complied. "Yes, Young Miss!" He hurried out of the crowd. "What happened here?" A gentle voice emerged from behind the crowd. The throng parted, revealing several figures. "We pay respects to His Highness the Third Prince, His Highness the Sixth Prince, and Princess Seven." The arrivals were none other than Jun Ce, Jun Hui, and Princess Wanyan Xue. Upon seeing them, Meng Zhiyun instantly transformed back into a demure and elegant lady. Wanyan Xue approached Su Li excitedly. "Miss Su, I didn't expect to run into you today. Let's go shopping together!" Su Li sighed. "I'm afraid I can't accompany you right now." Wanyan Xue glanced around. "What's going on?" Meng Zhiyun stepped forward. "Miss Su's carriage was speeding through the market and killed this young woman's father." Wanyan Xue dismissed it lightly. "Miss Su surely didn't mean to. Just compensate them with some money—it's no big deal." Jun Ce and Jun Hui nodded. To them, this was indeed a minor issue. Though Su Li also considered it trivial, the rumor spreading would harm the Su Family's reputation. Jun Hui gazed at Su Li, assuming she was frightened. Softly, he reassured her, "Miss Su, don't be afraid. Return to the carriage and leave this to me." Meng Zhiyun's face darkened, glaring resentfully at Su Li. But Su Li refused his kindness, coldly stating, "As I said earlier, this person was not killed by me!" Jun Hui paused, assuming she was in denial. "If Miss Su says it's not her fault, then it's not. Rest assured, this matter won't spread." Su Li retorted sharply, "No need for Your Highness to trouble yourself. I've already reported this to the authorities. The truth will soon come to light." Before Jun Hui could respond, Meng Zhiyun interjected, "Your Highness, since Miss Su refuses your kindness, perhaps it's best not to involve yourself further." At that moment, another commotion arose from outside the crowd. "Who filed the report?"