Chapter 881 - 880: Pragmatism

Words : 1319 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 881: Chapter 880: Pragmatism Shopkeeper Tian started listening to Old Granny Zhang’s words. No matter how unpleasant they were, his expression didn’t change. But only upon hearing the last sentence did his expression falter. He couldn’t care less that he was in front of Old Granny Zhang and her daughter; he turned his head and asked the shop assistant behind him, "What’s going on here? Why didn’t you tell me that her son-in-law is a scholar planning to take the autumn examinations?" The shop assistant also realized the gravity of the situation. His face turned pale, and his legs went weak as he knelt on the ground, "Boss, I... I..." For a long time, he couldn’t explain anything clearly. Shopkeeper Tian was both angry and frustrated, but he managed to stay rational, knowing that he couldn’t lose his temper. He glared hard at the shop assistant, then turned back with a smile, "Big sister, what are you saying? I’m here today to apologize to my niece! Yesterday, it was that nephew’s wife of yours who was ignorant, and my shop assistants were shortsighted, which led to these misunderstandings!" "My niece isn’t considered an outsider to my family either! My niece just felt sorry for her uncle being deceived by his subordinates and helped to discipline them for me! I’m grateful to her; how could I blame my niece?" "These items are my apology to my niece! Originally, the second daughter-in-law should have personally come to apologize, but she’s pregnant and moved her baby’s fetus yesterday, so she couldn’t come out. As soon as she’s able, I will have her come and serve tea to apologize to my niece!" "It’s also my subordinates’ fault for not investigating thoroughly. I didn’t even know my niece’s husband is a scholar! I’ve really come in a rush today and didn’t bring anything for your niece’s husband, which is truly disrespectful!" "But since you, Big Sister, and my niece and her husband will be living in town from now on, we’ll frequently see each other. Today doesn’t need to be the only occasion. Since your niece’s husband is preparing for the autumn examination this year, it’s not good for me, as an uncle, to disturb him and risk distracting him! I’ll take my leave for now! If you need any help, feel free to let me know. Not to boast, but this uncle has some standing in Jing County!" Shopkeeper Tian still kept his composure, his face unchanged. After finishing these words, he finally rose and took his leave. Old Granny Zhang immediately said, "If you’re leaving, take those things you brought with you!" Shopkeeper Tian didn’t want to take them back at all, and said at once, "They’re just some worthless items. Let Big Sister, your niece, and her husband distribute them to anyone they please. I won’t intrude today. Let Qiu Ju bring the children for a visit another day!" With that, he hustled out of the courtyard with his shop assistant. Old Granny Wu and Old Madam Ding were left, looking at the courtyard full of gifts, unsure if they should chase after him to return them. Old Granny Zhang, however, laughed, "Why are you standing there gawking? Move them over here so I can have a look! I worked myself to the bone for the Zhang Family for so many years, and today I’ve finally seen some return! Besides, these are peace offerings for my daughter, why shouldn’t we accept them?" She wasn’t one of those girls from fictions with a broken head, who for the sake of face, refuse what they should take and act all lofty, only to suffer themselves. These gifts, since the Tian Family brought them and said they were for her daughter, she was naturally accepting them with peace of mind! What Wang Yongzhu admired most about Old Granny Zhang was this pragmatic spirit, not feeling at all that these gifts from the Tian Family were an attempt to flaunt their wealth. So she grinned and drew closer to Old Granny Zhang’s side, and the mother-daughter pair began to examine the peace offerings. Particularly that gleaming gold necklace, heavy in hand, likely weighing several taels. Though poorly crafted, the weight alone made it quite valuable. Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu were researching the gifts in the courtyard, while Shopkeeper Tian was seething with suppressed anger. After barely holding it back upon exiting the Song Family courtyard and climbing onto the carriage, he vented his rage by smashing the teacups and snack boxes, then said coldly, "What on earth is going on? I asked you to gather information, and you overlooked the most important thing!" The shop assistant kneeled on the ground, trembling, "Boss! I inquired yesterday, and the people from the Escort Agency indeed informed me about Lady Wang’s family situation. They said she’s good at business, dyes excellent cloth, and has the Auspicious Dye Workshop supporting her, which allowed them to buy a house in town. They also said she married a mere hunter, who was only noticed by Lady Wang because of his good looks——" "Get lost——" Shopkeeper Tian bellowed, kicking out in fury. The shop assistant took the heavy blow silently, not daring to make a sound as he quietly retreated. Then he heard Shopkeeper Tian ordering again, "Investigate it! Investigate thoroughly! Find out whether her son-in-law is really a scholar taking the autumn examination this year! Go to Qilidun and investigate thoroughly for me!" The shop assistant quickly agreed, jumped off the carriage, and went straight to carry out his orders. Sitting in the carriage, Shopkeeper Tian frowned. It was yesterday he received the news and understood why Old Granny Zhang’s daughter was so audacious. Isn’t it just because she knows how to dye cloth with the backing of the Auspicious Dye Workshop? Who in business circles hasn’t heard of Auspicious Dye Workshop? It used to be just a small dye workshop, but overnight, because a Noble Patron in the palace took notice of it, it rose to prominence. Now the fabrics dyed by the Auspicious Dye Workshop are in such demand that people flock from all over Jiangnan. Some even discovered that the owner behind the Auspicious Dye Workshop is actually the Lee Family! Being in the business for so many years, Shopkeeper Tian naturally understood how formidable the Lee Family was, and wouldn’t dare offend them? Upon learning this, he didn’t even hesitate and brought gifts for peace on his visit. Thinking of how he could use this opportunity to perhaps forge a connection with the Lee Family, losing one Rouge and Powder Shop seemed insignificant. A small-town girl from the countryside, how much could she know? He thought he could sweeten her up, give her some benefits, and maybe even coax the dye recipe out of her. Then it would truly be the Tian Family’s rise. Previously, he only heard that Zhang Chuntao was difficult to deal with, but he didn’t take it seriously, thinking she was just a village woman, fierce but unknowing, and surely when he presented his gifts, especially the gold necklace, she’d be speechless. He had good hopes, but hadn’t expected Zhang Chuntao to be so hard to handle. Not a single soft word worked; instead, her words subtly mocked the Tian Family. That was nothing; he wouldn’t care about some villagers’ prattle, but he hadn’t expected that Zhang Chuntao had a scholar son-in-law who was to take the autumn exams. This was problematic! So this was why the mother and daughter were so confident; they had a scholar to back them! Hmph! If it weren’t for their good luck, to come at such a favorable time when the County Magistrate repeatedly instructed making these scholars a priority, what would a scholar matter? What does Jing County have the most? Scholars, of course! This place has graduates everywhere, and scholars aplenty!

Chapter 881 - 880: Pragmatism

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