Chapter 882 - 881: Reaching for the Sky

Words : 1335 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 882: Chapter 881: Reaching for the Sky Although it is said that the scholarly, agricultural, and commercial sectors place merchants at the lowest rank. But isn’t it true that rarity determines value? Scholars in Jing County are so numerous that they’re worthless, but doing business to the extent of the Tian Family, in Jing County, they’ve already gained some prestige. Moreover, due to the Lee Family’s influence, the current dynasty has always been very lenient towards merchants, especially the Lee Family, who are engaged in business by imperial decree; the Patriarch of the Lee Family even holds a noble title from the Imperial Court! Thinking of the Lee Family, Shopkeeper Tian calculated carefully in his mind again, really feeling a bit thorny. If Wang Yongzhu only relied on the Lee Family, there would still be a need to resolve it. If Song Chongjin was just an ordinary scholar, without Wang Yongzhu’s ability to earn money and connect with the Lee Family, it would be easier to handle. As the saying goes, a poor scholar, a poor scholar, not just in the countryside but even in ordinary families, to raise a scholar requires emptying the family assets. He only needs to say a few good words and offer more silver, then Song Chongjin won’t have to worry about silver for his studies, and he would gain a new connection. But Wang Yongzhu has established connections with the Lee Family, presumably is not lacking silver, otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to hire two grannies and wouldn’t even glance at the gold necklace sent to her. It’s natural to have confidence and not crave what she doesn’t lack. The matter with Wang Yongzhu needs further planning; yesterday and today, he thought too simply. Fortunately, he prepared for both scenarios; since Wang Yongzhu’s side is temporarily hard to move, he must focus on the other side. Thinking this way, Shopkeeper Tian instructed the coachman to turn the carriage around and head towards the County Yamen. In the afternoon, Old Granny Wu went out to buy some bits and pieces and reported back to Wang Yongzhu: "Scholar’s Lady, it’s not good—" Wang Yongzhu put away the last bit of edge on the robe she was making for Song Chongjin, then calmly said: "What happened?" Old Granny Wu whispered: "This afternoon, I went shopping and heard everyone on the street saying that the County Magistrate has issued a notice, stating that the rouge and powder sent to the Yamen and then checked by doctors at the clinic had no issues." Wang Yongzhu was stunned: "Did the notice say that?" Shouldn’t it be true that yesterday people tested it on the spot and confirmed it contained lead powder? "Didn’t anyone express doubt?" Wang Yongzhu asked. Old Granny Wu shook her head: "Heard that the few madams who went to check yesterday sent it for testing again today and said there was no issue." After hearing this, Wang Yongzhu gave a cold smile. Shopkeeper Tian really pulled a clever move! How much did it cost to silence those women from yesterday? While speaking, Madam Gu from across the door knocked and came in. Seeing Wang Yongzhu, she gave an embarrassed smile: "Lady Wang, um, I—" Seeing Old Granny Wu nearby, she swallowed the rest of the words. Old Granny Wu, being very perceptive, found an excuse and retreated to the inner room. Only then Madam Gu came next to Wang Yongzhu and whispered: "Lady Wang, this morning you said there was an issue with Tian Family’s rouge and powder, then how come the County Magistrate issued a notice in the afternoon stating there was no issue, and even said it was specially sent to our county’s most famous Peace Clinic for Old Master Qin to check—" Wang Yongzhu answered with a question: "Then Madam Gu, do you believe what I said or the County Magistrate’s notice?" Madam Gu instantly showed a conflicted expression, and after a while, she eventually spoke with resolve: "Lady Wang, sister! Let me tell you something from the heart, in principle, I should of course believe the County Magistrate’s notice, after all, it’s Old Master Qin from Peace Clinic himself who endorsed it! Old Master Qin has a lifelong reputation and would absolutely not lie! But somehow, I just dare not use Tian Family’s rouge and powder anymore." With the conversation reaching this point, what was there for Wang Yongzhu not to understand, she smiled: "Then Madam Gu, just don’t use it for now, I’ll send you a jar of Snow Cream later, use it for a couple of days first." Madam Gu was overjoyed to hear that; the Snow Cream applied on the face in the morning remained moisturized in the afternoon, even her own husband mentioned during lunch that her complexion seemed much better today. Such a good thing is definitely better than Tian Family’s rouge and powder! After expressing thanks repeatedly, she hesitated a bit before asking: "Lady Wang, I heard that this morning the owner of Tian Family called you auntie big sister? Are your families related? The County Magistrate said Tian Family’s rouge and powder had no issue, won’t the owner of Tian Family cause you trouble?" Wang Yongzhu laughed: "It’s fine! We have no relation at all with the Tian Family! The owner of Tian Family just wants to build connections! Just ignore them." Madam Gu, seeing Wang Yongzhu was not willing to talk more, sensibly made her farewell. Wang Yongzhu did as she said and sent a jar of Snow Cream to Madam Gu, who went home happily. As soon as Madam Gu left, Song Chongjin returned. Seeing Wang Yongzhu, he tossed something he held onto her before going to wash his face. Wang Yongzhu looked down, it was a piece of paper. When she opened it, well, wasn’t this a notice? The text indeed said as Madam Gu mentioned, stating that over a hundred samples of rouge and powder sent for inspection at the Yamen were randomly selected, with about ten samples sent to Peace Clinic for Old Master Qin to inspect, and according to the clinic’s results, there was no lead powder found in the rouge and powder; Notice of such was issued. Wang Yongzhu sneered, casually tossing the notice on the table, before asking Song Chongjin, when he sat beside her: "What’s going on? Is Shopkeeper Tian so powerful in Jing County that he directly bribed the County Magistrate or the doctors at Peace Clinic?" Song Chongjin also looked displeased; he had received news from his subordinates that afternoon. He had them keep a close eye on people from the Tian Family. Sure enough, Shopkeeper Tian indeed had a backup plan, acting when the Tian Family was in a critical situation. He didn’t bribe Peace Clinic or the County Magistrate but bought off a trusted Master under the County Magistrate, using some high-grade rouge and powder from other brands to replace those of his own. At the same time, he leveraged connections to send generous gifts to the husbands of several prominent women from yesterday. Only saying it was to comfort their wives. Those men, having heard a bit about it and receiving such generous gifts, looked at their wives—every one of them aging and dull—whether using rouge and powder made any difference? None of it compared to the youthful Shui Ling of fifteen or sixteen. How could they blame the rouge and powder? Obviously they’ve grown old! Thus, they all happily accepted the gifts and warned their wives not to stir trouble when going home. A crisis for the Tian Family was thus cleverly averted by Shopkeeper Tian. Song Chongjin felt sorry for Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang as he recalled: "Shopkeeper Tian indeed has some connections in Jing County. After this incident, I’m afraid it’ll be even harder to catch their weaknesses for a while! But I have already given orders to dig deeper; I refuse to believe we can’t catch their vulnerable point!"

Chapter 882 - 881: Reaching for the Sky

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