's plenty of food left at my sister-in-law's house. Take some."After several back-and-forths of refusal, Zongyu finally spoke up."Chang He, take this."Only when Song Changhe spoke did he dare to hold...Chapter 1123: Being Too Rigid Will Also Lead to Disadvantages

The four districts of the capital city have hundreds of restaurants, large and small, not including the numerous snack shops.

Fang Jinxiu roughly estimated that there were only two remaining taverns in this district: Yuan Ke Lai and the one opened by Jiang Chuang.

In the south of the city, most of the inns had fallen. Two marquis' families also opened inns in the south of the city, with financial backing and a focus on high-end clientele, so they were relatively unaffected.

Wealthy patrons wouldn't stoop to fight with common folk over such petty savings.

"It's terrifying, in just one month, a third of the taverns in Beijing have fallen into his hands."

"Although the profits of small taverns were not as high as those of large ones, their accumulation over time was substantial. By controlling so many medium and small taverns, he had effectively captured the market of ordinary people. In total, his profits were quite substantial, perhaps even higher than the combined profits of several large taverns."

Things have developed beyond Fang Jinshu's expectations. She thought Jiang Chuang would stop after reaching a certain level, but now it seems he is determined to ruin all other restaurants in the capital and leave no room for others to survive.

In the evening, Zong Yu suddenly returned to the Hou's Mansion.

Having not seen Fang Jinshu for a few days, Zong Yu first went to his mother to pay respects, then without eating, he rushed straight to the main courtyard to find his wife.

These days, Xiaoyue has been going out with Fang Jinxiu every day. Only Mujin and Qin Qianqian were left in the courtyard. When Zong Yu appeared, Mujin's first reaction was to send someone to Yuanke to report to his wife.

If Madam knew that Master had returned, she would surely be overjoyed.

She stood far away, asking about her well-being. Zong Yu’s first words were also inquiries about the mistress' whereabouts. Mu Jin truthfully replied, and Hou retreated to the corner, not even glancing at Zong Yu.

Although all the maidservants in the Fu family envied her for being able to enter the main courtyard to serve the Lord and Madam, thinking it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

However, Mujin knew very well that a man like the Marquis was not someone an ordinary woman could control.

In her heart, Madam was the most charming and formidable woman in the world, and only a man like the Marquis was worthy of her.

Whoever dares to snatch her husband, she Mujin would be the first to object.

Anything that belongs to the mistress, no one can touch, otherwise they will be her enemy.

In the courtyard, that restless Qin Qianqian. The madam still bears her old affection and hasn't dealt with her. It doesn't matter, she will eventually help the madam deal with her.

"Go away, I don't need anyone to wait on me."

When Zong Yu learned that Fang Jinxiu was on her way back, he had Mujin step down first. He wasn't used to having maidservants around him.

Mo Jin didn't say a word and closed the door for him. She was about to turn and go to the kitchen, but when she caught a glimpse of a corner of an embroidered robe from the side of the room, it belonged to a maidservant, Qin Qianqian

Mu Jin's eyes turned cold, and she walked towards the corner. Qin Qianqian thought Mu Jin had left, so she held the cool tea that she had prepared a long time ago and was about to walk towards the room.

Upon seeing Mu Jin's cold face, she was startled and her expression tightened.

"What are you doing standing here scaring people"

This damn hibiscus, when she becomes the concubine of the Marquis in the future, the first one to deal with will be this dead girl, who always goes against her.

Fang Jinxiu had to be polite to her because of her father's face, but she actually dared to give her the cold shoulder every day.

"That's a question you should be asking yourself, Lord and Lady's chambers aren't somewhere you can just casually approach, get out of here!"

Such an opportunity to encounter a noble like this at home, amidst such splendor, is rare. Qin Qianqian wouldn't leave just because Mu Jin said a few scare words.

“I just saw you come out from the Marquis’s room. We are both second-class maids in this main courtyard. Why can you go in to serve the Marquis while I can't!”

Qin Qianqian made a move to bump into Mu Jin, but Mu Jin grabbed her arm and slapped her hard across the face.

The muhkuh, with her eyes wide in disbelief, had dropped the tea set from her hands.

Qin Qianqian covered her face, which was swollen from the beating, and was furious. She started to cry loudly, calling for the Master while sobbing.

"Master, please make a decision for Qianqian."

Mukjin didn't expect that even this wouldn't make her back down, instead she seized the opportunity and shouted. She was getting flustered.

"Shut your mouth! If you just stay put and don't go near the Marquis, no one would hit you."

"Get out of here! You think you can have the master's wife"

Qin Qianqian cried and swore in her heart, today she had to kill Mu Jin this little bitch.

They treat her like she's a precious jewel, guarding her everywhere as if she were against thieves.

She suddenly stood up and ran outside, collapsing on the path at the edge of the courtyard. Mu Jin was afraid she would make another scene and instinctively followed her out.

When the commotion reached the people below at the Hou Mansion, they all gathered around to watch. Qin Qianqian had won over quite a few hearts during her time in the mansion. Seeing the slap marks on her face and Mu Jin rushing out in a hurry with an angry expression, they began to speak up for Qin Qianqian, expressing their sympathy.

"Hibiscus, you've gone too far!"

"Do you really think you've become a maidservant by the mistress's side, and because you have her backing, you can run amok"

"Qianqian, are you alright Come on, get up."

Hibiscus saw that they had all misunderstood and her eyebrows furrowed tightly.

"When did I ever go against the rules Don't all of you deceive her! Qin Qianqian just tried to seduce the Lord, I was merely helping the mistress guard the door and prevent her from succeeding!"

The old woman who was holding onto Qin Qianqian had her own plans. Qin Qianqian had promised her that if she became the concubine of the Marquis in the future, she would bring her to be her manager by her side.

Qin Qianqian made similar oral promises to many people, painting a rosy picture.

Everyone also feels that with the Marquis's status, it's impossible for his inner courtyard to only have one legitimate wife forever. The Marquis will sooner or later fill his inner courtyard. Qin Qianqian is beautiful and the orphaned disciple of the second son's master. Becoming a concubine of the Marquis is just a matter of time.

"Then what about the slap marks on her face Wasn't it you who hit her"

The hibiscus dares to do and admit, "What if I did it She dared to seduce the Marquis while his wife was away. Just slapping her once is considered light."

As soon as Fang Jinshi returned, she saw a crowd of maidservants and houseboys gathered at the entrance of her courtyard, whispering amongst themselves.

Xiaoyue, seeing this, was angered. "These rascals, why are they all huddled here instead of doing their own jobs properly"

"My lady, I shall go drive them away."

Fang Jinshu heard Mulan's voice from afar, she pulled Xiao Yue.

"No need to rush, let's hear what happened first."

Qin Qianqian was supported by two elderly women and cried even more pitifully.

"Auntie, forget it. Mojing is a favorite of the mistress and she can naturally be near the Marquis to serve him. Since she won't let me serve, I won't go anymore."

"Who calls me unlucky, that I couldn't win the lady's heart."

"I admit to being bullied."

Although Qin Qianqian didn't explicitly say that Mùjǐn seduced the Marquis, her words implied it. The gazes of those around her towards Mùjǐn instantly turned contemptuous.

Mu Jin was almost enraged by her slander. Her face flushed with anger, but she was at a loss for words. She couldn't think of what to say to make everyone believe her. Qin Qianqian was simply twisting the truth!

"She's lying! Things aren't like that at all, it was she who wanted to seduce the Marquis, and when I told her to leave she became even more provocative."

Fang Jinshi at the back of the crowd sighed helplessly when she saw this.

"Mulan's personality, though strong and upright, could also lead to her downfall."eacher, it was the students who were late. I should have come to see you earlier."Dr. Qin smiled kindly, but his smile was tinged with bitterness."It's alright, if it's destined to happen this way, th...