CHAPTER 177: CHAPTER 177 OPENING

Duke Zhen Country Mansion, Buddhist Hall.

Princess Nanzhang sat there eating bird’s nest soup.

Maid ran in and said, "Commandery Princess, Third Madam is here."

Princess Nanzhang didn’t even lift her eyelids.

The maid was not pleased.

She thought Princess Nanzhang would be afraid of Third Madam knowing she was lazy, hurriedly kneeling on the cushion to pretend.

The whole morning passed without the Commandery Princess chanting prayers.

Besides being in the Buddhist hall and not eating meat, everything else was just like in Peony Garden.

Third Madam came in.

Princess Nanzhang put down the bowl and said, "Third sister-in-law, why did you come to the Buddhist hall?"

"Haven’t seen you for two days, passing by the garden, thought I’d drop by to see you," Third Madam smiled.

Although she didn’t like the Eldest Young Madam, it must be said, only the Eldest Young Madam in Duke Zhen Country Mansion could make Princess Nanzhang lose face.

A master and servant pressuring the head mistress to such an extent, if told outside no one would believe it.

Third Madam sat down beside Princess Nanzhang, the maid took away the leftover bird’s nest porridge.

Princess Nanzhang wiped her mouth with an embroidered handkerchief.

Third Madam looked at her and said, "Today the Old Madam pressured to force the Eldest Young Madam to give up the idea of opening an ice shop, does the elder sister know about this?"

Princess Nanzhang glanced at her, "What if she knows? If she heeds the elders of Duke Zhen Country Mansion, she wouldn’t be a female bandit."

"Indeed, that’s how I advised the Old Madam, but she insisted on pressuring the Eldest Young Madam and ended up with nothing," Third Madam sighed.

Princess Nanzhang looked at Third Madam and said, "What does Third sister-in-law really want to say?"

Third Madam smiled and said, "From the Eldest Young Madam’s attitude, it seems certain she will shut down Duke Chong’s Mansion’s ice shop. Ever since the bandits from Qingyun Mountain came to the capital, Duke Chong has been defeated repeatedly, countless people laughing behind his back. I heard from our lord that Duke Chong’s prestige in court is far from what it used to be."

Princess Nanzhang’s face turned slightly green.

No need for Third Madam to say, she knew this clearly in her heart.

The Emperor indulged Dongxiang Marquis Mansion excessively, Marquis Dongxiang broke one of Duke Chong’s ribs, Duke Chong sent people to assassinate Marquis Dongxiang, but they were completely wiped out and sent to the Ministry of Justice.

This incident shocked the entire court and civilian officials so much that no one dared provoke Marquis Dongxiang, because no one knew who would be struck next by Marquis Dongxiang.

"Allowing Dongxiang Marquis Mansion to oppress Duke Chong’s Mansion like this will gradually nibble away Duke Chong’s position in the court," Third Madam said.

Princess Nanzhang looked at Third Madam and said, "Where does she get the ice to sell?!"

"Even though we think it’s nearly impossible, Prince NanAn said that the Eldest Young Madam’s ice shop will open tomorrow," Third Madam said.

Mrs. Zhao also said, "Commandery Princess, this matter must be guarded against."

"How to guard against?!" Prince Nanzhang gritted his teeth and said.

Mrs. Zhao was speechless.

Third Madam said, "I have a plan."

Princess Nanzhang looked at her, Third Madam smiled and said, "Last winter was not very cold, I suppose Duke Chong’s Mansion’s ice cellar storing ice is far less than usual, why not take the opportunity to hoard a batch?"

Princess Nanzhang’s face looked bad, "Are you asking Duke Chong’s Mansion ice shop to buy ice from that female bandit’s shop?"

Before Third Madam nodded, Mrs. Zhao said, "Commandery Princess, this strategy is smart. The Eldest Young Madam’s ice shop sells ice blocks for one or two silver each, even if they have some, it cannot be endless. You buy it for one or two silver, and when it’s the hottest summer, sell it for two or double silver, only profit and no loss."

"Sounds good, but would the female bandit be foolish enough to sell to Duke Chong’s Mansion?" Princess Nanzhang said.

"Rest assured, the female bandit said today that her shop doesn’t choose customers, she will sell to anyone who buys," Third Madam smiled.

"She truly is broad-minded!" Princess Nanzhang coldly smiled.

After staying for a while, Third Madam prepared to leave.

But as she reached the door, she turned back and said, "I forgot to mention, just on the way here, I saw Chuanchuan with a swollen eye, they say it was Jingchen who beat him."

Princess Nanzhang’s face turned frosty.

After Third Madam left, Princess Nanzhang looked at Mrs. Zhao, "Chuanchuan got beaten, why didn’t anyone tell me?!"

Mrs. Zhao’s heart trembled.

Princess Nanzhang knew about this while eating bird’s nest soup.

These days the Commandery Princess was in a bad mood, she dared not let her know, but didn’t expect Third Madam to have such a big mouth, interfering where she shouldn’t.

Mrs. Zhao said, "Eldest Young Master didn’t know who hit him, beaten with a bruised and swollen face, entered the mansion with a mask, Second Young Master tried to take off his mask, Eldest Young Master got angry and punched Second Young Master."

Princess Nanzhang was furious.

Mrs. Zhao hurriedly said, "Commandery Princess, don’t worry, Eldest Young Master couldn’t use force, only afraid he’ll spit blood, Second Young Master didn’t retaliate."

Last time at the door, a bucket of water was poured over him, this time punched in the face, Second Young Master also repeatedly played tricks.

After being with the Eldest Young Madam for a long time, Eldest Young Master was also powerless to resist.

This topic was unpleasant, so Mrs. Zhao shifted the conversation, "Commandery Princess, about buying ice blocks, should I go inform Duke Chong’s Mansion?"

"No need, go calculate how much ice the mansion needs in the summer before, buy it all tomorrow," Princess Nanzhang said.

"Commandery Princess is wise."

...

On this day, the sun shone brightly, with no clouds in the sky.

It was the day of the ice shop’s opening.

Early in the morning, Su Jin got up, after breakfast with Xie Jingchen, went to Qihao Hall to pay respects to the Old Madam.

Then, went directly out of the mansion.

By the time they arrived at the ice shop, Chu Shun and the others were already there.

Seeing Xie Jingchen’s face slightly bruised, Chu Shun was shocked, "You were hurt not less than us yesterday, how is it so quickly healed?"

"Because my lady’s ointment is good," Xingxing said cheerfully.

Su Jin smiled faintly, "Didn’t know you all got beaten too, later when I return, I’ll have someone send ointment to you."

"Send more, will be getting beaten for a month," Prince NanAn said.

"...."

"Can’t you have some backbone?" Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion exclaimed.

"...."

"Brother Su has been beaten for years, can you stop getting beaten within a month?" Prince NanAn said.

"...."

"Commandery Prince is right, send more, the more the better," Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion decisively changed his tone.

Xingxing looked at the red silk covering the plaque, curiously said, "What is our ice shop called?"

"First Ice Shop?" She guessed.

"That’s not humble, we four picked a name, couldn’t be so ordinary," Prince NanAn said.

As they said this, Su Jin truly became curious.

When the auspicious hour arrived, the steward said, "The auspicious time has arrived, the ice shop should be opened."

Su Jin and Xie Jingchen pulled one side of the silk, Chu Shun and the others pulled the other side.

Pull hard.

The red silk fell down, covering Xingxing standing under the plaque.

The golden plaque glowed under the sunlight.

The plaque faced directly opposite Song’s Ice Shop.

The steward and servants of the ice shop were furious.

Four large characters on the plaque —

Conscience Ice Shop.