CHAPTER 268: CHAPTER 268: TELL ME, WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

Yun Niang looked at Long Yue, who seemed on the verge of losing her temper, and regretted involving her. She didn’t want Long Yue to get caught up in this, especially since she had already helped so much; it felt wrong to ask her for more help.

Of course, she conveniently ignored the fact that Long Yue had a stake in the shop. Every month, Yun Niang would send a sum of money to the General Mansion — that was Long Yue’s dividend.

She had always felt this was her duty. Without Long Yue’s help, Qin Xiu would at most have some fame around Jiangling, but how could it spread all the way to Shengjing City?

Yes, those noblewomen and young ladies had already inquired about it. Whatever embroidery technique it was, Qin Xiu’s name had already made a mark in aristocratic circles.

A few days ago, Uncle Qin wrote a letter saying that recently the business at the Qin Family Embroidery Workshop in Gaoyang County was thriving. Many people weren’t even local; they were wealthy merchants and nobles from afar, coming specifically to buy his embroidery.

All of this, thanks to Long Yue’s grace, such a great gift, how could Yun Niang trouble her again?

So she said, "It’s nothing really, just a squabble among neighbors; it’ll be over in a couple of days."

"Is it?"

Long Yue tilted her head slightly, looking at her skeptically, feeling that it wasn’t so simple.

But Yun Niang wouldn’t tell her, and Long Yue felt it wasn’t appropriate to pry. She intended to have someone investigate later, and then she went with Yang Zhuoya to pick out dresses inside.

"This one is nice, light purple with stars scattered all over, luxurious yet not ostentatious. It won’t draw too much attention at the banquet, avoiding unnecessary trouble. Let’s go with this one!"

It had to be said, Yang Zhuoya had quite the eye for fashion. The dress she chose also caught Long Yue’s attention, but since Zhuoya chose it first, Long Yue refrained from competing for it.

Long Yue wandered around, examining various garments, and eventually found a plain-colored dress with speckles of plum blossom embroidery, which perfectly suited her style.

Both Long Yue and Yang Zhuoya picked out two dresses they desired, paid with Silver Coin at the front desk, and were about to leave when two women holding dresses walked in at the doorway.

These women were from ordinary families; they wore exquisite cotton dresses, indicating their families were fairly affluent. One had freckles on her face, while the other was slightly corpulent.

As soon as they entered, they rushed to a woman at the counter shouting, "Do you want someone to wear your clothes and die? I wore it and got rashes everywhere!"

The one with freckles spoke sharply, throwing the dresses in her hands at the woman behind the counter.

The woman at the counter didn’t dare dodge and was hit squarely. Luckily, it was just clothes, otherwise, she might have been hurt.

A smart woman introducing dresses to other customers nearby quickly apologized and came to mediate the situation.

"Madam, is there some misunderstanding here? These clothes... we use only the finest materials, how could they cause rashes?"

"Oh? Are you saying we’re slandering you? Look, look! Ever since I wore their dresses, my arms broke out in rashes, they’re red and itchy. It’s unbearable!"

The corpulent woman glanced at the woman incredulously and rolled up her sleeves, revealing a rash-covered arm.

"Oh, how can this be?"

"What’s going on? Their clothes have always been good, haven’t they? How could they cause rashes? I... maybe I shouldn’t buy them?"

The commotion quickly grabbed other customers’ attention, causing several ladies about to pay to swiftly put away their Silver Coin, ready to leave.

"Yes, don’t buy them. Never buy from them again; it’ll kill you. Today my arm has rashes, maybe tomorrow my face will have rashes. That’d be a disaster!"

The corpulent woman went around flaunting her sleeves, showing the other ladies.

"Tsk tsk, too awful. I want my money back!"

"Agreed, I don’t want them anymore!"

"..."

Chaos reigned momentarily.

"Ladies, calm down please. There must be some misunderstanding here. Our materials are top-grade, absolutely no problem!"

Seeing things go south, Yun Niang hurriedly stepped forward, only to be met with the corpulent woman’s dress.

"Pah! Shameless, you’re all scoundrels! Who knows what materials you use, or what your dyes are made of?

Anyway, my arm’s rashes are indisputable. Look, these clothes are clearly from Su Jinxiu Workshop, how did I get it wrong? Mistake, mistake your head!"

The corpulent woman cursed Yun Niang viciously, even spitting saliva.

Yun Niang could only grin and bear it.

"Then... if you wish, let’s return these clothes and refund your money?"

"Refund? Oh, it’s not that simple! My arm’s rashes, who knows when they’ll heal? They’re unbearably itchy, and seeing a doctor, getting medicine isn’t free either! Fifty taels! I demand fifty taels in compensation! Otherwise, see you in court!"

The freckled woman scoffed, raising her chin and crossing her arms in an arrogant manner.

Yun Niang’s face turned pale, lips pursed tightly, feeling utterly powerless.

If she agrees to compensate fifty taels, wouldn’t that prove the clothes have issues? It’s not just about losing money, but also reputation, a huge blow to the embroidery workshop.

But if she doesn’t agree, considering the crowd here, if things escalate, it’ll be even worse.

Yun Niang felt like an ant on a hot pan; this was Shengjing City, teeming with noble young ladies, the affluence was overwhelming — anyone could be of status, and a splash could hit a couple of VIPs.

In this scenario, she found herself restrained, unable to use tactics that worked in Qingtian County.

What should she do?

As she fretted anxiously, a graceful figure appeared before her.

"Compensation? Fifty taels, hmm?"

Long Yue laughed serenely, arms crossed casually, but her tone was unsettling.

"Yes..." The freckled woman was short, obliging her to look up at Long Yue, which made her uncomfortable. She scrutinized Long Yue, frowning, asking, "Who are you? Mind your own business!"

"I’m the landlord here! You say there’s a problem with the items sold from my shop, of course, I have to investigate. If there’s truly an issue, shouldn’t I chase her out to keep this place clean?"

Long Yue grinned innocently, making her sound sincere. The freckled woman gladdened upon hearing this, "Yes, there’s definitely a problem! Demanding fifty taels is gracious; I was initially thinking of asking for one hundred taels!"

"Ahem ahem..."

A noblewoman nearby had just seen Long Yue slap a girl fiercely, scaring her silent, knowing Long Yue was cruel-hearted and surely not altruistically sticking up for her, so she coughed a warning.

But Long Yue silenced her with a cold gaze.

"Come over, tell me, what’s going on?"