Capítulo 1307: Chapter 1307: Lee Family’s Plan

Shopkeeper Wu explained his purpose, saying that he originally came from the Qingzhou Prefecture but occasionally returned to Shiqiao Town, after all, the Auspicious Dye Workshop started in Shiqiao Town.

Moreover, perhaps due to the local environment, the fabric dyed at the Auspicious Dye Workshop in Shiqiao Town always had subtle differences compared to those dyed elsewhere; the colors showed extremely slight variations.

These differences were undetectable to those unfamiliar with the dyeing industry and only extremely picky people could notice them, so fabric from Shiqiao Town was unique and exclusively supplied to the Capital City.

Thus, even if Shopkeeper Wu went to Qingzhou Prefecture, the people left behind were all loyal confidants.

This time, during his routine inspection, he received news from the Lee Family stating that Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin were returning home in glory and would arrive in Shiqiao Town soon.

The letter also instructed him on a matter, so he naturally stayed behind, waiting for Wang Yongzhu and her party.

Yesterday, when Wang Yongzhu’s party grandly entered the town, even though it was late, quite a few people saw them, and he quickly received the news.

Knowing they had endured the fatigue of travel, he patiently waited overnight and came to visit first thing this morning.

Having not seen each other for half a year, Shopkeeper Wu felt compelled to marvel at the two of them, who would have thought that in just a few years, a rural hunter and a village maid could climb to their present positions step by step.

Back then, he looked down upon them, offering a bit of benevolent help.

Now, when he meets them, he must bow and kneel.

It is fortunate that back then he had the foresight to recognize heroes, befriending them when they were unnoticed, or he wouldn’t have today’s benefits.

Strictly speaking, his current position was largely thanks to Wang Yongzhu.

Shopkeeper Wu was genuinely happy for the two of them; however, recalling his purpose, his smile became a bit forced and nervous.

Wang Yongzhu could also see that Shopkeeper Wu was sincerely there to congratulate them, and her smile became more genuine.

Seeing Shopkeeper Wu hesitant to speak, she knew he wasn’t there just to congratulate them; obviously, there were other matters, so she directly asked him.

Only then did Shopkeeper Wu, somewhat ashamed, begin to speak.

His purpose was simple, the meaning from the Lee Family, which said that recently, based on the formulas Wang Yongzhu provided, they conducted further research and improved some of the old dyeing recipes.

Nowadays, the fabric produced by the Auspicious Dye Workshop isn’t limited to the few colors Wang Yongzhu experimented with.

Instead, they obtained virtually all available formulas on the market, bought them, experimented, and refined them, now having more than ten colors.

The fabrics dyed with the improved formulas, like those with Wang Yongzhu’s, wouldn’t fade and weren’t easily stained by other colors.

After such improvements, the reputation of the Auspicious Dye Workshop’s fabric had become excellent, occupying nearly half of the fabric market’s share.

The Lee Family profited immensely.

The Lee Family’s stance was that when they initially purchased Wang Yongzhu’s formula, technically it was theirs and unrelated to Wang Yongzhu.

However, Wang Yongzhu wasn’t just anyone, the Lee Family and Song Family had always been friendly, and they couldn’t let Wang Yongzhu suffer a loss, so they decided to spend five thousand silver taels to buy out the formula preventing fading from Wang Yongzhu. In the future, if Wang Yongzhu had new dyeing formulas, they would have priority to purchase.

If the Auspicious Dye Workshop disagreed, Wang Yongzhu wouldn’t be allowed to sell the formulas to others.

As he finished speaking, Shopkeeper Wu felt his face burning with shame.

But after all, he was a member of the Lee Family; the family master’s instructions, he could only relay them with a brazen face.

Although he didn’t understand why the family made such a decision; wouldn’t this offend Wang Yongzhu?

He somewhat understood Wang Yongzhu’s personality. Back then, she sold formulas partly for convenience, and partly because she genuinely didn’t care about them.

If she wished, she could probably develop new formulas; the most valuable thing wasn’t those formulas but her intellect!

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t imagine that after selling the formulas completely to the Lee Family, they wouldn’t research them and uncover the secret of non-fading dyes?

She surely knew, either she didn’t care or she practically gave them while selling the package to the Lee Family.

How was the Lee Family grateful to Wang Yongzhu? This would officially mark a deadly feud! Such conditions, anyone with a bit of sense wouldn’t agree to!

Upon hearing it, he knew it was inappropriate; he even considered suggesting to the family, but the messenger from the family violently stated it was the family head’s intention, just follow orders.

He added he’d stay by Shopkeeper Wu’s side, waiting for him to complete the task and then report back to the family head.

This was supervision.

Shopkeeper Wu felt helpless and secretly sent a message to Ninth Master Lee, seeking clarification on the situation. If this indeed happened, Wang Yongzhu would probably break off relations with the Lee Family.

How could Ninth Master Lee collaborate with Wang Yongzhu in the future?

Yet, after dispatching the message, he received no response. Unsure whether the message was undelivered or if there was an issue on Ninth Master Lee’s side.

Originally, he intended to delay a few days to investigate the Lee Family’s situation.

But unexpectedly, Wang Yongzhu and her party returned so soon.

Feeling anxious and flustered, upon hearing Wang Yongzhu’s return to Shiqiao Town, someone hurried him, and unwillingly, he headed over.

Shopkeeper Wu spoke hesitantly but expressed his attitude and noted the unusual behavior from Ninth Master Lee.

Inwardly, Wang Yongzhu felt a stir, realizing there might be trouble at the Lee Family, or rather concerning Ninth Master Lee.

They left the Capital City only a month ago.

What exactly happened in this month’s time?

The Lee Family’s order was outrightly intended to force Wang Yongzhu to break ties with the Lee Family and Ninth Master Lee, ensuring no further cooperation.

If this message was issued by the patriarch of the Lee Family, it would mean he abandoned Ninth Master Lee.

If it was done behind the patriarch’s back, it perceived an intriguing situation; who could operate secretly in the Lee Family to target Ninth Master Lee?

In the past year, Ninth Master Lee, with the Auspicious Dye Workshop, tea business, and cosmetics business, must have struck a nerve with many people.

Upon this thought, Wang Yongzhu glanced at Song Chongjin.

The personal soldiers around Song Chongjin served not only to ensure safety; certain Capital City news, via the Duke Weiguo Residence’s unique channels, reached them and were conveyed back to Song Chongjin, keeping him aware of the happenings in the Capital City.

Song Chongjin understood Wang Yongzhu’s intention and nodded, indicating he would inquire about the matter with the personal soldiers regarding the Lee Family.

Wang Yongzhu felt relieved, then turned back smiling, “I understand Shopkeeper Wu’s intentions entirely. Please report back to your family head: since I initially sold the formula to the Lee Family, it naturally became the Lee Family’s property. Whatever secrets they discover from this formula are their abilities!”

“As the saying goes, gentlemen love wealth that is obtained ethically. I, Wang Yongzhu, though a mere woman, will not act unscrupulously. Moreover, the Lee Family has greatly underestimated me; the formula for non-fading dyes has a value known to all. They say the Lee Family is an Imperial Merchant, of grand disposition, yet turns out to be so ordinary.”

“You may assure the patriarch of the Lee Family that I, though quite petty, cannot tolerate threats. For the sake of Shopkeeper Wu and Ninth Master Lee, let’s settle the matter as it is.”

“Should the Lee Family perpetrate further mischief, my reputation in the Capital City is known to them. Business is not confined solely to the Lee Family; if deemed suitable, perhaps the non-fading formula might be gifted to someone.”

“The Lee Family shouldn’t regret then!”