Lu Changxuan listened to the report with an unchanged expression, but Qin Feifei, upon hearing the news, couldn't maintain the same composure. Though displeasure flickered across her face, she remained composed, her years of restraint preventing her from easily revealing her annoyance.

  After the chief manager exited, Lu Changxuan returned to the rear courtyard. Qin Feifei said, “Husband, Seventh Sister’s actions are improper. While it’s not uncommon for women to engage in business these days, Seventh Sister’s identity differs from ordinary women. Moreover, I still have several unmarried sisters. If word spreads that the daughters of the Qin family are only adept at doing business, it will tarnish their reputation and diminish the esteem of our family. Besides, with Second Sister’s past as a precedent, doing business inevitably involves interactions with men... Second Sister... If not for such associations, how could she have... as...”

  Her words trailed off ambiguously, but Lu Changxuan understood her implication. If it weren’t for Qin Yaoyao’s earlier public dealings and interactions with men, how could she have developed improper retions ter on?

  Lu Changxuan said, “Seventh Sister’s bold actions are known to both Father-in-w and Mother-in-w. It’s not for us to interfere. My dear wife, you should focus on taking care of yourself and the baby. Leave the rest to me.”

  Hearing this, Qin Feifei gave a soft, sweet smile. “Husband, what did I do to deserve such a considerate partner?”

  Lu Changxuan affectionately replied, “Feifei, you’re so beautiful and intelligent; of course, you’re worthy of my utmost devotion.”

  Qin Feifei caressed her belly, smiling in satisfaction. Marrying Lu Changxuan and eliminating Qin Yaoyao was undoubtedly the wisest decision she had ever made.

  As the couple strolled through the garden, Qin Feifei recited a newly composed poem. Lu Changxuan praised her repeatedly, “Feifei, you truly have a heart of orchid and a mind of hibiscus.”

  Qin Feifei, her eyes sparkling and her smile enchanting, leaned intimately against Lu Changxuan’s arm. “Husband, how could I compare to your talents?”

  Lu Changxuan pinched her nose lovingly, adoring her charming demeanor. Compared to Qin Feifei, Qin Yaoyao didn’t measure up in the slightest.

  Their occasional whispers and ughter echoed pleasantly in the garden.

  Lu Changxuan was correct in assuming that both Qin Yongtao and Madam Xu were aware of the dramatic decline in the Lu family’s business. However, there was little they could do to reprimand Qin Shuying.

  After all, opening a shop and adjusting prices were standard business practices. She hadn’t broken any rules.

  By the year’s end, the Lu family’s bck sugar business had taken an even steeper dive, with many loyal customers abandoning them. Meanwhile, Qin Shuying’s shop introduced various promotions and creative new offerings, attracting even more patrons and dealing a significant blow to the Lu family’s operations.

  As the New Year approached, Qin Shuying’s shop unched a new product—clear and refreshing red sugar of superior quality compared to bck sugar. Sales skyrocketed, quickly overshadowing all bck sugar products in the capital. The Lu family’s bck sugar shop, located just a street away, suffered the most, becoming completely deserted.

  Bck sugar had long been the backbone of the Lu family’s business, accounting for half of their annual revenue.

  The entrenched cultural bias of valuing schors over merchants in the Great Zhou Dynasty led most officials to disdain commerce. Even prominent families rarely managed their businesses directly, leaving them to servants or hired managers. Previously, the Lu family’s businesses were managed by Qin Yaoyao. Now, the responsibility fell to Qin Feifei.

  Out of desperation, Qin Feifei adopted a discount strategy, but it was ineffective against the superior red sugar. Within just a month, the Lu family’s bck sugar shop couldn’t sell a single pound of sugar. The manager was at his wit’s end, fearing the shop might have to shut down entirely.

  Before the New Year’s festivities concluded, Madam Xu brought the matter to the table. During a casual conversation after paying respects to the Old Madam, Madam Xu addressed her:

  “Old Madam, I have something to say, though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate.”

  Qin Shuying’s hands paused mid-massage, a smirk pying at her lips. So, they finally couldn’t hold back.

  The Old Madam gnced at Madam Xu and said calmly, “What matter has you so hesitant?”

  Madam Xu feigned a conflicted expression, gncing at Qin Shuying and then at the Old Madam. She sighed, hesitated, and finally spoke with a determined air:

  “Old Madam, it’s not that I wish to sow discord, but this is a grave matter. As the matron of the Qin family, I must inform you; otherwise, should any issues arise, I won’t be able to account for them.”

  The Old Madam, unhurried as ever, said, “If that’s the case, there’s no need for you to mince words.”

  Madam Xu was seething with frustration, but Qin Yongtao's words lingered in her mind:

  "You are the matron of the Qin family, the eldest aunt. How can you not handle a mere young girl? Remember what I told you about how Mother went from being an ordinary commoner supporting the family to achieving the respected status she holds today?"

  Those words were both a reprimand and a reminder. A reminder that as the family matron, she had countless ways to deal with Qin Shuying without leaving her any room for retaliation. However, she must not stoop too low, lest she displease the Old Madam or tarnish her own reputation.

  Recalling Qin Yongtao's admonition, Madam Xu adjusted her tone and said, “Yes, Old Madam. I was merely concerned that outsiders might ridicule the Qin family for cking propriety, so I felt compelled to inform you.

  Here’s the matter: Seventh Miss opened a bck sugar shop during the twelfth month. Recently, rumors have been circuting outside, suggesting that Seventh Miss would go to any lengths for money, even going so far as to be alone in a room with unreted men. Such gossip is terribly unpleasant.

  Seventh Miss is, after all, an unmarried young dy. If this continues, it will damage her reputation. Moreover, Fifth Miss, Sixth Miss, and Eighth Miss are nearing their coming-of-age ceremonies. If such rumors spread, it will harm their prospects for good matches in the future.”

  Hearing such a well-crafted and seemingly reasonable argument, Qin Shuying couldn’t help but gnce at Madam Xu with a hint of admiration. After facing repeated setbacks, Madam Xu had finally learned to tread the proper path! Though her true fear was that Qin Shuying would destroy the Lu family’s business, she skillfully avoided mentioning that and focused instead on Qin Shuying’s reputation. It was truly a fwless performance.

  The Old Madam’s expression remained impassive, and Madam Zhou said nothing either.

  Madam Zhou, though honest and upright, was far from foolish. She had been Madam Xu’s sister-in-w for nearly twenty years and knew Madam Xu’s nature inside and out. She also understood her own position and the appropriate way to act.

  If this were the former Qin Shuying, she would have been utterly humiliated by now! For any other young dy, such talk would have been unbearable, and they’d have fled the scene in shame. However, Qin Shuying was utterly indifferent to such remarks now. Yet, since Madam Xu had decided to put on a show, Qin Shuying was more than willing to py along.

  Her eyes turned red, brimming with unshed tears, and she said in a trembling voice, “Auntie, I was merely discussing business with the managers.”

  Madam Xu sighed deeply and said, “Seventh Miss, when your third uncle entrusted you with his businesses, I was uneasy from the start, fearing just such incidents. But at the time, I didn’t dare voice my concerns. I was afraid you’d misunderstand and think I harbored ulterior motives. So even though I worried, I kept silent.

  But now, with these rumors flying everywhere about you being alone with unreted men, how am I to act? How can I face your deceased parents?”