578 It seemed like she had gone too far
He finished talking about Xiao Baili.
“How’s the matter with the Fang family’s winery going?” Madam Tu asked her son.
Tu Lihuan smiled.
“My big brother and I have already settled it. The Fang family’s winery is facing a chain of problems. Their family also suffered, they can’t operate it anymore.
“They’re ready to sell their winery and all the wine shops in Northern City. They’ll move their family back to their hometown.
“I’ve sent people to threaten those who wanted to buy their winery. They didn’t dare to make a move.
“When the Fang family can’t hold on any longer, we’ll be able to take down their winery and shop at the lowest price.”
The Fang family was also a well-known winemaker family in Northern City, but they were much weaker than the Tu family.
The Tu family was the largest aristocratic family in Northern City.
Several of them were officials in the court, and they had wineries in almost all the major cities in Daliang.
Their family’s arrangement was for his eldest brother to inherit the Tu family.
He was now an official and a sixth-ranking counselor assisting a deputy governor.
He would then take over the Tu family’s wine business.
He was very ambitious.
Even if the Fang family had always been suppressed by the Tu family, when greek meets greek then comes the tug of war.
He did not like the Fang family.
So he wanted to eat up this big piece of fat meat, the Fang family.
Furthermore, his mother had previously requested secret assistance from the Prince Jin’s former princess consort.
He had spent two years planning it, and now he had finally destroyed the Fang family.
He only had to wait for the outcome.
Madam Tu’s eyes were filled with pride. “Well done.”
“When the Fang family’s business is completely doomed and you finally buy over their distilleries and shops, the Tu family’s wine business will continue to prosper. Your father will also be happy.”
She felt a sense of accomplishment as she assisted her son in expanding the family business.
After being praised by his mother, Tu Lihuan’s smile deepened. “I just want to make my mother happy.”
Madam Tu was on cloud nine.
“Of course I’m happy. We’ll hold a family banquet to celebrate your victory.”
“Alright!” Tu Lihuan nodded.
After the banquet ended, Shi Qingluo brought her sister-in-law and Xi Rong home.
Very quickly, the news of what happened at the banquet spread.
Shi Qingluo, in particular, had slapped Madam Zhu in the face and disparaged Madam Tu’s banquet and apricot wine.
No one felt anything about Shi Qingluo slapping Madam Zhu in the face.
After all, even if Shi Qingluo was born a farmer, she was still a first-grade princess.
Madam Zhu’s status was lower than hers, but she still wanted to suppress her.
Wasn’t she sending herself to the door to be taught a lesson and set an example to others?
Her infamous good-for-nothing and useless son in Northern City was indeed asking for a beating when he thought of marrying Shi Qingluo’s sister-in-law out of goodwill.
Because of her relationship with Prince Yi and her capable brother, who had become a magistrate at a young age, Xiao Baili’s sister-in–law was not simple.
If she intended to marry, she should marry a young talent from Northern City.
Madam Zhu was too naïve.
It was just that Shi Qingluo’s belittling of Madam Tu’s meticulously prepared banquet and the famous apricot wine was a little too much.
Then, Madam Tu’s people deliberately keep the momentum going.
Hence, the entire Northern City knew that the new magistrate’s wife, Princess Fubao, had turned her back on the Tu family’s banquet and wine and would hold a banquet in a few days.
She even promised in front of everyone that the dishes in her banquet would be special and delicious and that there would be real wine.
Even the commoners knew about it.
However, because of Shi Qingluo’s two consecutive grain contributions, the lives of those in Heyang County had improved after Mr Xiao’s arrival.
He had even built two roads and was a good official.
In addition, as soon as Xiao Hanzheng came, he improved Northern City’s security.
He hired people to clean the streets, gave food to the lonely elderly, and opened a charity hall to adopt orphans.
Hence, the commoners had a good impression of Shi Qingluo and her husband.
While they were talking, many people were worried that Princess Fubao would act on impulse and be embarrassed if she couldn’t host a good banquet and provide the wine.
Those from the aristocratic family were gloating and watching the show.
“Isn’t Princess Fubao thinking too highly of herself? Does she think that wine is that easy to brew?”
“That’s right. Madam Tu’s flower wine is the best in Northern City. What can she use to compete with her?”
“Don’t forget that Princess Fubao is the disciple of the old immortal. She’s a famous golden doll. Maybe she really knows how to make wine?
“That’s true. Perhaps Princess Fubao said that because she’s confident.”
“I don’t think Princess Fubao will win. She’s still too young. Even if she can make wine, how can she be compared to Madam Tu.”
“I’m more optimistic about Princess Fubao. I believe that the old immortal’s disciple won’t be bad. Look at the goose that the emperor bestowed the title of goose king upon. It’s now patrolling the streets with a flock of big geese. It’s so human-like and eye-catching.”
“I’m not sure if Magistrate Xiao will invite any male guests to Princess Fubao’s banquet. I want to go and watch the show.”
“Me too. If male guests are invited, we, the descendants of the aristocratic families in northern cities, still have a chance to go.”
Soon, the gambling houses even started a bet on which was better: the wine brewed by Princess Fubao or Madam Tu.
Then, everyone placed their bets on Madam Tu, with only a small portion on Shi Qingluo.
Shi Qingluo also found out about this matter.
On the same day, she sent someone to the gambling den opened by Prince Jin’s son and placed a bet of a hundred thousand taels of silver that she would win.
When Prince Jin returned to the manor after finishing his official business, he heard his personal attendant report what had happened to the Tu family during the day.
Liang Yujun was very surprised, clearly not expecting Shi Qingluo to be so arrogant and unbridled at the banquet this time.
He couldn’t help but think of his disgraceful younger brother’s comment that his son was a trash when he heard that Shi Qingluo belittled Madam Zhu’s son.
He had to admit that they were truly from the family.
His bastard brother, Xiao Hanzheng, and Shi Qingluo were really the same.
They were all black-hearted and vicious.
If Xiao Hanzheng and Shi Qingluo were not of great value to him, he really did not like to deal with such people.
He had been tricked too many times by his bastard brother in the past and was traumatized.
Then he frowned. “Madam Tu can’t be compared to her either. Shi Qingluo would smack her in the face one after the other.”
The personal attendant laughed in embarrassment. “Madam Tu must have underestimated Shi Qingluo.”
Liang Yujun thought for a moment and nodded. “That makes sense.”
He had previously underestimated Shi Qingluo and her husband and had suffered in silence.
At this moment, a secret guard came to report.
“Master, the gambling den’s manager has sent some information over. Shi Qingluo just had a $100,000 bet placed on her winning.
Liang Yujun was shocked. She’s that confident in herself?
He had never heard of Shi Qingluo being able to make wine!
Shi Qingluo had initially appeared to be bluffing, but now it seemed like she had gone too far.
He touched his chin. “I’m suddenly interested in the banquet that Shi Qingluo is hosting. I wonder if they’ll invite me.”
The personal attendant was also a little curious and said with a smile, “If Your Highness wants to go, you can just pass the word to Xiao Hanzheng.”
Liang Yujun had been rather bored recently and chuckled. “Alright, then let’s go and join in the fun.”
On the other hand, Xiao Hanzheng had just gotten out of the carriage and was receiving his friend, Fang Zhijun, who had suddenly come to visit.