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The noble ladies intentionally set out, one after another, hoping to coincidentally encounter Zhen Niang. Establishing a good relationship with her would be the best outcome.
After Zhen Niang entered Gu Xiruo’s shop, those noble ladies followed suit, intending to see what fabric she would choose.
Inside the store, the embroidered maidens informed Gu Xiruo that Zhen Niang had come to the shop.
Lying in bed pretending to be ill, Gu Xiruo was delighted upon hearing this news. She had her maid accompany her to the shop.
However, when Gu Xiruo went there, instead of receiving Zhen Niang’s approval and praise, she was met with anger.
Gu Xiruo stared blankly at the angered Zhen Niang, walking over with the support of her maid. “Zhen Niang, what happened? Did one of the shop assistants offend you?”
Zhen Niang looked Gu Xiruo up and down, her gaze leaving Gu Xiruo bewildered.
“Is this the best silk in your shop? One thousand taels per bolt?” Zhen Niang didn’t bother with pleasantries and, suppressing her anger, pointed at the fabric the assistant had given her earlier.
Gu Xiruo nodded slightly after inspecting it. “Yes, is there a problem with the fabric?”
Zhen Niang, amused by Gu Xiruo’s nonchalant attitude, laughed sarcastically. “A problem? You present me with silk soaked in water? Is this your shop’s way of treating customers?”
“A thousand taels for defective goods. This fabric was bought by our young master to be gifted to the young mistress. Selling me such an item, are you trying to embarrass me in front of our young mistress?” Zhen Niang angrily declared.
Those who had come in with Zhen Niang to buy fabric frowned. The fabric here had been soaked in water?
“Zhen Niang, how could our shop use defective goods? Is there a misunderstanding?” Gu Xiruo stammered.
She had to handle this matter well today. If it wasn’t resolved properly with so many people present, it would undoubtedly have a negative impact on her business later, which was not what she desired.
“Zhen Niang, let’s talk slowly. Don’t be in a hurry,” Gu Xiruo could only try to appease Zhen Niang’s emotions for now.
“Talk slowly? Your shop is so big, yet you actually bring out this kind of fabric. Are you trying to disgust someone?” Zhen Niang, not buying Gu Xiruo’s approach, scolded angrily.
“Perhaps it was a mistake made by the assistant. I’ll have her bring you another one, and I’ll give you a set of clothes as compensation. Would that be acceptable to you?” Gu Xiruo bowed slightly, trying to resolve the issue in this way.
“No need for your gifts. I’ve heard that the ready-made clothes here are good; I’ll take a look,” Zhen Niang replied calmly after glancing at Gu Xiruo.
“Go get the ready-made clothes.” Relieved that Zhen Niang didn’t continue to dwell on the matter, Gu Xiruo finally felt at ease.
The shopkeeper hesitated, looking at Gu Xiruo. “Miss…”
“Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and fetch the ready-made clothes!” Seeing the shopkeeper not moving to get the clothes and still talking, Gu Xiruo became a bit displeased. This shopkeeper seemed to lack any discernment.
Noticing that Gu Xiruo paid no attention to his expression, the shopkeeper could only grit his teeth and go fetch the ready-made clothes.
Once the shopkeeper brought the ready-made clothes, Zhen Niang, with keen interest, examined the garments. However, her expression changed as soon as she touched one. “Miss Gu, are you teasing me? Is this the quality of your ready-made clothes? Are you kidding me?”
Gu Xiruo’s facial expression couldn’t conceal her dissatisfaction. She looked at Zhen Niang resentfully and said, “Are you here to make trouble?”
“Am I here to make trouble? Gu Xiruo, you should touch the fabric of your ready-made clothes yourself and see what kind of material it is.” Zhen Niang coldly commented, holding one of the garments.
Gu Xiruo walked over, reaching for the clothes. It was a cloud brocade outfit, usually priced at around five hundred taels. However, this cloud brocade attire, at this price, should have been of excellent quality, considering the material and embroidery work.
“Gu Xiruo, aside from the hard chunks in this cloud brocade, what’s going on with the embroidery work? Selling this shoddy piece for five hundred taels? You’re deceiving your customers.” The lady who had previously bought a garment here for five hundred taels looked furious.
Lowering her head to look at the clothes she was wearing today, coincidentally bought for five hundred taels, the lady felt fortunate.
“Zhen Niang, can you take a look at my clothes? I spent five hundred taels on it here.” The lady walked up to Zhen Niang and asked softly.
“Sure.” Zhen Niang reached out and touched the clothing the lady was wearing. Instantly, she could tell that this outfit was also made with defective material.
Seeing Zhen Niang’s silent reaction, the lady felt a strong sense of discomfort, as if she had just swallowed a fly. “Zhen Niang, how is this outfit? Just tell me straightforwardly. I am mentally prepared.”
As long as she continues to pass off substandard goods too frequently and is discovered, Gu Xiruo might find herself in a difficult situation.
Among the people present, many were regular customers of Gu Xiruo’s shop. Upon hearing this, they anxiously approached Zhen Niang and said, “Zhen Niang, we’ve bought many things from her. Could you please help us take a look?”
If it were someone else saying this, they wouldn’t believe it, but this person was Zhen Niang, the best embroiderer of Xuan County. Her words carried more credibility than Gu Xiruo.
Zhen Niang nodded with a stern face, “Alright, bring them, and I’ll check for you.”
Those who had purchased fabrics from Gu Xiruo went to retrieve the ready-made clothes they had bought or the garments made from the fabrics.
After inspecting each item, Zhen Niang discovered that only one-third of the people had purchased normal items; the rest were all defective.
This result angered everyone. Those who had bought defective items glared angrily at Gu Xiruo, demanding, “Gu Xiruo, compensate us for our losses.”