Madam Chen was very pleased that her son could handle things on his own.

However, the “Marchioness” that Liu Er mentioned must be Wu Cui Rou.

Chun Zhi angrily said, “Madam, the Duke’s residence is plotting against us. What should we do?”

“We do nothing.” Jiang Yuanfan poured herself a cup of tea.

Chuntao protested, “Wouldn’t that let them off too easily? If it weren’t for the young lady today, our Lan Fang Pavilion would have had to shut down!”

Madam Chen ’s expression turned slightly cold.

Not only that, but the Jiang family would also be involved in a life-and-death lawsuit.

If word reached His Majesty’s ears, it would affect both her husband’s and Yuan Sheng’s reputation as officials.

Jiang Yuansheng had just taken office as a civil official.

The consequences for him would be the most severe. Wu Cuirou truly had a venomous heart.

“Chunzhi, what day is it today?”

Chunzhi quickly responded, “Madam, it is the sixth day.”

That meant the poisoned products from Fa Cai Ju (Fortune Residence) would start showing their effects today.

Madam Chen ’s eyes narrowed, a sharp light flashing in them. “Don’t they want fame? Since that’s the case, why don’t we help them achieve it?”

Chen Shi whispered a few instructions to Chunzhi and Chuntao.

After the commotion subsided, Lan Fang Pavilion became even more crowded with customers.

Madam Chen took the two of them to the second floor to handle the business affairs of Lan Fang Pavilion.

Jiang Yuanfan watched from upstairs for a long time, recalling what his younger sister had said before.

Having that illness meant he had no chance of ever succeeding in the imperial examinations. His sister had said he would become the greatest merchant in Yufeng. Could it really be true?

“Mother, do you think I can take over Lan Fang Pavilion?”

Madam Chen didn’t look up.

She had planned to discuss this with her son in a few days, but she hadn’t expected him to bring it up himself.

【Yes, yes, yes!】Jiang Yuanxi excitedly agreed with hands and feet.

【My third brother will be Yufeng’s number one merchant, and I will be his number one little sister!】

Hearing her daughter’s inner thoughts, Madam Chen ’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Her eyes softened. “Do whatever you want to do.”

While she hoped her son would become successful, she wanted even more for both her son and daughter to live happily and not be forced into anything they didn’t love.

Jiang Yuanfan lowered his gaze, his emotions complicated.

After a long silence, he said in a deep voice, “Mother, give Lan Fang Pavilion to me.”

He wanted to do something.

If he couldn’t stand in court like his eldest brother or fight on the battlefield like his second brother, then he would make his mark in a different way.

“Alright.” Madam Chen agreed.

【That means I’ll be a little rich lady now!】 Jiang Yuanxi grinned from ear to ear.

【When will second brother return? I saw his wife already!】

Madam Chen ’s eyes widened in shock. Her second son had a sweetheart?

【A few days ago, eldest brother rejected the emperor’s arranged marriage, saying he already had someone in his heart. I really want to meet my future sister-in-law!】

Jiang Yuanfan was stunned.

Eldest brother was also in a relationship?!

Why did he know nothing about this?!

That evening, after a long day of work, Jiang Yuansheng returned home. Before he could even step through the door, Jiang Yuanfan pulled him into the study.

The entire family stared at him with expectant eyes, making him uneasy.

“W-what’s wrong?”

Why were his parents looking at him like they were watching a good show?

Jiang Yuan Cheng was the first to speak. “Big brother, when will you bring our sister-in-law home?”

“Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law!” Jiang Yuanxi echoed.

“There’s no such thing as a—” Jiang Yuan Sheng suddenly remembered.

That day in front of the emperor, he had indeed said something… It must have been his sister’s inner thoughts that exposed everything to the family!

Nothing could be kept secret!

“Father, Mother, I don’t have a sweetheart.”

“That day, the emperor wanted to arrange a marriage for me, but I didn’t like the princess, so I used that as an excuse to refuse.”

“Really?” Chen Shi was skeptical.

“Of course it’s true.” He had been so busy these past few days that he had forgotten to explain it clearly.

Jiang Fengyuan scoffed. “Useless. You don’t even have a sweetheart? Don’t tell people you’re my son.”

Jiang Yuansheng: …

Wait a minute.

Didn’t his father used to brag about him all the time to his colleagues?

Looking at the disdainful expressions of his entire family, the usually composed Jiang Yuan Sheng suddenly felt depressed.

Just because he didn’t have a sweetheart, they…

What kind of expressions were those?!

And he was only seventeen—seventeen!

..

Meanwhile, at the An Guo Mansion.

Jiang Ruowei listened to her servant’s report.

“Young Miss, people have surrounded the entrance of Fa Cai Ju today, demanding an explanation.”

Jiang Ruowei frowned. “Demanding an explanation? For what?”

The maid hesitated before saying, “Those people claim that after using the products from our shop, sores appeared on their mouths, and their faces broke out in unsightly rashes. I saw them myself—it’s true.”

“That’s impossible!” Jiang Ruowei didn’t believe it.

The ingredients in the lip balms and powders were top-quality and beneficial for the skin.

In her previous life, her business had flourished, and there had never been any issues.

How could there be a problem in this life?

“Bring me the lip balm.” Jiang Ruo Wei already had a suspicion.

The maid quickly retrieved it from her pocket and handed it over.

Jiang Ruowei opened it and sniffed.

The floral scent was weaker, and the contents inside… were not the original formula she had provided.

The ingredients had been swapped!

Her brows furrowed deeply.

After a long silence, she cursed, “Good-for-nothing fools!”

Even if Lan Fang Pavilion was gaining fame, as long as they stuck to the original formula, Fa Cai Ju could still take a share of the profits.

A perfectly good game of chess had been ruined by that idiot.

The maid was terrified by the overwhelming fury radiating from Jiang Ruowei and dropped to her knees, not daring to lift her head.

The next day, word spread throughout the city that Fa Cai Ju’s products were problematic. Large crowds gathered to demand justice.

Many sought compensation for medical expenses, but no one knew who the real owner of Fa Cai Ju was.

Then, suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted that the owner was the An Guo Mansion.

Immediately, everyone took their complaints to the mansion’s gates.

“Madam, you should have seen it! The An Guo Mansion’s doors were smashed to pieces.”

“The old madam was so enraged that she couldn’t get out of bed, and no one in the mansion dared to step outside. But today, the Ministry of Justice sent people to guard the entrance.” Chuntao excitedly recounted.

Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes sparkled.

She suddenly thought of something and dragged Jiang Yuancheng outside.

By the time they arrived, a large crowd had already gathered outside An Guo Mansion.

Some had come alone, others had brought their entire families. However, no one dared to break through the guards blocking the entrance.

“Sister, why are we here now?” Jiang Yuan Cheng asked.

Jiang Yuanxi grinned mischievously.

Jiang Yuancheng suddenly had a bad feeling.

Jiang Yuanxi stood on the mansion’s new doorstep, hands on her hips, and pointed at the crowd.

“You all bought from our mansion, right? Listen up! Our master is the second madam of the An Guo Mansion—Wu Cuirou!”

“She said that lowly commoners like you deserve to use those products.”

Jiang Yuancheng was stunned.

Wasn’t she afraid of being beaten to death?

But as her brother, he had to help.

“Exactly! You peasants dare to cause trouble here? Be careful—our lord might have you all assassinated!”

The crowd erupted in fury.

Jiang Yuancheng smirked.

“I am the bastard grandson of An Guo, Jiang Hui!”