In the past few days, Yao Suyi received a letter from her younger brother saying their parents were coming to the capital to spend the New Year with them. She planned to make new clothes for her parents and bring some fine fabrics back to her natal family to show off. And of course, some jewelry too.

In the end, she selected five bolts each of Floating Light brocade, Rainbow brocade, and Cloud brocade. Ten pairs of hairpins: butterfly pins, sapphire peacock danglers, jade phoenix pins. Earrings: ridged gourd-shaped gold, filigree pearl gold, jade rabbit pounding medicine from Dingling—one pair each. Plus various hairpins, pearl flowers, and silk blossoms. Also, two jade pendants for men’s robes and two jade crowns.

Chisu Workshop had originally specialized in fabrics, but in recent years had expanded to include matching jewelry, top-tier quality.

As usual, Yao Suyi picked out her items and instructed Manager Hong Xiu to wrap them up.

Hong Xiu served fine tea and pastries, smiling. “Madam Yao, are you satisfied with our service?”

Her nine-year-old daughter, Fu Sangyu, had come along and was already learning household management. Her sweet little face beamed. “Manager Hong, everything here is wonderful—fabrics, jewelry, and people!”

“Is that so? Thank you, Young Miss Fu.”

Yao Suyi sipped her tea and said, “Very satisfied. These items give us great face—everyone praises them.”

“Since Madam is pleased, shall we settle the account?”

Hongxiu handed her a ledger—six years of purchases from Chisu Workshop by the Prime Minister’s residence.

Yao Suyi froze. She could read, and seeing her own handwriting on each record, her face flushed red.

“Manager Hongxiu, what do you mean by this?”

“Madam Yao, the Prime Minister’s residence has been buying on credit for five years. Less than thirty percent has been repaid. It’s time to settle the debt.”

Hong Xiu gave a bitter smile. “Please have mercy—our shop is struggling to stay afloat.”

Chisu Workshop was known for its premium goods, offering what other shops couldn’t. That morning, the shop was packed. The reception hall had no door, just a beaded curtain—everyone could hear the conversation.

Yao Suyi stood stunned, holding the ledger.

Fu Sangyu grabbed it and exclaimed, “We still owe fifteen thousand taels?”

Hong Xiu sighed. “Yes, Miss Fu. And that’s not counting today’s purchases. If not for Princess Yunshang’s discount, your household would owe over fifty thousand taels.” She choked up, saying her husband was ill and they couldn’t afford medicine.

Fu Sangyu slammed the ledger down. “What do you mean? How dare you ask my mother for silver? Didn’t you say it was free? Otherwise, who would shop here?”

“Miss Fu, surely you jest. Who buys things without paying?”

“Then don’t charge so much! You’re gouging us!”

“You’ve never paid a coin—how am I gouging you?” Hong Xiu replied. “No matter how you spin it, you’re in the wrong.”

Customers gathered to ask what was going on.

Fu Sangyu angrily claimed Princess Yunshang had promised they could take goods without paying, and now Hongxiu was demanding silver—fraud!

“I’ll tell my second uncle! Crooked merchants like you should rot in jail!” She was indignant, and Yao Suyi didn’t stop her. Tearfully, she said, “I’ve wronged the Princess. She promised discounts, so I brought my child to the shop. I should’ve clarified…”

Hong Xiu laughed bitterly. “Unbelievable! I gave one discount for the Princess’s sake, and Madam Yao brought friends and family nonstop for six years. You’ve nearly emptied the shop!”

Fu Sangyu said, “It’s not my mother’s fault. The Princess told us to do this. We didn’t know we had to pay.”

The wealthy customers began to gossip. Those friendly with Fu Zhang blamed Princess Yunshang for not making things clear. Those who disliked him scoffed—who buys things for free and then drags the Princess down with them?

Fu Sangyu shouted to a servant, “Go fetch Princess Yunshang. This shop clearly doesn’t want to stay open!”

Hong Xiu couldn’t stop them and cried pitifully.

Some customers sympathized. “Poor Manager Hong. Everyone knows the Princess favors the Prime Minister. She’ll side with them.”

“Stay strong, Manager Hong!”

Soon, the servant returned with Liang Youyi. She listened to both sides.

Fu Sangyu loudly asked, “Princess, didn’t you tell Chisu Workshop not to charge us?”

“I never said that.”

“…!” Fu Sangyu’s eyes widened. “How can you go back on your word?”

Liang Youyi replied coldly, “Fu Sangyu, I once asked Manager Hong to give you a discount. That doesn’t mean you can extort her forever.”

“Mother, tell everyone what she said!” Fu Sangyu tried to shift the blame.

Liang Youyi snorted. “I heard even your maids wear silk—so you’ve been looting Chisu Workshop to gild yourselves?”

Yao Suyi was speechless. She knelt and kowtowed, crying, “Princess, it’s all my fault. I’m just a country woman—I didn’t understand your words. Please, punish me!”

Hong Xiu laughed bitterly. “Madam Yao, what act is this? Playing dumb to make the Princess look cruel? That’s vicious.”

Yao Suyi sobbed, “I’ve wronged the Princess. I’m too stupid.” She looked pitiful and innocent.

Liang Youyi stepped forward. “Too stupid? Can’t understand me?”

“It’s all my fault. Please hit me.”

In the past, whenever Yao Suyi cried like this, Liang Youyi would clean up the mess. Today, with fifteen thousand taels at stake, surely the Princess would help again.

“Fine. As you wish.” Liang Youyi swiftly drew a three-finger-wide punishment paddle from her waist and struck Yao Suyi’s face.

Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.

Fast and fierce. Yao Suyi’s mouth visibly swelled, bled, and spat out blood and teeth.

Everyone was stunned. Wait—did the Princess carry a paddle around?

“What are you doing? Why are you hitting my mother?” Fu Sangyu cried and rushed to her.

“Everyone heard her. She asked me to hit her.” Liang Youyi put away the paddle and said calmly, “She’s been asking for this for years. I couldn’t keep denying her.”