Competition is inevitable in business unless it is a monopoly. However, in the bustling city of Jin Lin, there is a surplus of businesses doing retail and food and beverages. To survive among the competitors, one must know thyself and others; what are their strengths and your weaknesses so as to work on your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. To stand out, you have to be clear of your position in order to gain a foothold.
Quality, style, service, management, and marketing are all interlinked. Neither of them should be lacking.
To think that customers would bring money to you by just bringing in a few cloth and displaying them there without knowing anything like elder sister-in-law is too naïve.
Since nothing would come out of asking her, Ye Jiayao can only say “Then I shall go over to your shop to take a look tomorrow, then to other shops to see where the problem lies before coming up with a plan.”
Qiao is elated “Thank you, second sister-in-law.”
As long as the shop’s business can thrive and not fold, she doesn’t care about face and is willing to beg second sister-in-law for help. She had made herself clear in the Qiao family that she can do it and in order to be in full control of the accounts, she rejected the manager that her older brother sent over. If she fails, it would not be merely the loss of money but also face.
“We are all family, what is there to thank. Besides, I dare not say that I would definitely be of help. I will just try my best.” Ye Jiayao does not make a promise, leaving a way out for herself.
“Of course, of course…” Qiao replies politely, however, she still placed high hopes on this second sister-in-law.
“Elder sister-in-law is pregnant so do not worry about these menial things, you should take care of your body. Now that third sister-in-law is not feeling well, Mother is also quite worried…” saying that, a layer of worry surfaces from Ye Jiayao’s clear eyes.
Speaking of which, Qiao is feeling a little unhappy. Even if this is her second pregnancy, You was never as caring to her as she did with Liu Li when she was first pregnant. It is all because Chunli wasn’t born by You.
“What exactly is wrong with Third sister-in-law? I have been going through strong reactions from the pregnancy and couldn’t visit her, but didn’t Imperial Physician Li say that there was no problem?” Although Qiao is unhappy deep down, she still has to do the surface job. The caring tone and expression are all on point.
Ye Jiayao sighs “Imperial Physician Li did say that but from what I see, Third sister-in-law’s complexion is really bad and it seems that her condition got worse. Of course, I have never been pregnant before so I am not very certain but I think Mother should know for sure!”
Qiao is surprised “Could it be that there is something wrong with the child? It shouldn’t be the case, Third sister-in-law is only six months into the pregnancy and her reactions to the pregnancy would have been less severed compared to the initial stages. It also isn’t the period where her body is the heaviest.”
“Then that is weird. Since Third sister-in-law is not sick and doesn’t have headaches…” Ye Jiayao is perplexed.
Qiao ponders for a while, suddenly exclaiming “Could it be that there is a problem with the child?”
After saying that, Qiao quickly covers her mouth, immediately spitting, laughing embarrassedly “It was a wild guess.”
Ye Jiayao squeezes out a bitter smile “I have been thinking since Third sister-in-law keeps complaining about being stuffy, could it be that the incense she used in her room is too strong?”
“Pregnant women should avoid using incense. Just look at me, I used to light up jasmine tea gruel and all that but after becoming pregnant, I removed all of them.” Qiao says.
Ye Jiayao nods in agreement “I think so too, even I cannot get used to the smell of ambergris and wormwood mixed together, don’t even mention Third sister-in-law. I don’t even know how the servants there do their job.”
Qiao is dumbfounded “What smell did you say it was?”
“Ambergris and wormwood!” Ye Jiayao looks as though she wasn’t even trying to be subtle about it.
“You smelt it?” Qiao’s pupils waver, reflecting her uneasiness.
Ye Jiayao smiles “My sense of smell has always been very acute. I would never be wrong.”
Qiao’s expression begins to darken.
Ye Jiayao asks uneasily “Elder sister-in-law, is there something wrong?”
Qiao tries to force out a smile, concealing “No, nothing…”
Ye Jiayao laughs in self-mockery “We are just being worried about nothing, perhaps everything is alright. With Imperial Physician Li around, would she let anything happen to Third sister-in-law?”
Qiao asks “Have you told Mother about this matter?”
“What matter?” Ye Jiayao pretends to not know.
“The incense.”
“What’s there to talk about the incense? I just don’t like the smell, perhaps Third sister-in-law is someone who likes that smell, to each his own. It wouldn’t be nice if I talked about it.”
Qiao stays silent, looking as though there is something weighing in her heart.
Ye Jiayao smiles “Elder sister-in-law, don’t worry, I am also only chatting and listening about all these interesting things because I am bored.”
Saying that, Ye Jiayao changes the topic “We have a tenant farmer in our farmlands who’s surname is Jin. He has two sons and a daughter. Both his sons are quite hardworking but a pity his daughter and son-in-law are lazy and leech on them all the time. A pity they are sweet talkers and Old Jin’s wife dotes on her daughter exceptionally. Instead of scolding them, she keeps defending them. However, these tenant farmers are tight on money themselves, how can they afford to have two idle mouths to feed. Both the sons are unhappy and the second son’s wife is even pregnant. Therefore, Old Jin decided to harden his heart and slaughter the only hen in the family for his daughter-in-law to supplement her body. However, coincidently, the daughter is also pregnant and has returned during her pregnancy and Old Jin’s wife is biased towards her daughter, letting her eat the hen while the second daughter-in-law didn’t even get a mouth of the soup.”
Qiao could not contain her anger “That Old Jin’s wife is so muddle-headed, and that youngest daughter is so thick-skinned, how could they have their way? If it were me, I wouldn’t let them be.”
Ye Jiayao laughs “Of course this matter cannot rest like that, the second daughter-in-law keeps holding in the anger and slowly, her body starts to deteriorate and no amount of medicine would work. The second son has no choice but to hire a roaming priest to take a look. The priest did some calculating and said that a mountain cannot contain two tigers. The second daughter-in-law is pregnant with the Wen Qu star and is a pity that it is restrained in the womb. After another round of calculations, the priest deduced that there is another pregnant woman in the house and if this person does not leave, there would be no hope for the Wen Qu star in the second daughter-in-law’s body. Also, they are not to meet with this nemesis ever again…”
Qiao is surprised “Such things actually exist?”
Ye Jiayao replies “Hearing that the second daughter-in-law is pregnant with the Wen Qu star, which is a big thing for this farmer family, Old Jin’s wife immediately hardens her heart and chased her youngest daughter away, never allowing her back…”
“That is the way to go, so the two of them wouldn’t be able to leech again,” Qiao says with indignance.
“I think that priest is most probably in cahoots with the second son. This is too ridiculous. However, Chunyu didn’t think much of this matter, saying that everyone would rather believe than to doubt. Talks about ghosts and gods are the most incredible, even in the palace, people would make use of this to create a scene to achieve their desired outcome, for example, to get rid of one’s enemy or to put the blame on others. Hearing about it gives me the chills.” Ye Jiayao shakes her head, laughing bitterly.
Qiao frowns a little, as though she is deep in thoughts. Ye Jiayao knows that her words has gone in and is in her subconscious mind, achieving her goal, hence, she rises to take her leave “I almost forgot about dinner after all that chatting, elder sister-in-law, I shall take my leave now, I would go down to the shop tomorrow and after I come up with a plan, I will come over to discuss it with you.”
Qiao answers absent-mindedly, getting a servant to see her out.
At this moment, she seems to be at a loss, in her heart, a huge storm seems to be brewing.
“Fang Mama, what do you think of Second Young Mistress’s words just now?” Qiao asks Fang Mama.
Fang Mama replies worriedly “No matter if Second Young Mistress is speaking unintentionally or with the intention to warn you, if what she says is true, and Third Young Mistress really used wormwood incense, then there is a huge problem going on.”
Qiao motions her to close the door, saying with a grave expression “I think so too, both of us know under what circumstances will a pregnant woman use wormwood incense. While she keeps saying she is alright, Third Young Mistress has been using wormwood, even using the strong ambergris to cover up the smell, who would believe that there is no problem!”
Fang Mama says hesitantly “I dare to say that Second Young Mistress has already detected something amiss. A few days ago, Madam was still criticizing Second Young Mistress about not going to visit Third Young Mistress. After that, the Heir-Son Lord accompanied Second Young Mistress over and the next day, they went to the farmlands. I think Second Young Mistress told you that story on purpose…”
“Think about it, if the child in Third Young Mistress’s womb cannot survive, for no rhyme or reason at that, it might be because Third Young Mistress has some hidden illness. Also, according to her strong character, she would naturally not admit that the child is lost because of her. she would definitely find someone to take over the blame.”
Qiao shudders, this is what she is worried about too.
Fang Mama continues “Who do you think would be the best scapegoat? Of course, it is Second Young Mistress. Everyone knows that they are at loggerheads and even though on the surface it seems like everything is fine, who knows for sure what Third Young Mistress is thinking of deep inside? However, Second Young Mistress already has her guards up so she would not fall into the trap so easily. In that case, what would Third Young Mistress do under the circumstance that she is unable to hide the matter anymore?”
Qiao’s face turns as pale as a sheet. Fang Mama says solemnly “Just now, Second Young Mistress quoted the Heir-Son Lord saying that this schemes and tricks are frequently used in the palace. First Young Mistress, think about it, after you just got pregnant, something arises there. Isn’t that the best excuse? All there is to do is to hire a divine interpreter or a senior monk from a temple or any priest from a Daoist temple to make a trip here and everything will be solved, saving on trouble and effort while you, First Young Mistress, will be unable to defend yourself.”
Qiao is unable to stay calm, grabbing on to Fang Mama’s hand nervously “Then… then what should we do?”
She would rather believe than to doubt with regards to matters like this. You would definitely side with Liu Li. If the Empress Dowager starts to pinpoint someone to blame, things would be worse. Leaving the residence would be a small case. If she is not careful, she might lose the child inside.
Fang Mama ponders for a long time. The confusion in her eyes suddenly becomes clear with a hint of ruthlessness, saying “Then we can only strike first and gain the upper hand. Before Third Young Mistress begins any movement, we have to disclose Third Young Mistress’s actual condition.”
