Ch 136: Trouble At Ningxiang Residence

Prince Qing’s Mansion.

Meng Qingjiao was leisurely seated in the Mansion, gently reviewing the Ningxiang Residence’s accounts from the past few days, a subtle smile of joy unconsciously playing on her lips.

“Madam, look, Ningxiang Pavilion, under the Crown Princess’s subordinates, is simply worlds apart from our Ningxiang Residence. Until now, their doors remain closed, showing no sign of opening for business.” Ziqing said aside, her eyes smiling, her tone with a hint of flattery.

“Of course, this Princess is far more clever than she is.” Meng Qingjiao said, looking at the account books, her eyes full of pride.

“Ziqing, regarding the preparations for the New Shop,” she slightly raised her eyes, her gaze sharp, “how is the progress?”

Ziqing bowed, her tone respectful and cautious, “Reporting to Madam, everything has been properly arranged according to your instructions. Those shops are being rapidly cleared and organized, just waiting for the Ningxiang Paste to be put on sale.”

Speaking of this, she paused involuntarily, a trace of hesitation flitting across her brow, “However, this Ningxiang Paste is the Crown Princess’s life’s work. Should we really sell the same scented ointment as hers?”

Ziqing actually had another question in her heart—how did Madam find out the secret of the Ningxiang Paste’s formula?

But she only dared to let this curiosity silently linger in her heart, not daring to show any sign of it, fearing that it would anger Meng Qingjiao.

“She doesn’t know how to take advantage of the situation to make money, instead choosing to keep her doors closed and refuse visitors. We absolutely must not imitate this ‘foolishness’.”

“Imagine, if we also open an elegant shop specializing in Ningxiang Paste, those customers who couldn’t get it from her place will definitely turn to our doorstep.”

A flash of shrewd calculation shone in Meng Qingjiao’s eyes.

Upon hearing this, Ziqing immediately clapped her hands in approval, her words filled with admiration: “Madam is truly insightful and wise, a woman who is in no way inferior to men…”

Ziqing’s praise was sincere and well-timed, making Meng Qingjiao feel very pleased, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

Suddenly, a maid servant, her expression panicked, rushed in from outside, her steps stumbling.

“Madam, it’s a serious matter!” Her voice was filled with urgency and fear.

Ziqing frowned, her displeasure evident, and she gently reprimanded, “Why are you so panicked? If you frighten Madam, can you take responsibility?”

A ripple of displeasure also flashed in Meng Qingjiao’s eyes, but she still maintained her composure and grace, and softly asked, “What exactly happened to make you so distraught?”

The maid servant knelt on the ground, still catching her breath, her voice trembling, “Reporting to Madam, our shop… there are people gathering outside the shop to make trouble, saying that the Ningxiang Pills Madam bought contain poison.”

“What?!” Meng Qingjiao stood up abruptly upon hearing this, her face filled with disbelief, “Who dares to spread such rumors? Quickly send someone to…”

“But…” The maid servant’s words were cut off by Meng Qingjiao’s sharp voice.

“But what but? I support you, not to hear you question my decisions. Go quickly!” Meng Qingjiao slapped her hand on the table, causing the tea set to tremble slightly, emitting a crisp sound.

The maid servant trembled at the slap, her face turning pale instantly, and she quickly nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, “Yes, yes, this servant girl will go right away.”

After saying this, she fled the room like a startled deer, her steps even a little panicked, fearing that the Madam’s anger would fall on her.

Meng Qingjiao’s chest heaved violently with anger. Her thoughts were like surging waves, constantly speculating on who dared to be so bold as to oppose her.

However, after much thought, only one name appeared in her mind.

“Meng Tingyue! She must have sent people to spread rumors. My Ningxiang Pills could not possibly contain any poison.”

“Meng Tingyue, Meng Tingyue, your heart is truly vicious. Your own shop is doing poorly, so you are jealous and trying to harm my shop. Hmph, I will never let your plot succeed!”

Ziqing listened silently, not daring to breathe, fearing that if she was careless, the Madam’s anger would fall on her.

On the other side, Prince Qing was sitting under dim light, listening to Mu Xia’s detailed investigation report.

His slender fingers lightly touched his lips, and the occasional light cough sounded particularly noticeable in the quiet atmosphere.

“Regarding the Ningxiang Pills sold by the Madam, have you investigated their ingredients?”

Mu Xia bowed his head, his attitude respectful, “Reporting to Prince Qing, I have sent people to thoroughly investigate, and the Ningxiang Pills only contain ordinary fragrances, with no trace of any poisonous substances mixed in.”

Prince Qing’s brows furrowed slightly, a faint worry spreading quietly in his profound eyes.

If the fragrances themselves are pure and flawless, why do some women still develop rashes after using them?

Prince Qing’s understanding of this matter was limited, and so was Mu Xia’s. Both of them had doubts in their hearts, but neither could solve them.

Prince Qing softly asked, “You said that some people’s bodies turned red, causing itching and rashes, while others did not?”

Mu Xia nodded slightly, a hint of confusion in his eyes, “This subordinate also has doubts. I dare to speculate that perhaps the Ningxiang Pills Madam made reacted with something else, causing the itching.”

Upon hearing this, Prince Qing let out two soft coughs, then slowly nodded, his expression serious, “This matter must be immediately told to the Madam, so that she can be more careful. As for the Ningxiang Pills… to prevent the situation from escalating, stop selling them temporarily until the matter is clarified.”

“Yes.” Mu Xia responded, his body stiffening, and turned to leave.

He had just stepped out of the doorway when he saw a servant, his expression panicked, rushing into the courtyard.

The servant, upon seeing Mu Xia, was like a drowning man who had grabbed a life raft, running to Mu Xia, his voice full of urgency and anxiety: “Something bad has happened, Madam’s Ningxiang Residence has had an incident!”

After saying this, the servant quickly and concisely recounted the cause and effect of the incident. After listening, Mu Xia’s face instantly turned as cold as frost, and he turned around and rushed back into the room.

“Prince Qing, something bad has happened!” Mu Xia’s voice was urgent and heavy.

Upon seeing this, Prince Qing couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. He coughed a few times, his voice weak and worried, “What exactly happened?”

Mu Xia chose his words carefully, his tone cautious and deliberate, and slowly spoke, “Reporting to Prince Qing, recently, several Madams have noticed that the Ningxiang Pills seem to have something wrong, so they went to Ningxiang Residence to seek justice.”

“However… however, the Madam’s subordinates detained them, and now those Madams are causing a commotion in the shop.”

“Among those Madams, several are Sirs that Your Highness had painstakingly befriended and sought to cultivate relationships with…”