Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 158

The nine princes and seven princesses surrounded the third princess, their eyes fixed on the small worm in her palm.

The worm was turning black at a visible speed.

It turned blacker than ink, and right before their eyes: Pop!

The worm exploded.

It had turned black and burst.

“Stupid thing, now do you understand?”

The third princess looked at Qin Mo with disdain, then closed her palm. Like a magic trick, when she opened her hand again, the exploded worm was whole and white again, lying in her palm. She placed it into a small bamboo tube.

Qin Mo was dumbfounded. “How did that happen?”

“Why wouldn’t it? I’ve told you all before, He Yujiao is no good. I warned you to stay away from her, whether you have a family or not. Don’t you remember? Now the Ninth Sister-in-law saw everything. Does it make it better if you hide it from her? Stupid, growing up so big and yet not using your brain!”

The Crown Princess scolded, giving the princes a stern look.

The second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth princes immediately raised three fingers to their ears. “Eldest Sister-in-law, we have nothing to do with her.”

Eldest Sister-in-law had always been like a mother to them. They might not always listen to their mothers, but they always obeyed the Crown Princess. Even the sixth princess, who was a great general of the western regions, sometimes sought her advice when she faced difficulties.

The Crown Princess was the daughter of the Minister of Rites, who came from a scholarly family in Jiangnan. She had been immersed in books since childhood, probably reading more than all the teachers at the Imperial Academy combined.

Yet, she was approachable and didn’t put on airs. Unlike those scholars who spoke in riddles, she spoke plainly and even used slang occasionally.

The second prince sympathetically looked at Qin Mo. “Eldest Sister-in-law, you can’t blame Little Nine entirely. He Yujiao appeared suddenly and came to him. With her status, we can only avoid her usually. But if faced directly, who wouldn’t give her face? Even Father and Mother have to respect her.”

The Crown Princess pushed Qin Mo. “Alright, what are you standing around for? Go chase her.”

Qin Mo, still shaken by the exploding worm, stumbled and then hurried off.

Dong Fabric Shop’s weaving and dyeing workshop was in Fengtai.

By the time the carriage arrived at the fabric shop, Lu Tang’s mood had eased considerably.

No one expected such a troublesome event this morning. Afraid of upsetting Lu Tang further, the Four Young Masters of Qinshui kept quiet.

The four of them followed Lu Tang like bodyguards into Dong Fabric Shop.

Inside, shopkeeper Dong Yuzhu was in a panic.

The batch of goods promised to Qiao Family Inn had been sold to Gu Zongming’s mansion earlier this morning by his financial backer.

To rush the order for Qiao Family Inn, even if there was enough time, there was no stock left.

That batch of Shu brocade was already in short supply.

Seeing the delivery deadline approaching, Dong Yuzhu was sweating profusely. Although Qiao Family Inn was new in the capital, he had heard that the old master of Qiao Family Inn had once had a friendship with the current Emperor.

As he worried, a young attendant ran in. “Boss, people from Qiao Family Inn are here.”

Dong Yuzhu wiped his face and walked out. If it was good fortune or bad luck, he couldn’t avoid it. He had to face it.

The young attendant followed him, saying, “It’s not Madam Qiao, but her youngest son, Lu Tang. I heard he’s a little troublemaker.”

Dong Yuzhu’s steps slowed down, his mind racing. “Quick, get that batch from yesterday, pack it up.”

The young attendant hesitated. “That batch is inferior Shu brocade. It’s not what Qiao Family Inn ordered.”

Dong Yuzhu kicked him in the butt. “Just do it, no more nonsense!”

He hurried out to greet them.

As Dong Yuzhu stepped into the courtyard, he saw a group of people entering. His foot froze mid-air.

A troublemaker?

There were five people.

One walked in front, four followed behind. Their expressions, their posture, their aura—it looked like a funeral procession.

Remembering Madam Qiao’s instructions, Lu Tang forced a smile despite her upset mood. She gave Dong Yuzhu a polite bow. “I am Lu Tang, young master of Qiao Family Inn. I’ve come on my mother’s orders. Please, guide me, Boss Dong.”

Lu Tang spoke politely.

She was trying to smile, but having just been humiliated, her smile looked forced.

Dong Yuzhu found her smile unnerving. He made a weak gesture of invitation. “Young Master Lu, please come in.”

“I won’t stay long. The inn urgently needs the goods. We’ll take them and leave.”

Dong Yuzhu replied, “Alright. Since Young Master Lu is in a hurry, I won’t keep you. We can meet again when you return to the capital. The items are ready; I’ll have them loaded onto your carriage.”

Lu Tang waved her hand. “I’d like to inspect the goods first.”

Dong Yuzhu laughed. “Young Master Lu doesn’t trust me? Your mother chose our Dong Fabric Shop because of our quality materials and craftsmanship. We will have long-term cooperation in the future. How could I deceive you?”

Lu Tang smiled. “Even brothers should settle accounts clearly. Let’s take a look.”

“They are all packed neatly in the boxes.”

Seeing Dong Yuzhu’s reluctance, Liang Cheng and Xu Shen exchanged a glance and spoke simultaneously, “We have time to inspect the goods. Long-term cooperation requires transparency for the benefit of both parties. This is also a responsibility to Boss Dong.”

Dong Yuzhu’s face darkened. “Young Master Lu doesn’t trust me?”

Lu Tang was already holding back her anger today. Seeing Dong Yuzhu’s behavior made her even more furious. “Just say if you’ll let us inspect or not. Cut the nonsense. What’s the matter? Buyers can’t inspect the goods? If you won’t let us inspect, I’ll go to the capital’s magistrate and report it. Let the authorities inspect.”

The previously polite person now looked murderous.

Dong Yuzhu, knowing he was in the wrong, had no choice. He cursed inwardly, wondering why such a troublemaker would be so responsible, but had to order the goods brought out for inspection.

Among the items ordered by Qiao Family Inn, only the Shu brocade was lacking. The rest were genuine.

The attendant had hidden the inferior Shu brocade at the bottom, covered by other goods.

The already packed boxes were opened, revealing the velvet-wrapped drapes. Liang Cheng and Xu Shen took out a drape and carefully inspected it, finding no issues.

Next, Zhou Shu and Guo Dawei checked the items in the adjacent boxes.

Dong Yuzhu forced a smile. “I told you there was no problem, but Young Master Lu didn’t trust me. If it were your sister or mother picking up the goods, you’d be on your way by now.”

Ignoring him, Lu Tang pointed to the box at the bottom. “Open this one.”