The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“I do have some questions for this person. Aunt Deng, do you remember his full name and where he lives?” Zhuang Qingning inquired.

“I remember. He’s also from this town. His surname is Feng, he calls himself Feng Ershu. Originally, he sold tea leaves in a stall, but as his business flourished, he rented a shop for his trade. He’s still running his tea business in this town. He wanted to rent my shop initially, perhaps he felt the shop was small and rather isolated and desired mine for it being so conveniently spacious.”

Mrs. Deng added, “If you want to find him, just walk down East Street, there’s a shop called ‘Feng’s Tea’. It’s his shop and it’s quite easy to locate.”

“Alright, now I know.” Zhuang Qingning replied with a smile, “Thanks, Aunt Deng. I will go look for him now.”

“Okay, you can go,” Mrs. Deng saw Zhuang Qingning out, chattering along the way: “It’s rare for you to visit me. You didn’t even stay for a cup of tea and left in such a hurry…”

“It’s alright, Aunt Deng, there will be plenty of time for tea in the future. Once I’m free in a few days, I’ll come over and have a chat with you. Just don’t find me bothering you then.” Zhuang Qingning said with a smile.

“I really hope so,” Mrs. Deng’s face beamed, “I wish you could come over and chat with me every day.”

This wasn’t a joke. Mrs. Deng had no son but two daughters who were both married and living apart.

Although they didn’t live too far away, it was not reasonable for her daughters to visit their mother’s house every day, and she, as a mother-in-law, could not frequent her sons-in-law’s houses either. She could only live her life alone here.

She was not short of money and didn’t need to work. Other than her three meals a day and doing some laundry, she had plenty of spare time with nothing to do.

She did think about chatting with her neighbours, but everyone was busy with their own business, and they were not as free as she was. Naturally, they couldn’t put their work aside just to keep her company.

Mrs. Deng was considerate and didn’t forcibly socialize with her neighbours. Consequently, she felt increasingly bored and lonely. Zhuang Qingning’s proposal to come and chat with her was a delightful prospect to her.

That’s why Zhuang Qingning is such a gem. She’s beautiful and speaks very kindly. She can do business and understands people. Such a girl is hard to find even with a lantern. If Mrs. Deng had a daughter like her, she’d probably laugh even in her dreams…

Keeping all these thoughts to herself, Mrs. Deng saw Zhuang Qingning off and then resumed doing her laundry.

Following Mrs. Deng’s directions, Zhuang Qingning went to East Street to find Feng’s tea shop.

Tea is considered a luxury rather than a necessity. There weren’t many tea shops in town, so Zhuang Qingning soon located the location without much inquiry.

The place was not big, the faqade rather low and it seemed somewhat old, but the shop sign was new. It hung at the entrance, fluttering in the wind, and it did look appealing.

Zhuang Qingning pursed her lips and stepped into the shop.

“Customer, what kind of tea would you like?” The shop attendant inside noticed someone coming in and greeted her warmly.

Upon recognizing Zhuang Qingning, Feng Ershu was taken aback.

What was she doing here?

Had she, by any chance, discovered something?

No, she shouldn’t have. Mrs. Bai and her son had been well compensated and wouldn’t betray him so easily. Besides, he had been living in the town for a long time while Zhuang Qingning was just an outsider. Mrs. Bai should know better how to respond to the situation than him.

Perhaps, she was simply here to buy tea. After all, there weren’t many tea shops in this town. His shop sold good quality tea at a reasonable price, and other shopkeepers often came here for their tea.’

While Feng Ershu was lost in his thoughts Zhuang Qingning had already entered the shop and looked at him standing dumbstruck at the entrance, puzzled: “Do you have something on your mind, shop manager? You seem to be very distracted.”

“No, no…” Recovering from his thoughts, Feng Ershu hurried towards the counter: “I just saw someone I know and was contemplating whether to tell him that the new tea he asked for has arrived. I was simply a little lost in thoughts.”

“Oh, a familiar face.”

Zhuang Qingning gave a knowing smile, and as she glanced at Feng Ershu, she blinked her eyes.

That cryptic gaze and sarcastic smile made Feng Ershu’s heart started to thud.

He was beginning to think that Zhuang Qingning’s visit was slightly unexpected and… strange.

“Yes, a familiar face.” Feng Ershu gave an awkward smile and hurriedly changed the topic, “What kind of tea would you like, miss? Is it for your own use or as a gift?”

“I’ll just have a look around first.” Zhuang Qingning lowered her gaze, sweeping across the shelves lined with tea cans.

Sturdy shelves, set up in a staircase manner, neatly lined with various tea cans.

A red tag was attached to each tea can, stating the name of the tea. The handwriting wasn’t top-notch, but it was very neat. The tea cans were also spotlessly clean. Not a speck of dust could be detected, even in the corners of the shelves.

It was clear that this Feng Ershu was very meticulous in his work.

It was probably because of this attentiveness, that he was able to gradually spread rumors about the bad Feng Shui of the shop, and ultimately achieve his goal of acquiring the shop at a low price.

Throughout the process, he was patient and gradual, making it hard for others to notice his plot.

Zhuang Qingning drew up the corner of her mouth slightly, withdrew her probing gaze, and eventually placed it back on Feng Ershu: “I haven’t taken a particular liking to any type of tea. Sorry to have bothered you.”

“Not at all,” Feng Ershu did his best to conceal the panic on his face and in his heart, and with a smile as if treating a regular customer, saw Zhuang Qingning to the door, “If you need to buy tea in the future, feel free to come.”

“Definitely.” Zhuang Qingning responded with a meaningful smile and stepped out of the shop.

Everything seemed to be in order.

Watching Zhuang Qingning’s retreating figure, Feng Ershu exhaled slowly in relief.

But before he could fully relax, he saw Zhuang Qingning returning. He had to hold his breath again, choking on it.

“Anything else?” Feng Ershu asked with a forced smile.

“Nothing much, just that I’ve opened a tofu shop nearby, and if you ever need tofu, do drop by.” Zhuang Qingning explained with a smile.

“Sure, sure.” Feng Ershu nodded and smiled in response.

Zhuang Qingning nodded slightly and then turned around and left again.

This time, she walked towards the west. It was not until Zhuang Qingning had disappeared from his sight that Feng Ershu finally exhaled the breath he had been holding, only to startle himself into alertness again.

Heading west?

That’s where Mrs. Bai’s fortune-telling stall is located, right?

Did Zhuang Qingning come this time to tell him that she knows everything?

If so, would she take him to see the pavilion chief and report him?