CHAPTER 241: CHAPTER 238 MUTUAL EXCHANGES

The Second Manager of the Embroidery Workshop looked at the unfamiliar middle-aged man before her and after a while, shook her head.

The middle-aged man was nervous, but having been a steward for many years, he didn’t show fear in front of others. He said, "How do you know that person is from the Shi Family Trading Team?"

The Second Manager of the Embroidery Workshop pressed her lips and said, "Because... because he said that in the future the workshop would use thread tassels made of wool, he... they would provide them, and the price would be cheaper than those from Chen Family Village.

This was said by someone in spring. In spring, we were waiting for woolen goods from Chen Family Village, and before Chen Family Village’s goods arrived, the Shi Family Trading Team came. The woolen goods they brought were more exquisite than those from Chen Family Village and weren’t expensive.

Moreover, at that time, I saw the worker from the Shi Family Trading Team who came to deliver goods. This time, that worker came along as well.

If we see the person and they mention goods, isn’t it... isn’t it the Shi Family? Especially since everyone knows that in spring, the Shi Family Trading Team competed with Chen Family Village for woolen goods, causing Chen Family Village to lose silver coins. Now Chen Family Village has come to sell thread tassels, so the Shi Family Trading Team’s items naturally can’t be sold."

The Second Manager of the Embroidery Workshop trembled a bit as she glanced at the man before her, feeling that what she said was not wrong.

The person claiming to be the manager of the Shi Family Trading Team said in a low voice, "Keep talking; as long as you speak the truth..."

The implication was that speaking the truth would at least not put her in any immediate trouble.

With no choice, the Second Manager of the Embroidery Workshop continued, "When Ms. Jin took on this business, we already knew in our hearts that those wanting to harm Chen Family Village must be the Shi Family Trading Team. It’s not uncommon for merchants to use some tactics, and if Chen Family Village falls, the ones benefiting would be the Shi Family Trading Team.

If it weren’t for this reason, we wouldn’t have dared to confront Chen Family Village with some fake thread tassels.

Yes, those fake thread tassels were also spun from wool; who could produce so many thread tassels at once? It made it all clear upon thinking it through."

Manager Qin from the Shi Family Trading Team listened and glanced at the person beside him. "Master, I really don’t know."

Upon hearing this title ’Master,’ Xie Liangchen confirmed her suspicion; the person before her was indeed Du Yi’s elder brother, the Military Governor of Sui State, Du Zhuo.

For others, persuading the Du Family may not be easy, but with Song Xian personally writing, Du Zhuo was sure to come.

Du Zhuo didn’t speak but turned to look at the burning village. If today, he and Song Xian weren’t standing here, the Du Family would face significant troubles.

Du Zhuo glanced at the trading team manager, who immediately said, "I will investigate right away, find the person who went to the workshop, and definitely won’t let them escape."

The person handling matters at the workshop was an informant planted in the Du Family. If not captured, the overall situation wouldn’t be clear, and he wouldn’t be at peace.

Du Zhuo said, "Find them first, keep an eye on them, to avoid startling them."

The manager from the trading team responded, bowed to Du Zhuo and Song Xian, and then quietly retreated.

The Second Manager of the Embroidery Workshop looked dazedly at them; through their conversation, she gradually understood the whole story and considering those two death warriors, she couldn’t help but shiver.

The Second Manager of the Embroidery Workshop hesitated for a while, then suddenly started crawling toward Xie Liangchen. However, as soon as she moved, a stone flew over and struck her supporting leg heavily, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground.

Chang An, nearby, shook his head secretly. This woman from the workshop was indeed foolish; how dared she to provoke the master at this time? She almost harmed Miss Xie. The master was holding back anger, and now she dares to approach Miss Xie, isn’t she seeking death?

"Miss Xie," the Second Manager wept and called out, shedding tears, "Please help me, I realize my mistake, I was also deceived by others. Please speak up for me so that in the future we all walk the right path."

Xie Liangchen glanced at the Second Manager but said nothing. Liu Erniang beside her also shook her head; words after wrongdoing are useless.

Chang An ordered people to drag the Second Manager down and put her with those two death warriors.

Upon seeing the death warriors, thinking of their ruthlessness, the Second Manager felt her life was nearing its end and collapsed completely.

The matter hadn’t been completely clarified, but what had transpired was enough for Du Zhuo to see the truth clearly.

Xie Liangchen looked at Liu Erniang and Chen Zhongdong, who understood and followed Xie Liangchen, leaving Song Xian and Du Zhuo alone.

Song Xian kept watching Xie Liangchen’s figure until Du Zhuo beside him said, "For the Emperor’s consideration of Prince Guangyang, he has always taken good care of Princess Jiahui. Princess Jiahui often enters the palace to accompany the Empress, over the years, Princess Jiahui has also accumulated many favors..."

Du Zhuo’s words carried some worry.

Song Xian raised his eyes, "Does the Military Governor Du fear that these few people alone can’t bring Princess Jiahui to justice?"

Du Zhuo said, "Do you mean there is other evidence?"

Song Xian said, "Before Miss Xie came, she wrote a letter to me. Does the Military Governor Du think Princess Jiahui might know about this?"

Du Zhuo said, "She stationed people to watch the warehouse at Chen Family Village, surely she wouldn’t miss these signs."

Song Xian said, "Princess Jiahui knew I would come to Xingzhou, but she didn’t expect us to be prepared and arrive so early. She anticipated that by the time I arrived, the death warriors would have killed, forcing me to inquire into the entire story."

Du Zhuo nodded, acknowledging the reasoning.

Song Xian continued, "What would I do? If I reported it to the government office for investigation, it would be too routine, which might not match Princess Jiahui’s desired outcome."

Du Zhuo, realizing something, said, "Do you mean... she might..."

Song Xian smiled, "I’m already in Xingzhou. Miss Xie’s letter must point to something. From the embroidery shop, I pursued the trail to the Shi Family Trading Team in just a short time. After discovering the truth, I will send someone to find the Third Young Master, who’s right in nearby Mingzhou, and can arrive within half an hour on a fast horse..."

Du Zhuo’s complexion changed again, "You mean she also intends to attack Du Yi?"

Song Xian noticed Du Zhuo’s panic but stood silently beside him; he needed Du Zhuo to experience similar sentiments. Though he knew someone was protecting her, he still feared mishaps until seeing her safe and sound standing before him.

Now, he returned these feelings entirely to Du Zhuo.

With a solemn face, Du Zhuo said, "Although all this started because of my third brother, I can’t just watch him being harmed. I will save him first, then send him to the government office for judgment."

Song Xian did not respond; Du Zhuo continued, "I’ll go ahead."

Du Zhuo hurriedly left with his people; not far away, Chang An approached and said, "Master, why didn’t you tell the Military Governor Du that we have our people in Mingzhou?"

Song Xian said, "He hesitated to come here earlier." Knowing that she and the people from Chen Family Village were in danger, yet still played with such calculation.

After saying this, Song Xian said, "When he reaches Mingzhou, you inform him. Also, only by witnessing everything firsthand will the Du Family decisively act against Princess Jiahui."