Chapter 137: Smash It to Pieces

Chapter 137: Smash It to Pieces

"What?"

Lu Wen was rooted to the spot.

Zhang, the shopkeeper, also had an odd expression on his face.

At first, when he saw that the goods in Su Ji's shop were almost identical to those of Kang Ji, he assumed that Su Ji had copied them, just making them better.

But now, hearing firsthand that the pastries made by Su Ji's shop were exactly what the young master wanted, he found it increasingly peculiar.

Not mentioning other shops, just these pastries—the young master hadn't provided any recipes; instead, he described the taste and appearance, leaving it to the chefs to develop.

Upon closer thought, how could this be the young master's original idea? It seemed more like imitation of someone else's work.

Now that Su Ji's shop had produced the taste the young master desired, didn't that prove it? There was no such coincidence in the world.

And with so many similar products, from over a dozen shops, Zhang felt there was only one possibility—the rumors outside had the order reversed. It wasn't Su Ji copying Kang Ji, but Kang Ji copying Su Ji's recipes!

Thinking this, Zhang's heart skipped a beat as he looked at the faces of the proprietors.

However, Lu Song and Yun Niang, after tasting the pastries, both frowned, looking utterly disgusted.

As for Lu Wen, he stood there stunned, as if struck by lightning, his spirit seemingly drained away, devoid of the vitality he once possessed.

Lu Song and Yun Niang were not businesspeople. They couldn't see through what Zhang had discerned, and they blamed everything on Su Youyue, believing she had deliberately targeted them, causing others to replicate their shop's goods.

Such tactics were truly despicable.

"I must have misjudged her before, thinking she was a fool. I never expected her to be such a scheming woman," Lu Song said with utmost disgust.

Yun Niang knew whom he referred to, feeling somewhat relieved. Since her last encounter with Su Youyue, she had lost her former sense of superiority. Hearing her cousin's words now, she felt she had regained some ground.

Her cousin was already preparing for their marriage, and she would soon become the legitimate wife of the Lu family. What did it matter how beautiful Su Youyue was if no one wanted her?

In Yanjing City, which man would fancy a woman like her? Only someone as gentle and considerate as herself would be favored by men.

True as it may be, this did little to cheer Yun Niang up for long, given the larger problem at hand.

She hadn't told her cousin that she secretly borrowed money at high interest to open these shops. If the business continued as it had during the first few days of opening, she could repay all the interest within a month.

But now, with the shops barely operating for four or five days, business had turned sour. Continuing like this, she wouldn't just lose money; she wouldn't be able to pay back the interest either!

Those daring enough to lend money at high interest in the capital, which powerful figure didn't stand behind them? If she couldn't repay the debt, she would be ruined!

Contemplating the possible consequences, Yun Niang shuddered, glancing at her son.

Lu Wen remained in a daze, struggling to come back to reality.

So, the various goods in these shops weren't developed by the hired staff at all?

These were all Su Youyue's own recipes?

Considering this possibility, Lu Wen felt as if struck by lightning. The rich aroma of the pastries lingered in his mouth, but to him, it was akin to poison, nearly causing him to faint.

Since his rebirth, he had gone to great lengths to snatch all of Su Youyue's future profitable businesses. To her, was he nothing but a joke?

Dizzy spells washed over Lu Wen, leaving him with no inclination to comfort his mother.

Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted from the front of the shop.

"What kind of cursed shop dares to sell poisonous pastries! They've made our Prince of Dongrong unwell. Ten heads wouldn't be enough compensation. Smash it!"

The clamor instantly brought the few people in the back hall back to their senses. After exchanging shocked glances, they hurriedly rushed out.

As Lu Song emerged, he narrowly avoided being hit on the head by a flying chair leg. He hastily dodged, watching as the tables, chairs, counters—all intact moments ago—were now shattered, the prepared pastries trampled underfoot. He was so enraged he could hardly breathe.

"Stop! Who are you people!"

Qin Nu, observing the group that came out, narrowed his eyes, instantly realizing that this must be Lu Song, who broke off his engagement with Miss Su, and beside him should be his concubine and illegitimate son.

He immediately charged forward, grabbing Lu Song by the collar, his demeanor ferocious. "You're the owner of this shop? Let me tell you, your pastries have upset the stomach of Prince Bei of Dongrong. Smashing your shop is already an act of mercy from Prince Bei! Otherwise, today I'd be smashing your head!"

Hearing the words 'Prince Bei of Dongrong,' Lu Song's motion to push the man away froze mid-air.

He had been an official before, how could he not understand the weight of Dongrong's envoy in Dazheng? Even the Emperor treated them politely, let alone ordinary people.

Moreover, this year, it was actually a prince who had come. How could he possibly provoke someone of such status!

If Prince Bei had encountered issues with the food from their shop, even the Emperor couldn't save them!

Yun Niang, who had intended to help him, was also stunned upon hearing the man's words, too frightened to utter a word.

Lu Wen dared not move. Regardless of his current frail body, which would be kicked away by the man, even in his previous life, at his most imposing, he wouldn't dare to provoke these people from Dongrong.

Back in the imperial capital, Prince Bei dared to kill even the Third Princess. What wouldn't he do!

Thus, the family of three could only watch helplessly as their shop was smashed to pieces.

Vaguely, they seemed to see their once-envisioned good life also being smashed into smithereens, leaving them with nothing.

Only after the people from Dongrong left did the surrounding citizens dare to approach for a closer look, gossiping amongst themselves.

"I never would have thought that the pastries from Kang Ji's shop were actually poisonous, causing the prince's stomach to turn ill! Who would dare eat them now!"

"I didn't eat them anyway. The pastries from Su Ji's shop are much better and cheaper. And I don't allow my husband to eat them either. A shop opened by a concubine, if he dares to eat here, what's the difference from keeping a concubine himself!"

"Yes, never buy anything from Kang Ji's shop again!"

Hearing the public's discussion outside, Lu Song felt as if he would spit blood. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he barked, "Can't you close the door yet!"

The shop waiter, hiding in the corner, hurriedly went up to try and shut the shop's door. Unexpectedly, the door, which had been kicked out of shape by Dongrong's people as they left, gave way when he pulled on it. With a sudden crack, the entire door crashed to the ground with a loud thud, breaking into two pieces.