Chapter 554 - 555: Bribery

"Girl, isn’t this publicly giving bribes?" The Madam of County Magistrate joked when she heard that Yang Chuxia still wanted to give her something.

"Pfft..."

The maids on the side who came with Yang Chuxia all laughed.

"Well, aren’t I just bribing the Madam?" Yang Chuxia joined in the laughter and said, "I’m just unsure if Madam is willing to be bribed."

Upon hearing this, the Madam of County Magistrate laughed even harder, "You cheeky girl, it’s just a matter of two letters. What’s the big deal?" Saying this, she pulled Yang Chuxia along. "Come on, let’s go see Old Lady. She’ll be delighted to see you."

So Yang Chuxia and the Madam of County Magistrate went to see the Old Lady together.

Old Lady was sitting in a wheelchair, with a young maid pushing her around the courtyard tending to the flowers. Seeing Yang Chuxia coming, she was naturally overjoyed.

She said with feigned annoyance, "Ah, you girl, you actually came today without being invited?"

"Oh dear, Mother, I was just saying that about this girl."

Upon hearing Old Lady say the same thing, Yang Chuxia was a bit baffled. Was it true that she wouldn’t come without being invited? It seemed that she should visit more often in the future.

Thinking so, she laughed and replied, "Old Lady, I’ve wanted to visit you for a while, but I just didn’t have the time because of the autumn harvest at home. Now that I’m free and we have some fresh vegetables, I thought I’d bring some for you to try."

Old Lady thought she was just talking about some regular vegetables that had sprouted at home. Even though she was pleased, she didn’t think much of it.

Yang Chuxia didn’t bother to explain further. She chatted with Old Lady and Madam of County Magistrate for a while, then took her leave. Ye Zi’an brought out the two letters written by the County Magistrate for her.

"Xiaxia, shall we visit the shop now?" Ye Zi’an asked as they left the county government office.

A few days ago, her nut store in the county town had opened, and of course, the Artistry Pavilion in the small neighboring shop had also started business.

She hadn’t visited during the opening, leaving everything in the hands of Old Mu, and she let Uncle Niu from the village take care of the store. The village shop was left to one of the old villagers and his wife.

Speaking of which, she still didn’t know how the new shop was doing.

After a thought, she nodded, "Yeah, let’s go to the shop. We can see how the new shop is doing."

"Alright, Fugui, let’s go to the shop."

"Sure thing, Young Master An and Miss, please get in the carriage and hold tight."

Once Ye Zi’an and Yang Chuxia had settled down in the carriage, Fugui drove it towards the Artistry Pavilion in the county town.

When they arrived, Ye Zi’an got off the carriage first, then held the curtain aside for her to step out. The two of them entered the Pavilion together, while Fugui led the carriage to the harem.

However, as soon as she took a couple of steps up the entrance stairs, she heard a commotion inside. In contrast, the Artistry Pavilion next door seemed quite peaceful.

This caused her to frown in concern. Could it be that some troublemakers were causing a scene? The shop had just opened for a few days; how could there be trouble so soon? Was the business really that good?

Yang Chuxia, while pondering, hurried into the shop, followed closely by Ye Zi’an.

As soon as she stepped inside, she saw that the place was quite crowded, making it difficult for her to squeeze in.

And the arguing voices were familiar to her.

"I don’t care, if you don’t give me a hundred catties of goods, I won’t leave!"

"Hey, why are you not listening to reason? If I sell you a hundred catties, what will others buy?"

"Exactly, exactly, why should it all be sold to you?"