Chapter 271 - Chapter 271: Are There Any Fish That Have Escaped The Net?
Chapter 271: Are There Any Fish That Have Escaped The Net?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“We are subordinates of the Prince Ding from the imperial capital.”
“And?”
“We heard your husband is only a fifth-rank official, while Prince Ding is the Emperor’s eldest son. If you are smart, you’ll bring all your recipes from your shop to join our Prince. In the future, half of your family’s assets will be offered to our Prince, and when he becomes powerful, he won’t mistreat you.”
“What if I don’t?”
“Don’t refuse a toast when it’s offered, or you’ll drink a forfeit.”
These people spoke arrogantly as if they were entitled to her shop’s riches, acting like they were taking back what was rightfully theirs.
Qiao Mai glanced outside; it was cold, and it was still early in the day. Besides these people, there were no customers in her shop yet.
Qiao Mai casually waved her hand, closing the entrance to the shop.
“Do you know how obnoxious you are?”
“You… you woman, don’t think you can avoid trouble! ”
“I can’t stand the sight of you. Since you’re here, you can stay in my shop as ghosts and watch the prosperity of my business.”
“You dare to act violently in broad daylight?”
Qiao Mai pushed her palm out lightly, and one of the men immediately fell over the table. She had no intention of allowing these people to continue their obnoxious behavior.
One by one, with lightning-quick strikes, the men met their end before they could react.
Shopkeeper Niu and the staff watched in awe and fear, realizing this was the consequence of angering their boss.
Qiao Mai waved her hand again, and all the corpses disappeared.
“Don’t just stand there. Get back to work. If anyone asks about those people, say you didn’t see anything.”
“Yes, Boss.’
They watched their boss leisurely sipping milk tea. This is the same woman who had just taken lives with a simple gesture moments ago.
Shopkeeper Niu glared at the other staff. “Do your work diligently. You all know the boss’s temperament, don’t you? These people were all up to no good, scheming against our shop. It serves them right for getting killed!”
Shopkeeper Niu was more insightful than anyone else; he had seen a lot in his
years.
The more capable the boss is, the happier he feels, thinking that following her is the way to a brighter future.
When those people came by yesterday, he sensed they were trouble, but he didn’t expect Qiao Mai to appear today and just kill them outright.
Qiao Mai had intended to keep these people, but she changed her mind. Her family had young children, and she didn’t want to risk any future trouble. So, she had all of them killed.
She finished her cup of milk tea, then got up and opened the shop’s door, separated from the cold by thick and clean cotton curtains.
The snow was still falling, and no one was on the road. None of the nearby shops had opened yet.
Liu Hai’s shop had just opened. Qiao Mai thought, “Enemies hide while I remain visible. If I find out who is causing trouble behind my back, they’ll be in for it!”
She pondered in her heart, thinking that the former Princess Heyi probably hadn’t remembered yet.
As for the Duchess, it would be another month before she could get out of bed. These two were the most likely ones behind the disturbances in the capital.
Who could it be? She suspected it was those malicious individuals, always scheming in the shadows. No matter how many they sent, she would eliminate them.
These people were undoubtedly up to no good.
With only two months until the New Year, she hoped for a peaceful and safe time for her family.
However, things didn’t always go as planned. After the disappearance of these people, someone started investigating in secret.
They attempted to infiltrate the Qiao family in the middle of the night but were all dealt with by the three sheep. Their lifeless bodies were displayed in Qiao Mai’s courtyard.
Qiao Mai saw the neat row of bodies as soon as she woke up.
Fearing that someone might see them, she waved her hand, and they were all sent into her space for Greeny to handle.
“Are there any fish that have escaped the net?”
“Master, only these people arrived. They were searching in each courtyard as if looking for something.”
“It’s not something they are searching for; they are looking for someone.” “Should we do the same to anyone else who comes?”
“Of course. As long as they enter Lucky Garden without my permission, deal with them mercilessly!”
“Understood, Master.”
From mid-November to mid-December, there were five waves of people who attempted to attack Lucky Garden. They were all wiped out.
This incident seemed to have alarmed Wang Zongsheng. Perhaps it was because some people under his jurisdiction had disappeared, and he was pressured. He sought out Old Master Wang to discuss the matter.
Naturally, Old Master Wang had some idea about what was going on, but he did not bring it up. Wang Zongsheng looked troubled.
“Father, what do you think about this?”
“Perform your duties as a magistrate. Find a reason to resolve this matter; don’t interfere.’
“But it’s Prince Ding.”
“What does it matter? If you can’t find any evidence, what can he do to you? At most, he will accuse you of incompetence.”
“Father, do you know something about this?”
“Let’s not dwell on that. The first group of people who came had their sights set on Madam Qiao’s shop. They had designs on her wealth and intended to meddle in the workshops in County She. Do you think Madam Qiao would stand by and let that happen?”
Wang Zongsheng took a deep breath. “I understand, Father.”
“That’s all I need to hear. These shameless individuals can’t earn a living, so they resort to stealing from others. They deserve their fate. I believe sooner or later, Madam Qiao will grow tired of this and take action against Prince Ding.
You can leave now.”
“Then I’m off. I’ll bring the whole family for the New Year.”
“Don’t come empty-handed!”
“Understood!”
After Wang Zongsheng left, Qiao Mai remained silent. The New Year was fast approaching, and she had kept Miss Mu at her side for a year. She decided to meet her.
“How has your year been in my home?”
“I’ve gained a lot.”
“The New Year is coming up. Do you want to return home?”
“My parents are doing well. I’d like to spend the New Year with your family and return after the holidays.”
“In that case, enjoy the New Year. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Any news on Feng’er’s return?”
“It should be soon. They fight daily. There aren’t many people left to fight.”
At this point, Miss Mu had shed her innocence and gained a touch of maturity and rationality. Qiao Mai noticed the change in her with a nod.
“Starting tomorrow, you don’t have to do anything. Get ready to enjoy the New Year.”
“Aunt, I’m used to staying busy. It’s hard to be idle.”
“Suit yourself.”
Miss Mu left the courtyard, and Qiao Mai let out a sigh. She hoped that her two sons would return in the spring.
With two fewer people in the house, it felt lonely.
At that moment, she suddenly felt a murderous intent. She cursed under her breath, wondering why someone would be so impatient to attack in broad daylight.
The three sheep also became alert, their gaze fixed on the roof. This time, there were many people, and it seemed unlikely that they could be silently dealt with. They wished Qiao Mai were here to help.
Just as they thought about this, Qiao Mai took action.
One by one, the individuals with white cloaks fell from the roof. With the help of the three sheep, over a dozen skilled individuals were quickly dealt with.
Just as Qiao Mai prepared to store their bodies, she noticed a distant figure slowly trying to escape.
Sensing this movement with her spiritual power, she immediately dashed towards the figure. She was incredibly fast, and before the white-cloaked man could react, she had already grabbed his clothing. With a light tug, she struck his back.
Before he could let out a miserable cry, she brought him into her space.
Qiao Mai looked at the barely conscious person before her. Without even removing his face veil, she pressed her palm against his forehead.
To determine who had been behind these assassination attempts, she had recently purchased a book on the art of soul searching from the platform. It was a basic technique, and after rummaging through a person’s soul, they would become useless.
From the memories of this individual, she saw a man dressed in royal attire, known as Prince Ding.
This white-cloaked person was one of Prince Ding’s subordinates and a small leader among his personal guards. He had been the one who set up the ambush, hoping to discover who had killed so many of their people.
Seeing the ease with which Qiao Mai had taken down his men and the three sheep’s ability to strike from mid-air fatally, he found it quite unbelievable.
Just as he wanted to escape, Qiao Mai noticed him..