Marrying a concubine to seduce him and lure him into the game

The old shopkeeper with bad character on Su Rao's side seemed so vulnerable.

The outcome seems to have been decided long ago, and it is self-evident who is the real business talent.

However, things in this world are unpredictable, and the apparent prosperity often conceals the real crisis.

"Chengxin Pawn" and "Lin's Pawn" are across the street from each other, and an invisible contest is quietly taking place.

Chuncha tried to use rumors to slander "Chengxin Pawn". For a time, public opinion was like a storm, but beneath the clamor of "Lin's Pawn" there was vanity and bubbles hidden.

As time went by, the truth gradually surfaced.

Those who really need pawn services have discovered the difference between the two: Lin’s Pawn Shop may be bustling, but it is accustomed to lowering prices;

However, "Sincere Pawn" has won people's hearts with its fairness and sincerity. Its reasonable valuation and thoughtful service have gradually attracted more and more customers.

Although Lin's Pawnshop seems to be bustling with people, it has become a mixed bag of good and bad people. Many opportunists have exchanged flashy items for undeserved generous returns, while the real value has been diluted invisibly.

At the end of the month, Su Wan opened the account book, and the strings of numbers made her frown.

Once upon a time, the old shopkeeper would deliver a stable income every month as promised. But now, the situation has reversed. Not only is she not making any profit, but she has to pay out of her own pocket to make up for the deficit. She is filled with resentment and confusion.

She had wanted to embarrass Su Rao in front of everyone, but she had not expected that this plan not only failed, but made Su Rao even more dazzling in the envious eyes of everyone, and she was the talk of the town!

"Chuncha, come and take a look at this account book. Why are the recent deficits so huge?" Su Wan asked the maid beside her, holding an abacus in her hand and with worry on her face.

Chuncha took the account book, her face suddenly became heavy, and her tone was filled with resentment: "Madam, it's all because the newly opened pawn shop across the street has taken our business. Not only did they lower the price, they also sent people to use some extremely realistic counterfeits to deceive us, causing us to fall for them one after another."

"You can't even tell it's a fake, and you just accepted it blindly? Chuncha, I always thought you were careful and cautious, but I didn't expect..." Su Wan's words revealed a hint of disappointment and blame.

In this time and space, Chuncha's identity has changed greatly. She is no longer Su Rao's personal maid, but Su Wan's right-hand man in managing the family finances.

Hearing this, Chuncha looked regretful and quickly bowed her head to apologize: "Madam, this matter is indeed my negligence. I will learn from my lesson and will never make the same mistake again next month."

There was a hint of doubt in Su Wan's eyes, and she secretly wondered if there was really any oversight because Chuncha was taking charge of the whole thing for the first time.

Although she had reservations in her heart, she decided to give him a chance: "Okay, I'll give you another month. If you still can't turn a profit by the end of next month and can't make at least 300 taels of silver, I will have to consider changing people."

Hearing this, Chuncha nodded quickly: "Yes, Madam, Chuncha will definitely do his best and will not let you down."

After getting the promise, Chuncha walked out of the room. As soon as she turned around, the gentleness on her face instantly turned into a barely perceptible resentment.

Her eyes turned, a plan came to her mind, she picked up the carefully prepared tea and walked towards Shen Jinghong's study.

In the study, Shen Jinghong was immersed in books, brows furrowed, as if he was thinking about some difficult problem.

Chuncha stepped in lightly and placed the teacup on the table. Unlike the usual maids who would leave immediately, she stayed and took the initiative to pick up the ink stick to grind for him.

The pair of white and tender wrists swayed gently in the air, as tempting as solidified fat, and involuntarily attracted Shen Jinghong's attention.

"Master, this is the new spring tea that was picked this morning. It is fragrant. Why not have a sip?" Chuncha opened her red lips slightly, her voice soft and pleasant. Although she was plain in appearance, she exuded a charming charm that made people feel pity for her.

Especially compared with Su Wan, who was covered in scars and made Shen Jinghong feel annoyed, the latter seemed even more out of place.

After some inner struggle, he became more and more inclined to bury himself in books in order to escape from the uncomfortable sleeping situation.

At this moment, the tenderness and fragrance of spring tea intertwined into a net, easily evoking ripples in his heart.

He subconsciously grasped the maid's soft wrist...

At the same time, in another corner of Prince Yi's Mansion, Su Rao had moved into a more spacious courtyard, which was next to the princess's residence and had a superior location.

Over the past month, she has been leading a leisurely life, strolling along the winding paths of the palace, taking a nap in the princess's garden area, or wandering in the flower-filled garden. She even took time to return to the Lin Mansion to visit her mother and invited her to stay with them.

In the eyes of others, she seemed to be living a comfortable life that everyone envied, but no one knew the turbulent waves in her heart.

Time is like a constantly tightened spring, making her feel increasingly stressed and uneasy.

She was keenly aware that Prince Yi's attitude towards her seemed to be becoming increasingly cold. Even though she tried to approach him several times, she received no response and it was even difficult for her to see him.

This situation cast a shadow of gloom over Su Rao's heart. She was afraid that this short-lived wealth and glory would end up being just a dream, and that she would be turned away from the palace one day.

This unspeakable worry is like a heavy burden that you have to bear alone.

Just at this moment, a maid came running over hurriedly. It was Fang Chenyu.

Following closely behind was Yun'er, her eyes full of wariness towards the other person.

Knowing Fang Chenyu's past, Yun'er always remained wary of her, fearing that she might have ulterior motives.

Su Rao looked at Yun'er's alert little face, and a bitter smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Things have come to this point, there is no point in doing more, it is better to let nature take its course. After all, everything Fang Chenyu did was ultimately for herself.

Fang Chenyu stopped in front of Su Rao, panting, with excitement in her eyes: "Madam, there is good news! There was news from Shopkeeper Zhou that the person you have been looking for has finally found some clues!"

Su Rao suddenly jumped up from her chair, her eyes flashing with excitement that was hard to conceal, like a meteor that suddenly appeared in the dark night, cutting through the dull air.

"Got a clue?!"

The words came out of her mouth almost instantly, with uncontrollable urgency and excitement, her heartbeat speeding up in her chest.

After quickly tidying up her clothes and making sure everything was in order, Su Rao walked out, waved for a carriage, and sped towards Chengyi Pawn Shop.

The scenery outside the window flashed by like a kaleidoscope, but all she saw was the truth that was about to come.

Shopkeeper Zhou, the shrewd and capable old fox, immediately showed his tactfulness as soon as he saw the target person stepping into the door, and found an impeccable reason to force the man to stay in the store.