Reborn to marry, the short-lived prince lived a hundred years

Qing Palace.

Meng Qingjiao was sitting leisurely in the mansion, flipping through the accounts of Ningxiangju in the past few days in her hands, and a hint of joy that was difficult to conceal inadvertently appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Princess, please look at this. The Ningxiang Pavilion under the Crown Princess is completely different from our Ningxiang Residence. Until now, their door is still closed, with no signs of opening at all." Ziqing stood aside, with a smile in her eyes and a bit of flattery in her tone.

"That's right. I am much smarter than her." Meng Qingjiao looked at the account book with pride in her eyes.

"Ziqing, regarding the preparations for the new shop," she raised her eyes slightly, her gaze sharp, "how's the progress?"

Ziqing bowed, her tone respectful yet cautious, "Princess, everything has been properly arranged according to your wishes. The shops are busy preparing and reorganizing, just waiting for the Ningxiang Cream to be put on the shelves for sale."

At this point, she paused unconsciously, a hint of hesitation flashing across her brows, "But, this Ningxiang Cream is the Crown Princess's painstaking work. Do we really want to sell the same cream as hers?"

Ziqing actually has another question in her mind - how did the princess know the secret of the Ningxiang ointment formula?

But she only dared to keep this curiosity lingering silently in her heart, not daring to reveal it at all, for fear of angering Meng Qingjiao.

"She didn't know how to take advantage of the opportunity to make a fortune, but instead chose to close the door and politely refuse visitors. This "foolish" behavior is something we must never imitate."

"Just imagine, if we also opened an elegant shop specializing in Ningxiang Cream, those customers who couldn't find it in her shop would definitely turn to us."

A glimmer of shrewd calculation flashed in Meng Qingjiao's eyes.

When Ziqing heard this, she immediately clapped her hands and cheered, her words full of admiration: "The princess is so discerning and wise, she is truly as capable as any man..."

Ziqing's praise was sincere and appropriate, which made Meng Qingjiao feel very happy and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

Suddenly, a maidservant with a panicked look rushed in from outside the door, staggering.

"Princess, something terrible has happened!" Her voice was filled with anxiety and fear.

Ziqing's brows were furrowed, her displeasure evident as she softly chided him, "Why are you so flustered? If you startle the princess, can you handle it?"

A hint of displeasure flashed across Meng Qingjiao's eyes, but she remained calm and dignified, and asked softly, "What happened to make you lose your composure like this?"

The maid knelt on the ground, gasping for breath, her voice trembling, "Princess, there's a group of people making trouble outside our shop... They're saying that the Ningxiang Pills you bought are highly poisonous."

"What?!" Meng Qingjiao stood up suddenly after hearing this, her face full of disbelief. "Who dares to spread rumors like this? Why don't you quickly send someone to arrest those who spread the rumors..."

"But..." The maid was interrupted by Meng Qingjiao before she could finish her words.

"But what but? I support you, not to listen to you questioning my decisions. Why don't you do it quickly!" Meng Qingjiao clapped her hands, and the tea set on the table vibrated slightly, making a crisp sound.

The little maid was frightened by this slap and trembled all over. Her face turned pale in an instant. She nodded quickly like a chicken pecking at rice, "Yes, yes, I will do it right away."

After saying this, she fled the room in a hurry like a frightened deer, even her steps seemed a little flustered, for fear that the princess's anger would fall on her for no reason.

Meng Qingjiao's chest heaved violently with anger, and her thoughts were like surging waves, constantly wondering who was so bold as to go against her.

However, after thinking a lot, only one name came to her mind.

"Meng Tingyue! She must have sent people to spread rumors everywhere. How could my Ningxiang Pills contain even a little bit of poison?"

"Meng Tingyue, ah Meng Tingyue, you are so cruel! Your own shop is doing poorly, so you are jealous and want to use this to frame mine. Humph, I will never let your conspiracy succeed!"

Ziqing listened silently at the side, not daring to breathe, for fear that if she was not careful, the princess's anger would affect her.

On the other side, Prince Qing was sitting in the dim light, with Mu Xia's meticulous investigation report echoing in his ears.

His slender fingers gently touched his thin lips, and the occasional cough was particularly noticeable in the quiet atmosphere.

"Regarding the Ningxiang Pills sold by the princess, have you found out the ingredients inside?"

Zixia bowed his head, his manner respectful. "Your Highness, I have sent people to conduct a thorough investigation. The Ningxiang Pills contain only common spices, without even the slightest trace of toxic foreign substances."

Prince Qing frowned slightly, and a hint of worry quietly spread in his deep eyes.

If spices themselves are pure and flawless, why do some women develop rashes on their skin after using them?

Prince Qing had little understanding of the matter, and so did Zixia. Both of them had doubts in their hearts, but neither of them could find the answer.

The Qing King asked softly, "You said that some people's bodies turned red, itchy, and had rashes, while others didn't?"

Mu Xia nodded slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. "I also have my doubts. I dare to speculate that perhaps the Ningxiang Pills developed by the princess have reacted with something, causing the itching."

Upon hearing this, Prince Qing coughed twice, then nodded slowly, his expression solemn. "This matter must be reported to the Princess immediately, so she can pay close attention. As for Ningxiang Pills... to prevent the situation from escalating, their sale will be temporarily suspended until the matter is fully investigated."

"Yes, sir." Mu Xia responded, his figure stiffened, and he turned and left.

He had just stepped out of the door when he saw a servant rushing into the yard in a panic.

The servant saw Mu Xia and rushed to her like a drowning man grabbing a lifeline. His tone was filled with anxiety and uneasiness: "Something terrible has happened! Something has happened in Ningxiang Residence where the princess is staying!"

After that, the servant quickly and concisely recounted the whole story. After hearing this, Mu Xia's face instantly turned as serious as ice. He turned around and hurried back into the house.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!" Mu Xia's voice was hurried and heavy.

Seeing this, Prince Qing couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. He coughed lightly, his voice weak and worried, "What on earth has happened?"

Mu Xia chose her words carefully, her tone filled with caution and deliberation, and slowly began to speak: "Your Highness, recently, several ladies have noticed something strange with Ningxiang Pills, and have gone to Ningxiang Residence to seek justice."

"However...however, the princess's men have actually detained them. Right now, those ladies are making a scene in the shop."

"Several of these ladies are the ones the prince took great pains to befriend in the past, intending to win over the master..."