Yang Mengchen bowed in greeting, "This common girl pays her respects to Sir Bei."

"Ms. Yang is too kind, I dare not accept such a courtesy!" Bei Mingchuan quickly stepped aside to avoid Yang Mengchen's bow, joking that with the Prince watching him like a hawk, if he accepted this courtesy, the Prince would surely tear him apart, "Ms. Yang, if there's anything you need, just instruct me, and I will do my utmost!

This is a small token of my esteem, congratulations on your grand opening!"

Before his transfer to Qinghe as the Prefect, the Prince had explicitly sent someone to warn him to take special care of the Yang family, and particularly this Ms. Yang. He vaguely guessed that the relationship between the Prince and Ms. Yang was quite deep, but he had not anticipated it to be so intimate.

The attendant immediately presented a congratulatory gift.

Following Bei Mingchuan, other local officials from different counties also had their attendants deliver congratulatory gifts and messages.

Yang Mengchen sharply noticed a subtle yet unfriendly gaze upon herself and followed the feeling to see that it was coming from a girl standing beside Lady Bei next to Bei Mingchuan, who appeared to be Bei Mingchuan's daughter.

Her eyebrows were like willows, her eyes black as inkstone, her lips red like cherry blossoms, and her skin fairer than frost and snow. She wore a light green dress, which was extremely elegant, highlighting her bright eyes and pearly teeth. A white jade hairpin adorned her flowing cloud bun, and her entire demeanor was graceful and refined, as serene as an orchid.

Perhaps not expecting Yang Mengchen to look her way, the girl momentarily appeared startled. Regaining her composure, she shot Yang Mengchen a fierce glare, then stood properly and demurely, occasionally stealing glances at Long Xuanmo, her eyes brimming with ripples of light and boundless affection.

It turned out she was an admirer of Long Xuanmo. Yang Mengchen raised an eyebrow, hardly taking it to heart.

The vendors from the snack street came to offer their congratulations and swiftly left; after all, the opening of the Yang Family Shops boosted their business as well today.

Amid a cacophony of firecrackers, Yang Mengchen and Yang Chenghong unveiled the red silk from the plaque.

Simultaneously, the remaining shops announced their opening.

"Dear guests, please come in!" Yang Chenghong and Steward Liao, along with several sales associates, warmly welcomed the customers.

The crowd did not swarm in but conscientiously queued up to enter the supermarket in an orderly fashion before dispersing.

The sales associates always wore a smile as they introduced goods to the customers, showing no sign of neglect or impatience, which made the guests feel warmly welcomed. Nearly everyone who entered the supermarket bought something to take home.

Many foreign merchants approached Yang Chenghong wishing to enter into long-term cooperation, as the goods here were novel and varied, including many fresh vegetables and fruits out of season. Since the sales associates had all said that Yang Chenghong was the main person in charge, he led them to the fifth floor to discuss partnership matters.

With Long Xuanmo present, Bei Mingchuan and others did not feel it proper to leave, but they quietly instructed their spouses and children to buy more items. The Prince had a deep connection with the Yang family, and supporting the Yang family's business was tantamount to currying favor with the Prince.

"Uncle Xiao, I would like to go check on the situation and cannot accompany you for now," Yang Mengchen said to Xiao Hongtao with a smile.

Xiao Hongtao waved his hand, "Chenchen, go on and take care of things, don't mind me, but be careful not to overexert yourself."

"I won't tire myself out," Yang Mengchen gave a gentle nod to the others, "Please feel free to carry on, gentlemen. I must take my leave." Having said that, she turned and left, with Long Xuanmo and Nangong Lingyan sticking close by, and Sister Jin among others followed closely behind.

It wasn't until the group was out of sight that one of them exclaimed, "To be able to manage such a grand business, Ms. Yang is truly not to be underestimated."

"Sir Li, please watch your words!" Xiao Hongtao reprimanded in a stern voice, "Chenchen is just a young lady. She simply learned a few things while following a Traveling Taoist and received thorough guidance from Young Master Nangong and Young Master Luo. How else could she have started a shop?"

If certain people were to know how intelligent and capable Chenchen was, all their efforts to block such news would be in vain and it would bring endless troubles to Chenchen, something he and Doctor Luo would never allow.

Bei Mingchuan and the others were no fools and naturally understood the implication of Xiao Hongtao's words, hence they all shuddered inwardly.

That Sir Li, with an embarrassed expression, explained, "Sir Xiao misunderstood me. I had no other meaning but to inquire whether the Yang family might consider opening a shop in the county under my jurisdiction, in order to improve the lives of the locals?"

"We share the same thought," the others, apart from Bei Mingchuan, echoed one after another.

Not to mention the previous insect disaster and the epidemic, the Fairy Lake, the Martyr Temple which was under construction, and the current Yang Family Shops, not only generate substantial tax revenue but also bring fame to the region was a great political achievement, which they naturally envied and coveted.

The matter of the two harvests of rice was strictly kept secret by the people of Yangliu village, so they were not aware of it. Otherwise, they would feel more than just envy and covetousness.

Xiao Hongtao feigned a look of difficulty, "I'm afraid I'm not clear on this matter, as it involves commercial secrecy. Even though I am the County Magistrate, I cannot coerce anyone with power, can I? If there is a chance, I will inquire with the Yang family, and the gentlemen will just have to wait patiently for news."

With the conversation reaching this point, the rest had no good reason to persist.

One of them, with a quick glance, asked, "Sir Xiao, how did you come up with the idea of constructing Fairy Lake and Martyr Temple? It's a major achievement. Once the Emperor is informed, you will surely rise rapidly in rank, haha."

"Prince, don't speak nonsense!" Xiao Hongtao's face darkened instantly, "This is a result of the Prince's true vision and foresight, and the Emperor has already consented. It wouldn't be possible without the dispatch of five thousand soldiers to oversee the construction. This has nothing to do with me! Thankfully, it is just us here.

If such talk were to spread, you should know the consequences, Prince!"

Their faces changed drastically, and that Prince turned pale with fear, his legs went weak, and his forehead began to sweat profusely.

Given their many years as colleagues, they were all too aware of each other's background. None doubted the truth of what Xiao Hongtao said; they just hadn't expected it was the Prince's initiative, and that the Emperor was already aware of it. They thought they might share in the glory but instead nearly brought disaster upon themselves and dared not speak of it again.

Observing the expressions of the others, Xiao Hongtao maintained a solemn exterior while secretly sighing in relief inside.

Meanwhile, Yang Mengchen and her group slowly toured each floor, observing the bustling scene that was orderly despite the crowd. She nodded inwardly, asked the staff, and found out Lady Luo and the others were on the third-floor VIP area, deciding to go have a look.

Just as they arrived at the entrance to the VIP area, they saw Ms. Bei eagerly assisting Lady Hua with clothing choices, frequently throwing in questions about Long Xuanmo. Yang Mengchen cast a sideways glance at Long Xuanmo.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.