Chapter 108 Closing the Store
The next day.
The story of the longevity cake spread throughout the upper circles of the capital.
With Miss Lu from the Prime Minister's Mansion taking the lead, and with the approval of the longevity cake by the old lady of the Marquis on the day of the birthday banquet, the other young ladies in the capital no longer hid their feelings and started discussing it with their sisters in private.
"It's really delicious. Sister, believe me. On the day of Madam Hou's birthday banquet, the longevity cakes were filled with fairy spirit when they came out. They really looked like fairies, with white mist floating in the air."
"Sister also heard that longevity cakes have the power to bless and prolong life. If one is sincere enough, it can make whatever one wishes come true."
"And it's so hard to get one. I sent a maid to buy one today, but she has to wait until tomorrow."
"Is it really that delicious? I saw a lot of people buying it."
Passersby saw from afar that there were many horse-drawn carriages parked in front of the longevity cake shop. From the attire on the carriages, they knew that the carriages were occupied by young ladies from prominent families.
Following trends and being curious is a very cohesive thing.
When more and more people around are talking about longevity cakes, longevity cakes will be given influence and will attract more people to follow suit and buy them.
The people who were gathered at the door and shouting yesterday were shocked when they saw this scene.
"Is this longevity cake really that delicious? It's only the second day of opening, and there are so many people buying it?"
"Is this a pastry? This is gold! Such a small piece costs at least one tael of silver. I heard there are even ten taels of silver. It's ridiculously expensive."
"With so many people buying, how much money do you make in a day? No wonder you dared to pay the female workers one tael of silver a month. Did you know that making cakes is so profitable?"
Shen Wei anticipated that business would be good the next day, but he did not expect to alarm so many people.
In an era without entertainment, the slightest sign of trouble would spread. Now the whole capital is probably talking about this matter, and it is spreading more and more, and more and more people know about it.
Only at this time.
Shen Wei finally found a sense of security in this era.
however--
This only sense of security disappeared in an instant!
"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"
"Drive out the people inside and seal the door!"
A group of soldiers strode in aggressively from outside, trying to drive everyone out forcefully.
However, the maids and servants who were queuing up to buy longevity cakes did not run out in a hurry, but looked at the group of officers and soldiers calmly.
Their masters are all people of status, so they are naturally not afraid of such behavior from the government.
Shen Wei walked over and asked the leader of the group of officers and soldiers, "Sir, what happened?"
The leading officer said unyieldingly, "We are ordered to investigate. I have nothing to say. Please leave immediately."
"As for what he has done, we will know when we go to court."
After all,
The leading officer stared at Shen Wei and said condescendingly: "Are you the owner of this store?"
"Take all your shop assistants with you and go to court. Otherwise, don't blame me for not giving you face. I will arrest you on the street and put you in shackles."
The maids and servants around saw that things were getting out of control and that the government was serious. Was it possible that the store would go bankrupt today?
The maids and servants who had already paid the money hurriedly asked Shen Wei to return the money.
"Boss, your store is closed, please return the money quickly."
"Yes, return the money quickly, I won't buy the longevity cake anymore!"
"......"
The hustle and bustle around temporarily drowned out the voices of the officers and soldiers. These officers and soldiers also saw from the carriages outside that the masters of these people were powerful, so they did not dare to drive them away directly.
The more times like this happened, the calmer Shen Wei became. After a moment's thought, she realized that someone must be dissatisfied with her smooth sailing and wanted to use the government to close down her shop.
But who is this person?
It could be Xie Yuchuan, or it could be someone else. After all, there are too many people in Beijing who dislike her.
Someone pushed Shen Wei in the crowd, and she was caught off guard and her elbow hit the corner of the table. The dull pain made her scalp numb instantly, but she also cleared her mind.
In the current situation, the cause is not important; what is important is how to resolve the crisis.
"All of you masters are well-known figures. You shouldn't quarrel here for a few pieces of silver. If it gets out, people who don't know will think your masters are greedy for money."
"Everyone, be quiet."
After everyone was quiet, Shen Wei continued, "Every time I announce a name, someone will come to return the money. Don't worry, you won't be shortchanged."
"Panxi, bring the book here."
The leading officers and soldiers had never seen such a situation before. Usually when they sealed off a shop, they would just drive the people out. If the shopkeeper dared to say a word more, they would just smash the shop.
Beat someone, seal him up, and leave, all in one go.
But given the current situation, he didn't dare to take action directly.
This was not because the shopkeeper was a woman and he was attracted by her beauty, but because he knew that this woman named Shen Wei had a marquis behind her and he could not afford to offend her.
But if he were to just stand there with his men without saying a word, that wouldn't work either.
The leading officer was about to open his mouth to reprimand them, but he heard Shen Wei speak first: "I don't care, it's mainly because of the power behind these maids, I can't afford to offend them."
"If I don't return the money now, not only will it be difficult for me to explain, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to explain either."
The leading officer understood the implication of Shen Wei's words and frowned.
This shop not only has connections with the Marquis's Mansion.
The power of the masters behind these dozens of maids and servants is also complicated. At a glance, some of the high-ranking families in the capital are here.
How could he afford to offend?
Therefore, the leading officers and soldiers remained silent and urged Shen Wei to finish the job quickly.
Just at this time, a carriage happened to pass by the shop.
Mother Qin lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at the soldiers at the door of the longevity cake shop. She glanced at Shen Wei again and became puzzled: "Go and ask what's going on?"
Qin's mother's maid quickly asked people around about the situation and reported it to Qin's mother.
"Madam, I heard that it was sealed by the government."
Mother Qin's eyes flashed with surprise and shock. Lord Xie didn't even help her with such a small matter... Finally, as if she understood something, Mother Qin suddenly sneered disdainfully:
"How can such a woman be worthy of competing with my daughter?"
"She is a joke in the Marquis' Mansion. For a woman, it is not enough to just be able to seduce others. She also needs to have a family background and support from her parents! A girl from such a small family is not even qualified to be a concubine in the Marquis' Mansion."
"Let's go to the Marquis' Mansion."