In the residence of the magistrate of the prefectural city, the Yin family, the largest cloth merchant in Yulin County, the family head Yin Deyuan was discussing the latest news with the principals of several other commercial houses.
"This month, Tang Han Textile has taken up a large market share again. Our Yin family's business has shrunk by no less than 30%."
"Indeed! My silk shop has also been affected..."
"I heard that the owner behind Tang Han Textile doesn't have the surname Tang or Han. It's actually a woman..."
"We should have taken preemptive action earlier. Not only in our prefectural city, but seeing Tang Han Textile on the rise, it won't be long before it grabs all the business in the four southern counties!"
...
The principals of these families chattered on and on, but not a single word was of any value, which annoyed Yin Deyuan.
In the past two years, the cotton production in Qiongzhou and Zhuozhou had decreased, so doing business was not easy. Even though the Yin family was the largest cloth merchant in Yulin, they had suffered successive losses.
Suddenly, such a powerful competitor emerged out of nowhere. How could it not make people anxious?
"Come on, we've been in business for many years and have a solid foundation. Are we still afraid of a newcomer?"
"But... if we don't contain the development of Tang Han Textile as soon as possible, except for our long - term customers, all the common people will flock to their business... Those are all hard - earned silver coins..."
Yin Deyuan was extremely frustrated, but on the surface, he showed the poise of a respected family head. "In my opinion, to know your enemy and yourself is to win a hundred battles. Tang Han Textile is prosperous for a reason. People always look for value for money when shopping. Gentlemen, don't be in a hurry. Let me send someone to find out more information and then we can discuss it further. How about that?"
Actually, Yin Deyuan already had a plan in mind.
A little - known cook couldn't have built such a successful business on her own.
He wouldn't believe that Qi Jiao had no backer.
As far as Yin Deyuan knew, Qi Jiao had a personal relationship with the county magistrate of Lingle County and his wife.
That county magistrate and his wife were no ordinary people!
Qi Jiao had won their favor because she was really capable of turning around Lingle County's poor financial situation.
However, he wouldn't reveal these complicated details directly.
Yin Deyuan's words reassured the other families. They decided to wait for a plan and then make further arrangements.
After getting back to business and discussing the new products for the next season, they all dispersed.
As soon as the others left, Yin Deyuan immediately summoned the chief steward.
"Where is the eldest young master?"
"Back to you, sir. The eldest young master is in Lingle County."
Yin Deyuan frowned, feeling a bit uneasy. "What is he doing in Lingle County?"
The chief steward didn't know either. With a worried face, he said, "I heard that the young master's cousin has fallen in love with a girl from the south, and the eldest young master went with him."
"What?!"
"You good - for - nothing!"
Yin Deyuan was furious. He slapped the armrest of the nanmu chair so hard that he almost broke it.
"Call him back right away! Ungrateful son! He never acts properly! Go quickly! Go quickly!"
After several urgent commands, the chief steward scurried away.
**
In Lingle County, in the best room of Yichun Inn.
Qiao Haicheng couldn't help but drink cup after cup. He slapped Yin Qingxuan, the eldest young master of the Yin family, on the arm and laughed heartily. "In another hour, Lingle County will be in an uproar. Then, that Jiao Niang will surely hand over the core techniques of Tang Han Textile!"
Qiao Haicheng was Yin Qingxuan's cousin, the young master of the Yin family by marriage. He had always had a devious mind. Yin Qingxuan, on the other hand, was a soft - hearted and naive person who was often incited by him.
It was Qiao Haicheng who came up with the stupid idea of kidnapping the two children this time.
Yin Qingxuan wasn't completely brainless. He did this entirely driven by desire. Once greed and evil thoughts took root in his heart and there was no wisdom or virtue to control them, things got out of hand.
Yin Qingxuan had a capable half - brother. In recent years, his father had entrusted important tasks to this half - brother, while he, as the eldest and legitimate son, had taken a step back.
Yin Qingxuan had been caught by his father several times for fooling around with Qiao Haicheng outside, and he had been severely punished in front of the whole Yin family.
Yin Qingxuan felt that he had lost both face and status. He wanted to regain his father's good impression and get the family power.
So, Qiao Haicheng came up with this idea for him.
Qiao Haicheng had high hopes. He had been freeloading in the Yin family for many years and had also led the eldest young master astray.
Yin Deyuan had long been annoyed with him, and it was only a matter of time before he was kicked out.
Hearing that Jiao Niang, the richest woman in Lingle County, was the owner of Tang Han Textile, Qiao Haicheng had an idea. Even if the blackmail failed, extorting a thousand taels of silver would be good enough.
Combined with the money he could get from Yin Qingxuan's pocket, it would be enough for him to live a carefree life for the rest of his life.
Qiao Haicheng was determined to get Qi Jiao's money.
Yin Qingxuan was determined to get Qi Jiao's recipes.
Actually, the two of them had been planning in Lingle County for a long time. There were always people in Jiao Niang's Restaurant. Shiliu Alley was in the center of the county, with a patrol passing by every half an hour. And there was also Constable Pei, who was well - known for his toughness...
They had been observing for more than a month and finally found a loophole. As the saying goes, fortune favors the brave. They really managed to succeed.
At dawn this day, the old woman who sold sour plum juice on the street was pulling her cart, preparing to set up her stall.
Jiao Niang's Restaurant wasn't open for business yet. The streets were quiet, with all the doors and windows closed.
Qi Jiao had returned to Silver Bay Island yesterday. Pei Xia had received a temporary assignment and left home around the fifth watch.
Since there were two more children at home and there wasn't enough room, the Ye brothers, Leng Yao, and Hui'er didn't stay overnight in the small courtyard in Shiliu Alley. They went back to their own place as soon as they finished their work.
It was just a coincidence that both Qi Jiao and Pei Xia were away. In the dim morning light, there was only one adult left in the small courtyard in Shiliu Alley - Chun Niang.
Chun Niang was really a hard - working person. She always woke up early, and today was no exception.
With the mistress away, she took good care of the two children.
Seeing Xia Jiao and A Hu sleeping soundly with their heads close together, their little faces rosy, Chun Niang's heart melted.
She was about to go to the big kitchen to find something to eat to fill her stomach so that she could feed the children when they woke up.
At this time, the dog in the yard suddenly barked.
Chun Niang went out to check. She thought Lian Lian was hungry.
After Pei Jin got married, she left her dog in Shiliu Alley to guard the house. There were also two other dogs, Huang Huang and Da Da, playing freely on Silver Bay Island.
Chun Niang looked at Lian Lian's food bowl. There was still food in it, so she didn't think much of it. She went to the big kitchen to cook a bowl of sweet wine with eggs and then went back to the room.
Strangely enough, before she had taken a few bites, there came a knock on the door.
Chun Niang had been told by Qi Jiao early in the morning not to open the door to strangers easily when she was alone at home.
She remembered this and didn't get up.
But after a while, she heard her husband's voice outside the courtyard wall.
Chun Niang had a daughter. If her family wasn't so poor and life wasn't so hard, how could she have left her suckling daughter to work as a wet - nurse for others?
Was her husband here to see her? And did he bring their daughter with him?
After much hesitation, Chun Niang finally couldn't resist the longing for her daughter. She took another look at the sleeping Xia Jiao and A Hu and then quietly opened the door and went out.
As soon as Chun Niang stepped out, she saw her husband at the door.
Her husband looked haggard and pale, holding a dirty little blanket in his arms.
Chun Niang observed the surroundings while scolding him in a low voice. "I told you not to come! What are you doing here again?"
The man showed her the baby Niu Niu in the blanket. "There's no rice left at home. Do you have any money? I'll take some to tide us over for a few days."
As soon as Chun Niang saw her daughter Niu Niu, the scolding words died on her lips.
She carefully took out a small piece of silver from her sleeve. "Ask your sister - in - law to take good care of Niu Niu. I'll earn money."
The man was overjoyed when he got the silver. "Okay, I'll leave now."
"Wait. Let me take another look."
Chun Niang held the sleeping Niu Niu's hand. This was her daughter, but she was as thin as a little frozen kitten, not even half the size of the two children in the house.
Her husband's lips moved. "How about you feed Niu Niu some milk? There's no one around right now."
Chun Niang hesitated for a moment on her face and quickly refused.
If she fed Niu Niu, what would the two children in the house eat?
"You'd better go quickly."
Tears streamed down Chun Niang's face as she held Niu Niu's hand. Finally, she turned away reluctantly, unable to bear to look anymore.
But who would have thought that before she could step back into the courtyard gate, everything went black in front of her eyes and she lost consciousness.