Although A Man was a Hu girl, she knew that the sudden rumor of "being pregnant" was like a huge pot of dirty water poured on Li Ying.
Moreover, Li Ying's restaurant was going to focus on the business of the "burning the tail" banquet. All the scholars and literati chatting merrily at today's banquet were her future patrons.
Since ancient times, the literati and the upright had always valued "a good reputation" the most.
Li Ying and Lu Xunguang were in love, but they hadn't completed the formal marriage process. If she were pregnant, it would mean she had eloped with a man secretly, which was extremely disgraceful.
A Man was an outspoken girl. Immediately, she angrily slapped the table and stood up, shouting, "Who are you, you gossiping woman? Why are you slandering my sister's innocence out of the blue!"
The woman was stunned on the spot by A Man's sharp shout. It took her a while to come to her senses, and a look of contempt appeared on her face.
"You really bite the hand that feeds you! I was kind enough to give your sister a piece of advice, but you, without even finding out the truth, just come up and bite people!"
A Man was about to argue further when Ruyi quietly whispered in Li Ying's ear, explaining in a low voice, "Sister Ying, this is the wife of the oil mill owner. She's not a bad person at heart, just a bit loose - lipped. Both she and her husband are honest and hard - working. If the oil mill can cooperate with our restaurant in the long - term, we can save a lot of capital."
Li Ying understood and silently praised Ruyi for her cleverness. Then she grabbed A Man and motioned for her not to say more.
With a gentle smile on her face, she nodded slightly at the woman and asked in a puzzled tone, "You must be Mrs. Wang from the oil mill, right? These days, I've been so busy preparing for the opening of the restaurant that I've been meaning to visit you but haven't had the chance."
Mrs. Wang had thought Li Ying would lose her temper, but instead, she was so calm. Most of her anger immediately dissipated.
"Sister Wang, this capital city is a bustling place, and there are so many rules. I'm bound to be ignorant of some of them. I'll rely on you for guidance in the future. But this big label of 'pregnant before marriage', I really don't know where it came from."
Mrs. Wang had come to talk to Li Ying today because her husband had told her at night to get closer to Li Ying. It would be great if they could get the order for the restaurant's cooking oil.
Now that Li Ying mentioned visiting her and talked about the opening of the restaurant, and even addressed her affectionately as sister, no matter how dull she was, she could understand what Li Ying meant.
Gossiping was just for a moment's pleasure. How could it compare to the real money that could flow into her pocket? Mrs. Wang suspiciously glanced at Li Ying's flat abdomen. Seeing that her waist was slender, she really didn't look like a pregnant woman. So she immediately made up her mind.
"Sister Li, don't blame me! I heard that you were pregnant and would soon get married in a grand way. I wanted to congratulate you, but I didn't expect to make such a big joke! If I've offended you, please forgive me for my stupidity and rudeness."
As she apologized, Mrs. Wang secretly regretted it in her heart.
Her original intention was to get closer to Li Ying, say some flattering words, and ask her to take care of their business. But she never thought that some damned person in the neighborhood would spread such rumors about a woman's reputation!
She wished she could bite off her tongue and swallow it. At this moment, she could only pray that Li Ying wasn't a narrow - minded person.
Li Ying didn't want to make things difficult for her either. Seeing Mrs. Wang's terrified look, she just waved her hand indifferently.
"Rumors stop with the wise. Sister Wang, you came to care about me today out of good intentions. How could I be so ungrateful? But 'pregnant before marriage' is a really big label. Now that you know the truth, please don't spread such unfounded rumors anymore!"
Mrs. Wang nodded repeatedly and hurriedly said, "Of course, of course! Sister, you can rest assured. If anyone dares to talk nonsense again, I'll be the first to tear her mouth apart!"
Li Ying smiled slightly. Mrs. Wang was indeed an honest person without much scheming, just as Ruyi had said.
Seeing that Li Ying had softened her attitude, Mrs. Wang quickly told her exactly where she had heard the rumor of Li Ying's "pregnancy" in detail.
Li Ying already had a vague guess in her heart. Now, after hearing Mrs. Wang's words, she was even more certain.
It was clearly the shopkeeper from the Lu's Silk Store who had measured her for clothes!
Mrs. Wang carefully confirmed again and again that Li Ying no longer minded. They also agreed to discuss the purchase of rapeseed oil another day. Only then did Mrs. Wang finally feel relieved. She cursed a few more times about the "conscienceless gossiping woman" before leaving contentedly.
Li Ying also paid for the tea and took her family back home slowly.
A Man was still angry and didn't understand.
"Sister! Why did you stop me just now? Gossip is terrifying. If we don't clarify things properly, your reputation will be ruined!"
Li Ying saw her chest heaving and her small face flushed red. Her heart warmed.
She patiently and slowly explained to A Man why she didn't pursue the matter with Mrs. Wang from the oil mill. A Man was just too worried and a bit impatient, but she wasn't stupid. Finally, she came to her senses.
The few of them looked at each other, their expressions solemn. Finally, Granny Sun spoke up.
"A Ying, I know you're upright and not afraid of rumors, but gossip can be really harmful. Since it was a servant woman from the Lu family who spread the rumor, why don't you go and ask that young man Lu for an explanation?"
Ruyi and A Man nodded repeatedly, but Li Ying just thought for a moment and then shook her head.
"He hasn't come to see me much these days. I guess he's so busy with the complicated affairs of the bank that he can't spare the time. I can't help him share his worries, and I'd better not act like a little girl complaining and acting coquettishly in front of him."
Seeing that the three of them still looked worried, Li Ying forced a relaxed smile.
"It's okay. There were a lot of customers in the teahouse today, and we've already cleared up the misunderstanding. For the sake of the cooperation with the restaurant, Mrs. Wang will surely spare no effort to help me clarify.
"The capital city is bustling. Everyone has their own trivial matters to deal with. Who has the time to gossip about a insignificant little businesswoman like me? Just ignore these rumors and let them die out on their own."
A Man wanted to persuade her further, but seeing Li Ying's nonchalant look, she reluctantly closed her mouth.
That night, Lu Xunguang still didn't show up.
Since coming to the capital city, to avoid suspicion, he never stayed overnight at Li's residence, but he came to see her every day, bringing some trendy little gadgets to make her and Mianmian happy.
It was really rare for him to be so busy that he couldn't be seen all day.
Li Ying was busy with the decoration of the restaurant. The ovens and other equipment she usually used had to be rebuilt carefully. She also took every opportunity to watch the new dance that A Man was preparing for the opening of the restaurant. So she didn't feel lonely.
"Sister, sister!"
One day, just as she had finished instructing Ruyi on the etiquette and ways of treating customers to attract patrons, she saw A Man rushing into the inner courtyard gate in a hurry, her pretty face flushed red.