Hu Maolin seemed to have never expected that Li Ying would be so calm. For a moment, the expression on his face became rather subtle.
Li Ying confronted him tit - for - tat, unyieldingly blocking in front of Lu Xunguang. Just as the two sides were at a standstill, a sharp - eyed commoner in the crowd suddenly let out an exclamation.
"Isn't that the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies?"
Everyone in the capital knew that Li, Lu and Su Buchi were on good terms. And this minister of the Court of State Ceremonies and Young Master Su were from the same master. Immediately, people began to whisper and discuss in twos and threes.
"Since the minister of the Court of State Ceremonies is here, he must be here to protect the Lu family and stand up against the public opinion, right?"
"It's hard to say. Look at Young Master Hu's heart - broken look. It really doesn't seem to be fake. The two families are so close. Young Master Hu must have known something already. The head of the Lu family might..."
The commoners held different opinions and there was a lot of speculation. But Hu Maolin didn't feel the slightest bit of uneasiness in his heart. He just bowed politely to the minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, then looked at Lu Xunguang with a heart - broken look on his face.
His younger sister was really good - for - nothing and timid. But since she entered the Lu family, she had indeed carefully passed on a lot of information, no matter how trivial.
According to the information she sent, the Lu family clearly had never sent a single dou of nine - roasted bamboo salt into the palace.
Now, in front of everyone, even if the minister of the Court of State Ceremonies intended to show favoritism, it was an undeniable fact that Lu Xunguang had disrespected the emperor by not sending the nine - roasted bamboo salt into the palace. This could never be covered up.
He was extremely confident in his heart and couldn't help showing a hint of pride.
The minister of the Court of State Ceremonies calmly stood in front of everyone and looked at Li Ying.
"Head of the Lu family, Boss Li, the nine - roasted bamboo salt sent this time is of excellent quality. After the emperor used it, he was very pleased. You two are truly rare talents."
Li Ying bowed and smiled, "Your Excellency is overpraising me."
Hu Maolin was stunned. He never expected that the minister of the Court of State Ceremonies would say such words. He was rather unwilling and was about to speak when the minister of the Court of State Ceremonies cleared his throat and said loudly, "By the emperor's order, this nine - roasted bamboo salt is very beneficial to the body. From now on, the Lu family will be the exclusive seller of this kind of bamboo salt."
He smiled and bowed to Lu Xunguang, "Head of the Lu family, you've taken a further step on the road of being a salt merchant. Congratulations. The emperor's reward will be sent to your mansion later."
Hu Maolin's face turned pale and then red. He had originally thought that he could severely humiliate the Lu family in public today.
He really couldn't figure out why there was a flaw in his intelligence. He was already too embarrassed to show his face. He cursed his younger sister in his heart over and over again.
Just then, he saw the minister of the Court of State Ceremonies turn his head and look at him sharply.
"Young Master Hu, as a royal merchant, the Hu family has received the emperor's grace. You should have been diligent and done your duty whole - heartedly. After your father fell ill, you should have focused on stabilizing the official salt business. But instead, you only thought about secretly spying on others' faults. Such laziness is really inappropriate."
Although these were just a few understated words, they clearly embarrassed this pampered Young Master Hu in public. His face turned green and then white, and he immediately felt extremely embarrassed.
Hu Maolin was displeased but had no choice. He had to honestly restrain his expression and bowed politely.
"Your Excellency is right. I only thought that Brother Lu was new here, and as an elder brother, I should help him more. Instead, I neglected my own business. It's really inappropriate."
He finally managed to save a little face. On the other side, the minister of the Court of State Ceremonies had already taken Li Ying and Lu Xunguang aside and was talking in detail about the emperor's various decrees, leaving him standing there like an outsider. It was so embarrassing.
Hu Maolin stood there awkwardly for a while, feeling extremely bored. Seeing that the commoners were also dispersing one after another, he had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
"Today, I supported you two in public. Although it was very satisfying, the feud with the Hu family has been completely formed. Do you have any countermeasures in the future?"
There was a hint of worry on the minister of the Court of State Ceremonies' face. Li Ying and Lu Xunguang glanced at each other, and there was a faint glimmer in their eyes.
He had official duties and couldn't stay long. After seeing off the minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, the two returned to the Lu family. Just as they were approaching the door of the salt shop, they heard the shopkeeper's voice, full of embarrassment, saying something.
Looking closely, it was Miss Hu who was pestering the shopkeeper.
"Miss Hu, it's not that I'm deliberately making things difficult for you. But you're a noble lady. How can you stay in the salt shop every day doing odd jobs like serving tea and water? Now that Young Master Hu has sent someone to look for you, you should just leave. Why make things difficult for me?"
The shopkeeper of the salt shop pleaded earnestly, but Miss Hu just bit her lower lip tightly and stubbornly shook her head, refusing to leave.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Li Ying and Lu Xunguang walking towards her. She quickly turned around, and her almond eyes closely followed the two of them.
"Head of the Lu family, please keep me!"
As soon as the words were out, tears welled up in her eyes.
Lu Xunguang frowned. After thinking for a long time, he finally remembered who the girl in front of him was. There was no trace of emotion on his handsome face. He said coldly, "Miss Hu, the Lu family is too small to accommodate a noble lady like you. Since your elder brother has spoken, please go back."
He made no attempt to hide his coldness. Miss Hu's eyes were full of tears. She then turned to look at Li Ying.
She gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, as if making a decision. Then she took two steps forward, lowered her voice and said in a deep voice, "Boss Li, I know that in your and the head of the Lu family's hearts, you must have many suspicions about me, an unexpected guest."
"I'm willing to swear with my life that I've never done anything to damage the reputation of the Lu family! My elder brother arranged for me to enter the Lu family in order to secretly find your mistakes. Even if I go back today, my elder brother will definitely find another way to arrange a new spy."
"To compete for the only position of the royal official - salt merchant, the Lu family and the Hu family have become sworn enemies. The arrow is on the bow and has to be shot. I intend to defect and act as a double - agent for you two!"
Miss Hu looked gentle and refined, but unexpectedly, the words she said were so incisive. Li Ying became a little interested and raised her eyebrows to look at her.
Seeing the unpredictable expressions on their faces, Miss Hu blushed again. She bit her lip and stared fixedly at Li Ying, determinedly saying, "Boss Li, if you don't believe my sincerity, please follow me to the inner room. I will definitely prove it!"