When those old miners suffering from serious illnesses walked out of the salt cave, they were all in high spirits and sang high praises for Li Ying. They had apparently become the most loyal supporters of the "cave salt therapy".
Seeing their enthusiasm, the people from the capital who had been on the sidelines finally put aside their last bit of doubt. They all carefully followed suit.
Li Ying, smiling, welcomed and saw off guests together with Lu Xunguang.
If any guest put forward some unique insights about the salt therapy, she would listen attentively, record them one by one, and even give a nice gift in return.
Lu Xunguang understood her intention. He knew that this cave salt therapy must be the method she had mentioned when meeting the emperor, the method that could completely recuperate the current emperor's body.
He was fully focused, and the servants under the Lu family dared not make the slightest mistake. They carried out all of Li Ying's instructions properly.
Within three days, the cave salt therapy club of the imperial merchant Lu family became well - known and highly sought - after in the capital.
The nobles in the capital regarded making an appointment for salt therapy and becoming a club member as a refined thing to do.
"A Ying, your salt mist therapy is truly amazing. It makes one's ears sharp and eyes bright, and one feels refreshed."
The princess, having become familiar with Li Ying after visiting the club twice, also sang its praises. Lying comfortably on the huge salt crystal bed, enjoying Li Ying's personal neck and shoulder massage, she squinted her eyes contentedly and chatted casually with her.
"No wonder you dared to make such bold promises in front of the emperor that day. It seems you had a plan. Tell me, when are you going to receive the emperor?"
Li Ying was just changing a new bottle of cypress essential oil and was softly explaining to the princess that this oil had a slimming effect. Just as she was about to answer the princess's question, she suddenly heard some noisy voices from outside the next room. It seemed that someone was shouting arrogantly.
She frowned, and the princess nodded. Li Ying then got up, took two maids with her, and walked in the direction of the voices.
"What a filthy place this is! You claim that the salt mist has a purifying effect, but in my opinion, it only makes people nauseous!"
The speaker was a rather wealthy - looking woman. A servant had whispered in her ear that she was the wife of a wealthy merchant in the capital. Although she was not a kind and easy - to - get - along - with person, she was not a trouble - maker on purpose.
"Everyone, take a look at this filth!"
The maid beside the woman was holding something black in her hand. The sharp - eyed people immediately recognized that it was clearly several pieces of feces!
It was also heard that this feces was fished out of the salt - steam pool. Several guests who had been enjoying the salt - steam comfortably immediately let out shrill screams and fled from the salt pool in a hurry.
Someone in the crowd recognized Li Ying and shouted, "Isn't that Boss Li?"
"Boss Li, please give us an explanation!"
"Is this the so - called sincerity of the Lu family? If this is what the 'club' is like, how can we enjoy ourselves with peace of mind?"
Li Ying pushed through the crowd and stood in front of the salt pool. Her gaze swept across the faces of the crowd, but she still looked calm and composed.
"The salt crystals used in the salt - steam pool are turned over and screened for impurities every day to maintain their purity. How could such a large piece of filth get in there unnoticed?"
"Moreover, think about it, everyone. The club is still in the trial operation period. We naturally strive to do everything perfectly. This is a crucial moment to attract customers. How could I do such a stupid thing that would ruin my own reputation? Even if I really wanted to cut corners, I would at least wait until the official opening, trick you all into buying annual membership cards, and make a fortune first."
Her words were reasonable. The people standing around looked at each other, seemingly unable to think of a counter - argument.
However, the merchant's wife, recalling that she had been lying comfortably in the salt pool for a steam bath but accidentally touched something soft, felt more and more nauseous as she thought about it. How could she let it go easily?
"Boss Li, you may not have intended to disrupt your own good business, but if I remember correctly, that cat that never leaves your side doesn't understand human language. I think this filth was clearly left by that beast!"
As soon as she said this, the on - looking people couldn't help but nod in agreement. They immediately recalled how Mao Mao always followed Li Ying around.
Mao Mao was such a cute and proud little animal. Cats are known to be clean, so how could it tolerate such slander? It immediately widened its bright little cat eyes and growled in its throat.
Its baring - teeth appearance made those female guests even more frightened. They were afraid that it would suddenly attack them.
"Boss Li, you must give us an explanation for today's incident. And get rid of this dirty beast quickly as an apology to us!"
Before the words were finished, several thuggish servants were about to rush forward to capture Mao Mao.
Li Ying quickly picked up the little cat in her arms and faced the coercion of the crowd without giving an inch.
"The appearance of this filth in the salt - steam pool is really strange. I don't think it was just Mao Mao being naughty. Please be patient and wait for me to investigate in detail."
She gently stroked Mao Mao's round little cat head, and Lu Xunguang also stepped forward and stood in front of her neither over - bearing nor humble.
"Mao Mao has been a playmate of the Lu family's young lady since she was born. It is also a member of our Lu family. Whoever dares to touch it will have to deal with me!"
There was an unyielding tone in his words. His intimidating look immediately made everyone dare not act rashly. Just as they were in a stalemate, a rather charming and sweet female voice suddenly came from the crowd.
"The two bosses have quite a temper."
Li Ying looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman with extremely outstanding looks. Her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows were very high, her eye sockets were deep, and there was a hint of strange color in her pupils. Obviously, she was not from the Central Plains.
The woman stood in front of Li Ying haughtily, looking her up and down with a rather thought - provoking look on her face. She said coquettishly, "You must be really in the good graces of the princess. Your aura is truly extraordinary. You don't seem to care about ordinary people at all."
"Since there has been such a big mistake in this so - called health club and you show no sign of repentance, in my opinion, there's no need for more words. Just seal it up directly."
She casually threw out this sentence, and her attendants on both sides were about to step forward to take action.
Li Ying saw that the woman's clothes were extremely luxurious. She was definitely not from an ordinary official family, so she couldn't help but frown secretly.
Just as she was thinking about how to deal with the situation, she heard the clear voice of the princess coming from behind.
"The Imperial Concubine Li is in a good mood today. Why have you come to this salt therapy club of mine? You seem so imposing. I wonder what has happened?"
The Imperial Concubine Li?
Li Ying raised her eyebrows. How on earth did her small club manage to attract such a big shot out of nowhere?