"Didn't you hear Ning Huaichu just now? She's gone back to pester Lord Ning and Lady Ning. Actually, although Ning's silk is good, I can do without it. I just want to expose what Ning Huaizhi has done and teach her a lesson."
Ning Huaizhi had disregarded the friendship between the Ning and Zhao families and deliberately raised the price for her. This had long annoyed her. Moreover, she had been making fake tea behind her back and playing these petty tricks.
In her opinion, Ning Huaizhi had been living too comfortably!
As long as Lord Ning and Lady Ning knew about Ning Huaizhi secretly raising the price and breaking her promise, she wouldn't be able to take over the silk farm.
"Actually, Miss, you could just go to Brother Ning! He's the one in charge of the Ning family now."
Zhao Luoning shook her head.
"Brother Ning is too soft - hearted." Besides, she didn't want to get too involved with him.
Zhao Luoning wasn't a fool. She could tell that Ning Huainan had feelings for her. That was exactly why she had to keep her distance.
She had already asked him about the fake - tea incident last time. Since Ning Huaichu had come to her this time, she might as well make use of her.
Moreover, it was most appropriate for Ning Huaichu to handle this matter.
After all, Ning Huaichu was a master at pestering people.
If there was something she wanted, she'd cry, make a scene, or even threaten to kill herself to get it.
Just as Zhao Luoning had expected, early the next morning, Lord Ning, Lady Ning, and Ning Huaizhi came to the wing - room where Zhao Luoning was staying to discuss the cooperation.
Ji Shisu was very considerate. Knowing that what they were going to talk about involved the Zhao family's business, he voluntarily excused himself, saying that he'd go for a ride on his horse.
In the room were only the two elders of the Ning family, Ning Huaizhi, Zhao Luoning, and her maid Caixue.
Lord Ning got straight to the point.
"Chu'er told us everything yesterday. Not to mention that your Zhao family always offers fair prices. Just for the sake of the friendship between our two families, we should help."
Lord Ning was an experienced businessman. He knew more than the inexperienced Ning Huaizhi and understood what should and shouldn't be done.
Seeing the resentment in Ning Huaizhi's eyes and the annoyance on her face, it was obvious that she had just been scolded.
"People often say it's easy to add flowers to the brocade but difficult to send charcoal in snow. Uncle, for you to agree to cooperate with us at this critical moment is really a great help to us."
"Luoning, you're being too polite. Alas, we'll have to trouble you to take more care of our Chu'er."
Si Ma Yi's name was well - known.
Even the emperor had praised him for his strategy and talent. Moreover, the Si Ma Manor was extremely wealthy.
Which court official didn't want to send his daughter to Si Ma Yi's side?
If Ning Huaichu could marry him and the Ning family form an in - law relationship with the Si Ma Manor, it would be like catching a golden turtle son - in - law.
Back in the capital, the two elders of the Ning family had intended to matchmake Ning Huaichu and Si Ma Yi.
But at that time, they weren't sure about Ning Huaichu's feelings. Due to her fiery temper, they were afraid that if they did something wrong, instead of being favored by Si Ma Yi, she might even displease him.
That would be a thankless task.
Now that they saw Ning Huaichu was interested in Si Ma Yi, the two elders were naturally happy. That's why they came to talk business with Zhao Luoning early in the morning.
Zhao Luoning nodded with a smile and said,
"I regard Chu'er as my own younger sister. Her business is mine. Uncle and Aunt, you can rest assured. I'll tell Luojing."
Seeing that Zhao Luoning had given her word, the two elders were relieved and their faces beamed with smiles.
Only Ning Huaizhi sat sullenly in the chair, lost in thought.
Soon, a servant came in and called out Ning Huaizhi and Lord Ning. In the room, only Zhao Luoning and Lady Ning were left.
Caixue brought in a new pot of brewed tea and placed it in front of the two. Knowing they must have something to talk about, she carried the tray out again.
"Ning'er, please ask Luojing to spare our Ning family."
Seeing there were no outsiders, Lady Ning didn't need to put on the false airs of an elder. She softened her tone and almost pleaded.
The second young master of the Zhao family was well - known for his coldness. His tough business methods were hard for many people to handle.
When the two families were discussing the marriage, Lord Ning had once sounded out Lord Zhao.
At that time, Lord Zhao had said, "I never interfere in my second son's business. My advice won't work on Luojing. Only Luoning's words will he take to heart."
Just like that, he had casually passed this hot potato to Zhao Luoning.
That's why Lady Ning had deliberately stayed behind, hoping that Zhao Luoning could plead with Zhao Luojing on behalf of the Ning Mansion.
"Aunt, why do you say that? Ning'er can't bear it."
Zhao Luoning was really panicked. Her attitude in business was a bit tough, but it was out of necessity. The business world was like a battlefield. If she didn't fight hard, she would be trampled on by others.
Even so, Zhao Luoning had always adhered to her principles. She wouldn't do things like murder, arson, or harm others, and she definitely wouldn't force an elder to kneel to her!
Moreover, she thought she had never provoked the Ning family.
Thinking of this, the resentful look in Ning Huaizhi's eyes and all the things Ning Huaizhi had done against her and the Zhao family recently came to Zhao Luoning's mind.
Something was wrong!
Why hadn't she noticed the Ning family's intentions before?
Although Ning Huaizhi was full of tricks, she knew what was right and wrong and had never had a feud with the Zhao family.
She remembered that a few years ago, when Ning Huaizhi came back for ancestor worship, she had brought many valuable gifts, which made her father praise her for being polite and promising. It seemed that was when Ning Huaizhi had hooked up with Zhao Luoyue. Because of this, Zhao Luoyue had refused to marry into the Ji family and caused a lot of trouble.
But this time when she came back, Ning Huaizhi seemed like a different person, targeting the Zhao family everywhere. Thinking carefully, it was indeed a bit strange.
Now Lady Ning's behavior only increased Zhao Luoning's doubts.
What on earth had happened to the Ning family?
"Alas, you don't understand the business world."
Lady Ning thought Zhao Luoning didn't understand business matters, so she told her the hardships of the Ning family's business declining after the Zhao family's silk store and pharmacy opened in the capital, forcing them to return.
Hearing this, Zhao Luoning understood.
It turned out that the Ning family was blaming her because their own business was not going well.
Although Zhao Luoning thought the Ning family was a bit too vulnerable, she wasn't too surprised that their business had come to this state.
When she had just taken over the family business and visited the Zhao family's silk store, she had already seen that the Ning family wouldn't last long.
The Ning family's silk was indeed very famous, and the silk fabrics made from it were of the highest quality.
The Ning family had once been like an insurmountable mountain in Zhao Luoning's heart.
At that time, when Zhao Luoning wanted to revitalize the silk store, she knew that as long as the Ning family's silk existed, it would be difficult for her to surpass the Ning family.
So, she started to think about the selection of materials.
She had basically used everything, from animal feathers to plant stems.
In addition, she had spent a lot of money to merge two century - old stores in the town and acquire dozens of small and large dying weaving workshops. By combining their excellent weaving techniques with the creative ideas of the Zhao family's silk store, she had produced many high - quality products.
So the Zhao family's silk store quickly became famous, while the Ning family remained the same.