Qin Shuying grew cautious. Madam Xu, who had been riddled with mistakes recently, was performing unexpectedly well today. Not only did she apologize with humility, but her apology also cleverly concealed a trap for Qin Shuying.

  Qin Shuying remained composed and said, "As your niece, I wouldn't dare harbor resentment. I only hope Madam can crify the rumors on my behalf."

  Madam Xu smiled gently. "Since we've cleared up the misunderstanding, you don’t need to ask. I'll naturally handle it."

  With that, she casually set the matter aside and turned to the Old Madam. "Old Madam, I’ve been reflecting. Seventh Miss's shop has only been open for forty days, yet it has already surpassed all the bck sugar merchants in the capital. I believe these merchants, envious of her profits, spread these rumors to snder her. If they succeed, the Qin family, prioritizing its reputation, would forbid Seventh Miss from running her shop. This would restore their businesses. That’s their true goal. I almost fell into their trap and nearly became their accomplice.

  "Just yesterday, I received an invitation from the Liu family announcing their upcoming visit to the capital. They’ll undoubtedly pay their respects to you, Old Madam. I worry that they, too, may have caught wind of these rumors. The Liu family would be a good match, and I fear Seventh Miss’s actions might upset them."

  Her words were reasonable and well-crafted. Qin Shuying couldn’t help but gnce at Madam Xu again. It seemed she had underestimated her. Madam Xu was indeed a formidable matriarch of the inner court. Her prior mistakes were likely due to being cornered and flustered. Now that she had collected herself, her strategies were entirely different.

  Sure enough, the Old Madam's expression shifted.

  Was she trying to use the Liu family as leverage against her?

  Qin Shuying smiled faintly and addressed the Old Madam. "Grandmother, this is my first foray into business, and I’m quite inexperienced. I only took inspiration from my Second Sister's business acumen, which allowed the Lu family to rise from obscurity to prosperity, ensuring Third Sister a life of comfort. Without that, she might have lived like a rustic housewife, farming, raising silkworms, weaving, and selling poultry on the streets. How could she have enjoyed the leisure of a Qin family daughter?

  "Although I ck Second Sister's intelligence, I’ve managed to emute her methods somewhat. My business is still in its infancy and nowhere near the grand scale the First Madam describes. It’s simply impossible to dominate all the bck sugar merchants in the capital.

  "As for the Liu family, Father always said that Uncle Liu is a fair and just man who wouldn’t believe baseless rumors. I trust Father’s judgment. Madam, you needn’t worry."

  Qin Shuying’s words were delivered quickly yet clearly and logically. Madam Xu tried several times to interrupt but failed.

  When Qin Shuying mentioned Qin Yaoyao’s situation, Madam Xu felt a surge of hatred. However, having faced Qin Shuying in several battles, she was no longer naive enough to think her opponent was easy to deal with. She refrained from rebutting the matter, knowing it would only backfire.

  Furthermore, Madam Xu noticed that the Old Madam seemed to harbor some awareness of Qin Yaoyao’s situation, which expined her earlier anger when the topic arose.

  Recalling Qin Yongtao’s advice, Madam Xu quickly adjusted her demeanor and said, "Seventh Miss, doing business requires integrity. You can’t use unscrupulous methods to suppress your competitors. How else will others conduct their businesses? Seventh Miss, surely you wouldn’t want to see the Old Madam ridiculed during social engagements, would you?"

  Qin Shuying sneered inwardly. Was Madam Xu invoking the Old Madam’s authority to pressure her? After all, the Old Madam was the one person she truly cared about in the Qin household.

  However, Qin Shuying sidestepped the issue entirely, asking instead, "Madam, how is it that other businesses cannot continue? I don’t understand."

  Madam Xu’s smile froze momentarily. Though seething inside, she maintained her composure and replied, "With your red sugar hitting the market, everyone flocks to buy it, leaving bck sugar businesses with no customers. Seventh Miss, you’ve made enemies of all the bck sugar merchants in the capital!"

  Qin Shuying pondered this for a moment and responded, "Madam makes a valid point. What should I do then?"

  Madam Xu's lips curled slightly upward. "Since you’ve asked me, as your aunt, I must offer guidance. If you were to share the red sugar recipe, allowing everyone to produce it, the bck sugar merchants wouldn’t target just you. Seventh Miss, business is like war. Better to make allies than enemies—share risks and profits. That’s the way to go."

  Qin Shuying appeared to consider her words seriously, nodding slowly. "Madam’s reasoning is sound."

  Madam Xu’s spirits lifted.

  But then Qin Shuying added, "However, if things are as you say, wouldn’t those merchants have already come to my shop causing trouble? Yet no one has stirred up any issues. Madam, could you be overthinking this?"

  Madam Xu was nearly overcome with rage. She hadn’t expected this girl to grow so sharp-tongued.

  Still, she kept her temper in check and shifted the topic. "You’re still young and don’t grasp the intricacies of the situation. I’ve been preoccupied and neglected to teach you about managing household affairs. Perhaps your attendants have been misleading you or acting deceitfully. Old Madam, I suggest summoning them for questioning. Qin family servants must uphold the household’s reputation. Encouraging Miss to engage in malicious business practices reflects poorly on our family. How would the Master and young men navigate the court under such scrutiny?"

  Qin Shuying’s calm demeanor never wavered. Her composure alone impressed Nanny Gu, who couldn’t help but recall the Old Madam’s sharpness in her younger years.

  The Old Madam, observing everything with a neutral expression, finally said, "Seventh Miss, what do you think?"

  Qin Shuying answered confidently, "Grandmother, when Father was alive, his effective management brought wealth to the family. This ensured he never needed to accept bribes or worry about indebting himself to others, allowing him to fulfill his duties and earn the Emperor’s trust. Everyone knows His Majesty despises corruption.

  "Father often said, 'Greed buys for three coins, honesty for five,' meaning those who value quick gains earn less, while modest profits accumute wealth. He also shared the story of Zhang Liang, who, while studying under Huang Elder, sold scissors during the day. To save time for studying, he categorized the scissors into three grades—upper, middle, and lower—reducing prices for the lower grades. By midday, he had doubled his sales and profits.

  "This red sugar recipe came from Father’s notes. To let it fade into obscurity would dishonor his efforts. Any profits from this business ultimately benefit the Qin family."