Chapter 437: Chapter 436: Beating You All Is a Piece of Cake
Just then, the whispering in the hall had greatly subsided.
Someone stepped inside, and the owners of the various embroidery workshops could not bother gossiping about Shen Hua anymore. They all rushed forward to flatter.
"What wind has blown you in?"
——"You jest."
"Last time I went to Shengjing, I intended to invite you for tea, but you were always so busy. This time, please give the Zhu Family Embroidery a chance."
——"No need to trouble yourself."
"Zhou Family Embroidery Workshop’s embroideries need your discerning eye to appraise them this time."
——"..."
Shen Hua, intrigued, turned her head to see which hallowed figure had arrived. Upon seeing the face amidst the crowd, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"Do you know them?" Xie Xun asked.
"They managed the dowry for me."
It was none other than the Manager of Yifeng Hall.
No wonder these people were being so exceptionally humble.
If the embroideries could be purchased by Yifeng Hall, it was a tremendous opportunity. Everyone attending the exhibition aimed to stand out from the crowd.
In the past, Yifeng Hall was mostly represented by their managers, and it was the first time Manager Xiao had personally appeared.
Who wouldn’t harbor thoughts of clinging on?
Manager Xiao responded with a smile, without a hint of arrogance, but his attentiveness ended there.
Seeing his distraction, Old Master Zhou busily offered: "Are you looking for someone?"
"If that Shen family lad has not yet arrived, might I play host in his stead?"
Finally aligning his gaze with the girl, Manager Xiao left a word of no need and quickly stepped forward.
"Miss Shen is well, I trust."
Shen Hua has never been one to keep a low profile, and she didn’t pretend not to recognize him.
The girl even provocatively tilted her chin up at the owners of the major embroidery workshops who had been talking about her behind Manager Xiao’s back just moments ago.
"Are you here to support me?"
Manager Xiao chuckled: "The Boss was concerned that some unpleasing matters would ruin your mood."
That sentence delighted Yangyang.
It also caused a shift in the faces of those around them.
The mysterious Boss behind Yifeng Hall had yet to show themselves, and seeing Manager Xiao’s behavior, it was clear that his relationship with Shen Hua was not shallow.
But what they absolutely did not expect was for the newly appointed Magistrate Wang to hasten over as well.
Manager Xiao was heading towards Shen Hua, whereas Magistrate Wang was heading towards Xie Xun.
But before he could get close, he saw the newly appointed, yet impeccably performing, shopkeeper being helped along by two servant-looking men after being thrown out.
He had been freshly promoted and was quite pleased with himself, seeing a bright future ahead. How could he tolerate such treatment?
After all, this was the Shen Family’s territory. Isn’t this a disregard for their young master?
"Lowly though I am, it’s nothing if I am injured. Young master, please stand up, don’t break the rules!"
Xie Xun nodded at Magistrate Wang.
"Magistrate Wang."
He asked softly, "Is this place not for me to sit?"
"Why wouldn’t it be?"
"If not for you, how could those two cities have been reclaimed?"
Magistrate Wang turned his head and scolded.
"You blind fool!"
"Where is Shen Qu?"
Had he not learnt that Xie Xun was here, he would never set foot in a place associated with small-time individuals like Shen Qu.
"Our young master should be on his way here."
"Nonsense!"
"With such an important exhibition happening and everyone already here, he still hasn’t arrived?"
"Heir Xie was tasked with the imperial command to come from afar to select embroideries for the Empress Dowager. The adopted son of the Shen Family sure has quite the presence, even making Heir Xie lower himself. Could it be that he also expects to yield his place to him!"
Upon learning of Xie Xun’s identity, everyone present: ...... turned numb.
Miss Shen from the Shen Family does have some skills, after all.
Xie Xun chuckled lightly, "May I know when the exhibition will begin?"
Shen Hua said, "In previous years, the exhibition would start with the Family Head of the hosting embroidery workshop giving a speech. But at this time, it should be time for each embroidery workshop to come forward and present their embroideries."
"If Shen Qu doesn’t come, will I have to wait for him?"
The siblings played off each other.
"You are a man of many affairs, but still, the rules of the Shen Family must be upheld, mustn’t they? The gentlemen and elders present are waiting; how could Heir Xie possibly not afford to wait?"
Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces turned pale.
They are just merchants at the end of the day, how can they compare with Xie Xun?
And this was to select embroideries for the Empress Dowager!
If their embroideries were chosen, it would be like incense smoke billowing from their ancestors’ shrine.
"This cannot be done, it absolutely cannot be done."
"Shen Qu is indeed a bit too young. What on earth has he been doing these days! A good hand played to a mess."
"Heir Xie’s status is so revered, must he really wait for him!"
Old Master Zhou, with great ambition, said: "Sir, I’m always around, clearer about the procedures than anyone, why not let me handle it?"
Magistrate Wang made the final decision.
"Alright."
The elders in the first row were very accommodating, even willingly giving up their seats in the first row to Magistrate Wang and Manager Xiao.
They then went on stage to display the embroideries they brought.
After talking themselves hoarse, people started making offers. They managed to hog the limelight for a while, selling for a good price, with merchants even setting down contracts and paying deposits to facilitate business transactions.
Without Shen Qu there, the scene was unexpectedly lively, with the heads of each embroidery workshop exceptionally eager to sell. A pity for Xie Xun, as he and Manager Xiao remained indifferent.
Shen Hua showed no sign of timidity as she followed onto the stage.
As soon as she appeared, many people exchanged glances.
When Aunt Sun proceeded to bring sixteen sets of embroideries up to the stage one after another, unlike other embroidery workshop heads who would introduce their work upon getting on stage, Shen Hua showed a distinct sense of style.
"You have four opportunities to ask questions at will."
The crowd ???
Everyone had a set time for their presentation, and when the time was up, no delay would be accommodated. Now things were getting interesting.
So.
——"Miss Shen, are you representing Shen Family’s Embroidery Workshop this time?"
Shen Hua scornfully replied, "Do you think I’m so full I have nothing better to do?"
——"Is that because you harbor a grudge in your heart, deliberately opposing your adopted brother, wanting to snatch away the embroidery workshop from him?"
"Firstly, I profoundly appreciate your admiration for me. The red covers have not yet been lifted from the embroideries, showing indeed that the products I brought are enough to make people wary. Secondly, I must remind Mr. Hu that you should perhaps spend a few more years in school. The word ’snatch,’ if you don’t know how to use it, better not to use it."
——"So, are you here with the intention of inheriting your Daddy’s mantle and starting a new embroidery workshop?"
"Anyone sensible should be clear that the embroidery workshop’s situation cannot be separated from my Mama. Dare to be a bit more audacious, for example, I intend to take back the embroidery workshop and rename it to Chun’s Embroidery Workshop, so my Mama can rest in peace."
Her words left everyone aghast. Yet, looking at Shen Hua, she didn’t seem to be joking.
Old Master Zhou struggled to articulate, "Each year, the competition is won by the number of orders placed. Niece, you’ve only prepared sixteen sets this time, which seems a bit too few. All the embroidery workshops that have come here are strong competitors. Or is it that you are just dabbling on a small scale, without any chance of winning, ready to admit defeat?"
No sooner had these words fallen than everyone sitting in the venue breathed a sigh of relief.
Indeed, what upheaval could little girl Shen possibly cause?
Shen Hua indifferently stated, "Four questions, and yours is the most like rubbish."
Old Master Zhou: ......
"I had prepared seventeen sets, but I felt that number was not auspicious, so I chose sixteen sets of embroideries to bring here."
The girl’s voice was clear and petty, "Beating you all is still a no-brainer."
"So, please save your futile worries."
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