Hua Xiaomai did not plan to linger too long at Zhenwei Garden. As soon as Xiao Haozi dashed out the door, she took a mont to check on the various sauces in the large vat and gave a few instructions to Lei An and his wife before preparing to head back to organize things at Daoxiang Garden.
As she reached the entrance of Sauce Garden, just about to step out, Great Saint hurriedly caught up to her.
He still had his careless deanor, scratching the back of his head and chuckling at Hua Xiaomai, "I have to ask, sister, have you offended soone recently? Those two who ca to make trouble today don’t seem to be simply after extorting a couple of coins!"
Hua Xiaomai had also realized this point, but montarily had no clue. Hearing him ntion it now, she pursed her lips slightly, "Great Saint, do you think sothing seems amiss?"
"More than amiss, it’s hugely off!" Great Saint slapped his hand emphatically, "At noon, Xiu Miao rushed into Sauce Garden, urgently calling Uncle Pan Ping’an to help settle things at Daoxiang Garden. She was so anxious and scared, didn’t clarify her words, just dragged him along and ran. Fearing Uncle Pan Ping’an might not be able to cope alone, I followed too. Before we even reached the restaurant entrance, a thunderous uproar was already erupting."
He stroked his chin, recalling, "You should have seen what a scene it was. That guy was throwing his life into his struggles! Rolling on the ground, screaming at the top of his lungs, forcibly dragging anyone passing by on the village road to sympathize with how wronged he felt, desperately beckoning people to take their side. It was the busiest ti in the restaurant, and I saw with my own eyes, many people peeking out curiously!"
Hua Xiaomai twisted her brow and remained silent.
That was indeed strange.
If that man and woman were only after money, they should have fiercely clung onto the employees or Zhou Yunyun in Daoxiang Garden to cause a scene. What effect could wailing to passersby have?
You see, Daoxiang Garden is not only the sole restaurant in Fire Knife Village but also has a substantial presence. Just the garden, which occupies over three acres of forested land, appeared quite intimidating—people who could afford to run such a large establishnt are not to be trifled with. They went all out in their tirade; didn’t they consider the possibility of provoking the restaurant owner? In the end, not only would they gain nothing, but they might also endure a severe beating. What good would that do them?
They repeatedly claid to be traders from outside, not so naive bumpkins. How could they not understand this simple logic?
Seeing Hua Xiaomai silent, Great Saint continued, "And there’s more! You should know, they started their fuss on the village path, not near the outdoor market but right next to the small stone path leading to the back garden. The man was rolling around, gradually moving closer to the garden entrance, and that woman, step by step, followed him this way. Whether intentional or not, while she was shouting, she faced the direction of the fish pond. If Uncle Pan Ping’an and I hadn’t arrived in ti to separate them, sooner or later, they would have called out the people in your garden!"
Hua Xiaomai’s heart suddenly chilled.
Today was the day Daoxiang Garden was hosting a banquet for Lady Magistrate Tao. Those two specifically chose this ti to create trouble and moved closer to the garden entrance—what did that imply?
They were not just after extorting money; they were clearly intent on damaging the reputation of her Daoxiang Garden!
Thinking about it sent a shiver down her spine; if she hadn’t remained calm at that mont, sending Xiu Miao to summon Pan Ping’an and quickly moving Madam Yang and the ladies to the northeast bamboo grove, who knows what might have happened!
Chun Xi, who had been listening attentively to their conversation, saw Great Saint pause and tentatively said, "Brother Great Saint has a point, and now that you ntion it, I find it also a bit strange. Those two imdiately asked Xiaomai sister for ten taels but she was only willing to give two copper coins. Normally, they wouldn’t have settled for that, but... why didn’t they even haggle? They just took the money and left—what kind of extortionists act like that?"
"Hmph," Hua Xiaomai scoffed, "What’s so hard to understand about that? They caused a scene at the garden entrance for half a day, but didn’t achieve their desired effect, so they could only give up and escape as fast as they could. Luckily, Great Saint, you and Uncle Pan Ping’an arrived in ti, or I might not even have seen what they looked like!"
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