Finally seeing Qi Rong off, Yun Xi involuntarily showed a hint of melancholy. Her gaze fell on Nightingale, who was still kneeling on the ground. She couldn't help but sigh.
"Get up. He's gone. You don't have to be so obsequious to me. Just do what you want. I won't tell him."
Nightingale rose to her feet upon hearing the order, with an unusually resolute expression.
"The prince has ordered Nightingale to protect the princess's safety closely. Nightingale will surely do her utmost. Please feel free to command me!"
Looking at Nightingale, with her stern face and strict manner, Yun Xi couldn't help but be taken aback and was at a loss for words for a moment.
This woman was so honest. Why was she so obedient to Qi Rong?
Didn't she have the slightest bit of unwillingness in her heart?!
Yun Xi sighed and ordered someone to put away the silver notes on the table. She decided to put Qi Rong's matter aside for the time being and began to deal with the affairs in the shop.
After interrogation and investigation, Yun Xi learned that several rice shops in the capital were all selling inferior grain as good, mixing the stored old grain with new grain.
Since old grain that had been stored for two or three years was much cheaper than new grain, the grain shops could surely make a great profit when purchasing it. As a result, many greedy profiteers had fattened themselves up. Over time, it had become a vicious cycle, and many unscrupulous merchants were vying to do the same.
For a while, such improper practices were prevalent, and this had almost become an open secret in the industry!
However, old grain was no match for new grain, whether in terms of quality or taste. Coupled with the improper storage of some grain merchants, which led to the old grain becoming moldy and spoiled, it was even more harmful to the customers' health.
If such rice continued to be sold, it would not only damage the reputation of Su's Shop but might also bring about endless disasters!
Yun Xi was very angry about this, but the shopkeeper didn't take it seriously. He even proposed a so - called smart suggestion.
"Princess, we're not the only ones doing this. All the other rice shops in the capital are the same. Since there's money to be made, why should we be so particular?"
After all, the price difference between old grain and new grain was really huge. The profit in a year would be extremely considerable!
"If you're really worried, it's easy to solve. Just sell the mixed grain to traveling merchants, and sell the new grain to merchants in the capital or nearby. In this way, we can lower the grain price and increase our competitiveness with other shops. It's a once - and - for - all solution!"
After all, traveling merchants would transport the grain to a very far place to sell. Even if they found the quality of the grain was not good, they wouldn't want to pay the second - round freight to come back and cause trouble for the grain shop.
Even if they really came back, the shop could simply deny it and claim that the merchants had swapped the grain they sold.
Looking at the shopkeeper's shiny, fat face and listening to his rather proud speech, Yun Xi couldn't help but laugh out of anger.
"Shopkeeper Wu is really extremely smart!"
Hearing Yun Xi's praise, the shopkeeper immediately beamed with a humble look on his face and didn't forget to flatter her.
"Where, it's all thanks to the princess."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yun Xi slapped the table hard. The impact made her palm numb and her eyes teary, but she still managed to look stern and shouted angrily.
"When did I ever teach you these tricks of deception? Don't slander me!"
Seeing Yun Xi suddenly change her expression, the once - beautiful and delicate face suddenly filled with a cold, menacing aura. Shopkeeper Wu, who had thought he had a chance, immediately felt his legs go weak and hurriedly knelt on the ground.
"I dare not, Your Highness! I just wanted to help the princess share the burden. I never intended to anger the princess, let alone slander you!"
He was just a small grain - shopkeeper. Even if he had the courage of a bear and a leopard, he wouldn't dare to offend the princess!
Moreover, behind this princess stood the current prime minister and the Prince Xian!
Looking at the man trembling on the ground, Yun Xi felt no sympathy at all. She couldn't help but snort.
"Now I finally understand why people always speak of merchants with contempt. It's because of merchants like you that the reputation of merchants is so bad!"
The saying "No business without deceit" almost became the most high - sounding excuse for many merchants to deceive their customers. But they had forgotten that the very foundation of a merchant's standing was integrity!
Without these two words, they could only engage in speculative and even shady business!
"I don't care how other shops operate. From today on, as long as it's a shop of Su's, it must uphold the principle of 'integrity'!"
"Those who can't do it, or those who try to play tricks under my nose, get out of Su's immediately!"
Yun Xi's words resounded powerfully, shocking everyone in the room. Even Nightingale, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but look at Yun Xi with scrutiny.
At this moment, Yun Xi no longer seemed like the delicate young lady of the prime minister's mansion or the noble Princess Yongning. Right now, she was a true merchant.
A merchant who pursued integrity and couldn't tolerate any deception!
Shopkeeper Wu was suspected of encouraging such improper practices. Since he had angered Yun Xi, she deliberately used him as an example to deter others. She directly kicked him out of Su's and he was never to be re - employed or cooperate with them again!
Then, Yun Xi temporarily promoted a seemingly promising young man as the temporary shopkeeper.
Just as she had done with Zhao Chunsheng last year, she gave the young man a certain period. If he couldn't handle the job, someone more capable would take his place.
Since she had established and promoted this effective promotion mechanism in each shop, many shops had gradually improved. It not only boosted the morale of the whole shop but also made the shop assistants more motivated and dedicated to their work.
After dealing with everything, when Yun Xi walked out of the shop, it was already dark.
Due to the heavy workload in recent days, she was a bit absent - minded. When getting into the carriage, she didn't step firmly and instantly fell from the carriage!
"Miss!"
Yu Zhu exclaimed and tried to pull her, but it was already too late. Just as Yun Xi closed her eyes, thinking she would hit her head, she suddenly bumped into something soft.
"Princess, are you okay?"
Nightingale's usual cold voice rang in Yun Xi's ear. Yun Xi opened her eyes and saw that Nightingale had grabbed her arm in time, saving her from getting hurt.
Yun Xi suddenly had an indescribable feeling in her heart, but she still nodded.
"Thank you. I'm okay."
However, as soon as she finished speaking, she saw blood flowing from Nightingale's hand and couldn't help but exclaim.
"You're injured?"
Needless to say, this must have been caused when Nightingale was saving her.
Noticing Yun Xi's gaze, Nightingale calmly withdrew her hand and hid it behind her back.
"Princess, don't worry. It's just a minor injury."
Looking at Nightingale's determined face and actions, Yun Xi couldn't help but feel guilty. A hint of doubt also welled up in her heart.
Was this Nightingale really one of Qi Rong's concubines?
Why didn't she show off and act arrogantly towards her like Wushuang, but instead got injured to protect her?
In this way, even if she wanted to dislike Nightingale, she couldn't find any reason. Wouldn't it make her feel even more awkward?!