In the east city of Bianjing City, pedestrians rub shoulders and it is noisy.
At noon, the market was crowded with people, and the people who came to the market surrounded Dongshi.
A group of children ran past playfully, chasing each other while clapping their hands and singing children's songs.
"...Zhou Chu, Chen Shang, all have various treacherous schemes."
"My eyes are full of gold and silver, and my heart is as cold as iron."
"Through intrigues and collusion, fame and fortune are gained."
"Abandon morality and justice, just for huge profits..."
Shen Mei had just come out from inspecting the shops in Dongshi. When she heard the lyrics sung by the children, she felt a little confused.
"Lao Qi, what are the children singing?"
Qi Zhong was the shopkeeper of Dongshi Tea Shop. Seeing Shen Mei's confusion, he grinned unconsciously.
"Master, you still don't know about the big event that happened last night!"
"Boss Zhou Yingkai, President of the Royal Merchants Association, do you know?"
Hearing Zhou Yingkai's name, Shen Mei's beautiful eyes showed a little disdain.
"I know him!"
"A few years ago, my father had trouble making money and wanted to borrow some money from Zhou Yingkai."
"Who would have thought that Zhou Yingkai would actually say that he only borrows money from people who can afford it!"
"The implication is that you still look down on my Shen family and are unwilling to lend money to my father to tide over his difficulties?"
"A few days ago, I cooperated with Prince Rong. When he saw that I had made money, he wanted to do business with my Shen family."
"Of course I can't pay attention to this kind of bastard who acts according to the changing circumstances!"
"I just didn't know that he actually became the president of the Imperial Merchants Association!"
Qi Zhong naturally knew Zhou Yingkai's face, and said with a disdainful smile: "Don't be angry, boss. I'm afraid Zhou Yingkai, the president of the club, will also end up in trouble."
"Zhou Yingkai's reputation has become so bad now that all the bosses who used to work with him have avoided him."
"I heard that as the leader of the imperial merchants, not only was he unwilling to take the lead in supporting Daliang's Liulic Workshop and Steel Factory, he even asked for the profits from it!"
"Some people say that the reason why he was able to become the president of the Royal Merchants Association in the first place was because he secretly promised others that he could help them connect with Prince Rong..."
Shen Mei was shocked: "Is there such a thing?"
"Although I am not an imperial merchant, I know what the imperial merchant represents."
"As the leader of the imperial merchants, he is actually thinking about how to make a lot of money!"
"Is such a person worthy of being the president of the Royal Merchant Association?"
The two chatted for a while, and then Shen Mei set off and continued to inspect other shops in the city.
At the end of every month, I need to personally inspect the store. This was a rule that my father had when he was still alive.
In Bianjing City alone, the Shen Family Tea Shop has a total of thirty-five stores, large and small, spread across every corner of the capital.
It is not an easy task to conduct a patrol.
Although tired, Shen Mei understands that if you have to do everything carefully, you will definitely gain something.
After working all morning, Shen Mei finally dragged her exhausted body back to Shen's Mansion.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he was greeted by the housekeeper Lao Zhang in a hurry.
"Miss, you are finally back!"
"A distinguished guest is here and has been waiting for you for an hour!"
Shen Mei, however, said calmly: "Uncle Zhang, didn't you tell the customer that I was going to patrol the store?"
Lao Zhang is still very anxious: "This is not a matter of whether to say it or not!"
"But..."
"This guest is too distinguished, we cannot afford to neglect him!"
Shen Mei wondered, no matter how distinguished a guest is, how noble can he be?
Furthermore, I didn’t mean to neglect others, and the other party should also understand!
With all kinds of doubts, Shen Mei walked towards the main hall.
When I saw the figure leisurely drinking tea in the main hall, my eyes widened with a frown!
"Prince Rong!"
"Why are you here?"
Shen Mei walked forward quickly and saluted Song Huan, who had been waiting for a long time: "Meet the prince!"
"I was just out on an outing tour, and I didn't know that the prince came to visit me. I really neglected him at all!"
Shen Mei felt a little regretful. She didn't patrol the store in the morning and didn't patrol the store in the evening. Why did she choose this day to go out to patrol the store?
At this moment, Shen Mei finally understood the meaning of what Lao Zhang just said!
Song Huan put down the tea cup in his hand and smiled brightly at Shen Mei.
"It doesn't matter. I don't have anything important to do today. It doesn't matter if I wait here for a while."
"Your Shen family's tea is indeed worthy of its reputation. It tastes much better than what I drink on weekdays."
Shen Mei quickly said: "If the prince likes it, my Shen family will take care of your tea from now on!"
"By the way, I wonder what the prince is here to do?"
Song Huan touched his stomach and felt a little hungry.
"Miss Shen said last time that she wanted to treat me to dinner. I wonder if that still counts?"
Shen Mei was startled, and then her heart beat wildly like a deer!
It turns out that Prince Rong still remembers what he said before!
"It counts, of course it counts!"
"Today I will cook in person. Please wait a moment, Your Majesty!"
Not long after, six home-cooked dishes with full color, fragrance and steaming heat were served on the table.
Shen Mei was nervous and a little shy: "I didn't know that the prince was coming, so I didn't prepare any good ingredients!"
"It's just commonplace food. Please don't dislike it, Your Majesty!"
Song Huan naturally picked up the rice bowl, picked up the vegetables and started eating: "Home-cooked meals are good, I love home-cooked meals."
"Miss Shen is a good cook, and this dish is very suitable for me!"
Seeing Song Huan feasting happily, Shen Mei felt an indescribable sweetness in her heart.
She has had a strong personality since she was a child. After her father died, she was determined to be the number one tea merchant in Daliang, carry forward the Shen family's tea, and inherit her father's mantle.
However, at this moment, looking at Song Huan in front of him, a very soft place in Shen Mei's heart seemed to have been hit.
At this moment, she actually had the idea of being a husband and raising children, staying by his side, and washing his hands and making soup for him.
Shen Mei was startled by her own thoughts. She reached out and touched her red cheeks. She quickly lowered her head and ate to cover up her embarrassment.
After finishing the meal, Song Huan patted his full belly with satisfaction and prepared to get down to business.
"Miss Shen, actually, I came here today because I want to discuss something important with you."
"Do you want to be an imperial merchant?"
Hearing this, Shen Mei's eyes lit up.
"certainly!"
"When my father was still alive, he always said that since we have this ability, we should contribute to the country and people of Daliang!"
"If there is such a good opportunity, of course I, Shen Mei, would be willing!"
Song Huan sighed silently. Others wanted to become imperial merchants just to improve their status and facilitate business in the future.
Only this silly girl really wants to donate money!
Thanks to Song Huan's preparation of some words, Shen Mei did not expect that Shen Mei would agree so simply and neatly.
"Tomorrow afternoon, I will hold a sponsorship negotiation meeting at Changchunfang."
"Miss Shen, let's go too then!"
