Translator: Silavin
A beautiful woman, an exceptionally beautiful one at that, naturally attracts a ton of attention.
It was during this time that Shu Ruyan’s name spread throughout the Royal City, and some even paired her with Princess Lu Linghan, calling them… the Twin Pearls of the Royal City.
The bustling scene before her eyes made Shu Ruyan feel as if she were in a dream. Even when her Father was alive, the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce had never experienced such a scene.
However, Shu Ruyan still had some worries in her heart. The sudden boon in Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce would certainly attract envious eyes from other businesses and forces. However, whenever she thought of Qin Yichen, she felt slightly reassured.
“Young Mistress, something terrible has happened!” Just as Shu Ruyan was about to take a short rest, a hurried voice came from outside. A guard from the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce rushed in with an anxious face.
“What’s wrong?” Shu Ruyan frowned and asked.
“Young Mistress, people from the Abundance Group and Flower Union are outside. They, they say…” The guard spoke anxiously, but halfway through, he began to stammer.
“What did they say?” Shu Ruyan’s heart sank.
“They… they say our new Pill Formula was stolen from them.” The guard gritted his teeth and finally said.
Hearing the guard’s words, Shu Ruyan’s face turned cold. She had anticipated that the business’ success would make others envious, but she had not expected trouble to come so soon.
This turn of events also caused those waiting in line to start whispering among themselves. After all, the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce was just a small business. How could they suddenly produce such amazing Pills? It indeed made many people suspicious.
Abundance Group and Flower Union mentioned by the guard were the most powerful business alliances in the Royal City, apart from the four Major Families. If their words were not true, why would they come to cause trouble for the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce?
“Young Mistress, they’ve brought a lot of people. We can’t hold them back… you’d better avoid them for now.” Just as people were whispering, another guard rushed in from outside. He shouted anxiously to Shu Ruyan.
“The Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce stole our Abundance Group’s formula. Return it and compensate for our losses!”
“The Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce’s despicable behaviour brings shame to all businesses. Such an untrustworthy company doesn’t deserve to stand in this Royal City.”
“Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce, get out of the Royal City!”
At this moment, hundreds of people swarmed in, surrounding the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce’s Medicine Shop. Sharp shouts penetrated into the shop.
Those who were originally queuing to buy medicine, seeing this situation, hurriedly retreated to the side, afraid of being implicated.
A moment later, Shu Ruyan came out with Uncle Wen and several guards.
Seeing Shu Ruyan come out, everyone’s eyes brightened.
At least, her beauty was indeed well-deserving of its reputation.
At this time, directly in front of Shu Ruyan stood a middle-aged man and a young man, with over a hundred strong individuals behind them. Obviously, these two were the leaders.
The middle-aged man was the Chairman of the Abundance Group… Tao Chaocheng, and the young man was the Young Master of the Flower Union… Hua Dao.
“Shu Ruyan has come out!”
“Thief, hand over the formula!”
Seeing Shu Ruyan come out, the many guards behind the two men started shouting, while Tao Chaocheng and Hua Dao exchanged glances with smiles on their faces.
“Hua Dao, you have good taste. Such a fresh and beautiful woman, slurp…” Tao Chaocheng smacked his lips, looking at the graceful figure in the distance. A glint of desire flashed in his eyes.
“Chairman Tao, we had an agreement. We each take what we need. Your Abundance Group takes the formula, while I only want the two Sisters.” Hua Dao naturally noticed the unusual look in his eyes and reminded him in a deep voice.
“Hehe, don’t worry. I’m just an old bag of bones. Not like you young people with so much energy.” Tao Chaocheng dryly laughed.
Although he said this, his dozens of concubines at home were well-known to all, so his words had absolutely no credibility.
Hua Dao coldly snorted.
However, Tao Chaocheng also knew that he could not have both the beauty and the formula.
Shu Ruyan naturally recognised the two of them as well. Seeing their unrestrained gazes made her frown.
“Gentlemen, I’m afraid you’ve made a mistake. Our Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce has never stolen anyone’s formula.” Shu Ruyan’s voice was somewhat cold.
“A mistake?” Tao Chaocheng snorted coldly and scolded harshly, “Shu Ruyan, that formula was originally bought by our Abundance Group at a high price, but unexpectedly, it was robbed by you on the way. Who would have thought that in just one day, you would start profiting from the stolen formula!”
“That’s right, a few days ago, someone saw you personally returning to the city with a merchant caravan. Is transporting goods such a small matter that it requires the Head of the company to personally take charge?”
“If it’s not stolen, could your Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce afford to buy such a High Grade formula!?”
The people behind him also chimed in. After these words were said, the surrounding onlookers all secretly nodded.
Indeed, given the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce’s previous situation, it was absolutely impossible for them to have the funds to acquire such a High Grade formula.
“Shu Ruyan, you’d better obediently hand over the formula to Chairman Tao. Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken with Chairman Tao. Under my protection, you two Sisters will be safe and sound. As for this Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce, let it be incorporated under my Flower Union.”
At this moment, Hua Dao, standing beside Tao Chaocheng, feigned a sigh and earnestly said.
Immediately, Shu Ruyan’s face turned gloomy. These two have clearly colluded from the beginning. One wanted the formula, the other wanted to swallow the entire Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce!
“Young Mistress!” Uncle Wen, standing behind Shu Ruyan, had rage bursting in his eyes, his fists clenched.
These people before them were clearly here to bully them with their power!
“Uncle Wen, don’t be rash.” Shu Ruyan bit her somewhat pale lips and stopped him, saying in a low voice.
If these hundreds of people really got angry and attacked, their Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce would absolutely not gain any advantage. With such a big commotion here, the fact that the Royal City’s guards showed no movement clearly indicated that the two big business alliances had already given them enough benefits and made thorough arrangements.
Seeing Shu Ruyan’s attitude, a smile flashed in Tao Chaocheng’s eyes. [Being so afraid of trouble, it seems that the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce truly has no real backing. Now, I can finally rest reassured.]
“Ahem… For the sake of Nephew Hua Dao, Shu Ruyan, if you return the formula and compensate our Abundance Group for our losses, I can overlook your theft.” Tao Chaocheng coughed lightly and said magnanimously.
The two played off each other, angering Shu Ruyan to the point where her face turned pale.
She had no chance to refute. It seemed the crime had already been decided for her, and everything seemed to be a foregone conclusion.