Chapter 916 - 916: Justifying the Princess’s Name
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The commoners agreed deeply. When Princess Shaoyi first came to the North, she was cheered by everyone in the North. Who wouldn’t want to admire her?
That day, many commoners ran to the foot of the mountain of the Dragon Phoenix Temple to pay their respects and add incense oil.
Then, they recalled that the Bai Residence had taken the initiative to admit that they were selling inferior medicinal herbs, lowering the price, giving out medicine, and discounting them. Then, they had risked everyone’s opinion to imitate the Xie Residence’s donation to the You army and the government. This could be considered to match these words.
So, not only did the Bai Residence have nothing to do with Liu Dagen’s death, but Princess Shaoyi had really led the Bai Residence to abandon evil and become good!
Then what were the recent unfavorable rumors about Princess Shaoyi?
Why were these rumors already spreading like wildfire before Liu Dagen’s case was investigated by the government office?
The commoners felt that there was a problem.
There were even smart people who thought of how after Madam Zhang publicly stopped the princess’s carriage and pleaded guilty on behalf of her husband, Princess Shaoyi had captured more than ten people and complained to the government office. She even claimed that someone had used her good reputation to maliciously instigate the commoners to frame her.
Then, the government office accepted this case. A few days ago, the government office had already issued a notice confirming that this case was true.
Some people had already realized that there was something fishy behind this Old Master Bai continued, “Everyone, why don’t you think about it? Before Liu Dagen’s case was tried by the government office, there were rumors outside that Liu Dagen had died from taking medicine from the People’s Relief Hall. When did this news spread? It was the Bai Residence who took the initiative to admit that they were selling inferior medicinal herbs and announced that the prices of the medicinal herbs would be permanently reduced.”
Selling low-grade medicinal herbs for profit caused the Bai Residence’s reputation to plummet.
Then, Liu Dagen’s death by the People’s Relief Hall would be even more convincing.
Immediately, someone reacted. “The Bai Residence is a large pharmacist in the Liaodong area. The Bai Residence has received Princess Shaoyi’s support, and the prices of their famous medicine shops have been permanently reduced. They’re bound to attack the medicinal herb business in Liaodong.”
“With the Bai Residence’s influence among the medicinal herb merchants in
Liaodong and Princess Shaoyi’s reputation, the medicinal herb merchants in
Liaodong will definitely lower their prices.”
“In that case, the price of medicinal herbs in the Liaodong area will be lowered. It will affect the medicinal herb business in the entire North, and it will damage the interests of the nobles who colluded with one another to raise the price of the medicinal herbs.”
As soon as these words were spoken, there was another uproar. Everyone spoke at once and figured out the entire matter.
To put it bluntly, it was still Princess Shaoyi who supported it. The medicinal herb merchants in Liaodong, led by the Bai Residence, lowered the price of the medicinal herbs in Liaodong so that the commoners could afford the medicine, but it violated the interests of some nobles.
Those nobles were heartless. They had released the matter of the Bai
Residence selling inferior medicinal herbs and causing Liu Dagen’s death.
They had even used the notice from the Bai Residence as “evidence” to slander Princess Shaoyi, saying that she had covered up for the Bai Residence.
Old Master Bai said bitterly, “The Bai Residence sold inferior medicinal herbs. As a result, someone took advantage of a loophole, implicating us in a murder case. The Bai Residence deserved it. The Bai family suffered heavy losses and was criticized by thousands. Our family business was almost destroyed in one day. The two of us suddenly suffered a prison sentence and paid a painful price. ”
After the Bai Residence admitted to selling inferior medicinal herbs, the commoners scolded the Bai Residence for being heartless and unrighteous, but they did not hesitate to buy the medicine from the Baiji Medicinal Shop.
The Bai Residence had also donated a large number of medicinal herbs to the government and sponsored a batch of medicinal herbs to make incense
medicine for Jade Fragrance Workshop.
Not only were the medicinal herbs from the Baiji Medicinal Shop critical, but they had also transferred a large number of medicinal herbs from their own medicinal herbs cultivation base. In order to ensure that there were enough supplies, they had also bought a large number of medicinal herbs from some medicinal herb merchants they were familiar with. This was to prevent them from not having enough medicinal herbs, causing them to stop the preferential activities halfway. If they could not complete the preferential activities, it would be a thankless task.
The Bai Residence had already emptied all their existing medicinal herbs.
Even if they dodged the bullet this time, they would still face the embarrassing situation of not having enough medicinal herbs.
They had indeed suffered heavy losses.
However, everyone present did not think much of it and felt that the Bai Residence deserved it.
Old Master Bai also knew that it was impossible for the poor commoners who were living in poverty to sympathize with the nobles. It was impossible for the Bai Residence’s credibility to be salvaged just because he pretended to be pitiful.
Princess Shaoyi also knew this.
However, the Bai Residence also had an irreplaceable advantage.
The Bai Residence controlled most of the medicinal herbs business in Liaodong. With Princess Shaoyi’s support, no one would take advantage of the Bai Residence’s danger to replace them.
The foundation of the Bai Residence could be preserved.
If the commoners needed the medicine from the Baiji Medicinal Shop, they would definitely buy it. The You army also needed the medicine from the Baiji Medicinal Shop, so they would definitely cooperate with them.
In the future, the Bai Residence would have Princess Shaoyi’s backing. It could be considered a blessing in disguise.
At the thought of this, Old Master Bai suddenly raised his voice. “However, what crime is Princess Shaoyi guilty of? What’s the benefit of her covering up for the Bai Residence? Can’t she live well in the capital? Why did she travel all the way to Liaodong?! ”
This was his goal. If the commoners did not buy it, they would definitely buy it from Princess Shaoyi. He did not just speak about kindness, but he also wanted to show it to others.
The scene was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Princess Shaoyi was a noble lady to begin with, and her maternal family, the Xie family, was the richest family in Quanzhou. With her family background, status, and fame, there was indeed no reason for her to cover up for the Bai family.
The capital was under the emperor’s rule and was the most prosperous place in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Princess Shaoyi had been living a comfortable life, but she had come to Liaodong to promote sweet potato cultivation.
On the surface, it was to relieve the drought.
However, if the sweet potatoes were successfully promoted in the North, all the commoners in the North, whether they were refugees or original residents, would benefit.
Yu Youyao sat at the side, feeling so awkward that her toes hurt. She had never expected that not only was Old Master Bai so eloquent, but he was also so good at acting!
Ye Xiaoci also found it funny. He knew very well that Old Master Bai was flattering Princess Shaoyi on the spot, but he did not stop him.
Old Master Bai continued, “Princess Shaoyi’s act of kindness and benevolence was wantonly distorted and slandered. She became a sinner who ignored the rules of the court and disturbed the rules! How noble and dignified is a first-grade Saint Venerable Princess? How did she become the target of discussion by the merchants on the streets? Have you forgotten that the Imperial Court has rules and ranks? Our dynasty has clear laws. Those who offend their superiors will be punished according to the severity of their crimes.”
Many people were already ashamed of these words.
Old Master Bai looked excited and said firmly, “l, Bai, am a businessman, and my ancestors were also businessmen. It’s often said that businessmen value profits, and I, Bai, am no exception. I’ve talked about the interests of my life, but I’m still treated kindly by the Princess. This is my honor. The Princess doesn’t hold me accountable because she’s kind-hearted. However, the princess has suffered such grievances and injustice because of the Bai Residence. I can’t pretend that this never happened. I definitely won’t let go of those who slandered the Princess. 1 will clear her name..
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