2700 A Strong Transfer
Greetings, esteemed Crown Prince Consort,” proclaimed a middle-aged woman with alert eyes, clad in a blue and white cotton jacket. Leading a procession comprising managers and elderly maidservants, she guided them outward through the main entrance of Butterfly Pavilion. Among her entourage was the illustrious Crown Prince Consort, who had magnificently halted at the entrance and graciously executed a curtsy.
The youthful crown prince consort disembarked from the carriage and nonchalantly inclined Dottie’s head in acknowledgment of the woman.
Li Ye trailed behind with an air of indifference. Caixiu, embroider, and Caiqi closely followed the Crown Prince Consort into Butterfly Pavilion.
“Kindly offer tea to the Crown Prince Consort.”
“No need,” waved the youthful crown prince consort dismissively, before casually selecting a seat to occupy.
The early morning hour meant that Butterfly Pavilion had not yet commenced its regular operations. Consequently, only a handful of managers, elderly maidservants, and assistants were present within.
The store manager, a haughty man in his fifties, struggled to conceal his vexation, yet his gaze towards the youthful crown prince consort was distinctly frosty.
Qiao Mu disdained engaging with the thought of acknowledging the store manager. She was well aware that the public-facing proprietors of Butterfly Pavilion and Couture House held nominal authority.
In reality, as one of Mu Qingya’s favored associates, Auntie Qing oversaw the covert dealings of Butterfly Pavilion and Couture House’s apprentice pupils. Even the store manager displayed the utmost deference towards her.
“Storekeeper Hu,” Qiao Mu addressed.
An elderly storekeeper surnamed Hu promptly emerged, bowing respectfully. “I am at your service.”
“Commencing today, Storekeeper Hu will assume full responsibility for all matters pertaining to Butterfly Pavilion.” Qiao Mu spared no words and directly issued her decree. She then gestured towards the perturbed and disgruntled original storekeeper of Butterfly Pavilion. “Mr. Hong.”
The accountant surnamed Hong immediately approached and bowed.
“Effective immediately, Mister Hong will assume charge of the accounting department. You can settle this month’s wages through Mister Hong,” Qiao Mu declared.
“On what grounds!” the Butterfly Pavilion’s shopkeeper bellowed in anger, his eyes reddening.
“Because this Crown Prince Consort finds your presence displeasing!” Qiao Mu retorted icily. “Is that reason sufficient?”
A stunned silence gripped everyone present.
Indeed, the young crown prince consort possessed formidable resolve. A single sentence sufficed to render the old shopkeeper speechless, his face turning crimson from suffocated indignation, his veins throbbing as if on the brink of bursting.
Auntie Qing reined in her own ire and responded with composure, “Crown Prince Consort, you might not be acquainted with the inner workings of Butterfly Pavilion’s apprentices. If you haphazardly take control here, it could potentially deal a significant blow to your future business endeavors.”
“What concern is that of yours?”
Auntie Qing was taken aback, her ability to continue the conversation suddenly faltering.
/What’s gotten into this Crown Prince Consort?/
/Every interaction with her is like grappling with an invisible force. She’s impervious to reason, utterly…/
“You only need to hand over the keys to the accounting department and the managerial authority,” Qiao Mu interjected coldly. “Were you not informed by your mistress that this Crown Prince Consort would be arriving with an entourage today?”
“If you’re unaware, then kindly summon your mistress. This Crown Prince Consort would welcome a candid discussion with her.”
Auntie Qing’s chest heaved with suppressed fury, leaving her momentarily speechless after containing her resentment.
“Crown Prince Consort, perhaps… a rational approach could be considered,” Auntie Qing managed, her voice striving to remain composed even in the face of the Crown Prince Consort’s inexplicable obstinacy.
“How am I being unreasonable??” Qiao Mu’s gaze turned icy as she confronted Auntie Qing. She then shifted her attention to Li Ye and the rest. “I’m the unreasonable one here? Is that so?”
Li Ye unsheathed his personal sword with a frosty resolve. “Given your reluctance to heed the Crown Prince Consort’s rationale, you leave us no choice but to consider Li Ye’s perspective.”
In unison, everyone took a cautious step back, fixing Li Ye with stares that mirrored confronting a formidable adversary.
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