I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 219: Pei Yan Returns

You should know that Fang Xiaoxiao is the wife of his nephew, Li Renyi.

Li Renyi came to my door in the first place to ask me to help his wife's Lingxi Pavilion.

But that official had already issued a decree throughout the entire Jiangnan province, ordering a complete ban on the Lingxi Pavilion.

This is the thought.

Zhang, the richest man, looked at Fang Xiaoxiao, who was talking enthusiastically and eloquently about the future, with a serious expression and deep thought.

"What do you all think? Who agrees and who disagrees?"

Having experienced so much, Fang Xiaoxiao is no longer the weak woman she once was.

She knew that what she needed to do now was to make everyone wary of her, otherwise she would be vulnerable to being betrayed again in the future.

The merchants in the lobby who were involved in the discussion about joining Lingxi Pavilion whispered among themselves and began to discuss the matter.

They actually understood in their hearts the strength of Fang Xiaoxiao in front of them.

They also understood that if they did not agree, they would have no place in the entire Jiangnan Province in the future.

For a moment, the audience below the stage was noisy and chaotic, like a vegetable market.

At this moment, Zhang, the richest man, took a deep breath and stood up while everyone was talking.

Today he was wearing a black long gown with gold trim, which, combined with his already elegant figure, gave him an air of superiority and overwhelming wealth.

He glanced around, his voice calm.

"I, Zhang, am the first to agree with my wife!"

"..."

The others were all shocked.

They knew that not long ago, this richest man had sent people to almost ruin Lingxi Pavilion.

"Am I deaf? How come this richest man in China dares to be the first to agree?!"

"Shh, don't talk, or he might hear you and then frame your shop for something."

"Pshaw, just a grasshopper in autumn, it can only hop around a few times."

Some people are worried, some are concerned, and some are mocking.

Zhang, the richest man, heard it all.

But he paid no attention to these petty people who lived like ants.

"However, I, Zhang, need to consider this carefully. Please forgive me, my lady."

On the stage, Fang Xiaoxiao, dressed in a pink dress, with her hair styled in a bun and adorned with a gold hairpin, and a rosy and beautiful face, glanced at the person who spoke with her starry eyes.

This richest man's words have a hidden meaning.

Thinking back to the disaster a while ago, I still feel a sense of relief, like I've survived a catastrophe.

However, now that they had reconciled, she couldn't say anything more.

"That's alright. Since Mr. Zhang needs to reconsider, I, the shopkeeper, naturally agree."

"But I also hope that Zhang, the richest man, will not go back to his old ways. After all, things are different now, don't you think?"

Zhang, the richest man, remained calm and showed no signs of anything amiss.

He simply cupped his hands slightly in greeting.

"Manager Fang is really joking. Let bygones be bygones."

To outsiders, their words sounded like sparks colliding, threatening to shatter them at any moment.

The meeting ultimately ended only after everyone agreed to Zhang's decision to postpone it.

After seeing everyone off, Fang Xiaoxiao instructed the shop assistants to close for the day and gave everyone a half-day off.

Once only Zhou Wenjian and Long Jinyan remained in the Lingxi Pavilion, Fang Xiaoxiao's face turned cold as she sat down at the head of the square table.

She carried her teacup, oblivious to the people around her.

At this moment, Zhou Wenjian stood up, looked at his wife with a gentle expression, and said softly.

"My lady, please don't be angry. These merchants are no longer a force to be reckoned with. Even Zhang, the richest man, is just a spent force."

"I know, it's not really because of what the richest man Zhang said that I'm angry, it's just that I'm a little resentful. Why should those people agree with him just because he says he'll consider it?"

As Fang Xiaoxiao finished speaking, she put down her teacup with a bit more force, making a dull thud like ceramic hitting a wooden table.

"boom!"

Li Renyi, who felt guilty, was startled by the sudden noise and trembled all over, unconsciously standing up.

"..."

His action drew everyone's attention.

Murong Changqing was slightly displeased.

In his view, everyone had been helping his wife through this difficult time, while he, Li Renyi, had disappeared without a trace and only returned in a hurry this morning, which was highly suspicious.

"Li Renyi, what have you done that's got you so distracted?"

Li Renyi, who was already feeling somewhat guilty, changed his expression repeatedly upon hearing his words, and even his body trembled involuntarily.

Fortunately, he quickly regained his composure and calmly said.

"I... I had some things to take care of for a while, so I'm sorry, my wife, for not being able to get through this difficult time with everyone."

Seeing that he didn't seem inclined to speak, Fang Xiao waved her hand, indicating that...

"No need for further words, the matter is in the past, and I believe Renyi, you wouldn't lie to me."

"Since everyone is here, I'd like to discuss with you the issue of future store expansion."

In fact, after experiencing life and death so many times, she had already seen through many things.

In particular, these husbands in front of us are only gathered together because of a contract.

As the saying goes, "Husbands and wives are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly away separately."

Moreover, she wasn't actually married to any of them, so she could understand what everyone was thinking.

Li Renyi felt deeply ashamed by her words, but he was unable to tell her anything.

After talking with Zhang the Richest Man that day, he intended to tell Fang Xiaoxiao about the agreement they had reached, but before he could even leave Zhang's mansion, he was imprisoned.

Immediately afterwards, people from his family came, intending to take him back to the Jing'an Marquis's residence in the capital.

If I hadn't feigned stomach upset on the way back to the capital and taken advantage of my servants' inattention to escape, I probably would never have been able to return to this place.

I have bitterness in my heart, but I can't tell anyone.

Li Renyi had no choice but to lower his head dejectedly and sit back down in his original seat with a heavy heart.

Seeing Li Renyi's somewhat unpleasant expression, Fang Xiaoxiao didn't know how to approach him to ask, so she pretended not to see him and continued discussing the next steps with the others.

Unfortunately, after much discussion, they were unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Just as everyone was frowning in worry, the shop door was suddenly pushed open.

The person who arrived was Pei Yan, who had disappeared without a trace at the same time as Li Renyi.

Pei Yan was dressed in a blue robe, with an extremely precious gold-inlaid jade hairpin in his hair.

He remained as aloof as ever, his handsome face framed by icy eyes as he surveyed the crowd.

Fang Xiaoxiao glanced up, then coughed softly as if she hadn't seen anyone.

"Alright, that's enough for today. Everyone, go back to your rooms and rest. You've all had a tough time these past few days."

"It's not hard..."

Long Jinyan and the others stood up, chuckled awkwardly, and waved their hands and shook their heads.

After watching everyone leave, Fang Xiaoxiao looked at Pei Yan with a questioning tone.

"Our young master Pei has finally decided to come home. Have you almost forgotten where home is?"