Chapter 1194: Interest

Editor: Henyee Translations

Zhao Shu’s face lit up with joy – he had finally achieved his goal of speaking with Officer Shao and Madame Shao. This moment had been long in the making, and he had meticulously planned for it.

For a considerable time, Zhao Shu had yearned to establish contact with them, but circumstances never permitted it. Fearful of the government office, he had to devise an alternative approach.

Now, an opportunity presented itself, and they had to seize it.

Upon concluding their conversation, to Zhao Shu’s delight, Officer Shao and Madame Shao even agreed to chat with him. Although this gesture might not have meant much to others, for him, it signified a significant stride forward.

Overwhelmed with joy, Zhao Shu could barely contain his excitement.

As they strolled into town and settled at the intermediate tea house, Zhao Shu exchanged some polite words with Shao Yunduan before inquiring, “I have one question – why is Young Master Zhao investigating us?”

To Zhao Shu’s dismay, even Shao Yunduan’s wife had discovered this matter.

Shao Yunduan approached the situation with great caution, which led him to agree to this meeting with Zhao Shu.

Zhao Shu rose from his seat and offered another respectful bow, his smile tinged with bitterness. “Officer, I assure you, I have no malicious intent. My father is the wealthiest man in Yangzhou, ranking among the top three in the entire south. I happened to catch sight of some lipsticks and became quite curious. So, I sent someone to inquire about them. Later, I discovered you were in the capital, and as I needed to head there myself…”

Amused by the situation, he chuckled and decided to establish a friendly connection with them.

Qiao Xuan’s curiosity was piqued. “That’s quite intriguing. How did you come to know that I am involved in making lipsticks?”

Yuezheng Xiao was careful not to divulge Ms. Mi Junior’s suspicions, given her lack of evidence and her vulnerable position under First Madame’s control. There was no way Zhao Shu should have known about this, especially when nobody else was aware of it.

Bashfully, Zhao Shu replied, “It’s merely a guess on my part.”

“Young Master Yuezheng must not have produced the lipstick himself; otherwise, the Yuezheng Family would have found a way to expand its production. He kept it a secret to protect the mastermind behind it. Furthermore, he associates closely with them, and considering the abundance of roses, Chinese roses, red and blue flowers in the first section of the Yuezheng Family, I am certain that the lipstick must be somehow related to them.”

“It’s highly probable that Madame Shao is involved, given the similar situation with the first section of the Shao Family.”

“Of course, please understand that this is just my speculation, and I have never shared this with anyone…”

“I understand,” Shao Yunduan responded. “You aren’t interested in venturing into this business, are you? Keep in mind that we only collaborate with the Yuezheng Family. If they have any remaining opportunities, you can approach them directly.”

Zhao Shu shook his head and waved his hands, saying, “No, no. That’s not what I meant. I simply hold deep admiration for Fifth Madame Shao’s remarkable capabilities. If you can work with the Yuezheng Family, would you consider involving me as well? I have substantial financial resources!”

Qiao Xuan inwardly mused about Zhao Shu’s wealth, considering his father’s status as the richest man in Yangzhou.

Qiao Xuan couldn’t quite decipher Zhao Shu’s intentions, but the fact that he was from the south and not from the capital was a favorable aspect for Qiao Xuan. The capital’s intermediate families were known for their vast wealth and intricate connections with various influential figures.

Perhaps Zhao Shu had connections to the Fourth Prince or the Tian Family, among other prominent figures.