Chapter 939 - 941: The Mole, The Leak of Fresh Soup Noodles_1
Before long, Little Dengdeng had developed a new habit, toddling along the wall like a little crab to his uncle’s room every day, where he would come up to the bed to watch Little Chenxi.
Sometimes he could stare at Little Chenxi for an entire morning. Worrying he would get tired, Lin Ping’er would lift him onto Wan Caiyue’s bed, allowing him to sit there and watch Little Chenxi. With the company of two adorable children, Wan Caiyue’s confinement was no longer dull and boring.
Beiyu City returned to its usual routine, and Bai Ruozhu began discussing with Fusa the planning of the Weaving Pavilion’s autumn new product press conference.
Having already held two press conferences for Hua Xiangrong, Fusa and the team had gained experience, so organizing wasn’t too troublesome. Moreover, some of the smarter weaving workers at Hua Xiangrong had started designing new styles. Bai Ruozhu established a reward system, offering fifty silver coins for those who can create new models or patterns that get approved. Furthermore, if sales were good, there would be sizeable Red Envelopes awarded monthly based on order performance.
The atmosphere at Hua Xiangrong’s Weaving Pavilion was excellent, and everyone was brimming with enthusiasm. Whenever they weren’t working, they were racking their brains for new designs.
That day, as Bai Ruozhu was busy arranging the press conference at Hua Xiangrong, to her surprise, Zhang Liliang came to see her.
"Uncle Zhang, is there something urgent?" Bai Ruozhu quickly asked, knowing that Zhang Liliang wouldn’t come looking for her without a good reason.
Zhang Liliang called Bai Ruozhu to a secluded place and whispered, "Ruozhu, I’ve received news that others have started producing fresh soup noodles to sell to Yueguang Residence. Yueguang Residence plans to use this batch of fresh soup noodles to attract business."
Bai Ruozhu felt somewhat disheartened upon hearing this, but she had anticipated such a development. If someone determined got their hands on the fresh soup noodles and researched them, it was only a matter of time before they could replicate the product.
"Shouldn’t you tell Shen Lu about this first to avoid any misunderstandings?" Zhang Liliang suggested, concerned.
Bai Ruozhu offered him a reassuring smile and said, "Don’t worry, Uncle Zhang. I am now a shareholder of Yueguang Residence, and Shen Lu knows I wouldn’t undermine my own interests. Besides, we’ve discussed this from the start; we can’t prevent others from attempting to copy us. Moreover, anyone trying to replicate the noodles could not discern the exact recipe just by tasting Yueguang Residence’s dishes. They would need to take some of the fresh soup noodles from Yueguang Residence’s kitchen to study the ingredients."
"I also suspect there’s a mole in Yueguang Residence. You should talk to Shen Lu sooner rather than later," Zhang Liliang said with a face still full of worry.
How could Bai Ruozhu not understand his concerns? If the production of fresh soup noodles were to fail, his efforts would be in vain. What would he do then?
She patted Zhang Liliang on the shoulder, reassuring him, "Don’t worry, Uncle Zhang. I have been working on an improved version of the fresh soup noodles. Even if they figure out our formula, they will be outdone by the upgraded version. Besides, I plan to put you in charge of managing a toy shop. Our family isn’t relying solely on fresh soup noodles for income. We’ll do better by branching out."
Zhang Liliang, having seen the toys Jiang Yichun made for Dengdeng and being a man of some experience from his travels, immediately agreed, saying, "A toy shop is a great idea; it’s sure to be popular. Your dad’s craftsmanship is excellent; he knows how to make those toys. He should be in charge of the toy shop."
"My dad isn’t adept at managing finances or personnel. He’ll assist you, focusing on training workers and ensuring quality," Bai Ruozhu explained.
Even if she insisted, her father would not agree to manage the toy shop, complaining of headaches instead. So, controlling the craftsmanship was best left to him.
Hearing her response, Zhang Liliang voiced no further objections. The Bai Family was pragmatic, and there was no need for Bai Yihong to handle the toy shop just for appearances.
After discussing the toy shop matter with Zhang Liliang for a while, Bai Ruozhu left Hua Xiangrong and went to find Shen Lu at Yueguang Residence.
She didn’t expect that as soon as she spoke about the matter, Shen Lu smiled and said, "I have already heard the news as well, and was just about to find someone to discuss countermeasures with you."
Bai Ruozhu thought that since Shen Lu was a man of the Empress Dowager, he definitely had an information network behind him. If Zhang Liliang could know the news, how could he not?"
"I think we first need to find out who the traitor is, otherwise our subsequent arrangements will also be affected," Bai Ruozhu said.
Shen Lu sighed and replied, "It has already been found out. It’s Chef Liu from Beiyu City’s Welcome Guests, who has been with me for more than a decade. I never thought he would be the one to betray me."
Seeing Shen Lu reveal a look of heartache, Bai Ruozhu hurriedly said, "Master Shen, there’s no need to feel saddened by the betrayal of such a person. If he could betray you, then he never considered you as a master nor a friend. It’s better to see his true colors sooner rather than later."
"True, you think more clearly than I do, young lady. However, considering the many years he has served me, I didn’t punish him harshly, only asking him to leave," Shen Lu said, still unable to help but sigh.
Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips, "You are too soft-hearted. But soon, he will become the head chef at Moon Watching Residence, and our signature dishes will also begin appearing there."
Shen Lu clearly had thought of this too, but he simply couldn’t be harsh to Chef Liu.
"Master Shen, have you forgotten that Welcome Guests isn’t your personal enterprise but is run on behalf of someone else? You might be lenient with him, but as a disloyal servant, others certainly won’t be," Bai Ruozhu reminded him.
Shen Lu’s face turned a few shades paler. The Empress Dowager was easy to talk to, but as Bai Ruozhu said, Welcome Guests was not his personal business, and he couldn’t allow his leniency to ruin the Empress Dowager’s affairs.
"Ruozhu, thank you for the reminder. I know what I have to do," Shen Lu said, this time without a hint of sorrow, his gaze growing ever more resolute.
Chef Liu was a disloyal servant, whose betrayal caused Shen Lu pain. Therefore, Shen Lu could not afford to be a disloyal servant himself and disappoint the Empress Dowager.
"So, what kind of background does the Yao Family have, daring to provoke me at this time? They really seem to have some nerve," Bai Ruozhu asked with a smile.
Now that the turmoil in Beiyu City had settled, Jiang Yichun, Tu Lie, and Wu Yunfeng had been credited with great contributions, with Jiang Yichun being the most meritorious. In recent days, it was a must for the city’s aristocrats to invite Jiang Yichun to their banquets. Although he declined most of them, citing his busy schedule, the hosts would feel a great honor if he chose to attend anyone’s party.
The gatherings of noblewomen also frequently invited Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu had attended several, and each time the hostess would lead her to sit in the seat of honor, signifying her status in Beiyu City.
Of course, some looked down on the backgrounds of Jiang Yichun and Bai Ruozhu, especially certain aristocrats who felt that the couple, hailing from humble civilian origins, should not be considered equals to the nobility. However, these thoughts remained internal, as no one wanted to trouble Jiang Yichun and Bai Ruozhu at this critical juncture. Thus, the background of the Yao Family warranted serious consideration.
Shen Lu glanced outside, ensuring that their conversation was secure, before lowering his voice and saying, "The Yao Family once produced an eminent personality—the unparalleled physician, Young Master Yao."
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These past few days I have been accompanying my child at kindergarten, even playing games together. My old back is nearly giving out. Today’s update is a little later, and there are three more to come. I’ll get them out as quickly as I can~