Lu Heng’s ordinary complaint caused all the dissatisfied head shopkeepers to shudder involuntarily.

They all reminded themselves not to forget what kind of status their counterpart held. Venting emotions momentarily was acceptable, but the consequences that would follow were not something they could bear.

However, they had raised grain prices so high only after listening to Lu Heng’s words. Now, compared with Sitong Trading Company, they had become unscrupulous merchants lacking in benevolence and righteousness.

“Exactly, it’s all Sitong Trading Company’s fault for being so uncooperative,” Shopkeeper Cui said sincerely.

Lu Heng then asked, “Now that Sitong is selling grain at that price, what do you plan to do?”

“My Lord, what do you think we should do?” Shopkeeper Liu asked courageously.

Lu Heng said, “What else? If you don’t lower prices, you can only think of ways to store it carefully. If you want to sell it, you’ll have to match Sitong Trading Company’s prices at least.”

The logic was simple, but the high-priced rice had been selling well, and now they suddenly had to lower it back – this felt like cutting flesh with a knife.

“We don’t know how Sitong Trading Company has such divine powers, where they got grain at this price from. Heavy rains are falling across the entire country now. When grain comes in later, it won’t be like the current situation. Let’s see how long they can hold out.”

“Right. Our current purchase prices can support selling at the same price as Sitong Trading Company, but I’m afraid if floods occur later, it will be difficult to manage then.”

After all, they were different from Sitong Trading Company – they specialized in the grain business, while Sitong Trading Company only did it as a side business.

Everyone present was shrewd and in business, so they understood the key points with just a little thought. Competing with Sitong Trading Company seemed beyond their capabilities.

Currently among this group, only the Lu family had the ability to contend with Sitong Trading Company.

Everyone looked at Lu Heng with eager eyes.

But Lu Heng just smiled, stood up and said, “I still have official duties today, so I must cut this short.”

Everyone was stunned. The matter wasn’t resolved, yet the Earl was seeing them off – what could this mean? It could only mean that in this matter, they would have to fend for themselves from now on and couldn’t keep pestering the Earl for solutions.

Indeed, they had raised prices after listening to the Earl’s suggestion, but he hadn’t held a knife to their throats to force them. Even if they were dissatisfied now, there was nothing they could do.

Moreover, given his status as head of the Lu clan, an Earl, and the local county magistrate – where would they find the courage to question him?

Since they couldn’t resist such power, everyone put on smiling faces.

Shopkeeper Cui was the first to stand up and say, “Ah, we’ve delayed My Lord for so long. It was inconsiderate of us.”

“Yes, My Lord was kind enough to spare time to help us merchants strategize. We are extremely grateful,” Shopkeeper Liu also said.

After the others suppressed their shock and dismay, they finally came to their senses and chimed in one after another: “Thank you, My Lord.”

Seeing how sensible they were, Lu Heng smiled and instructed Lu Wenru to see the guests out.

Lu Wenru emerged from the corner and escorted these people out of the front hall. Watching them walk away, he secretly shook his head.

Lu Wenru was very worried that Lu Heng would fly into a rage. Having followed the Earl for this period, even though he wasn’t always victorious, he had rarely seen him fail, whether in business or in the power struggles between families. The Earl’s methods could be called iron-blooded. Yet now he had stumbled before Prince Zhongshun’s consort, a mere woman.

Normally, when a man was played by a woman, who could be willing? Who wouldn’t feel ashamed?

Lu Wenru stood at the door, hesitating for a long time before stepping into the room, determined to minimize his presence and hide quietly in a corner.

Who would have thought that upon entering, Lu Wenru would see Lu Heng pacing slowly around the room with his hands behind his back, his steps light and quick, wearing a smile, looking quite pleased.

Lu Heng glanced at Lu Wenru: “Have you seen everyone off?”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Mm. What did you think of their mood?”

Lu Wenru thought for a moment and spoke honestly: “They were all angry but didn’t dare speak up.”

Lu Heng chuckled and nodded: “Right, you hit the nail on the head. They’re angry but don’t dare speak – that doesn’t matter. Don’t look at how disappointed they feel this time, thinking they didn’t make money. But if there’s business in the future and we look for them, they’ll still eagerly come running.”

Lu Wenru smiled and nodded: “Yes.”

“I saw you pause when you entered just now. Are you surprised I’m not furious?”

Lu Wenru quickly shook his head: “This servant wouldn’t dare.”

Lu Heng laughed: “You’re just too nervous and cautious. I don’t mean to blame you. You’re my personal attendant – surely we can chat casually?”

“Chatting casually with Master is this servant’s blessing.”

Lu Heng then said: “Guess what I’m happy about now?”

Lu Wenru thought to himself: The Earl has been played like this, yet he can still smile. I’m afraid he’s been driven mad with anger?

But he absolutely wouldn’t dare say this aloud.

“My Lord must have concluded some other business deal?”

Lu Heng shook his head and walked to the window, using his finger to play with the fluffy thin leaves of the bamboo plant: “Just thinking about competing with the Qin family makes my whole body excited.”

Lu Wenru suddenly understood – so the Earl wasn’t angry about being schemed against by Prince Zhongshun’s consort, but was actually excited?

It seemed the Earl was deeply infatuated with Prince Zhongshun’s consort.

Lu Wenru didn’t dare comment carelessly on his master’s feelings, yet he couldn’t avoid accompanying the conversation, so he racked his brains to come up with the most appropriate response.

“Prince Zhongshun’s consort is an extremely intelligent and beautiful woman. That she can compete with you is her good fortune.”

“It’s also fate.” Lu Heng’s voice was ethereal, his eyes gentle.

His love for Qin Yining had never diminished. Instead, it increased with the time he spent in contact with Bian Ruohan. With Qin Yining as the pearl and jade beside him, how could he be moved by any other woman? His lifetime of love was tied only to Qin Yining alone.

When his heart was devoted to one person, even if that person was his enemy, he only felt anticipation and excitement.

“Do you so want to help Pang Zhixi?” Lu Heng gently played with the bamboo leaves, murmuring: “Fine, I’ll play with you. Play until you’re satisfied.”

Lu Wenru beside him was so frightened he didn’t dare make a sound.

Because in his eyes, Lu Heng’s current state looked somewhat frightening, as if he had already become obsessed to the point of madness over one woman.

Lu Heng didn’t take the merchants to heart, didn’t care about their thoughts, and didn’t concern himself with how they would ultimately handle their grain.

Because of Sitong Trading Company’s intervention, some grain shops had no choice but to lower their grain prices. Grain prices in Huichuan County experienced a brief recovery.

However, the rain that had been lingering for over a month still showed no signs of stopping. Large areas of farmland were waterlogged with nowhere to drain, and many farming families’ originally fertile land had now become vast marshes. There were even cases of neighbors fighting each other and ending up in court over drainage that flooded the other’s land.

After reading the court reports, Qin Yining’s brow remained furrowed.

Head Shopkeeper Zhong came to the manor today to reconcile accounts with Qin Yining, and he too was filled with exhaustion.