bookrebus Chapter 495 Do you really think you can beat me?
Chapter 495 Do you really think you can beat me?
After saying that, he walked in holding Bai Wanwan. Those people wanted to break in again, but were stopped by the guards at the door.
Bai Wanwan took Bai Qiaoniang's hand and said, "Mom, those are bad people. Will you feel bad?"
Bai Qiaoniang touched Bai Wanwan's head and said:
"Of course I feel bad. I don't understand why they have always been prejudiced against me since I am also their daughter.
They treated other children differently. When they were little, they could eat anything delicious, but they wouldn’t let me.”
Bai Wanwan looked at her and said, "Mother, you're not their biological child, are you?"
Bai Qiaoniang shook her head and said:
“I was quite skeptical at the time, but I asked the midwife who delivered the baby.
She said she was the one who delivered me. When I was born, I was as small as a cat and she thought I couldn’t survive!
Bai Wanwan sighed and said, "It would be great if mom wasn't from the Zhao family. They would only bully you."
Bai Qiaoniang shook her head and said, "I'm not afraid of them bullying me now. They can't do anything to me. At most, they can gossip about me behind my back."
The most important thing for Bai Qiaoniang and Mrs. Bai now is to participate in the competition. This competition is related to whether their cloth shop can make more money.
The city of Bianjing was bustling with activity. On the day of the Imperial Merchant Competition, Suzaku Street was packed with people.
More than 120 famous silk and satin shops from all over the country came, each pulling several carts of their best silk and satin, and lined up in long queues waiting to enter.
Everyone knew that this match was related to whether or not they could supply goods to the palace in the future, so no one dared to be careless.
Eight guards in shining armor gave each silk shop a token.
Then, more than twenty court officials dressed in red and purple uniforms walked in.
These people were in charge of silk and embroidery in the palace, and the highest-ranking official was a third-rank assistant minister.
He stood on the stage and loudly announced the rules of the game:
"This year's Imperial Merchant Competition is divided into three stages: the first stage is to test new patterns, the second stage is to test embroidery skills, and the final stage is to present tribute.
Anyone who commits fraud will be expelled from the business community and never employed again!"
The first cloth shop in Bianjing was the first to bring out new patterns. Qingyu looked at Madam Bai calmly and said, "I didn't expect you to actually dare to participate in the Imperial Merchant Competition. Do you really think you can beat me?"
Madam Bai sneered and said, "Whether you can win or not, we'll know after the competition is over."
“Heh…Su Wan’er, if I were you, I would just withdraw from the competition obediently to avoid being slapped in the face.
What will you do then if no one in the entire Bianjing city is willing to buy your clothes?" Qingyu said sarcastically.
Bai Qiaoniang looked at her and said, "You keep saying this. Aren't you afraid of losing to us this time?"
"Haha, am I afraid of losing to you? Don't you even look at the quality of your cloth? Only poor people who can't afford clothes go to your store.
"It's not up to par, it's not up to par. Thinking you can outshine us by offering a low price is simply wishful thinking," Qingyu replied loudly.
The crowd started chattering.
Someone stretched his neck towards the center of the field and said:
"The reputation of Bianjing's No. 1 cloth shop is well-deserved. Which official or wealthy family doesn't use their fabrics?
This time, they will most likely take the top spot."
Several guys nearby nodded:
"That's right! We're a small business, so we're thankful to be able to stay in the top three.
Their designs are constantly being updated, and we can’t even keep up even if we try to copy them.”
"The best thing is the feel of the fabric, which is soft yet strong.
I don't know what kind of fancy loom they use, but the fabric we weave the old way just doesn't feel smooth enough to the touch." Someone sighed as they spoke.
"Oh my, who's so brave? Daring to challenge the number one village in Bianjing?"
"You don't know yet? This is Jinxiu Silk Shop! I heard it has a new owner and has been completely renovated inside and out.
It was insignificant before, but I wonder if it’s really something now.”
Someone in the crowd murmured again:
"No matter how powerful you are, can you compare to Qingyu, the owner of the number one cloth shop in Bianjing?
Her embroidery was a huge hit last year, so is there any need to guess the outcome of this competition?
After hearing this, Qingyu smiled brightly and turned to Madam Bai and said:
"Listen, Junior Sister, everyone in Bianjing knows the capabilities of our cloth shop.
There's nothing we can do about it. Our looms are the most advanced in the entire continent.
What can you compare with us? I advise you to admit defeat as soon as possible and go home to take care of your children!
Madam Bai sneered, "What are you so proud of?"
Qingyu laughed loudly and said:
"There's nothing to be proud of! But I'm better than you. I'm better than you in everything. Have you seen my son and daughter?
I have two sons, one passed the examination to become a scholar, and the other is about to take the examination to become a juren!
After they got married, they gave me several fat grandchildren, all of whom were smart and clever, especially my eldest grandson who was fifteen years old.
In a few days, we will take the examination for the title of Tongsheng, and who knows, the title of the top scholar may fall on our family!"
She changed the subject and pointed at Madam Bai and sneered:
"Look at you again! Your son is gone, and you don't even know if your daughter is dead or alive. You brought this upon yourself!
Who told you to go against that person in the palace?"
Madam Bai looked at her and said, "Qingyu, are you working for Su Daji now?"
Qing Yu laughed heartily and said, "Do you understand now? I advise you not to fight with the current Empress. You can't win."
Madam Bai nodded and said, "Okay, I understand..."
After saying that, he took Bai Qiaoniang and Bai Wanwan away, and they sat in the teahouse upstairs.
Bai Qiaoniang said angrily, "Mother, what right does she have to say that to you?"
Madam Bai took a sip of tea and said:
"I'm tired of hearing these words. She can say whatever she wants to say. I'm not angry.
These are all means they use to deliberately provoke me, in order to use these things to defeat me.
I won't be fooled, especially since I have grandchildren now."
Qingyu also sat in the teahouse drinking tea:
"Su Wan'er has become smarter now. She used to get really excited when this was mentioned.
But now he is as steady as an old dog, but he can never compare to us."
The maidservant next to her said, "We have the Empress's support, so who is she?"
Qing Yu sneered and said, "That's true. Our looms are famously advanced. How could anyone possibly surpass us?"
"Yes, yes, yes! You have the best taste, there will definitely be no problem." The maid complimented with a smile.
The Royal Merchants Competition has begun, and more than one hundred cloth shops lined up to submit their own cloth samples.
The examiners held magnifying glasses in their hands and carefully examined each piece of cloth to see if the stitches were dense, the patterns were new, and the feel was good. If there was anything wrong, the cloth would be removed on the spot.
The atmosphere on the scene was extremely tense. The eliminated cloth shop clerks could only move the cloth away in shame, while those who passed quickly sorted out the samples and waited for the next round.
After this round of screening, only ten companies remained out of more than a hundred.
The cloths from these ten families were sent to several high-ranking officials, who gathered together, touching the cloths over and over again and looking at the patterns.