The young maidservant seized the opportunity and chimed in, "Not just the 'Du Yi Wei' restaurant, but the He family's mansion in the back must also be confiscated."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoning immediately nodded and said, "Guo Chuan, go and expel the He family. This mansion will also be given to Miss Yue. From now on, the He family is forbidden to step foot in Xiaoxiao Town."
Liu Rumei glanced at the maidservant and secretly gave her a thumbs-up. Despite her usual scatterbrained demeanor, her reaction at this crucial moment was indeed quick. With this, all of the He family's assets had now become Feng Xiaoyue's.
After settling everything, Feng Xiaoyue smiled and thanked Princess Zhaoning, Chen Xiaobei, and the others.
"Your Highness, you've been busy all day. Please have dinner at 'Du Yi Wei' today as a token of my gratitude."
Princess Zhaoning was naturally very willing to stay, "Oh, yes, yes. I've stayed long enough at Centipede Ridge."
While Feng Xiaoyue busied herself preparing the banquet, Yao Sheng in the 'Sihai Restaurant' was dejected.
A waiter poured him a bowl of tea and asked cautiously, "Shopkeeper, why are you so unhappy?"
Yao Sheng sighed, "Alas, in the past, with Miss Xiaoyue around, I could be a hands-off shopkeeper. But now that Miss Xiaoyue has opened her own restaurant, I'm afraid our business will all follow her from now on."
The waiter quickly chimed in to comfort him, "Shopkeeper, that might not be the case. After all, our chefs at 'Sihai Restaurant' were hired at a great expense. Regular customers still prefer our taste."
Yao Sheng nodded, "Go and tell everyone to be more enthusiastic with the customers from now on and to smile more."
It had to be said that Yao Sheng's concerns were valid. At noon, the 'Du Yi Wei' restaurant was packed.
Normally, if 'Du Yi Wei' could fill up to seventy to eighty percent on a usual day, it would be considered good business. But today, crowds of people filled the place, and people were waiting outside to get a table.
Princess Zhaoning stood in a private room on the third floor, looking at the bustling crowd below. She turned to Chen Xiaobei, who was standing beside her, "This Xiaoyue is truly a business prodigy."
Chen Xiaobei smiled, "Miss Xiaoyue is serious in whatever she does and gives her all."
Hearing his praise, Princess Zhaoning also smiled, "This is the first time I've heard you praise someone like this."
Chen Xiaobei bowed again, "Your Highness is too kind."
Princess Zhaoning looked at him and asked thoughtfully, "Brother Xiaobei, I've been thinking that staying cooped up at Centipede Ridge every day is not a long-term solution."
"I'm thinking of opening a restaurant here myself. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei did not answer immediately. Based on his understanding of the princess, she was someone who lacked patience for any endeavor and would likely get bored with running a restaurant in a few days. Opening a restaurant here would make her a competitor to Feng Xiaoyue.
In his past life, there was a saying that competitors are enemies. If she stayed in this town for too long, the princess might not be able to treat Feng Xiaoyue with a neutral attitude. It would be better to nip this situation in the bud.
With this thought, Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists and said, "Your Highness, although Miss Xiaoyue's restaurant is doing well now, most of the other restaurants in town are doing mediocre business. Her situation probably won't last long."
"There aren't many people in town. It mainly relies on passing merchants."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Princess Zhaoning's face showed a hint of disappointment. She sighed, "Then, according to your opinion, what should I do?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled and said, "Your Highness, in terms of food, clothing, and shelter, Miss Xiaoyue has taken care of food. You can do the rest."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Princess Zhaoning pondered for a moment, then slapped the table, "Then I'll do all the other things. Tell me, what do I need to do?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei exchanged a look, both chuckling slightly. Indeed, wealth made one willful.
But willful or not, since the princess had asked, they had to explain.
"Your Highness, you could open an inn and a shop selling shoes and clothes."
"It would be best to also open a general store selling various daily necessities."
After hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Princess Zhaoning nodded, "Hmm, that's settled. Help me scout for suitable locations in town later."
Chen Xiaobei smiled. He pointed downstairs and said, "Your Highness, regarding this matter, you should speak with Miss Xiaoyue. She is very familiar with the town."
While they were discussing heatedly, Fang Jun sat there, silent.
At this moment, Liu Rumei also noticed Fang Jun's state. She nudged Chen Xiaobei with her elbow and then gestured towards Fang Jun with her eyes.
Chen Xiaobei followed her gaze and found Fang Jun with his head bowed, motionless as a clay statue.
Chen Xiaobei could roughly guess Fang Jun's thoughts. Being embarrassed in town was a great loss of face for a scholar.
With this in mind, he coughed lightly, "Fang Jun, it's all in the past. You've also killed He Zhen, and your honor is restored. There's no need to be dejected."
Fang Jun looked up upon hearing this and let out a heavy sigh, "Although you say that, how will I face people in the future?"
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei stood up and walked to Fang Jun's side, gently patting his shoulder, "I once heard a story about an ancient general. Before he became famous, he was bullied by some ruffians from the neighborhood. Some people even spread their legs, telling him to crawl between them."
"But this general did not stoop to their level. He obediently crawled between the man's legs. Later, this man became a great general."
"'A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm.'"
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, a flicker of excitement appeared in Fang Jun's eyes.
"Brother Xiaobei, what you said is truly profound. A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm."
A hint of excitement appeared on Fang Jun's face.
Chen Xiaobei gently patted his shoulder, "Her Highness helped you resolve this matter. Shouldn't you propose a toast?"
Fang Jun then hurriedly stood up and raised his wine cup, "Brother speaks the truth. Your Highness, it was Fang Jun who was disrespectful. Please forgive me."
Princess Zhaoning smiled and raised her wine cup, "Alas, why are you being so formal with me? If anything else happens in the future, you can come directly to Centipede Ridge to find me."
As they were speaking, the door creaked open, and Feng Xiaoyue entered, followed by two waiters, each holding a tray with three to four dishes.
Feng Xiaoyue bowed to Princess Zhaoning with a smile, "Your Highness, there are too many guests downstairs today, I apologize for the neglect!"
Princess Zhaoning waved her hand, "No rush, no rush. Serve the guests first. It doesn't matter if we eat a little earlier or later."
Feng Xiaoyue smiled and placed the dishes from the waiters onto the table.
Then, she bowed again, "Your Highness, please eat slowly. I will come back later."