Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 443: Bribery_1

Chapter 443: Chapter 443: Bribery_1

In the study room, Shen Wenchen’s brow was knitted with concern. Liu Jie by his side wouldn’t even dare to breathe for fear of disturbing him. He quietly lowered his head, waiting for Shen’s orders.

They had received a message from Kyoto in the morning. Someone had suffered from an unexpected relapse and was now unconscious. Previously the second prince had been demoted to the status of a commoner, and the third prince had similarly lost his royal status. There was chaos in the palace now.

This meant, they couldn’t count on any reinforcements from the palace. They could only rely on themselves.

In Yan City, there were more than two hundred thousand civilians and only about three thousand troops. If it came to a point where their resources were enumerated, they wouldn’t be able to hold out.

"Sir, the Lady is here."

The butler standing outside the door, seeing Nanzhi approaching, struggled with himself for a moment before gently knocking on the door.

The master was busy with important matters in the study room, but the Lady’s affairs were of equal importance. Having pondered for a moment, he ended up not stopping her.

He knew very well how much the master cherished the Lady.

His usually stern eyebrows relaxed at the news from outside.

"Please let the Lady in," Shen Wenchen said, concealing the fatigue on his face.

He didn’t want Nannan to worry. The issue of food provisions was burdensome enough as it is. Let him bear the other burdens himself.

"Wenchen!" The smile in Nanzhi’s eyes threatened to overflow, making her face exceedingly radiant.

"Nannan, what good news has made you so happy?"

Seeing his wife, Shen Wenchen’s eyes filled with deep affection. The chill in the room seemed to thaw in an instant.

"It’s nothing big, just...the baby in my belly, it moved just now."

Nanzhi only then noticed Liu Jie in the corner, and she gave him an embarrassed nod.

The butler hadn’t said anything before announcing her, so she had thought Shen Wenchen was the only one in the study room...

Thinking about how she had carelessly barged in, Nanzhi’s face felt as if it was on fire.

Liu Jie was smart. His task was done, and there was no need for him to stay in the study room any longer. He looked at Shen Wenchen before quietly leaving.

After hearing her words, Shen Wenchen’s eyes lit up with disbelief.

"Is, is it? The baby moved?"

Lifting his hand to gently touch Nanzhi’s protruding belly, Shen Wenchen’s eyes were filled with anticipation.

When Nannan had been pregnant with Zhiyu, he had been somewhat lazy and rarely moved.

When he finally did feel the baby move, Zhiyu would fall quiet whenever it was Shen’s turn to feel.

"Mm."

Nanzhi softened a bit seeing the wonder on his face.

Her husband too, was like a child.

Perhaps sensing the change in temperature, the baby in her stomach moved again, precisely touching the palm of Shen Wenchen.

"Nannan, he, he moved..."

Shen Wenchen’s peach blossom eyes widened, his handsome face was filled with confusion.

"He recognizes you as his daddy," Nanzhi’s eyes curved in amusement.

"He’s a clever baby."

Shen Wenchen sighed with sentiment, before pulling Nanzhi into his arms.

"Nannan, it’s wonderful."

Now with his wife and child by his side, it truly was wonderful.

He was no longer the indecisive and solitary General he had been in his past life. Now, he had to protect his wife and child, as well as the people of Yan City.

On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month.

The city that had been quiet for several days finally started bustling again today.

The thick accumulated snow had been swept away, revealing the bluestone roads. Various lanterns were lit again, illuminating the dark night.

There were rumors in the city.

The farmers outside the city were experiencing a rat plague. The fields had become a problem as well, not only unable to grow crops but also giving off a suspicious stench.

Shen Wenchen had sent people out of the city to eradicate the rats, but the results were negligible, even instigating the rats to become more aggressive.

Having exhausted all options and even the most potent rat poison proving ineffective, Shen Wenchen could only lead his men to exterminate the rats.

The rats were all dark-furred, their eyes the size of green beans, glowing with a reddish light. Their long tails dragging behind them made them look particularly disgusting.

Despite declaring a gag order on the situation, the continued chaos over half a month and increased scrutiny at the city gates led even the most obtuse of people to realize that something was awry.

Once this came to light, the business at Yan City’s grain shops started booming.

In what should have been a golden opportunity to make money, there was one obstruction--"Ms. Lin’s Grain Shop". The City Lord’s wife was selling rice at five wen per pound. How could the common people outbid her?

Although they didn’t spend much on these grains, they could have earned more money. But, due to Nanzhi’s position, they earned 30% less than their potential earnings.

Initially, it was said that the shop was newly opened, hence the prices were kept low. They thought it was just a matter for three days, but now almost half a month had passed, and the prices at the grain shop were still low. So, some people couldn’t sit still any longer.

"Old Brother, might you have a moment to spare?"

The business had been good these days and Uncle Ping was disoriented from all the work. Finally getting a break, he heard someone ask from beside him.

"You are..." Uncle Ping put down his water bowl and took a good look at the person sitting by him.

"I am the manager of the grain shop across the street." The grain shop manager said with a plastered smile, and even respectfully bowed.

He decided it would be wise not to provoke Uncle Ping, considering his high standing.

He was convinced that Nanzhi was a naive woman who understood nothing about business. He was certain the entire shop was managed by Uncle Ping and decided to treat him with respect.

"Oh, it’s Manager Wang. My apologies." Uncle Ping courteously returned the greeting. His heart, however, had already guessed the real issue at hand.

The people of Yan City were currently restless. The public liveliness was merely a facade, disguising their unwillingness to accept reality. The private hoarding of grains, however, was a tacit fact.

The arrival of the grain shop manager could only mean questions about grain prices.

After all, if the prices in his own shop were low, they definitely wouldn’t dare to go high.

"Uncle Ping, I’ve got something I’d like to consult with you."

As Manager Wang was speaking, he took out a bulging money purse from his bag, and handed it over to Uncle Ping with a smile.

"Oh? What would Manager Wang like to know?" Uncle Ping did not hesitate, he accepted the purse immediately and put it into his own pocket.

Seemingly taken aback that he would accept the money right away, Manager Wang was at a loss for a moment.

It took him quite a while to regain his composure before stuttering his question.

"It, it’s about the price." The false smile on Manager Wang’s face almost drooping.

"Well, in the beginning we announced that, because the shop was new, the prices would be at a discount. But now it has been nearly half a month, do you know when the prices will go back up?"

After hearing this, Uncle Ping showed a pained expression, sighing before finally saying, "This isn’t something I can decide. The original prices were set by our boss. She’s been resting at home these past few days, so I haven’t received any instructions about changing the prices. I can only continue to sell at these current prices."

Upon hearing Uncle Ping’s words, the smile on Manager Wang’s face almost immediately collapsed.

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