Chapter 17: Shadows of sabotage

The Imperial Beauty Shop was thriving, its shelves adorned with products that had become the talk of the capital. The shop's reputation, bolstered by the emperor's personal gift of the “Imperial Beauty” banner, had grown far beyond what Silla had expected. Nobles and merchants alike flocked to her store, eager to purchase her innovative cosmetics, fragrances, and skincare products. However, success often came with enemies.

Across the city, Konga, Silla's stepmother, sat seething in her rented courtyard residence. The disgrace of being thrown out of the Lee estate, combined with the recent humiliation of her daughter Ludy’s disastrous marriage to Xia Shui, had left her bitter. Her only hope lay in her remaining children, Nian Dou and Gou, who she believed could still bring her honor.

Konga's hatred for Silla burned hotter with each passing day. She blamed her stepdaughter for every misfortune that had befallen her family. Now, seeing Silla's business thriving while she lived in disgrace was more than she could bear. It was time to strike back.

“We will ruin her,” Konga spat to her son and daughter as they sat around the table. “If she thinks she can escape unscathed, she is sorely mistaken.”

Gou, ever eager to please his mother, offered his connections among the merchant class. “I know a supplier who delivers raw materials to her shop. If we bribe him, he can tamper with her products—ruin their quality. Customers will abandon her in droves.”

Konga’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Do it,” she said.

Meanwhile, Nian Dou played her part, spreading whispers among noble circles that Silla’s products were dangerous. “I heard Lady Wang developed rashes after using one of her face creams,” Nian Dou lied to a group of ladies at a tea party. “And the scent of her perfume—it’s so overwhelming, I hear it makes people faint.” The ladies gasped, the seeds of doubt taking root.

At the Imperial Beauty Shop, Silla was blissfully unaware of the plot against her. Her focus was on the launch of a new product line inspired by the blooming flowers of the capital. Each product was meticulously crafted, from the vibrant pigments of lip balms to the delicate floral notes of her perfumes.

However, as the launch approached, strange things began to happen. Customers returned products, complaining of odd smells and strange textures. One noblewoman, furious after developing a rash, stormed into the shop and demanded compensation.

Silla’s sharp mind immediately sensed that something was wrong. She inspected the returned products and noticed that the ingredients seemed off. Using the advanced analysis tool linked to her implant, she identified foreign contaminants in the raw materials. This wasn’t a mistake—it was sabotage.

Her cousin, Pei Tian, was the first to hear of her discovery. “Someone is trying to ruin you,” he said, his voice grim. “Do you have any idea who might be behind this?”

Silla’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t need to guess. Only Konga would stoop so low.

That evening, under the cover of darkness, Silla and Pei Tian led a group of trusted employees to the supplier’s warehouse. The air was thick with tension as they approached the building. Inside, they found barrels of tampered ingredients, the same ones delivered to her shop.

Silla’s voice was cold and commanding as she confronted the supplier. “Who paid you to do this?” she demanded.

The supplier, a thin, nervous man, trembled under her gaze. “It was a woman,” he stammered. “She said her name was Konga. She offered me gold—more than I could refuse.”

Silla’s fury burned bright, but she kept her composure. She ordered the tampered materials destroyed and the supplier detained.

“You’ll confess publicly,” she told him. “And you’ll name Konga as your conspirator.”

The next morning, Silla held a press conference in the marketplace, inviting noble customers, merchants, and curious onlookers. With Pei Tian at her side, she revealed the supplier’s confession. The man tearfully admitted to his crimes, naming Konga as the mastermind behind the sabotage.

The crowd buzzed with shock and outrage. Konga’s reputation, already fragile, was shattered.

“I built this shop with integrity and dedication,” Silla said, her voice ringing clear. “No amount of scheming will bring me down.”

Among the crowd was Crown Prince Wei Cheng, who had come incognito to witness the event. His admiration for Silla deepened as he watched her handle the situation with poise and determination.

When the crowd dispersed, Wei Cheng approached her. “You handled that brilliantly,” he said, his tone warm.

Silla bowed respectfully. “Your Highness honors me with his presence.”

Wei Cheng smiled, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer than necessary. “I will continue to support your endeavors. Your resilience is a gift to this empire.”

As he left, Silla couldn’t shake the feeling that his words carried a deeper meaning.

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