The old madam and Madam Zhang both had faces as dark as iron. “Damn it—when did that Xu woman become so sharp-tongued?”
The old madam looked at Madam Xu with irritation and anger, and in the end she didn’t even bother arguing anymore. She simply sat there drinking tea in silence.
Madam Zhang was the same. Her eyes flickered—sometimes cold, sometimes vicious, sometimes regretful. Damn it… why didn’t she manage to kill these two women?
After Steward Liu finished counting, she said, “Madam, the pink pearls and hairpin that Miss Feifei took yesterday are not included.”
Madam Xu turned to Madam Zhang with a smile. “Sister-in-law, will you have Feifei send them over, or will you make up fifteen thousand taels of silver?”
Madam Zhang closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steady herself. “I’ll have someone send them to your courtyard this afternoon.”
She had not expected Madam Xu to be so precise, leaving her no room to maneuver. Her daughter liked those items and didn’t want to return them—but she truly could not produce any more silver.
She would have to take them back from her daughter later.
“Good.” Madam Xu nodded.
Lin Youyou also finished checking. “Mother, the silver notes are correct, but the land deeds for the estates are missing.”
“Second sister-in-law,” Madam Xu said again with a smile.
Madam Zhang gritted her teeth. “I’ll send them over this afternoon as well.”
“Alright,” Madam Xu replied pleasantly. “I’ll be waiting.”
Then she turned to the old madam. “Mother, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
“Go, go,” the old madam waved impatiently, rubbing her forehead. “Just go. Don’t stay here and upset me.”
“Yes.” Madam Xu curtseyed.
Once she straightened up, her expression cooled. She ordered the guards she had brought, “Take it away.”
“Yes!” The guards responded and carried out box after box of jewels and silver.
Steward Liu and Lin Youyou followed behind with the land deeds and bank notes.
The old madam pressed a hand to her chest and groaned, “A disaster… I must have committed eight lifetimes of sins to end up with such a thing in my family!”
Madam Zhang’s face was pale. She was in no mood to flatter the old madam anymore. She stood up and said, “Mother, I’ll take my leave first.”
“Go, all of you go. Let me have some peace!” the old madam snapped.
“Yes, daughter-in-law takes her leave.” Madam Zhang withdrew, planning to go retrieve the hairpin and pink pearls from her daughter.
After returning to their courtyard, Madam Xu said to Steward Liu, “Put everything away into my small storeroom.”
“Yes.” Steward Liu led several maids out.
Now only Madam Xu and Lin Youyou remained in the room.
Madam Xu placed the deeds for eight shops and estates on the table and pushed them toward her daughter with a gentle smile.
“Mother doesn’t have the energy to manage these shops anymore. Here are the deeds. I’ll also give you ten thousand taels as startup capital. I know you don’t like staying idle and want to run businesses, so try it yourself.”
“Whether you make a profit or loss doesn’t matter. Mother’s dowry is enough to support your future.”
“Mother!” Lin Youyou looked at her touched. She hadn’t expected her mother to hand over so many shops and estates to her—many of them were currently losing money, but they could be turned around.
And there was no need to rent new locations. These were prime properties, which saved a huge amount of money.
Naturally, she was willing.
Madam Xu looked at her warmly. “You are my daughter. Of course I want to treat you well.”
“Mm.” Lin Youyou smiled, her eyes bright.
“Now that I’ve recovered my dowry,” Madam Xu said slowly, “the next step is to find a chance to split the household.”
Anyone who dared to covet her daughter’s things or send assassins—if they had no familial affection left, then neither did she need to show mercy.
“Mm.” Lin Youyou nodded as well.
That fiancé, who could secretly entangle himself with her concubine-born cousin, clearly had no regard for her at all. She would have to break off the engagement.
Now that she had the shops and permission to move freely in and out of the estate, Lin Youyou wasted no time and began preparing to take over one of the businesses.
Lin Chaowen was still uneasy about letting his daughter go out alone, so he assigned one of his trusted guards to serve as her coachman.
He could drive the carriage, stay unnoticed, and also protect her immediately if danger arose—perfect.
“Miss, this subordinate is Lin Ke. From now on, I will serve as your guard and coachman.”
The man bowed respectfully.
He was in his twenties, slightly tall, lean but strong. His skin was a healthy bronze, with sharp brows, bright eyes, and a firm, upright aura—reliable and easy to look at.
“Alright,” Lin Youyou said with a smile. “Thank you for your trouble. Let’s go—to the Noble Guest Pavilion.”
With Qingli’s support, she got into the carriage.
“Miss, we’re setting off. Drive!” Lin Ke called, flicking the whip. The carriage slowly rolled forward.
At the Noble Guest Pavilion, it was noon—but the place was nearly empty.
Only a few customers remained.
When the carriage stopped, Qingli helped her down, while Qinghe followed behind. Lin Ke stayed outside.
Inside the hall, only two or three people were eating. The shopkeeper looked worried, and the two waiters were listless.
When they saw Lin Youyou enter, all three froze. Noble young ladies rarely came here, so they immediately recognized her from her last visit.
One waiter quickly came forward with a smile. “Miss, you’re here. What would you like today?”
“Bring me a pot of tea first. I’ll wait a bit,” she said with a smile.
“Of course.”
Half an hour passed.
All the customers left, and she still hadn’t ordered anything.
The waiter finally approached, confused. “Miss… are you still waiting for your guests?”
“No. Call your shopkeeper over. I have something to discuss.”
The shopkeeper hurried over and bowed. “Miss, may I ask what brings you here?”
Lin Youyou smiled and took out a land deed.
“You may not know me. I am the legitimate daughter of Madam Xu from the Lin household—and the young proprietress of this shop.”
The three people in the hall froze at the same time.
They had never expected that the quiet young girl who had visited before… was actually their young owner.