Yun Shuang regained her composure and whispered, “Miss, the Prince of Ning came to see you—was it really just to make your acquaintance, say a few words, and nothing more?”
Su Hua recalled what Mo Qianhan had said earlier: a warning, a test, but nothing harmful.
“No need to worry. At first meeting, I must say, I’m quite satisfied with this fiancé of mine, Prince Ning.”
Yun Shuang looked at her mistress, her gaze full of admiration.
Her Miss Su was the finest in the world.
The Prince of Ning was strikingly handsome—even Prince Jing could not compare. Su Hua and Prince Ning were indeed a fitting match. It was just a pity about his legs… if only they weren’t crippled.
Su Hua noticed the thoughtful look on Yun Shuang’s face and her lingering concern.
She spoke calmly, “Do not dwell on it. What matters is self-reliance and strength; relying on others is never as important as being strong oneself. Understand?”
Yun Shuang nodded softly, “Yes.”
Su Hua patted her shoulder. “Good. Now, let’s see what’s going on with Jisheng Herb Shop.”
With that, Yun Shuang led her mistress to the shop’s back hall.
Inside, roughly forty to fifty people stood in orderly rows.
The moment Su Hua appeared, they all bowed respectfully, addressing her in unison: “Eldest Young Lady.”
“No need for formalities,” Su Hua said, walking straight to the main seat and sitting, her voice calm.
“Thank you, Eldest Young Lady,” they responded.
“Spare me the pleasantries,” Su Hua said coldly. “I assume what happened earlier isn’t the first time, right?”
The elder among the staff immediately knelt and explained truthfully: “That Manager Zhu is the cousin of the current Prime Minister’s wife. The herb shop has long been nothing but a tool for embezzlement. They exploit their connection to the Apothecary King Pavilion and rely on the Prime Minister’s household to profit illegally.”
“Some suppliers’ herbs didn’t meet standards, yet bribing Manager Zhu allowed them to sell. Conversely, even if a supplier brought good herbs, Zhu would ignore them—or deliberately underpay, squeezing profits.”
“From what I know, among the ten shops included in Madam’s dowry, only our herb shop’s staff remained loyal. The others were replaced. We’ve stayed here these years to guard the last piece of Madam’s legacy.”
The elder kowtowed deeply and said earnestly: “Now that Eldest Young Lady is in charge of Jisheng Herb Shop, it is truly fortunate. If Manager Zhu were allowed to continue, the shop’s reputation would be ruined completely. We have long awaited this day.”
Su Hua’s gaze fell on the kneeling elder, who appeared to be the shop’s most senior pharmacist—Master Song.
She recalled the manager’s earlier arrogance. Of course—it was Zhu’s cousin.
No wonder he had spoken so boldly.
With Master Song leading, the other staff detailed everything they knew.
These pharmacists and clerks were experienced in the trade; even without accounting records, they could roughly estimate profits.
Over seven or eight years, the sum Zhu embezzled from Jisheng Herb Shop alone totaled approximately 160,000 taels of silver.
This was just a rough estimate. A proper audit would likely reveal even more.
Su Hua’s intent was clear: make them return everything they had taken.
Just as she finished hearing their reports, a figure entered: Li Mó from Zhu’s side.
Li Mó scanned the hall and approached Su Hua, bowing perfunctorily: “Eldest Young Lady, the Old Madam, the Master, and Madam are in the residence. They request you return to Fuxi Hall immediately.”
Su Hua didn’t need to think. Most likely, Manager Zhu had gone to inform Zhu. As for her so-called grandmother and father—they were all on Zhu’s side.
She was curious to see what they intended.
Before leaving, she instructed the staff: no one was to interfere with the herb shop until her return.
Su Hua left the shop and returned directly to the Prime Minister’s residence.
Fuxi Hall, Prime Minister’s Residence
Su Xuan sat closely beside Old Madam Su, who looked at her with indulgence, clearly showing the warmth of grandmother and granddaughter.
Su Bingyan and Zhu sat to one side.
The manager she had dismissed from Jisheng Herb Shop was seated beneath Zhu, in the subordinate position.
Su Hua stepped forward, bowing slightly: “Grandmother, Father.”
Old Madam Su’s eyes darkened as she said sharply: “I heard you went out to inspect the shops in your mother’s dowry.”
Su Hua’s expression remained calm. “Grandmother, do you take issue with it?”
Seeing Su Hua’s demeanor, Old Madam Su frowned, displeased. “No issue. Am I not allowed to inquire? What did you do at Jisheng Herb Shop? You dismissed the manager who ran it for seven or eight years—what do you mean by that?”
Su Hua snorted, glancing at the seated Manager Zhu. “Grandmother, are you referring to him—my stepmother’s cousin, Manager Zhu?”
Su Xuan, soft and polite, said: “Big Sister, even if cousin hasn’t achieved much, he has contributed. Besides, I’ve heard he managed the shop fairly well.”
“Well?” Su Hua mocked. “Exploiting a connection to the Apothecary King Pavilion, using the Prime Minister’s influence to underpay suppliers and embezzle profits—this is what you call ‘managing well’?”
Su Hua’s tone turned cold: “Grandmother, Father, shall we hand this matter over to the Capital’s Magistrate for a thorough audit?”
Manager Zhu shifted uncomfortably. “This is a private family matter! Why involve the authorities? Will the Prime Minister’s reputation survive? And with Su Xuan about to become Princess of Prince Jing, what about the Prince Jing household’s face?”
Su Xuan murmured: “Exactly, Big Sister. No need for such harsh words. Cousin…”
Su Hua didn’t give her a chance to continue. She said bluntly: “Cousin? I recall Mother had only two brothers. I have only two maternal uncles. Where did this cousin come from?”
Su Xuan’s face flushed crimson. Su Hua’s words completely disregarded her mother’s relatives—not even acknowledging them. Infuriating!
Su Bingyan’s voice was stern: “What are you trying to do? Humiliate the Prime Minister’s household and disgrace them in front of others?”
Su Hua deliberately spoke slowly: “Father, since he worked in the herb shop, he was a servant. According to Cangfeng Empire law, if a household servant embezzles the master’s property, the master has the right to execute him.”
Zhu’s face darkened. How dare she call her kin servants? Teeth gritted, she said: “Eldest Young Lady, you’re sharp-tongued, even defying the Prime Minister!”
Su Hua was unfazed: “Father, a rough estimate shows that under Zhu’s management, nearly 200,000 taels of silver were embezzled over seven or eight years. Father, don’t you think it’s only right to punish him?”
Su Bingyan: “…”
Zhu opened her mouth, but Old Madam Su cut her off.
Old Madam Su: “What are you trying to do?”
Su Hua: “Grandmother, have you forgotten? This is my mother’s dowry. Naturally, I must reclaim what belongs to me. I don’t ask for more—200,000 taels. After that, we can consider it settled.”
Zhu: “Such audacity!”
Su Bingyan: “Give it to her!”
“Eh?” Zhu could hardly believe her ears. 200,000 taels! Such a sum—how could she possibly pay?
Seeing Zhu’s dismayed expression, a cold smile curled Su Hua’s lips. 200,000 taels—just enough to make Zhu taste a bit of humiliation, without causing real damage.