Su Hua spoke leisurely, her tone casual. “Father, it seems some people are rather unwilling… perhaps we should just leave it to—”
Su Old Madam shot her a sharp look, cutting her off coldly. “Your father has already spoken. His word stands.”
At this, even Zhu Shi dared not oppose the Old Madam or the Chancellor.
She ground her teeth, her reluctance evident. “Fine, two hundred thousand taels. I’ll order it delivered to your quarters shortly.”
Su Hua gave a light laugh and continued, “I’ll personally oversee the affairs of Jisheng Herbal Shop, so there’s no need for others to concern themselves. Stepmother, when you have time, please sort out my mother’s dowry. Don’t let it be left unfinished by the time I marry.”
Zhu Shi’s face darkened. That little wretch… how dare she dream! Today’s two hundred thousand taels, she thought, would have to be returned to her—even if she had to claw them back herself.
Su Old Madam’s expression was stern. “What is yours is yours. No one will take it from you.”
“Grandmother says that, I feel much more at ease,” Su Hua replied. She still had tasks to attend to, but retrieving the two hundred thousand taels on the way back was not a wasted trip. She had no intention of wasting breath on these people.
“Grandmother, Father, if there’s nothing more, I’ll take my leave.” As she left, Su Hua made sure to remind Zhu Shi, “The silver notes may be given to Xia Mamu in my quarters.”
Zhu Shi’s chest ached with fury. Not only had she been forced to hand over twenty thousand taels in one go, but Su Hua mentioning it again was like twisting the knife further.
Watching Su Hua’s retreating figure, Su Xuan seized the chance to adopt a composed, elegant demeanor and addressed her father.
“Father, our cousin manages the affairs of Jisheng Herbal Shop. In all these years, there have been no mistakes, and everything has been done for the good of the Xiang Residence.”
Her voice was gentle, yet sharp. “Father, when eldest sister heard the workers’ reports, she acted firmly before you, forcing Mother to release twenty thousand taels. It seems inconsiderate of you, ignoring the honor of the residence. Even if she had ideas, she could have been more diplomatic.”
Su Bingyan knew full well the scale of the Xiang Residence’s expenditures over the years. While the dowry left by Madam Shen brought in enormous profits, the operations of the residence had preserved it; otherwise, it would have long been squandered.
Zhu Shi glanced at the Chancellor, realizing how easily her daughter’s few words had made him dislike that little wretch Su Hua even more.
Su Old Madam turned to Su Bingyan. “You are always busy with affairs of state. When you have the chance, you should rest. The household matters are for your wife to handle. This day’s back-and-forth is exhausting enough. I’ll instruct your wife on what must be done—now go.”
Su Bingyan bowed. “Yes, thank you, Mother. I shall take my leave.”
Once he departed, Su Old Madam’s gaze hardened on Zhu, a flash of anger in her eyes. “Your cousin trusts you to manage an herbal shop. How could there still be mistakes?”
Zhu’s manager, visibly trembling, replied, “Grandmother, I did not expect Miss Su Hua to arrive so suddenly.”
Su Old Madam furrowed her brows, then turned to Zhu Shi. “When managing Madam Shen’s dowry, all those in charge of the shops, estates, and forests were replaced with our own people. How could the herbal shop remain untouched?”
Zhu Shi hurriedly explained, “Grandmother, the herbal shop is different from other businesses. One needs experienced personnel. We did not anticipate that those workers would harbor hidden loyalties, outwardly obedient, but entirely devoted to that little wretch Su Hua.”
Su Old Madam closed her eyes, letting out a long, heavy sigh. Shen family connections had always been powerful; those people could never truly submit to outsiders. She asked coldly, “Other places have not given signs of trouble?”
Zhu Shi: “No. Today was a coincidence, and the little wretch had no chance to examine further.”
Su Old Madam opened her eyes and nodded, acknowledging the situation. “Very well, then.”
Su Xuan, noticing the signal her mother had given her, quietly added, “Grandmother, please do not be angry. Have some tea.”
Nearby, Zhu’s manager said, “Grandmother, Miss Su Hua intends to personally take charge of Jisheng Herbal Shop. I will cut all trade between the shop and Yaowang Pavilion. Not a single piece of medicine will leave the shop, making her first day extremely difficult.”
“Mm.” Su Old Madam’s voice was cold. “Yet that is not the main point. Eliminating trouble at its root, without leaving traces, is the urgent matter.”
Zhu Shi responded sharply, “Yes, Grandmother. That little wretch Su Hua won’t enjoy her triumph for long.”
Su Old Madam: “I am tired. You may all leave.”
Thus, Zhu Shi and her group left Fuxi Hall.
Zhu’s manager wasted no time. Determined to avenge the public humiliation of being expelled from Jisheng Herbal Shop, he went straight to coordinate with Yaowang Pavilion. He wanted to see just how the little wretch Su Hua would run the business.
Su Xuan walked beside her mother, recalling how upset her cousin had looked when leaving. “Mother, he won’t cause any more trouble, will he?”
Zhu Shi: “He just went to inform Yaowang Pavilion. There’s no problem.”
Su Xuan frowned. “Why wasn’t that little wretch Su Hua drowned last time? Mother, what should we do next?”
Zhu Shi’s eyes gleamed with cold malice. “That little wretch is taking over Jisheng Herbal Shop. She loves meddling. Now that her cousin has been to Yaowang Pavilion, I want to see how capable she is at managing it. As long as she frequently leaves the residence for the shop, there will be opportunities to act against her.”
Su Xuan smiled, then said, “Mother, but then she will be outside the residence often. Acting against her in public will be difficult to explain.”
Zhu Shi’s smile was cruel. “If she dies publicly, it’s indeed hard to explain. But if she dies in Jisheng Herbal Shop? Then we control the narrative.”
Su Xuan laughed lightly. “Mother, what about the twenty thousand taels? Must we still give it to her?”
Zhu Shi snorted. “Grandmother and Father have already decreed it must be given. But soon, I will demand it back, along with the herbal shop itself.”
Su Xuan understood immediately. Indeed, once that little wretch Su Hua is gone, everything will belong to them again.
Zhu Shi looked at her daughter. “Xuan’er, your most important matter is Prince Jing. Other things need not concern you. Understood?”
Su Xuan nodded. “Yes, Mother. I understand.”
She was about to marry into the Prince Jing residence, becoming a high-born lady, revered and untouchable.
As for that little wretch Su Hua, with the imperial edict granting her marriage to a crippled prince, even in death she would be destined to a fate beneath their feet.