CHAPTER 394: CHAPTER 376 PRETENDING (2)

"Mother, you know Old Third’s abilities. He’s just a timid and useless person. Why should he be in charge of the bank?"

"Exactly, Mother, I must say, Elder Brother’s ability is much stronger than his. Besides, Elder Brother has been managing the bank for years, and Old Third is merely a follower. He knows nothing!"

"Mother, I think Third Brother can do it. Elder Brother is too careless. Last year he even miscalculated an account, almost losing three thousand silver."

"That was the accountant’s mistake. How can you blame Elder Brother? Young Fourth, what you’re saying is wrong!"

"The accountant was hired by Elder Brother. Elder Brother is the owner. When the steward makes a mistake, how does Elder Brother bear no responsibility? Elder Brother never handles anything himself, so what stops those beneath him from emptying the shop’s money? It’s Elder Brother’s achievement when receiving money, but when issues arise, it’s the errand runner’s responsibility. Whose family operates like this?"

In the heated argument among the brothers, seeing they’re on the verge of a fierce dispute, Old Mrs. Zhao spoke weakly, "Isn’t it Elder, Second, and Young Fourth who are arguing? Lord County Magistrate, please bear witness for us. We’ll act according to the contract previously agreed upon. I will retrieve all their properties! Anyone who objects, Lord County Magistrate, catch them for me. Zhao family has no shortage of money or people! Less money or fewer people won’t disperse this family!"

"Mother..."

"Old Madam?"

Old Mrs. Zhao didn’t speak, turning her head and glaring at her four sons.

The County Magistrate turned and gently flicked his sleeve, smiling while looking at the Zhao family’s four sons, "Four Zhao Masters, hand over the properties, will you? The county government’s storeroom is empty."

The four were stunned, only then remembering they had signed their names, with clear black-and-white text stating any trouble due to unfair distribution would result in properties being confiscated by the county government!

Their backs turned cold with fear.

"Mother, Mother, you can’t do this, Mother..." Old Master Zhao walked to the bedside and knelt down, almost in tears, "This is family money; it can’t be confiscated."

"This is my money, not the family money! Eldest Boy. This shop was established by your father and me. Before he died, your father said to hand everything over to me for management. I later grew tired of managing, so it was handed over to you. But later?" Old Mrs. Zhao closed her eyes briefly, "You’ve managed most of the family assets, and I live with you. My money is under your care, but do you manage me?"

Li Yuzhu glanced at Old Mrs. Zhao, realizing clearly, this old lady was not muddled at all.

Old Master Zhao’s expression turned ugly, "Mother, when have I not managed you? When you fell, I immediately sent people to get a doctor to treat you. Isn’t that management?"

Old Mrs. Zhao didn’t want to speak further, waved him away, "Leave."

"Mother, I still have something to say." Old Master Zhao continued.

Old Mrs. Zhao had already closed her eyes, "Lord County Magistrate, the rest of the matter I will trouble you with."

The County Magistrate smiled, "Alright, Madam Zhao." He then loudly called to the officials at the door, "Come in, escort the troublemaking Mr. Zhao out!"

Second Master Zhao, Third Master Zhao, Fourth Master Zhao, and sons from the two branches, seeing the tide turn badly, all quietly slipped away one by one.

Old Master Zhao looked back, seeing all the brothers and sons had fled, realizing staying was futile.

Before the officials’ hands reached him, he also hurriedly escaped.

The County Magistrate didn’t really intend to arrest him and only meant to scare him.

Seeing him run away, he didn’t pursue, waving his hand to dismiss the officials.

But after the Zhao men left, the Zhao women came again.

All of them crying out that Old Mrs. Zhao must have become senile to divide things so foolishly.

Old Mrs. Zhao turned livid with anger, "I may be muddled, but I’m clear-headed now! I know very well what mindset each of you holds! Argue all you want; once I’m dead, you’ll be quiet."

She pointed at those flooding in, scolding each one thoroughly.

She didn’t mispronounce a single name.

She remembered past events distinctly, recounting the troubles each had caused, and how much money each had squandered without error.

Those scolded turned flushed and then pale, losing face to stay indoors, and ran away one after another.

Old Mrs. Zhao breathed heavily several times before calming down.

The Zhao family’s affairs settled down; the County Magistrate rose to bid farewell.

Old Mrs. Zhao apologized, "I am gravely ill and cannot rise, I hope you will forgive me."

The County Magistrate waved his hand, speaking heartily, "Madam Zhao, please don’t say such things. I just took office here this spring, and with the previous taxes and grains unpaid in full, the higher-ups pressed hard. Still, thanks to your righteous donation of grains, the county government overcame the crisis. I once said that whenever Madam Zhao needs assistance, I will surely lend my support."

Li Yuzhu, listening beside, suddenly realized, no wonder the County Magistrate was so actively involved with the Zhao family—it turns out Madam Zhao donated grains to the county government, a great favor indeed!

Helping the County Magistrate overcome a crisis without being criticized touched him more than donating money.

Money can be gathered, but grains are most difficult to collect.

Qingyang County is small, with many mountains and few fields, with limited places to grow grains. When upper orders press for taxes and grains, borrowing externally becomes necessary.

Whenever someone donates grains, they are, of course, greatly appreciated.

"In that case, I must thank Lord County Magistrate." Old Mrs. Zhao nodded on the bed, acknowledging the gesture.

The County Magistrate looked at her with concern, saying, "Old Madam, you’ve suffered injuries; it’s best to rest more. Household matters are endless worries."

Old Mrs. Zhao smiled bitterly, "Thank you, sir, for the reminder."

After bidding farewell to Old Mrs. Zhao, the County Magistrate inquired if Li Yuzhu’s parents were well before taking his leave.

Inwardly, Eldest Young Master Chai pondered, Miss Li’s relationship with the county magistrate’s family is truly remarkable. Li Xing’an can freely stay at the county magistrate’s home, and when the County Magistrate leaves, he still greets Li Yuzhu. This is the renowned County Magistrate. Back then, he spared no effort to ingratiate himself with the Zhao family to connect with the County Magistrate, yet never received the chance. His own sister casually recognizes someone, and it’s, astonishingly, a relative of the County Magistrate—a relative held in high regard.

Could this be what people refer to as destiny ordained by the heavens? The intentions sought with fervor, unable to obtain, yet when not pursued, it comes naturally?

Old Mrs. Zhao had just awoken and was clearly overwhelmed by the household disputes.

She gradually fell back into a coma.

The family of Lai Qing, who was keeping vigil by the bedside, panicked and repeatedly called for Li Yuzhu, "Miss Li, come quickly and look at our Old Madam."

Li Yuzhu had already noticed and was preparing the medicine.

She had just administered the intravenous injection to the Old Madam when someone entered the bedroom.

Weeping and lamenting, they walked in while crying.

"Mother..."

Li Yuzhu turned around—it was Old Madam Zhao’s youngest daughter, Jing Niang.

Two maids and Lai Qing’s family greeted her, calling out "Second Aunt," but said nothing more.

Sister-in-law Chai and Eldest Young Master Chai looked at her, calling out, "Second Aunt."

Zhao Jingniang ignored everyone.

She collapsed onto the bedside, crying, "Mother, I am your favorite youngest daughter; how can you treat me this way? That amount of money is not enough, Mother!"

Li Yuzhu remembered Zhao Jingniang opening the envelope, which contained a large stack of silver notes. Such a large family like the Zhao’s would never place small denominations of ten or fifty taels. If each silver note was worth one hundred taels, then the envelope must have contained at least three to five thousand taels.

Zhao Jingniang could live her life without worrying about food and drink, yet she still complained it was too little?

"Second Aunt, the Old Madam is unconscious again, and she can’t hear what you’re saying," said Lai Qing’s family.

Zhao Jingniang shouted continuously, realizing the Old Madam indeed hadn’t awakened.

She turned to Li Yuzhu, "Aren’t you a doctor? Quickly save my mother!"

Li Yuzhu said, "Second Aunt, the Old Madam’s hip bone is fractured; surgery is needed to remove the bone fragments and mend the bone for her to completely heal. Even if I awaken her, it will only be temporary."

Zhao Jingniang was shocked, "Surgery? My mother is so old, can she survive surgery? How can you be so heartless at such a young age?"

Li Yuzhu frowned; it seems this family’s siblings share the same mindset.

"Surgery is risky but offers a chance for a longer life. Not having surgery poses no risk, but she won’t live long. Second Aunt, you must choose," Li Yuzhu calmly gazed at her.

Zhao Jingniang glanced at the Old Madam on the bed, "Save her first, then we’ll talk."

Li Yuzhu looked at the medicine bottle, saying softly, "Isn’t she being saved now? Since you oppose surgery, I can only treat her conservatively; just administering medication will wake her up in half an hour or an hour."

Upon hearing she could awaken, Zhao Jingniang’s emotions were no longer intense, but she was impatient and couldn’t sit still for long before wanting to leave.

As she rose, she told Lai Qing’s family, "Inform me immediately when the Old Madam wakes."

She hadn’t left for long when Old Mrs. Zhao woke up.

She said to Lai Qing’s family, "Spread the word that I have no money left; besides what’s in this room, I don’t even have a single coin. Everything that should be distributed has been given out, and they must stop coveting anything further."

Lai Qing’s family glanced at her, "Yes, ma’am."

After Old Mrs. Zhao’s words were relayed, no one came by to make trouble anymore.

Although night had fallen, Sister-in-law Chai, her husband, and Li Yuzhu hadn’t left. Old Mrs. Zhao had bestowed such a generous gift upon them; in terms of sentiment and reason, they felt it inappropriate to abandon Old Mrs. Zhao so readily.

Li Yuzhu looked at the bleak bedroom and pondered a saying, "To neglect the dead and attack in armor."

No elderly person wishes for such an end, do they?

Old Mrs. Zhao occasionally awoke, then fell back asleep.

Sister-in-law Chai was very anxious.

She whispered to Li Yuzhu, "Can’t we ignore the Zhao family’s wishes and take charge to treat the Old Madam ourselves?"