CHAPTER 339: CHAPTER 172: THIRD MASTER SHI’S WORDS (2)

"Miss, are you alright..." Lan Xiang, who was standing by, couldn’t help but worry when she saw Gu Fangzi’s fierce gaze and twisted face.

"Lan Xiang," Gu Fangzi’s eyes sharpened as she turned her head to stare at her coldly and said: "Do not betray me, never in your life betray me, otherwise, I will definitely not let you go! You know my temper!"

Lan Xiang’s face turned pale instantly, never in her dreams had she expected such a reaction from her miss for just a word of concern. Her knees weakened, and she knelt down, "Miss, this slave is utterly loyal to you, never have I thought of betraying you! My life and death are yours, I would never do anything to wrong you! Otherwise, let thunder strike me dead!"

"It’d better be so!" Gu Fangzi sneered, "Otherwise, a terrible death is certain, and it will be even worse than being struck by thunder!"

Lan Xiang’s body stiffened, and she bowed her head to the ground, daring not to utter another word.

In the evening, Mrs. Li came back with news, "This servant is not very familiar with people from the third house, and couldn’t find out much. However, I heard that Mrs. Gui fell and hurt her waist on her way back from here last night, spilling the noodles too. Later, Relative Miss went to Jicui Pavilion, she first sent over some dim sum, then had Lan Xiang go back to cook noodles to send over. When she left, Third Madam Shi personally saw her to the door!"

Mrs. Li curled her lips with disdain. Her opinion of Third Madam Shi waned. In her view, anyone close to Gu Fangzi is definitely no good!

Of course, she is not a naive girl like Liu Ya, she would not fabricate things about the master, and if she would, it was only in her mind.

Sang Wan instantly became alert, "Madam, are you saying, last night, Relative Miss went to Jicui Pavilion?"

"Yes!" Mrs. Li curled her lips and said: "Who knows what kind of schemes she’s brewing! Anyway, Relative Miss and you, Grande Dame, are definitely incompatible, wherever she involves, nothing good ever emerges! This servant wonders what exactly Relative Miss said to Third Madam Shi, how she managed—how she convinced her!"

Not just Mrs. Li was incredibly puzzled, Sang Wan herself was equally confused. Although they’ve had little contact, Third Madam Shi was definitely not someone easily tricked or used as a pawn by others. There must have been thought and consideration before acting, but if things have already come to this, and she still holds such dissatisfaction towards Sang Wan, it goes without saying how Sang Wan must have greatly offended her!

The problem is, she herself had absolutely no idea.

"Grande Dame, since Third Madam wants something from the kitchen, why not quickly arrange for it? It also saves us a lot of trouble, sparing you, Grande Dame, the real effort with no gratitude!" Mrs. Li sighed lightly.

Sang Wan nodded, "Well then! Who would have expected such an incident last night? Go arrange it, and take someone over first thing tomorrow morning!"

Mrs. Li agreed, and the night passed without further incident.

Third Madam Shi originally thought Sang Wan would come over to apologize or something, but who knew a whole day passed and until night she hadn’t seen anyone, which only deepened her resentment. Little did she know that she had also offended the elder sister-in-law, who had instructed Sang Wan to ignore the matter. Sang Wan naturally needed to first let things cool off, without having to go against her real mother-in-law for her aunt.

Now infuriated, Third Madam Shi complained to Third Master Shi, "We haven’t been home for so many years; we don’t even know how the profits have been each year. Master, shouldn’t we mention to Fengju about checking the account book?"

"What are you planning to do?" Third Master Shi spoke in a low tone, his expression also turning somewhat cold.

Third Madam Shi snorted, straightforwardly said: "What else can we do but audit the accounts? We’re thousands of miles away, who knows if they’ve done any mischief behind our backs! Checking will also ease our minds, and serves as a reminder to them not to take us lightly!"

Third Master Shi quietly stared at his wife, staying silent for a long time.

Third Madam Shi, vexed by his unclear, seemingly calm but restless eyes, couldn’t help but glare at him: "What are you looking at me for? Did I say something wrong? We naturally have the right to inspect the family business accounts! If they refuse, then they definitely have something to hide!"

"Wait a moment, I’ll show you something." Third Master Shi said as he stood up and went into the small study, soon coming back with two folded yellow papers which he handed to Third Madam Shi.

Third Madam Shi took them dubiously, unfolded them, and saw they were land deeds for two shops, one a silk shop and the other a cosmetic store, both located in good parts of the town and not small in size. She couldn’t help but rejoice, smiling at Third Master Shi, "When did Master acquire these properties? This is fantastic! I was just thinking about how we need to stay here for so long, relying solely on the family’s stipend wouldn’t be enough, but with these two incomes, it’ll be much more comfortable!"

Otherwise, even the money to give servants a reward wouldn’t be enough, wouldn’t that be laughably meager?

"Alas!" Third Master Shi sighed helplessly, looking at her and said: "Do you know, a couple of days ago during our conversation over drinks at my second brother’s, Fengju already mentioned that we can check the accounting books at any time if there’s any confusion or something unclear, just call the accountant or ask him directly! Regarding these two shops, they were Fengju’s and he gifted them to us in private. He mentioned that the main family and second family have their own private properties outside, and since we weren’t home, we didn’t have any, so he gave us these two shops he owned, saying it’s to make it easier when we occasionally need funds! Madam, over the years in the Shu region, didn’t the family send us tens of thousands of silvers each year? What have we done for the family in return? Some things, you’ve said enough in front of me, but definitely don’t express them outside, if Fengju hears them, it would deeply hurt him! Fengju, like elder brother, is a sincere person. We, as elders, must understand how to appreciate and cherish our juniors!"