Volume 1 Chapter 89 An Unexpected Event

  Old Master Yao's words left Madam Ma stunned. She couldn't believe it and replayed his words in her mind to confirm that he had indeed said what she thought she heard, and that she hadn't misheard.

  "But, Master, I've seen you often stay overnight at the Pomegranate Flower House, and I thought..."

  "Alright, alright! Let's not mention this matter again!" Old Master Yao frowned and said somewhat impatiently, "The courtyard of the Xianghua Mountain House is so big, and it's not like there are no empty rooms. Why bother with this? If you have time, teach Mei'er some more sense instead!"

  Mr. Yao was somewhat annoyed and humiliated in his heart, he accompanied the fourth aunt sometimes late at night and stayed overnight at the Liu Hua Mountain House, who would be embarrassed? The two of them slept in separate rooms and didn't do anything. He was more anxious about the child in Fourth Aunt's belly than she was, how could he possibly engage in behavior that might harm Fourth Aunt at this time? But when Madam Ma said it out loud, it seemed like Mr. Yao was some kind of lustful demon!

  "Old master……" Ma's face was flushed with anger, her heart even more furious. She had clearly been kind-hearted, what was his attitude? What did he mean by saying that Mei'er needed to be taught some sense? Why did he only mention Mei'er and not Yao Cunhui? In his eyes, was Mei'er really so inferior? What was wrong with Mei'er compared to Yao Cunhui?

  Madam Ma got angrier the more she thought about it, but she didn't know that this was Old Master Yao's true intention. As for Yao Cunhui, he had nothing to worry about; as long as he made arrangements, he believed she could take good care of her younger brother and Fourth Madam and live a good life. As for Madam Ma, when the time came, he would give her a divorce letter in advance and let her bring enough wealth to support herself for the rest of her life back to her parents' home. The only one he truly worried about was Yao Cunmei - she had been spoiled since childhood and didn't know how to do anything except throw tantrums!

  But it was far from being so in Mr. Ma's ears!

  Mr. Yao saw that Mrs. Ma's face didn't look quite right and thought it was just because he had rejected her proposal, but in his heart he couldn't help but wonder: What's going on? He hadn't taken a concubine, yet she looked like this?

  "I know you're a virtuous woman, but that's all for now. I'll take my leave first, madam is busy!" Old Master Yao stood up.

  Ma sat there stupidly, his face changing with the weather, for the first time in so many years he didn't get up to see him off and say "see you off, old master".

  Mr. Yao gave her a deep glance and walked out.

  Yao Cunhui has become quite familiar with the business in the shop.

  She went to the store and didn't put on any airs, instead changing into ordinary clothes with simple patterns and colors. The dazzling gold hairpins and jade ornaments were also put away, only wearing a simple and elegant outfit. She was polite and friendly to Lin Zhanggui, the apprentices, and others, smiling at them. With humility, she asked for guidance and learned from them, often able to grasp the essence of things and even offer unique insights and perspectives. In her work, she was exceptionally diligent, patient, and meticulous, not calculating or petty.

  Soon, Yao Cunhui gained the liking and respect of many people, including Lin Zhanggui. Whenever they mentioned the second young lady, everyone praised her without exception, saying that Old Master was blessed to have such an outstanding daughter. Her reputation also quickly spread throughout the Yao family's rice shop.

  On this day, Yao Cunhui was discussing with Lin Zhanggui the differences between rice produced in various regions. Suddenly, steward Shen rushed in from outside, panting and shouting "Second Miss, Second Miss!"

  Yao Cunhui and Lin Zhanggui were both startled, they looked at each other and put down what was in their hands.

  "What's going on?" asked Yao Cunhui with a smile.

  "Unreasonable! Second Miss has a good temper, you can't lose your sense of propriety, shouting and yelling like that!" Lin Zhuang glared at Shen Sheng.

  Shen took a deep breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, composed himself and respectfully replied with a "yes", then bowed to greet Second Miss and Lin Zhanggui. He couldn't wait to excitedly say: "Second Miss, you're really amazing! Do you still remember that old man who caused trouble in our store yesterday? He's really dead, died at a silk fabric store on South Second Street. The owner of the store is truly unlucky, got himself involved in a homicide case, even the constables from Shun Tian Fu went there! This time, they'll definitely have to spend a lot of money to cover this up!"

  "Really dead?" Lin Zhang was shocked and looked at Yao Cunhui with a complex expression.

  Yao Cunhui let out a soft sigh and shook her head without saying anything.

  Yesterday, the old man came to the store to buy grain, and he made a fuss out of nothing. The clerks saw that he was an elderly person in his twilight years, so they patiently explained things to him, but unexpectedly, the old man became more and more agitated, not only refusing to back down, but also becoming increasingly aggressive. The clerks got angry too, and several of them pushed forward, about to forcibly push the old man out.

  Just then, Yao Cunhui saw it and carefully observed the old man's expression. She stopped her servants, took 10 taels of silver from the counter and gave it to him, personally apologizing to him. The old man did not hesitate to take the silver, but still made a fuss and refused to leave. Later, when he heard that the one who apologized was the second miss of the Yao family, the old man was stunned, thought for a moment, took the silver and left.

  The brothers were furious, and for the first time, they felt dissatisfied with Yao Cunhui. They thought that Second Miss's good temper had gone too far, who did business like this? With her way of doing things, even if the Yao family's industry was huge, it wouldn't be enough for her to squander!

  Originally, I thought that the second young lady's gentle and courteous treatment of others was a blessing to her partners. However, through this matter, it can be seen that the second young lady is really not suitable for doing business. She is simply kind-hearted and innocent. But in the business world, what use is being kind-hearted? It is the resolute and decisive style of the old master that is most important!

  Yao Cunhui didn't explain his actions, he just smiled faintly. Later, seeing Lin Zhanggui and the big shopkeeper's faces also looked difficult, Yao Cunhui smiled and expressed his own views.

  She said that the old man seemed to be on his last legs, and if he were to make a scene, it would only lead to trouble. If the others were to get involved, the old man might end up dead in the shop, which would cause a huge stir. It's better to let things slide and avoid any further conflict.

  A storm stirred up by a dead man compared with ten taels of silver and a few words of apology, which is lighter and which is heavier?

  Lin Zhanggui and Da Huoji did not believe her at all, thinking that this was also too deceitful!

  Yao Cunhui just smiled and said that if they didn't believe it, they could send someone to follow the old man's family, and in a day or two, everything would be clear.

  Lin Zhuanggui smiled and put it aside, not taking Yao Cunhui's words seriously, nor was he bored enough to really send someone to follow the old man. However, Lin Zhuanggui was unconvinced in his heart, so he turned around and arranged for this matter to be done.

  Unexpectedly, things didn't turn out as Yao Cunhui had expected!

  The old man also made a big fuss in the silk store, and the shopkeepers were so angry that they couldn't help but push him out without saying a word. As a result, the old man fell headfirst on the steps and died on the spot.

  It is said that his home address was found on him, and now it's inevitable to compensate his family. Moreover, the yamen runners from Shuntian Prefecture and the silk store won't let them off easily without getting some money out of this.

  "Second Miss, you're really amazing! You're too amazing!" Shen Sheng was so excited that he couldn't speak coherently, praising Yao Cunhui and sighing at the silk store. Thinking back to yesterday's events, he felt both lucky and secretly wiped away sweat. If it wasn't for Yao Cunhui's quick thinking and foresight, the ones who would have gotten into trouble wouldn't be that silk store, but their own shop instead.

  Lin Zhanggui also sighed endlessly, having the same feelings as Shen Sheng, and sighed again: "The old man is really kind-hearted! Alas, although the method is a bit immoral!"

  "Who says it isn't?" Yao Cunhui exchanged a glance with him, and they both understood in their hearts.

  That old man must have known that his life was not long, intentionally making a big fuss to extort money from the merchant with his death. His family conditions should be quite difficult too, otherwise he wouldn't resort to such tactics. Looking at him, he doesn't seem like a bad person.

  "Second Miss, Second Miss, how did you see it? This is too amazing!" Shen Sheng was excited and continued to ask Yao Cunhui.

  Yao Cunhui smiled slightly, thinking that when his aunt was practicing medicine in the past, you were still nowhere to be found! A doctor with rich experience can't even see this?

  "What's all the commotion about?" Old Master Yao chuckled as he walked in from outside.

  "Master!"

  "Dad!"

  Lin Zhanggui, Shen Sheng and others hurriedly went forward to pay their respects to Old Master Yao.

  Mr. Yao waved his hand and looked at them with a smile: "I heard Sheng's voice from afar, what's so mysterious about it?"

  Several people exchanged a smile, and then Shen Sheng smiled again and told what had just happened.

  "Is this really possible?" Old Master Yao couldn't help but feel astonished as well. He thought to himself, even if he had been here at the time, he might not have been able to see through such a clever trick, so how did Hui'er manage it?

  "Which also piqued my curiosity! Hui'er, tell me!" Old Master Yao asked with a smile as he sat down.

  Yao Cunhui thought for a moment and smiled, "As the saying goes, 'when things go against the norm, there must be a reason.' The old man didn't seem like a scoundrel at first glance, but he did something so unscrupulous that it seemed like he was trying to provoke our companions on purpose. So I kept an eye out for him. Later, when I took another look, his footsteps were unstable, his eyes were unfocused, and his face wasn't normal either. He panted heavily with every move, and I suspected something. But unexpectedly, my daughter inadvertently hit the nail on the head!"

  "Second Miss is really meticulous." Lin Zhanggu couldn't help but praise her, feeling a little ashamed in secret.

  Yao Cunhui smiled and said: "Lin Zhanggui is overpraising, actually I just happened to touch it casually, and spoke out of feeling!"

  "It's clear that Hui'er you have put your heart into what you do, haha! Rarely does Old Master Yao praise Yao Cunhui in front of Lin Zhanggui and others."

  Yao Cunhui smiled slightly, looking a bit embarrassed as she lowered her head and said: "Is Father here to discuss business with Lin Zhanggui? I won't disturb you then, I'll go take a look up front!"

  "No," said Old Master Yao, raising his hand. "I've come specifically to find you." He glanced around the room.

  "Those below may withdraw, Master Dong, you are invited!" Lin Zhanggui and Shen Sheng retreated with understanding, closing the door behind them.

  "Father is looking for Hui'er - what's going on?" Yao Cunhui was momentarily at a loss.

  Old Master Yao's eyes sank, and he stared at the front for a while before slowly saying: "Father has something very important to discuss with your Second Uncle, General Manager, General Accountant, and several other important people today. Father wants to hear your opinion first." As he spoke, he smiled at her.