Phi-Fic Chapter 21 The shop was taken over
Chapter 21 The shop was taken over
As expected, someone soon went to the Prime Minister's residence to inform him of the news.
"Madam! Madam, something terrible has happened! Someone outside says..." Xue Niang kept walking and talking, and she started shouting as soon as she entered the door and before she even saw the madam.
"What's with the panic?" Wang Ruyan was so startled she almost pricked her finger with her embroidery needle. "What happened?"
Xue Niang had been with her since childhood, and they had gone through thick and thin together over the years. Both of them were quite old, and their personalities had been tempered and made them much more composed. There hadn't been many times in recent years that Xue Niang could be so anxious and flustered.
"I'm sorry, Madam, I was being reckless." Xue Niang straightened the stray hairs that had fallen across her forehead and the disheveled hem of her clothes that had gotten messy from walking so fast.
"Speak, what is it?" Wang Ruyan put the embroidery frame in her hand into the embroidery basket, stood up, picked it up, and placed it on the small table in front of the window.
"Madam, our shops have been closed down."
"Who dares to close our shop? They're asking for trouble!" Wang Ruyan was quite surprised. In the capital, who would dare to provoke Prime Minister Gu? They must be asking for trouble.
"I heard from the servants that two men, accompanied by a woman, came to the shop with land deeds and house deeds in their hands and chased them away." If she hadn't heard about this, Xue Niang wouldn't have rushed over in such a panic.
"What! They have land deeds and house deeds?" Wang Ruyan exclaimed in disbelief. "That's impossible! Our land deeds and house deeds are safely in my possession. Could someone have forged them to cause trouble?"
As she spoke, she found the hidden compartment by the bedside, took the key from her pocket, opened it, and looked inside. Sure enough, all her belongings and personal items were safely stored there.
"No, madam, it's...it's the one in front."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ruyan paused. How could she have forgotten about those shops? The income from those shops was all in the public accounts. The previous fool had used his own dowry to subsidize the Prime Minister's mansion. Only after she took charge of the household affairs did she realize how lavishly money was spent in this mansion.
The expenses for the ladies-in-waiting around the master alone are considerable, not to mention the old woman who always wants to eat bird's nest or ginseng, making it even more extravagant. The master's social engagements outside also drain money, especially during holidays when there are gifts to give and receive, and decorations to make at home. For the sake of the Prime Minister's residence's reputation, money has to be spent on its upkeep.
If it weren't for the dowry from the previous wife supporting her, she wouldn't be living such a carefree and comfortable life.
"How could they have land deeds and house deeds?" Wang Ruyan thought of the key question while she was surprised.
After Ning Jingxian passed away, the old lady sent people to look for her dowry list, but they couldn't find it. They all thought it had been hidden. Even Ning Jingxian's former servants were interrogated, but they all said they didn't know anything. They haven't been able to find it after all these years. Could it be that...?
"Could it be that Gu Qingwan, that little girl, took her away?" That's the only possibility, but I can't help but have doubts. "That shouldn't be the case. How old was she at the time? Why would she think of taking her mother's dowry list? Besides, she didn't take any luggage with her when she left, just the mourning clothes she was wearing."
“I’m also very curious, but I can’t think of anyone else besides her,” Xue Niang echoed from behind.
After much thought, Madam Gu concluded that it was most likely that Gu Qingwan had brought her mother's dowry list back to the Ning family. Gu Qingwan was too young to have such courage; it must have been the Ning family's idea.
Back then, they couldn't find that old woman and could only stare longingly, wanting to take advantage of Gu Qingwan's young age to devour her. But they ended up empty-handed. Now, only these few people are left in the open. No one has mentioned them over the years, and they've just been treated as Gu family's own property.
"I didn't expect the Ning family to have such a trick up their sleeve," Madam Gu, Wang Ruyan, muttered, stroking a potted plant by the window. "By the way, Xue Niang, what about that estate in the suburbs?"
"The manor we sent yesterday said that the manor was burned down by Miss Gu, who happened to be passing by... and it was also robbed by a group of bandits a couple of days ago, and half of it was burned down."
At that moment, Wang Ruyan suddenly snapped the flower bud in half. "Is there anything wrong?"
"I haven't heard of any."
"If it hasn't happened in so many days, then it must be gone." Wang Ruyan loosened her grip, revealing a crushed flower in her palm, looking utterly pitiful.
"What's gone?" Prime Minister Gu Ziming, who happened to be returning to his room before the two of them knew anything, startled them.
"Master is back, why didn't anyone announce it? The young maids are all so lazy these days, we should give them a good talking to another day."
"It was my fault for not informing you. How did it disturb your business?" Gu Ziming stood up, took off his hat, and handed it to Wang Ruyan. Xue Niang stepped forward to help him with his things.
"No, sir, what are you saying? Jiao'er just came over and said she wanted some new clothes made. I was just saying that she's too extravagant and wasteful. She hasn't even worn the clothes she made last year much."
"Is this little thing worth your hesitation? My daughter still cares about those few clothes. Give her as many as she wants. There's no need to be so frugal." After taking off his outer garment, Gu Ziming felt much more comfortable. He straightened his cuffs and walked to the soft couch to lie down.
"Master dotes on his darling and will spoil her. Besides, it's not easy for Master to go to court every day." Wang Ruyan obediently massaged Gu Ziming's shoulders to relax him. Xue Niang put away the master's clothes, brought a cup of hot tea and placed it on the tea table before leaving.
"You're so considerate of me." Gu Ziming patted Wang Ruyan's hand. "Since Jiao'er wants it, let's call a tailor to make it at home. We can also make a few outfits for Qing'er. Girls should be pampered a bit."
Hearing Gu Ziming mention that little illegitimate daughter again, Wang Ruyan felt a burning rage. She hadn't been feeling well these past few days, so her master had been spending time in that little slut's room. Fortunately, she had only given birth to one little girl over the years.
"That's right, whatever Jiao'er has, Qing'er will have too. I've always treated them equally. It's just..."
"Hmm? Is there anything else?" Gu Ziming picked up his teacup and blew on the tea leaves.
"That's right, sir. A servant just came to report that several of our shops have been taken over."
"Who dares to be so presumptuous!" Gu Ziming slammed the teacup down on the coffee table, spilling some tea.
"Master, please don't be angry." Wang Ruyan patted Gu Ziming's back. "I asked around carefully, and they were all my sister's dowry shops. I think they might have been taken by the Ning family."
Upon hearing about the Ning family, Gu Ziming didn't want to say anything. The Ning family had always looked down on him. Even though he was the Prime Minister, the Ning family still acted arrogantly. In particular, his brother-in-law wanted to beat him up every time he saw him.
Since Ning Jingxian left, he has had little contact with the Ning family. However, there is still a legitimate daughter in the Ning family, but he has never paid attention to her. Over the years, that rebellious daughter has never come back to see him, which makes him very angry.
"Let them take it. After all, it's Jingxian's dowry, and my Prime Minister's mansion doesn't lack it."
Hearing this, Wang Ruyan inwardly cursed: "You may not care, but I do! I rely on these shops for my children's dowry and betrothal money." If Wang Ruyan relied solely on her own savings, she didn't know when she would be able to accumulate such a large sum. However, she dared not say this to Gu Ziming.
Wang Ruyan composed herself and said casually while massaging Wan'er, "Also, I heard that Wan'er has returned from the border as well."
"Hmph, let her go wherever she wants, she's not going back to the Prime Minister's residence anyway!" With that, he turned his back and collapsed onto the soft couch, no longer saying a word.
Wang Ruyan knew that Gu Ziming was angry again. "A few days ago, Jiaojiao heard that her sister had returned, so she went to the Ningguo Duke's Mansion happily. But she came back disappointed, saying that her sister didn't like her very much and even ridiculed her... Jiao'er, you silly child."
“Why is Jiao’er going over there! That Gu Qingwan is an ill-mannered child. Our Jiao’er is kind-hearted and inevitably gets bullied.”
"Even if Madam Ning doesn't care, Old Madam Ning should at least ask about it."
"A family of reckless fools who only know how to brandish weapons and have no idea about manners. Alright, that's enough. I'm going to take a nap."
After whispering sweet nothings in Gu Ziming's ear, Wang Ruyan glanced at him with satisfaction. She continued massaging him casually, but in her mind, she was calculating how to get all of Gu Qingwan's dowry. Even that small amount had brought her considerable benefits; if she could get it all, it would be even more incredible. Besides, Jiao'er was of marriageable age…