Imperial Physician Sun pinched the banknote in his hand, his heart a turbulent mix of emotions—ah, no, a bittersweet concoction of feelings.
How many medical texts could this ten thousand taels buy? How many rare herbs could he seek out?
He could even recruit capable talents from across the land and build a charitable clinic right next to the Imperial Hospital.
But he couldn’t accept it.
A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it through proper means.
If this money wasn’t obtained honorably, he wouldn’t take it no matter what.
Just as he placed the banknote back on the table, before he could even speak, Jiang Xingyan stuffed it back into his hand.
“I know what Imperial Physician Sun is concerned about,” she said.
“It’s not that I, Huo, wish to be secretive, but a family’s shame should not be publicized.
A few days ago, when I checked the accounts of my wife’s shops, I discovered that ever since she married into my family three years ago, my mother has seized all the profits.
As a son, I cannot speak ill of my mother, yet I cannot betray the Emperor’s trust either. Thus, I have no choice but to resort to this underhanded method.
I beg Imperial Physician Sun, in light of my sincere heart, to lend me this small assistance.
Upon success, you will be handsomely rewarded again.”
Imperial Physician Sun stroked his silvery beard, recalling the scene of Old Lady Huo causing a commotion in court yesterday, and began to form an understanding.
“In that case, this old man will accept it,” he conceded.
“But let me offer you one piece of advice, General Huo: Blind filial piety harms both others and oneself. Please, take care and act wisely.”
Huo Ci, who had just returned with Sun Yaxiang after the acupuncture session, heard this pointed admonition and hung his head in shame.
Jiang Xingyan was also taken aback for a moment, then moved to the point where her eyes reddened.
Imperial Physician Sun was truly a good man!
She pulled out another banknote and pressed it into his hand.
“Imperial Physician Sun’s words are correct! In the future, please scold me, Huo Ci, more often. I, Huo Ci, truly deserve to be scolded!”
Imperial Physician Sun hoisted his medicine chest, grabbed his granddaughter’s hand, and hurried away.
This Huo Ci definitely had something wrong with him.
No sooner had Imperial Physician Sun left than four large heads and one small one peeked in through the doorway.
“Miss, since there’s nothing happening now, shall we—”
Jiang Xingyan clapped her hands together: “To the market!”
The group cheered, setting off in a lively, grand procession.
Even Huo Ci, who was hesitating at the back, was dragged along.
Jiang Xingyan hadn’t wanted to bring him initially, but his taste in clothing was simply too poor. She needed to buy herself several decent outfits and make him wear similar ones, so he wouldn’t embarrass her anymore!
Two carriages set out together. Little Ya shook her little hair buns excitedly—this was her first time going out for fun.
Like Little Ya, Huo Ci had also never experienced the market so immersively.
Under Jiang Xingyan’s expert guidance, the group headed straight for the jewelry store first.
Dressed luxuriously and carrying an air of extraordinary elegance, they were immediately escorted by the shopkeeper to a private room on the third floor.
An endless stream of hairpins, gold, jade, and silver bracelets, armlets, and earrings, all in novel styles and of exceptional quality, were presented before them.
It dazzled Huo Ci’s eyes.
Jiang Xingyan simply waved a grand hand: “Wrap them all up.”
If she didn’t spend her own money, who would? Leave it for others to spend?
The shopkeeper’s waist nearly bent double from bowing, his eyes gleaming with the reflected shine of silver.
This was beyond just being a ‘major customer’!
“From now on, General, you are our shop’s most honored patron! As soon as we have new goods of fine quality, I will personally deliver them to your residence.”
Jiang Xingyan waved her hand dismissively, pulling Huo Ci over in one swift motion. “No, recognize my wife instead.”
She was the one spending the money; she wouldn’t let Huo Ci take all the credit.
The shopkeeper nodded and bowed, agreeing with whatever the noble guest said. “Yes, yes, yes! Your wife is truly fortunate to have such a husband.”
Xia Feng, standing nearby, couldn’t listen any longer. “You there, you truly fail to recognize true gold inlaid with jade.”
“Clearly, it’s all our Young Lady’s money.”
The shopkeeper hurriedly corrected himself: “Right, right, right! Your wife possesses vast wealth, truly a female Fan Li. The General has truly married a treasure!”
“That’s more like it.”
Seeing the group off, the shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Earning money from nobles wasn’t easy either!
This young couple… surely they must have some peculiar preferences?
The group then proceeded to visit the clothing store, the rouge and powder shop, the pastry shop, the fan shop, and the incense shop, all following the same routine: go upstairs, view the goods, buy everything, leave.
Finally, they booked the largest private room at the capital’s grandest restaurant—a place Huo Ci hadn’t set foot in in over ten years as an official.
After feasting heartily, they weren’t done. They even had the performers singing downstairs brought up, sipping tea to aid digestion while listening to the soft, melodic tunes of Jiangnan Pingtan.
Jiang Xingyan was intentionally showing Huo Ci what a truly wealthy and prominent family was like.
It wasn’t just about wearing nice clothes and a few good pieces of jewelry.
Huo Ci was utterly astonished.
Seeing how effortlessly familiar Jiang Xingyan was with it all, he understood just how she had spent money back in Jiangnan.
Then he thought of the hardships Jiang Xingyan had endured after marrying him.
Even if he treated her well now, it wouldn’t compare to one percent of her former life, yet his family had still mistreated and shortchanged her.
Huo Ci burned with shame, his face flushed red down to his neck.
Little Ya, her belly round and full, leaned against her mother’s embrace, listening to the soft singing. She was so comfortable that she fell asleep shortly after.
Jiang Xingyan patted Little Ya gently, as if transported back to her own childhood.
Her family had kept Pingtan performers, and her grandfather would listen to Pingtan every day, patting her gently to sleep for her nap.
A wave of sadness hit her nose, but she thought with pride: Grandfather, rest easy. I’ve taken back everything that belongs to me.
With bellies full and spirits high, the timing was perfect.
The carriages stopped steadily at the back door of Jixiang General Store. The group disembarked, laden with large and small packages.
As soon as they entered, seventy-five shop managers bowed in unison to ‘Jiang Xingyan’: “We welcome the Young Miss!”
Jiang Xingyan subtly elbowed the dazed Huo Ci.
“Rise quickly, esteemed managers,” Huo Ci managed, prompted.
The managers’ faces showed stirring emotions and deep feeling.
With one look from Jiang Xingyan, the four maids—Chun, Xia, Qiu, and Dong—distributed the samples, which had been sorted in the carriage, to the respective shop managers.
Following the script Jiang Xingyan had taught him, Huo Ci explained, “These are new items available in our competitors’ shops but not in ours. Please take a look, managers.”
This direct approach made all the managers straighten up and become serious.
Over the past three years, without seeing the Young Miss, and with Dongyang seemingly under duress, they had lacked the heart to truly focus on business, merely maintaining the status quo.
They hadn’t expected the Young Miss to spot the issue at a single glance.
“I know your loyalty is beyond doubt. You have suffered, living in fear and hardship these past three years.”
“Now that I have retrieved the deeds for all the shops, are you willing to help my Jiang family reclaim the top spot on the wealthy merchants’ ranking?”
Hearing the words “retrieved,” everyone understood the implication.
Several of the female managers secretly had red-rimmed eyes.
Their Young Miss was the one who had truly suffered!
“This humble one is willing!”
“I pledge my humble efforts!”
“I will repay Old Master Jiang’s recognition and kindness for the rest of my life!”
“I swear to follow the Young Miss unto death!”
The managers’ fighting spirit was ignited. Clenching their fists, they pledged their loyalty to Jiang Xingyan.
“Good. You were all my grandfather’s most trusted right-hand men and women, and you are mine as well.”
Jiang Xingyan’s eyes reddened. She turned away slightly to wipe a stray tear.
These words came from the depths of her heart, even if they now had to be spoken through Huo Ci’s mouth.
She had prepared a meeting gift of one thousand taels of silver for each manager.
Seeing their expressions of feeling unworthy of such generosity warmed her heart immensely.
“This is what you deserve.”
“Thank you for your high regard, Young Miss!”
“And the investigation into the moles within the shops these past few days—how is it progressing? Let’s start with Manager Qian.”
BANG!
The backyard gate was kicked open from the outside.
Before anyone could react, over twenty black-clad figures flew over the wall and charged directly at the assembled managers.
Jiang Xingyan’s body moved faster than her mind. Instinctively, she lifted her leg and kicked away the first black-clad intruder, simultaneously grabbing another in a restraining hold. “Huddle together!” she shouted.
After the initial shock, the managers quickly reacted, moving swiftly to gather into a tight group.
The black-clad figures, however, made no move to harm anyone. Instead, they produced ropes, intending to bind them.
Jiang Xingyan drew her sword. “How dare you lowly scoundrels act so recklessly before me, Huo Ci!”
“Halt!”
A voice shouted from outside the gate.
All the black-clad figures immediately stopped and stood respectfully at attention.
Jiang Xingyan turned to look. A noble, imposing young man strode in through the gate.
It was actually the Third Prince, Xiao Chonghua.