Chapter 1233: Pain
Editor: Henyee Translations
That event marked the pinnacle of the Yangzhou business world, possibly claiming the top spot in the annual rankings.
A vast expanse of 100,000 mu of mulberry fields translated into a fortune worth millions of liang—a staggering display of generosity.
Wealth beyond measure! The sheer opulence of it all!
Zhao Mu seethed with anger, as did Zhao Zhai, Zhao Ye, and even Ms. Qin herself. Their fury stemmed from the fact that these extensive mulberry fields were the property of the Zhao Family, and the idea of selling them to anyone else felt wholly unjust.
It was an affront they could no longer endure.
In this moment, Ms. Qin’s thoughts finally turned to silk.
Ever since Madame Zheng’s marriage to Zhao Mu, not a single tael of silver had been spent on purchasing silk. But starting this year, the era of free silk was coming to an end. It would now be bought with hard-earned money—a colossal expense.
What compet.i.tive edge did Zhao Mu possess, then?
In a mere two years, his t.i.tle as the wealthiest individual in Yangzhou seemed destined to slip away.
Unthinkable!
Upon hearing her youngest son’s words, Ms. Qin’s reaction was nothing short of a shriek, as if she had been cut to the core. “Impossible! How could he dare!”
A sprawling 100,000 mu of mulberry gardens! Worth over a million liang!
Ms. Qin could hardly catch her breath, so much wealth slipping away.
Zhao Shu had no right—selling them all and absconding with the money!
“The mulberry gardens belong to the Zhao Family, not him. Why would he even think of selling them? You two brothers have nurtured them all these years while he did nothing! What did the Old Master say? We can’t let this go easily! He has no authority over the mulberry gardens!”
Zhao Ye’s voice carried a dark undertone as he muttered, “Uncle Qing is here as well. He’s got the contract, and Dad is powerless to intervene. We’re just waiting for Third Brother to return home and hear his perspective on this.”
Ms. Qin inquired, “Uncle Qing is here too? Why didn’t you bring him back home? Your father is utterly bewildered.”
Zhao Ye hesitated, then faltered in his response. He felt a deep sense of shame, making it difficult to voice his reasons.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to retrieve Uncle Qing or confront him. He simply couldn’t resort to force, and the situation had caught them off guard. Their lack of preparedness was deeply frustrating.
Ms. Qin’s countenance darkened, and she suddenly sneered, “In my view, it might be better if that person never returns. His absence would make dealing with this matter much simpler.”
Zhao Ye was taken aback by this statement.
A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Ms. Qin’s eyes as she continued, “I suspect we’ve all been deceived by Uncle Qing!”
“What?” Zhao Ye was utterly bewildered, struggling to comprehend his mother’s thoughts.
Ms. Qin exuded confidence as she sneered again. “The 100,000 mu of mulberry fields are our rightful property. No matter how disobedient that person may be, he couldn’t have sold the properties so abruptly. I believe Uncle Qing must have conspired with outsiders to steal the mulberry garden deed from Old Master Shao and Madame Shao. Otherwise, when Uncle Qing appeared, that person would have vanished! Uncle Qing has always been close to that person!”
“He must have committed some grave misdeeds and returned here secretly, fearing retribution from that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. He likely handed over the contract to someone outside the family and profited handsomely!”
“When he absconds with the money, where will we find him? He’ll be Ruyi’s favorite!”
Zhao Ye pondered this for a moment. “What do we do then?”
Ms. Qin replied with determination, “It’s simple. We report this to the authorities, have Uncle Qing and the Shao couple arrested, and interrogate them!”
Zhao Ye’s eyes were sparkling. He could not help but feel happy.