“This Wu’an Marquis’ Mansion looks quite grand. It shouldn’t be lacking in money right…”
“Who knows? Maybe they really do not have enough money. Or maybe they have money but do not want to give and are prepared to default on the payment…”
“The character of people in this Wu’an Marquis Household is really quite bad…”
“Who says it isn’t…”
Everyone’s criticisms travelling into all ears. Song Qingyan’s beautiful small face turned red – so what if she takes things from Zhuyu Court? That’s her aunt’s dowry shop. No matter how much she took, she didn’t destroy these peoples’ interest. Why are they so indignant?
Slight fury appeared beneath her eyes. She was just prepared to teach everyone a lesson when a middle-aged man rang first, “I am Jingxiu Silk Warehouse’s staff. Wu’an Marquis Household has been buying silk clothing from our warehouse without payment for 10 years. When I come to collect payment at the beginning of every month, they also use all sorts of excuses. Today, I have met Zhuyu Court’s staff who are in the same boat. Sigh… I shall also read out of the list to everyone…”
“On XX year, X month, X day, Wu’an Marquis’ lady bought 2 batches of Shu brocade, 2 batches of Yun brocade, 2 batches of Su embroidered brocade, worth 10,000 taels. On XX year, XX month, XX day, Wu’an Marquis’ lady bought…”
“Me too, me too. I am from the antique goods shop. Wu’an Marquis’ lady have also been taking quite a bit from the antique goods shop over these ten years. And similarly has not paid a single cent. Every time I ask for payment, they will make excuses. I have brought the list along now and shall read to everyone as well…”
Six shopkeepers representing six shops stood in front of the main entrance of the Wu’an Marquis Mansion in a line each holding a long list and loudly and clearly reading out the list in measured cadence. The large amount of each item sent people into hysterics.
“Wu’an Marquis Household really spends so much. Each of their purchases are close to 10,000 taels worth…”
“I would be willing to buy as much clothing, jewelry and antiques as possible if I could only record my debt and not pay anything…”
“If you don’t have money then don’t buy so many things. How can one take things without paying… Wu’an Marquis’ Household really is… like street thugs and gangsters…”
“If someone owed me that much money and refused to pay, but continued to take antiques and paintings from my shop, I would have sued them in court…”
Ridicule and disdainful criticisms came from all sides, scolding Song Qingyan until she didn’t dare to look up. Face red, she urgently instructed, “Mei’er, Mei’er, hurry and go inform my mother…” The situation has gotten big and she can’t handle it on her own.
“Yes!” The maid Mei’er nodded and turned around to go into the Mansion when she saw Murong Ruo accompanied by a group of maids hurriedly walking over.
Her hair was raised high, revealing a beautiful small face that was well-taken care of. Her elegant robe was grand and colorful, making her look more elegant and n.o.ble. Her red lips were pursed tightly and her cold gaze swept across the line of the 6 shopkeepers. Her beautiful brows tightly frowned, “What is going on?”
The 6 shopkeepers looked at each other. The staff from Zhuyu Court stepped out and bowed deeply towards Murong Ruo, “Lady Song, we have come to settle the debts!”
“If you want to settle the accounts, go and look for the butler, why are you making a ruckus here?” Murong Ruo snapped. After standing in front of the Wu’an Marquis Mansion entrance and hearing those long lists of accounts, the people of the Capital will all know that Wu’an Marquis Household likes to take things without paying and even owes up to ten years. Then, the household’s face will be all lost.
“Lady Song, when we looked for the butler previously, he always made excuses and delayed the settlement. These delays have been going on for ten years. We really have no other choice other than doing it this way.” Zhuyu Court’s staff explained bitterly.
“That’s right, Lady Song. Because we cannot collect these debts, our shops cannot turn around and are almost going to cease operations. I beg you to settle the accounts.” The shopkeeper of Jingxiu Silk Warehouse continued, loudly begging.
“Yes, Lady Song, I beg you. We have elderly and young dependent on us. If the shops close, we have no way of feeding our family…”
The 6 shopkeepers stood in front of the entrance begging and crying, looking extremely pitiful!
The surrounding crowd shook their heads and sighed, “Isn’t the saying – the creditors are the bosses and debtors are the dogs? How come it’s the opposite here? The debtors are the bosses and creditors have become the dogs.”
“Who ask them to be owed to by Wu’an Marquis Household? The common people cannot fight with the officials – even if they do fight, they cannot win…”
“I heard that Shuntian Magistrate Court’s Official Lin is an upright official. If you sue them there, you should be able to seek justice…”
“Official Lin’s rank is entirely below Wu’an Marquis’ level. Even if you go to court, it is hard to say…”
“That’s true. If the official’s rank is high, it can crush people. If Wu’an Marquis puts pressure on Official Lin’s judgment… Sigh…”
Ridicule poured in and attacked them. Murong Ruo’s face turned scarily dark, and her cold gaze fell on to those 6 shopkeepers. She controlled her temper and gave a false smile with much difficulty, “Any accounts with the shops have been managed by the butler. I don’t know anything about it…”
Since the issue has exploded, the reputation of Wu’an Marquis’ household has been damaged. Her mother-in-law and husband will definitely be furious. She needs to take herself out of the equation and can definitely not carry a bad accusation.
People were not convinced. Murong Ruo holds the reins to Wu’an Marquis’ Household’s internal affairs. Every month she will check the expenses of the household. She takes so many silk batches, jewelry from the shops but her butler is not paying for them – shouldn’t she be able to see?
Even if she didn’t notice, it is forgivable if it’s once or twice. But over ten years, she would have checked the accounts 120 times and if she didn’t notice till now… Hehe… Even the blind are not as dumb as her…
The antique goods store’s staff walked up and quietly said, “Lady Song, we do not want to dispute over the debt issue anymore. All we want now is to collect the payment. Please fulfill our wis.h.!.+”
Whoever wants to carry the charges of damaging the reputation of the Wu’an Marquis’ Household can do so. That has nothing to do with them. Their objective of coming here today is just to collect the debt!
Murong Ruo’s eyes flashed sinisterly and then returned to normal. She smiled lightly and said, “The 6 of you need not worry. Our household has always seen our reputation as important. The debt that we owe your shops will be returned without a cent missing to all 6 of you.” The crowd was very agitated. If she dared to say a word of rejection, she would drown in their accusations.
The 6 shopkeepers immediately smiled widely and their eyes shone as they looked at Murong Ruo, “That’s fantastic. Would Lady Song be paying in cheque or cash?”
“We don’t have many cheques in the Mansion but we do have a lot of cash. However, ten years of accounts is quite a lot. Given your weak bodies, I just afraid that you are not able to carry that much…” Murong Ruo said smiling, her eyes flashed with sharp coldness. She will first make a promise to replay and disperse the crowd then she will harshly teach these six incompetent b.a.s.t.a.r.ds a lesson…