"If it comes to seeing officials, you pay me some silver, and this matter will be settled." The woman was slightly stunned. Didn't she offend the Prime Minister? Why wasn't she afraid at all? She would see officials if she said so.
"You said our spices had a problem? If we let this go with just silver, it sets a bad precedent. If others follow suit, how can we do business? I'm determined to make an example today," Wu Caiwei said firmly.
The few men exchanged glances. Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, they turned and ran.
Before the shop assistants could react, Wu Caiwei grabbed something nearby and quickly ran forward, kicking one person and knocking down two with a sweep of her hand.
The shop assistants quickly stepped forward to subdue the men. "Owner, some of them got away," one of them reported to Wu Caiwei as soon as he noticed the number was off.
"It's fine, these few are enough," Wu Caiwei waved her hand dismissively.
She walked up to the bound and indignant men, looking at them with pity. "You all took silver, yet you suffer and toil here, and are about to face the authorities. Meanwhile, others are enjoying themselves with the money. It's just not worth it for you." Su Dan Novel Network.
These men were all street ruffians, and they didn't have much brotherly affection to begin with. Thinking they were about to face legal trouble made them uneasy. Now, hearing her words, their resentment grew.
"Shopkeeper Zhou, we won't hide it from you. Your sister paid us to cause trouble. We knew she was your sister because you look alike. Given that we've confessed honestly, can you let us go?" one of the ruffians quickly confessed as the situation worsened.
"You don't have to report them to the officials. Just come to the Zhou Mansion with me for a confrontation." After speaking, Wu Caiwei directly ordered the shop assistants to find a carriage and took them to the Zhou Mansion.
Upon arriving at their destination, she dragged the men and threw them on the ground, saying to the bewildered doorkeepers, "Hurry up and let your master and mistress come out, or you'll lose face completely. Don't blame me."
The servants of the Zhou Mansion, seeing this display, quickly ran to report to their master and mistress.
When Zhou Hanxiao heard about it, she knew her scheme had been exposed and quickly walked towards the entrance.
Seeing that everyone involved had arrived, Wu Caiwei said disdainfully, "The dignified Zhou Mansion actually resorts to such despicable tactics. We had already severed ties and I didn't want to come to your door, but you forced me to. This is the first time, and I'll let it slide. If you cause me trouble again, I'll seek justice from the officials."
Zhou Hanxiao clenched her fists. She had thought it would be difficult for a woman without power or influence to do business, especially after offending the Prime Minister. She thought that if someone came to her door, they would pay to resolve the matter to avoid escalating it. She never expected that Wu Caiwei not only knew the truth but had also come to the Zhou Mansion.
Many onlookers were watching the commotion, and she felt her face burning as if they were all laughing at her.
Zhou Xiangyu was also somewhat angry. He didn't expect the sisters' relationship to be so strained that it became public knowledge. The Zhou Mansion's reputation was already poor, and now it was even worse.
"Don't worry, I will definitely discipline them," Zhou Xiangyu promised. Wu Caiwei nodded and turned to leave, not taking his words to heart. She knew Zhou Hanxiao wouldn't give up, and she wouldn't let her off either. It wasn't that she didn't want to report them to the officials, but in the eyes of outsiders, she was still part of the Zhou family. Accusing the Zhou Mansion would inevitably lead to gossip.
She had originally thought that with this incident, those who were secretly observing her would be somewhat restrained, knowing she wasn't someone to be easily bullied.
However, to her surprise, the very next day, an unwelcome guest arrived, and Wu Caiwei became interested upon seeing her.
"Shopkeeper Zhou might not recognize me. We were almost family. I am the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lin family. Won't you invite me in for a sit-down?" Li Shi, fearing the other party might not know her identity, introduced herself first.
Wu Caiwei raised an eyebrow, curious about what the other party wanted to discuss. She said indifferently, "Come," and led them to a private room on the second floor.
The shop assistant, with keen observation, brought tea. Li Shi, while surveying the shop, held her cup and slowly took a sip.
Wu Caiwei calmly ate pastries, waiting to see who would lose composure first.
After a long while, Li Shi knew that continuing like this wouldn't work. The other party seemed unbothered, but she had limited time and had to return to the Lin Mansion.
After some thought, she spoke first, "Last time, your sister's actions caused great anger to my father-in-law and mother-in-law. You disgraced them in front of so many royal relatives. How can this matter be as if it never happened? They are just busy recently and haven't had time to deal with you yet. I advise you to leave the capital quickly. You, an ordinary citizen, cannot bear the wrath of the Prime Minister's Mansion. Even if you are a young lady of the Zhou family, so what?"
"Oh, as the eldest daughter-in-law sees it, what should I do?" Wu Caiwei asked, her expressionless face as she put down her teacup.
Li Shi was overjoyed, thinking the other party was afraid of the Prime Minister's Mansion and wanted her advice. After thinking for a moment, she said hesitantly, "You could sell all your properties and shops in the capital for silver, change your name, and flee far away. It's very difficult to find someone in the vast sea of people. With your skills, it wouldn't be difficult to make a comeback."
"If I sell my courtyard and shops, won't that easily alert the Prime Minister's Mansion? They'll probably find out before I even leave," Wu Caiwei questioned, as if considering the feasibility.
"You can sell them to me. We can proceed discreetly. If you don't say, and I don't say, who will know?" Li Shi's eyes sparkled as she looked at her. This was the true purpose of her visit.
"Oh? I have a five-courtyard residence and four shops. How much silver is the eldest daughter-in-law prepared to offer?" Wu Caiwei quickly turned to look at her, asking with great interest.
"I'm helping you, so I should get a preferential price, right? At most, ten thousand taels," Li Shi said somewhat reluctantly.
Wu Caiwei was amused to the point of anger. They truly wanted to take advantage of her distress, trying to turn something worth a hundred thousand taels into ten thousand.
"I'm afraid I have to disappoint the eldest daughter-in-law. My shops were all earned by myself, bit by bit. I have no intention of selling them now, nor will I in the future. There are plenty of people selling shops in the capital. You can find an agent, and you'll definitely find a suitable one. You don't need to worry about my affairs," Wu Caiwei said unceremoniously as she stood up.
"You really are refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. I offered ten thousand taels because I thought highly of you. Once this opportunity is gone, it won't come again. Don't come begging me when the Prime Minister's Mansion retaliates later." Because she was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Prime Minister's Mansion, others treated her with respect when she went out. This was the first time someone had spoken to her so rudely, and she was extremely angry.