Bai Jinxiao nodded in agreement, "The intelligence is absolutely true. However, I conducted an in-depth investigation in Wusu Ancient Town and learned that Miss Cao is all alone. Apart from her bedridden mother, she has no other relatives in the town. Otherwise, how could she have fallen into such a situation of being bullied?"
He looked bewildered. "But now, where did these so-called members of the Cao clan come from?"
Jiang Huaiyu, however, remained unusually calm. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “When you are down on your luck, everyone avoids you like the plague. Even if you are related by blood, they may not be willing to admit it publicly. But once you are at the height of your fame, everyone will scramble to get a piece of the pie, driven by self-interest. Regardless of how close or distant you are, as long as they can have even the slightest connection with you, they will all want to get a share of the pie from you. This is the complexity of human nature.”
Bai Jinxiao still couldn't understand, "But... why was Miss Cao arrested?"
A cold glint flashed in Jiang Huaiyu's eyes. "Once Miss Cao is imprisoned, the Cao clan will harbor ambitions to usurp the throne. Then let's ask them what methods they used against Miss Cao?"
Bai Jinxiao's face turned deathly pale. "You mean, the imprisonment of Miss Cao was part of their conspiracy?"
Jiang Huaiyu gently shook his head. “We are far away in Wanfu County and naturally do not know the truth. But based on the current situation, the Cao family is undoubtedly the biggest beneficiary of Miss Cao’s arrest, so they cannot escape suspicion.”
Bai Jinxiao sighed deeply and said anxiously, "Master, what should we do?"
If the workshop cannot ensure a stable supply of goods, not only will the opening of the new store fall through, but even the old Han Yi Fang store may be in crisis.
Jiang Huaiyu was fully aware of this.
If anything goes wrong at the workshop, Luo Eryin's business will be in jeopardy. Therefore, to ensure the stable development of the business, it is essential to keep the workshop firmly under the control of one's own people.
Those members of the Cao clan were clearly not included in this list.
Luo Eryin's business was established by her own hands, how could she easily hand it over to someone else?
Jiang Huaiyu was deep in thought about countermeasures.
Seeing that she remained silent, Bai Jinxiao suggested, "Why don't I go to Jizhou myself to find out what has happened there!"
Jiang Huaiyu came to his senses. "We do need to know what happened in Jizhou. But that's not enough. We also need to thoroughly resolve the workshop issue and ensure that no one will dare to covet it again."
Within just six months, Luo Eryin's reputation in Wanfu County soared. Given time, her rouge would surely sell well everywhere, even surpassing her previous glory and becoming a leader in the industry.
This considerable profit naturally attracted countless people who coveted it. If everyone was rushing to get it, how could she possibly focus on running her business?
Bai Jinxiao hesitated at this moment. "I have traveled to Jizhou many times and know its customs and traditions very well. This time, the workshop has encountered an accident, and I should be the one to handle it personally. However... Miss Cao has suddenly been involved in a lawsuit and imprisoned for some reason. Although I am capable of reorganizing the workshop, dealing with the government is an area I have never been involved in before. I am worried that this trip will not be able to resolve the problem satisfactorily..."
Jiang Huaiyu pondered for a moment, then turned to him and said, "Brother Bai, this time, I've decided to go to Jizhou myself. You will stay in Wanfu County. Since the supply of goods is fluctuating, the opening of the new store will be postponed for now. You and Sister Cuiying will focus on managing the old store together."
Bai Jinxiao's concerns were not unfounded. Although he was already an outstanding businessman, it did not mean that he could handle entanglements with the government.
Even Jiang Huaiyu himself wasn't entirely confident.
However, Luo Eryin's business was of paramount importance to her; she had poured so much effort into it and couldn't allow all that hard work to go to waste. She had to go herself, no matter what.
Bai Jinxiao looked worried. "With you personally taking action, things will surely take a turn for the better. But Jizhou is a long way away, and it's a concern for your safety as a woman traveling alone. Why don't I accompany you?"
Jiang Huaiyu had the same concerns.
She was accompanied only by Deng Shen and Ying Xiang, both young and unskilled in martial arts. Traveling together, the three of them would likely be unable to protect themselves if they encountered bandits.
The journey to Jizhou is long and arduous, requiring us to traverse mountains and cross rivers, and these safety issues must be carefully considered.
She hesitated for a moment, then said, "I need to make arrangements for the affairs at the academy first. Please allow me to consider this matter carefully."
...
After Bai Jinxiao left, Jiang Huaiyu returned to the courtyard and saw Tu Wenying waiting inside as soon as she entered.
"Sister Jiang, what urgent matter does Brother Bai have with you that has kept you away for so long?"
Jiang Huaiyu then explained in detail about his trip to Jizhou, his tone firm and unquestionable.
Upon hearing this, Tu Wenying couldn't help but feel anxious. "The workshop is the core of your highly profitable business, and it must not be allowed to be touched by others. As the person in charge, you should personally take charge. If you are determined to set off, you can rest assured. I will send several capable guards from the Tu family to accompany you and ensure your safety. As for the academy, there is no need to worry about it. Everything is already on track. I have observed that the young master of the Cao family teaches quite well. We can share the classes you skip, and the academy's teaching progress will not be affected."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
In this way, the two major problems that had been troubling her were properly resolved, and she could embark on her journey to Jizhou with peace of mind.
The next day, she went to the academy to announce that she would be leaving her post for a period of time and assigned the teaching duties she was originally in charge of to several other teachers. Only after handling these matters did she begin to prepare for her departure.
In the afternoon, Bai Jinxiao visited again.
Jiang Huaiyu made it clear to him this time that he did not need to accompany her to Jizhou. The Tu family would be responsible for her safety, so there was no need to worry about her safety on the way.
Bai Jinxiao was still somewhat worried. "If there is a shortage of goods and the new store cannot open smoothly, there will be nothing I can do in Wanfu County. Why don't you come with me? I know that place very well, so you won't have to go through the trouble of finding out after you arrive."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and shook his head. "Brother Bai, there's no need to worry. As long as the journey goes smoothly, I will adapt to the situation once we arrive in Jizhou. If the workshop's problems are resolved properly, the goods will be delivered immediately. Therefore, it is wise for you to stay and handle the preparations for the opening."
She had another, deeper consideration in not letting him come along.
That is, it is really hard to predict when she will be able to return to her homeland after this trip.
In fact, the reason she hadn't decided to buy property in Wanfu County before this was precisely because she wasn't sure if she would stay there long-term. Now, the sudden change in Jizhou has given her an excellent opportunity to leave.
If she had resolved the issues in Jizhou and still wished to continue traveling, she might not have returned immediately.
After all, since parting ways with Bai Yujing, she no longer had many ties to the world.
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