"Sir, Ulin just sent a message back."
Wang Xiuxiu was flipping through account books in her study when she heard this and her fingertips paused slightly.
The sound of rain pattering outside the window deepened the twilight.
She put down the wolf-hair brush in her hand and looked up at Zisu standing to the side.
"What did he find out?"
Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle.
Ever since Miss Liao came to her door seeking help, Wang Xiuxiu had become extremely wary of this son-in-law of the Gu family.
Although what Miss Liao said was shocking, Wang Xiuxiu never believed one-sided stories, so she sent her most capable Wu Lin to investigate secretly.
Zisu moved closer and lowered her voice: "He followed Gu Linxiao and found out that the man owned a large mansion in the suburbs. It covered a vast area, with high walls and heavy guard. Wu Lin disguised himself as a peddler and observed the area for three days, discovering that the decorations and furnishings inside were extremely luxurious."
Wang Xiuxiu lightly tapped the table with her fingertips. "That's not surprising. The Gu family has been running a pearl farm for many years and is quite wealthy. He must have accumulated a lot of savings after so many years of embezzlement. But are there any other discoveries?"
"There's something strange going on," Zisu said, her voice even lower. "Every now and then, someone sneaks out of the house at midnight, carrying something wrapped tightly in straw mats through a side door. They always choose to do this at the stroke of midnight."
The candlelight flickered in Wang Xiuxiu's eyes, reflecting a cold light.
She pondered for a moment: "Have Wulin find out exactly what they're transporting. Remember, proceed with extreme caution; it's better to be slow than to alert them."
"Yes!" Zisu accepted the order and left, her figure quickly disappearing into the rain.
Wang Xiuxiu got up and walked to the window. Rain dripped from the eaves, making a soft, rhythmic sound on the bluestone slabs.
---
Seven days later, in the dead of night.
Wang Xiuxiu sat under the lamp, wearing a robe, holding a book in her hands, but she couldn't read a single word.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, followed by Wu Lin's low voice: "Sir, it's me!"
Outside the door, Wu Lin was soaked to the bone and his face was as pale as paper.
He didn't even bother to wipe the rain from his face; he knelt down as soon as he entered the room: "Sir, I've made a major discovery!"
Wang Xiuxiu's heart skipped a beat. She gestured for Zisu to close the doors and windows tightly: "Get up and talk. What did you find out?"
Wu Lin's lips trembled: "The things being transported to Gu Linxiao's mansion outside the city at midnight were all corpses!"
"A corpse?" Wang Xiuxiu almost dropped the teacup in her hand.
"Yes, there were men and women, but mostly women." A hint of hesitation flashed in Wulin's eyes. "I secretly followed a transport cart and watched them carry these...these corpses to a mass grave outside the city and hastily bury them. After they left, I dug up a new grave to check, and that girl...that girl's body..."
He couldn't continue; his hands trembled involuntarily.
"Tell me slowly."
Ulin took a deep breath: "The corpses were covered in wounds—whip marks, branding marks, and...knife wounds. Some of the girls even had their bellies cut open, their internal organs incomplete..." His voice choked with emotion. "Sir, that's simply inhuman!"
The candlelight flickered and burst, casting a dim light on Wang Xiuxiu's face.
"Can you find out who these people are?"
"They are all servants from Gu Linxiao's mansion."
"With such a large fluctuation in the number of people at Gu Linxiao's outer residence, hasn't anyone noticed?"
“This house is very strictly controlled, and I have investigated it. Most of the servants they employ are pearl divers from poor families. Even if there are any clues, they are all suppressed by Gu Linxiao.”
After a long silence, Wang Xiuxiu asked, "How many people are there?"
“In the past, there were probably a few every month, but there have been more lately. I’ve been watching for three days and have already transported seven or eight people out.”
After a long silence, Wang Xiuxiu suddenly got up, walked to her desk, picked up her pen, and wrote a letter.
"Zisu, go and inform Miss Liao that I've agreed to her request."
---
In the days that followed, Wang Xiuxiu began to frequent various businesses, befriending local wealthy families under the guise of a merchant from the north.
She was eloquent and had insightful appreciation for jewelry, which quickly made her a minor celebrity in the business world.
Meanwhile, Wu Lin continued his covert investigation, gathering evidence of Gu Linxiao's crimes.
However, things did not go smoothly.
Madam Gu trusted her husband implicitly, and Wang Xiuxiu's attempts to test him failed each time.
"It seems we need to try a different approach." Wang Xiuxiu put down her teacup and said to Zisu, "Go and inform Miss Liao; it's her turn to take action."
Miss Liao's methods were even more ruthless than Wang Xiuxiu had imagined.
A few days later, news suddenly spread that the Gu family's pearl farm was experiencing cash flow problems.
It turns out that Miss Liao had secretly cut off several of Gu Linxiao's important funding chains.
This move hit the nail on the head.
Gu Linxiao has already transferred most of his funds to cover the losses.
Although the Gu family had no close relatives, before he passed away, Old Master Gu left his daughter a group of loyal servants.
Over the years, if it weren't for them protecting Miss Gu, the Gu family's assets would have been completely swallowed up by Gu Linxiao.
Because he was wary of them, Gu Linxiao had no choice but to gradually erode the Gu family's pearl farm by investing in it.
He had been planning this scheme for many years.
In a few days, the deadline for recruiting shareholders for the Gu family's pearl farm will be approached. If his people do not receive enough money to pass the capital verification process, they will be completely kicked out.
Therefore, Gu Linxiao's years of planning will come to naught.
Gu Linxiao was extremely anxious about this.
The servant returned from outside, and as soon as he entered the room, Gu Linxiao hurriedly asked, "How did it go? Did they agree?"
The servant hesitated and said, "I agree, but..."
"Just say it! Stop beating around the bush!"
"For the next twenty years, those foreigners will only be able to work with the customers they designate."
"presumptuous!"
Gu Linxiao had been plotting for many years, all for the sake of completely seizing control of the Gu family's pearl farm.
He originally intended to invite allies to participate and indirectly take over the power they held.
I never expected these foreigners to be so greedy and make such an outrageous demand!
At this moment, finding a rich fool who is willing to relinquish power to you is as difficult as climbing to heaven!
Just as he was getting anxious, the head steward who was standing next to Gu Linxiao suddenly spoke up: "Master, why don't you consider foreign merchants?"
"You mean the group of merchants from the north?"
The head steward nodded.
"This group of people does have some money, but..."
Seeing his hesitation, the head steward thought for a moment and continued, "They have money, and they are foreign merchants with no roots here. Even if they make some excessive demands, whether or not they comply will still depend on us, won't it?"
After much deliberation, Gu Linxiao gritted his teeth and agreed.
"Make the arrangements. I need to meet with the person in charge."
——
"Sir, Gu Linxiao is in a panic!" Wu Lin rushed in to report. "He first approached several familiar merchants to borrow money, but they all politely refused. Today, he arranged a secret meeting with a foreign merchant, but it seems they couldn't reach an agreement, and he came out looking ashen-faced."
Wang Xiuxiu's lips curled into a slight smile: "He's desperate."
Sure enough, in the evening, a gold-embossed invitation was delivered to the residence where Wang Xiuxiu was temporarily staying—Gu Linxiao invited her to meet at Zuixianlou the next day at noon.
"The fish has taken the bait." Wang Xiuxiu gently stroked the invitation, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
---
Inside the private room of Zuixianlou, Gu Linxiao had been waiting for a long time.
He was in his early forties, with a refined and scholarly appearance, and his indigo long gown made him look even thinner.
If Wang Xiuxiu hadn't known his background beforehand, she would have almost been fooled by his refined appearance.
"I have long admired Mr. Wang's reputation, and it is indeed well-deserved to be met today." Gu Linxiao bowed respectfully with a beaming smile.
Wang Xiuxiu returned the greeting: "You're too kind, Master Gu. I'm new here, and it's truly an honor to have you take notice of me."
After exchanging pleasantries and a few rounds of drinks, Gu Linxiao gradually got to the point: "I've heard that Mr. Wang runs a large business dealing in furs and medicinal herbs in the north. Are you interested in South China Sea pearls?"
Wang Xiuxiu feigned hesitation: "The pearl business is very profitable, but..."
"Just what?" Gu Linxiao leaned forward slightly.
"It's just that the entry barrier is too high. The operating model of the South City pearl market is fixed, making it difficult for outsiders to get involved." Wang Xiuxiu shook her head and sighed. "To be honest, Mr. Gu, I originally intended to invest in the pearl market during my trip south, but alas..."
A glint of light flashed in Gu Linxiao's eyes: "If Mr. Wang is interested, I do have an opportunity."
He lowered his voice, "The Gu family's pearl farm is currently recruiting shareholders. With Mr. Wang's financial resources, acquiring shares is by no means difficult."
Wang Xiuxiu looked surprised: "The Gu family's pearl farm? Isn't that Old Master Gu's own property? Why...?"
"No matter how large a business is, it must keep up with the times," Gu Linxiao sighed. "Introducing new shareholders brings new ideas, which is beneficial to the long-term development of the pearl farm. But..." He hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.
"Please speak freely, sir."
"However, time is tight; the deadline for capital verification is in three days." Gu Linxiao looked directly at Wang Xiuxiu. "If Mr. Wang is truly sincere, he needs to make a decision as soon as possible."
Wang Xiuxiu sneered inwardly, but her face showed hesitation: "Three days...time is indeed tight. I wonder how much Master Gu hopes I will invest?"
Gu Linxiao held out one hand: "Five hundred thousand taels of silver, for a 30% stake."
"This..." Wang Xiuxiu gasped, "That's a considerable sum."
"Mr. Wang, rest assured, the Gu family's pearl mine earns over 100,000 taels annually. This investment is a sure thing."
Gu Linxiao leaned closer, lowering his voice even further, "And I can guarantee that Mr. Wang will only need to focus on his profit sharing; he won't need to worry about the business operations afterward."
This is precisely where Gu Linxiao's cunning lies—he needs money, but he is unwilling to relinquish power.
Wang Xiuxiu pretended to think for a long time before finally nodding: "Since Master Gu is so sincere, I am willing to give it a try, but..."
"Mr. Wang, do you have any further concerns?"
"Five hundred thousand taels is no small sum; I need to procure it from the north. It will take at least... five days." Wang Xiuxiu deliberately delayed.
Gu Linxiao's expression changed: "Five days? That's too late!"
Wang Xiuxiu helplessly spread her hands: "Then I'm afraid..."
Just when Gu Linxiao was almost in despair, Wang Xiuxiu suddenly said, "Unless..."
"Unless what?" Gu Linxiao asked urgently.
"Unless Master Lao can show me the pearl farm's account books first, so I have a clear understanding of the situation, I can use my connections at the local banks to raise the initial investment."
A flicker of wariness crossed Gu Linxiao's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by anxiety: "Alright! I'll bring the account books to see Mr. Wang tomorrow!"
As Wang Xiuxiu left Zuixianlou, she glanced back at Gu Linxiao, who was standing by the second-floor window.
In the twilight, the seemingly refined figure revealed a hint of ferocity.
"Sir, how did the talk go?" Ulin, who was waiting outside, came up to ask.
Wang Xiuxiu whispered, "They've taken the bait. Has the Prince sent any news back?"
Wang Xiuxiu's trip was destined to be extremely costly, and Lu Jingze returned to the capital after Wang Xiuxiu had settled in the south.
If all goes well, we should have news by now.
Sure enough, Zisu nodded.
"The goods obtained from the northern border have been converted into silver and are ready to be transported south. However, Your Highness cannot stay away from the capital for long. This time, the Emperor has sent Young Marquis Ye to escort them."
“Ye Lanfeng.” Wang Xiuxiu raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat surprised.
How much longer until we arrive?
Zisu calculated the time, "If all goes well, it should be done in the next few days."
Wang Xiuxiu nodded, "The timing is about right, I can make it, but that old fox Gu Linxiao made a very strict agreement with me in private."
"Then what should we do?"
"No rush, let's whet his appetite first. If we agree to such an excessive request right away, he might become suspicious."
"Also, have someone keep a close eye on his house in the suburbs."
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