Chapter 17 Aunt Liu Takes Charge of the Household
Jiang Wan Ning looked up, "What does Steward Wang think?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Fu became certain that Jiang Wan Ning was bluffing him, so he bent down even lower, but his tone became even more assertive.
“Miss, I have been working in this shop for over ten years. Even if I haven’t made any great contributions, I have certainly put in a lot of hard work.”
"While I wouldn't say I've devoted myself entirely to my work, I've certainly done my best. Miss, please feel free to speak your mind."
"Don't let the young bear false accusations."
Seeing that Jiang Wan Ning's expression had softened considerably, Wang Fu felt even more confident, and even straightened his bent back.
Jiang Wan Ning spoke slowly and deliberately, "In the twenty-ninth year of Tiande, which was last year, if I remember correctly, the grain yield was extremely high."
"There is no war on the border, but in the past few years, the war has damaged the fields of many neighboring cities."
"I don't know if my memory is right or wrong?" Jiang Wan Ning looked at Wang Fu.
That look in his eyes seemed to be asking a question.
Wang Fu nodded. "Miss, you remember correctly. That's right."
"If that's the case, then how come there were still losses even though grain prices remained high last year?"
Only when grain production is high and supply exceeds demand will prices be low, making it possible to incur losses.
Although grain production was high last year, supply could not meet demand, and grain prices remained high.
The ledger, however, states that no one bought the grain, causing the high-priced grain to mold and ultimately resulting in significant losses.
Wang Fu was taken aback, then said, "Miss, you may not know this, but the price of grain was actually high last year."
"But the higher the price, the more I thought I'd wait and see, hoping the price would go up even further someday. But then, the grain just started to mold."
"In fact, this matter was done with the consent of the lady."
Jiang Wan Ning calmly looked at Wang Fu.
Since Liu took over the household, my mother has never been involved in any affairs, and even when things are brought to her, she just dismisses them casually.
It seems that Madam Liu has figured this out; if anything goes wrong, her mother will take the blame.
Wang Fu felt uneasy under their gaze and lowered his head guiltily.
Why did I find this young lady easy to talk to just a moment ago, but suddenly her eyes seem to be getting more and more eerie, as if she can see right through me?
She had met this young lady before; she always spoke softly and gently to people, especially to servants like them.
Although he spoke politely today, he always gave off a chilling aura, especially his unfathomable eyes.
Jiang Wanning continued, "What happened to the moldy grain?"
"These...were all sold to some villagers at low prices."
"Give me the purchase records," Jiang Wanning said. "Shayao, take the ledger to the villagers who made the purchases later."
"Since it was bought last year and the grain was moldy, most people should remember it."
"Check them one by one."
"Yes, Miss."
Peony stretched out her hand to Manager Wang, "Manager, give me the account books."
Manager Wang was stunned for a moment, his previous composure gone. "Young Miss, this..."
"You don't trust me?"
"What you've done has truly broken my heart. I've devoted myself to the Marquis's household for over ten years."
"Never before, whether it was the madam or Concubine Liu who were in charge of the household, had they ever suspected the young one like this."
“Steward Wang,” Jiang Wan Ning said indifferently, “you should thank our Marquis’s mansion for raising you for ten years, not for you sacrificing ten years for the Marquis’s mansion.”
“If it weren’t for the Marquis’s mansion, you might not be where you are today. But if it weren’t for you, there would be many stewards who are more capable and more loyal than you who would take your place.”
"You say it's hard work and mental effort, but didn't my manor pay you any wages?"
"This..." Wang Fu was speechless for a moment. "Miss, although that's true, I have also put in a lot of effort."
"Since we've paid you, do you expect the Marquis's mansion to treat you like royalty if you don't work hard?" Peony rebuked angrily.
This shopkeeper is utterly shameless; how could he have the nerve to say such a thing?
"Manager Wang, I just wanted to check the accounts, how did that offend you?"
Jiang Wan Ning asked, "Or are you afraid of something?"
“Young Miss, you are very discerning. It’s just that Aunt Liu has never done this before.”
“Aunt Liu is Aunt Liu, and I am me. What? Are you working for the Marquis’s mansion or for Aunt Liu?”
As soon as Jiang Wan Ning finished speaking, Wang Fu's knees buckled and he knelt down, "Please forgive me, Miss."
"We are naturally working for the Marquis's residence."
"I was just doing a casual search, but seeing how Manager Wang is doing it, I'm thinking of doing a proper search myself."
Peony.
"Yes, Miss." Peony deftly placed the abacus on the table, then laid a soft cushion on the chair and brewed some fresh tea.
Finally, he pointed to the waiter behind Wang Fu and said, "You, go and buy some snacks."
Upon seeing this, Wang Fu knew that Jiang Wan Ning was going to thoroughly investigate the accounts.
"Young Miss, your arrival today was quite sudden. Why don't you come back to check on me tomorrow morning?"
"I'll also make preparations and organize the account books. Don't let the young lady get tired or exhausted."
"Isn't keeping track of accounts something you're supposed to do all the time?"
As Jiang Wan Ning spoke, she lowered her head and opened an account book, skillfully using an abacus with one hand while quickly flipping through the account book with the other.
He continued talking to Wang Fu, "Who usually keeps the accounts? They can't even do this little thing right."
"From now on, none of the shops belonging to my Marquis's residence will ever employ such people again. Does Steward Wang understand?"
Receiving no response, Jiang Wan Ning slowly raised her head.
Wang Fu immediately replied, "Understood, understood."
"I'll get him out of here right now."
As she was about to get up, with one leg just raised, Jiang Wan Ning said, "No rush."
Wang Fu knelt back down swiftly.
Jiang Wan Ning closed the ledger in her hand and threw it next to Wang Fu's legs. "I've marked all the problematic parts."
"Give me an explanation first."
Wang Fu picked up the ledger and flipped through it page by page. The more he turned to the back, the more his hands trembled.
How is that possible?
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and with her quick observation, how could she possibly have uncovered all the tricks involved?
Didn't they say that the young lady never manages the household and has never learned how to be a housekeeper?
Why is this happening?
I should have just brought out all the fake accounts...
As Wang Fu was thinking, Jiang Wan Ning threw another ledger directly at his face, saying, "This one is a fake ledger."
Wang Fu shuddered, then retorted, "Miss, you can check the ledger if there's anything wrong with it."
"But you can't wrongly accuse the younger one of falsifying accounts."
Seeing that Wang Fu was still determined to get revenge, Jiang Wan Ning said, "Take a close look at these two ledgers."
Wang Fu examined the two ledgers carefully, saying, "Please forgive me, Miss."
He had never noticed the small stamp on the side of the genuine ledger.
No wonder that even though the lady didn't manage the household affairs, she still made sure to review the account books before distributing them.
The seal was small and discreet, and the place where it was stamped was different for each book, so who would notice it?
"I did a rough calculation, and from just the few books I've read, a thousand taels of profit have been wiped out."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com