“I was in the shop all night, thinking of checking the accounts. They’ve been neglected for years. Now that I’m about to become the Crown Prince, I can’t let things continue like this, can I, Grandmother?” Song Tangxue’s words were like planting a time bomb in the hearts of the Song family.
Indeed, Song Tangxue's neglect of management and financial management over the years gave them the opportunity to embezzle a considerable amount of money.
These coins have long been used up.
“Mother, you’re complaining about being poor, but where has all the money spent on the shop gone? How come you can’t even pay the servants’ monthly wages? If that’s the case, you might as well dismiss some of the servants, so that you can have an easier time.”
Song's mother's brow twitched. She would never agree to this idea. If she dismissed the servants, how could she live such a carefree and happy life?
"Tang Xue, you know that it takes a lot of money to support such a large Song family. As a member of the Song family, it's not unreasonable for you to take some money." Song's mother exclaimed that she was unlucky; why did her child suddenly go and check the accounts?
It's already difficult enough to get money out of Song Tangxue now; if she brings up old grievances again, how will they survive?
"Oh, what about the money Father spent?" Song Tangxue changed the subject and pointed to her father. Her father's face darkened, and he was about to accuse Song Tangxue of being too serious.
“This is no small sum of money; it's something that would be handled by the authorities if reported,” Song Tangxue said casually, blocking his path.
Mr. Song was very concerned about his reputation and would never confront Song Tangxue in court. If word got out, he would not only lose face but also end his career.
Thinking of this, Song's father forced a smile: "When I was an official in the court, entertaining guests and maintaining relationships all required money."
Song Tangxue sneered and offered no comment.
Old Madam Song felt uneasy. Seeing that Song Tangxue was ruthless and about to confront her, she wondered if she, who had lived her whole life, was going to have to go to court with a junior. It was utterly absurd.
"You also have the surname Song, so why do you have to ask each and every member of the family one by one?" Old Madam Song was furious. It was clearly their turn to criticize the younger generation, but she had left them speechless.
"Yes, wasn't it Grandmother who asked? Of course I had to report what I did last night," Song Tangxue replied lightly.
At this moment, the Song family realized that their decision had backfired, allowing Song Tangxue to turn the tables and relentlessly pressure them, wanting them to return all the money they had previously swallowed.
They completely disregarded the bonds of family.
"Grandmother doesn't manage household expenses, nor does she need to serve as an official in the court. So where did the money Grandmother spent go?" Song Tangxue's tone was unhurried, but her words struck the old lady's heart like a thousand pounds.
This time it wasn't an act; the old lady was genuinely heartbroken. Clutching her chest, her fingers trembled as she pointed at Song Tangxue: "You...you..."
He was so angry that he couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.
Mr. Song, Mrs. Song, and Song Tangli quickly got up and went to the old lady, patting her on the back.
Qiu Xiang also took the pills and served them to the old lady. Only Song Tangxue stayed out of it. Not to mention walking in front of the old lady, she took several steps back, afraid that something bad might touch her.
Once the old lady's breathing had calmed down a bit, she leaned on her snake-head cane, panting slightly.
His usual shrewdness vanished completely at this moment, and his aged appearance made people realize that the person who had controlled the Song family for so long had truly grown old.
“It’s not just you guys; the other uncles in the Song family are also constantly taking money from my shop. Otherwise, how could they maintain this facade of prosperity with their meager salaries?”
"And even after I told them not to take the money, my second uncle still went and pestered them relentlessly yesterday. Aren't the Song family people just too greedy!"
"Are you determined to squeeze every last drop out of my family business before you're satisfied?"
Song Tangxue coldly rebuked, showing no concern for the old lady's frail health.
They've all lost all shame, what use are they to me? I just want to enrage them and leave them helpless.
They have no standing, and they have spent a huge amount of money, so they can't get any justice anywhere.
Song Tangli thought of how her uncles' families had been at the height of their power and influence, and how everyone said they were the wealthiest families in the capital.
He couldn't help but grit his teeth in envy of Song Tangxue's numerous shops. These shops were Song Tangxue's source of confidence; without them, she wouldn't even be able to enter the Song residence.
Now that Song Tangxue has completely broken off relations, she won't give a single penny of this money to the Song family.
If all these shops were hers, how wonderful it would be. Song Tangli began to resent why her mother hadn't sent her to be raised by Madam Shen back then, then all these things would have been hers.
Because Song Tangxue had already lost face quite a bit, especially after the trip to Emerald Manor, his resolve to make Song Tangxue pay the price grew stronger!
Song Tangxue didn't care at all what she was thinking. Looking at the Song family members with their various expressions, she felt a surge of pleasure.
The old lady sighed softly: "Tang Xue, your grandmother is getting old, but the Song family still exists. Do you want to watch the Song family decline day by day?"
That was indeed what Song Tangxue thought, but she couldn't say it out loud.
“Right now, the Song family really can’t afford any more money. Those shops are among the best in the capital, and their monthly profits are considerable. You can lend us this thousand taels of silver first.” Seeing that the old lady had relented, Madam Song quickly followed up by playing the emotional card.
Song Tangli stepped forward and stood in front of Song Tangxue: "All of the things that happened before were my fault. I made you angry, sister. Now that the Song family is in trouble, I hope you will put the important things first and help the Song family get through this crisis. I will do whatever you want, sister."
Song Tangxue looked at her with a half-smile: "Are you sincerely trying to help the Song family?"
Hearing that Song Tangxue seemed to be relenting, Song Tangli nodded repeatedly: "Yes, as long as it can help the Song family, I'm willing to do anything!"
Song's mother felt comforted by the contrast between Song Tangxue's cold-bloodedness and Ali's sensible demeanor.
“Sure, you took quite a lot of jewelry from the Treasure Shop. If you take some out to pawn, you can still get a thousand taels of silver. That won’t be too much trouble for you, will it?” Song Tangxue knew that Song Tangli’s current outfit was all from her shop and she hadn’t paid a single penny for it.
Song Tangli was startled, her eyes flickering, but the bold words she had just uttered were like spilled water, impossible to take back.
"I checked the shop's accounts overnight because the manager embezzled money. I'm out of money too. I'll have to trouble you, sister, to help me save the Song family. I'm really powerless to do so." Song Tangxue looked at Song Tangli and spoke slowly, her words full of instructions and entrustment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
