A few days later, after a flurry of activity at the Regent's Palace, news finally arrived about the swindler. Xu Yuehuai sat in the main hall, a sly smile on her face, and said to Jiang Qianqian beside her, "Qianqian, don't worry, Grandma will make those who cheated you pay double."
Upon hearing this, a hint of gratitude flashed in Jiang Qianqian's eyes, and she said softly, "Thank you, Grandma."
Standing to the side, Jiang Shichen showed a hint of resentment on his face. He straightened his chest and said, "I also want to help Sister Qianqian."
Xu Yuehuai glanced at him, smiled and shook her head: "You should just focus on your studies and prepare for this year's autumn imperial examination."
Although Jiang Shichen was unwilling, he obediently nodded. He knew that his grandmother's decision always made sense.
Afterwards, Xu Yuehuai and Jiang Qianqian boarded a carriage and secretly left the Regent's Palace. Xu Yuehuai changed out of her magnificent robes into ordinary clothes, and also made slight alterations to her face, making it impossible for anyone to recognize her as the powerful Regent's Consort.
The carriage wound its way through the city before finally stopping in front of a bustling restaurant. Xu Yuehuai and Jiang Qianqian alighted from the carriage; Jiang Qianqian wore a cap that obscured most of her face. The two entered the restaurant and found a seat by the window.
Xu Yuehuai called out to the waiter, "Waiter, do you accept this jade pendant here? This was left behind by the founding emperor." As she spoke, she took out a jade pendant from her bosom and deliberately waved it in front of the waiter.
When the waiter saw the jade pendant, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile, "Sir, you are joking. How could our little shop afford such a treasure?"
Xu Yuehuai, however, did not take it seriously and continued to deceive, "This is genuine. If you don't believe me, take it to the shopkeeper to see."
The waiter hesitated for a moment, then took the jade pendant to the shopkeeper. He returned shortly after, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face: "Sir, the shopkeeper said that although this jade pendant looks nice, he doesn't know if it's genuine, so we dare not accept it."
Xu Yuehuai was not disappointed. She nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll eat something first." As she spoke, she ordered several of the restaurant's signature dishes.
The two chatted as they ate. Xu Yuehuai casually mentioned some news about scammers, which Jiang Qianqian listened to with great interest. After finishing their meal, the two left the restaurant.
Sure enough, the swindler caught up with them shortly after. He followed them all the way and finally intercepted Xu Yuehuai and Jiang Qianqian in a secluded alley.
"Hey, how much is this jade pendant?" The swindler looked greedily at the jade pendant in Xu Yuehuai's hand.
Xu Yuehuai feigned surprise: "How did you know I had a jade pendant?"
The swindler chuckled smugly, "Of course I have my sources. I'll take this jade pendant. Name your price."
Xu Yuehuai pretended to hesitate for a moment, then held up five fingers: "Five hundred taels."
The swindler frowned, but finally nodded: "Fine, five hundred taels it is." As he spoke, he took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and handed them to Xu Yuehuai.
Xu Yuehuai took the silver note, a smug smile spreading across her face. She handed the jade pendant to the swindler and then turned to leave.
The swindler, holding the jade pendant, left happily. Xu Yuehuai and Jiang Qianqian hid to the side, watching his figure gradually disappear into the distance.
"Grandma, you're amazing!" Jiang Qianqian couldn't help but exclaim.
Xu Yuehuai smiled and said, "This is just the beginning."
Soon, the swindler noticed something amiss with the jade pendant. He took it to an antique shop, intending to sell it. But the shop owner, upon seeing the pendant, shook his head and laughed, "This is a fake; it's worthless."
The swindler was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears and quickly asked, "How is this possible? I bought this from a wealthy lady."
The shopkeeper sneered, "A noblewoman? She's probably a con artist. The material and craftsmanship of this jade pendant are wrong; it's clearly a fake."
The swindler then realized he had been tricked. He angrily returned to the spot, searching everywhere for Xu Yuehuai and Jiang Qianqian, but they had already vanished without a trace.
Just as the swindler was extremely anxious, Xu Yuehuai suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of him.
"Looking for me?" Xu Yuehuai looked at the swindler with a smile.
Upon seeing Xu Yuehuai, the swindler flew into a rage: "You swindler, give me back my money right now, or I'll report you to the authorities!"
Xu Yuehuai, however, did not take it to heart. She said leisurely, "Then where did your money come from?"
The swindler was stunned upon hearing this. He then remembered that his money had also been obtained through illicit means. He was speechless, unsure of what to say.
Just then, Jiang Qianqian walked out from the side. She looked at the swindler and sneered, "I'm afraid you've forgotten me, haven't you?"
The swindler turned pale with fright upon seeing Jiang Qianqian. He then realized that Jiang Qianqian was the person he had previously swindled.
"I never imagined you were all in cahoots!" the swindler said through gritted teeth.
Xu Yuehuai smiled faintly: "This is called giving someone a taste of their own medicine. You deceived us, so we'll deceive you in the same way."
The conman rushed forward angrily, trying to grab Xu Yuehuai. But Xu Yuehuai was agile and easily dodged his attack. She grabbed the conman's wrist, twisted it forcefully, and subdued him to the ground.
"Heh, I'll give you two choices," Xu Yuehuai said coldly, "either go work as a handyman at Tianxiang Restaurant to pay off your debts, or go see the authorities."
Upon hearing this, the swindler was terrified. He knew that if he went to see the authorities, his fate would be grim. But working odd jobs at Tianxiang Restaurant, though harder, would at least save his life.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "I...I choose to go to Tianxiang Tower."
Xu Yuehua nodded in satisfaction and released her hand.
The swindler got up from the ground and stood obediently to one side.
Xu Yuehuai and Jiang Qianqian looked at him and smiled at each other. They knew that this time they had not only successfully gotten justice for Jiang Qianqian, but also taught the swindler a profound lesson.
...
Xu Yuehuai and Jiang Qianqian walked side by side in the corridor of Tianxiang Tower. Behind them, the swindler had been led to a dark room by the manager, whose eyes gleamed coldly, like a cheetah eyeing its prey.
Xu Yuehuai turned her head and whispered to Jiang Qianqian, "Qianqian, this person is extremely cunning, you must be careful."
Jiang Qianqian nodded, her eyes shining with determination: "Grandma, don't worry, I will keep an eye on him."
Inside Tianxiang Tower, the lights were on full display, and guests were everywhere.
Looking at the bustling scene, Xu Yuehuai felt a surge of pride.
But her gaze lingered more on Jiang Qianqian, whose young figure moved through the crowd. Although she looked somewhat immature, she already possessed the demeanor of a female manager.
Xu Yuehuai's heart stirred, and she took Jiang Qianqian's hand: "Qianqian, would you like to learn how to manage Tianxiang Tower?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com