Those working in the Jiang household began to gossip among themselves. Ever since the young lady came to the mansion on the 21st of the twelfth lunar month and parted on bad terms with the master for some unknown reason, the master's mood had not only become extremely bad, but also other troublesome matters had joined in.
According to Yunying, who works for Aunt Pang, it seems that the young lady made some very impolite request, which angered the master, so he didn't personally see her off that day.
Around midnight that day, someone from Jiaocheng came and said that the shop there had encountered some big trouble, and might even face a lawsuit. As a last resort, the master had to go there in person to resolve the issue. After giving some instructions to the head steward, he hurriedly set off.
Although the only young master of the Jiang family is quite disappointing, the master has still been doing very well in business over the years. Some people in the town have been gossiping behind his back, saying that since the master's only son is so useless, why is he still working so hard to earn money? In the end, he will just be squandered by his spendthrift son.
The happiest person in the Jiang family was Jiang Baicheng. No sooner had his father left than he went to find Steward Wu and said, "Go to the accounting office and give me five hundred taels of silver."
“Young master, the master specifically instructed before he left that the accountant is not allowed to give you any money before he returns,” said Steward Wu.
Jiang Baicheng said dismissively, "He can say whatever he wants. He's not in the manor right now. Just do as I say. Don't worry, when my father comes back, you can just push the blame onto me. I'll take the punishment myself."
Hearing this, Steward Wu remained silent for a moment. He knew this would happen. When the master was in the mansion, this man was still somewhat cautious and restrained, but now that the tiger is not at home, the monkey wants to be king.
"Young Master, the Master is not in the manor, and the New Year is almost here. Young Master, please stay here and be patient for now. Don't go out, otherwise..."
Jiang Baicheng was displeased by Steward Wu's words: "Steward Wu, my father is not in the manor, so you should all listen to me, the young master. Don't take things too seriously. You are indeed the head steward of the Jiang manor, but no matter how much power you have, you have no right to tell me, the young master, what to do and what not to do."
"Cheng'er, how dare you speak to Steward Wu like that?" Pang Shi, who had rushed over, scolded in a low voice.
She knew this man's temperament well and had already instructed the servants to keep an eye on things here. So when she learned that Steward Wu had been summoned here, she guessed why and quickly came over.
"Auntie, have you planted a spy in my courtyard?" Upon seeing Madam Pang arrive, Jiang Baicheng's face darkened, his tone turned unpleasant, and his gaze towards Madam Pang became scrutinizing.
In his eyes, the only masters of this mansion were himself and his father.
Even if Madam Pang treated him like her own son, they were still not biological mother and son. Besides, she was originally just his wet nurse. It was because of him that her father took her as a concubine. In a way, isn't it thanks to him that she can now enjoy the rights of the mistress of the household?
Pang was surprised that the child who had always been close to her since childhood would speak to her in such a tone and with such an expression. She was momentarily stunned and stared blankly at Jiang Baicheng.
"Manager Wu, hurry up and have the accountant send the silver over. Otherwise, I can just go out and put it on loan everywhere. But if that happens, won't Father be even angrier when he finds out?" Jiang Baicheng didn't bother to look at Madam Pang and continued speaking to Manager Wu.
"Cheng'er, just say what you want to add. If you're not satisfied, you can change it. Don't make things difficult for Steward Wu. Your father specifically instructed him before he left. It's not that he doesn't treat you as the young master," Madam Pang tried to persuade him.
If Jiang Baicheng didn't need a large amount, he wouldn't need to ask the steward to withdraw the money from the accounting office; he would simply ask her for it by sweet-talking her.
Since he's asking the steward and accountant for money, it means he wants a considerable amount this time. He wants to take advantage of his father's absence to have some fun outside the manor! Going to a restaurant with his cronies is fine, but going to brothels and gambling dens would cost an unpredictable amount of money.
He knew that his father was away on a serious and important matter and would not be back for a while. He also knew that even if his father returned and found out what he had done wrong, he would at most get a beating, a scolding, and be confined to the ancestral hall.
Jiang Baicheng was extremely annoyed when Madam Pang spoke up again: "Aunt, you were just my wet nurse. Even if you are now the mistress of the household, you are still not my mother. Don't meddle in this matter. Go do what you need to do."
"Cheng'er, you? How could you do this to me?" Madam Pang was shocked and asked in disbelief, then looked at Steward Wu with a wronged expression.
Manager Wu frowned and turned his head away, showing no intention of speaking.
"Why are you looking at him? He's just a manager, what can he do to support you?" Jiang Baicheng sneered as he watched Pang's actions.
Upon hearing this, both Steward Wu and Madam Pang were startled and looked at each other simultaneously.
"Alright, my father isn't here, so you two stop pretending. Since you won't listen to reason, I'll try a different approach. If my father knew that his only concubine was having an affair with his most trusted steward, what do you two think the consequences would be?"
Even if I do something outrageous, I'll only suffer a little, but I'm still his son.
"And what about you two? You, can you still be a concubine? You, can you still be the steward?" Jiang Baicheng said with a forced smile, pointing at the two men respectively.
His words immediately turned Pang's face pale, and she almost fainted.
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