Traveling through time and space

"Let's talk somewhere else," Su Yuanyuan stood up and walked to the porch. Someone brought a chair over, and Su Yuanyuan sat down. "Boss Xiao, I won't believe your words based on your one-sided statement. Mrs. Wu is an old lady in the mansion, it's impossible that she didn't say anything at all. But you said Mrs. Wu is dead, and this mansion has also found out that there was a huge deficit when Mrs. Wu was managing the accounts. How about this, I'll give you a chance to prove the credibility of your words. Come on, I'll start with fifty strokes of the cane. I believe that a grown man like you can withstand it."

"Miss, everything I said is true. There is absolutely no falsehood."

"Okay, Boss Xiao, this is the time for you to show your loyalty. Come on, start fighting." Su Yuanyuan didn't say any more nonsense. Someone brought a bench over and put Boss Xiao down. As soon as he touched the board, Boss Xiao started wailing. Zhiju came in and whispered a few words in Su Yuanyuan's ear, "Don't bring him in. Find a few more strong men in the mansion." Su Yuanyuan waved her hand and asked them to stop temporarily. Zhiju quickly left and came back with five more people. There were really not many people in this mansion, and they were only men, not the kind of energetic young men. "You guys tie up Su Shaoqiang for me too."

"Miss, what have I done wrong? Do you want to punish me? I have worked hard for the Su family all these years... I want to see the old lady."

"Don't bother with that. Don't you know what you've done? Madam Yang, Zhiju, take your men and search the rooms of everyone in the mansion who has anything to do with Su Shaoqiang. The twenty blows just now don't count. Beat them as much as you want. As long as they don't die, I'll have to take them to the authorities."

"Miss, they are all indebted to the mansion. It is not an exaggeration to beat them to death." Mother Cai was very angry.

"Mothers, the Marquis of Xiaoyong's mansion will get better and better in the future, so we should clean out those scoundrels in the mansion. Start beating them and seal their mouths with rags. They're making too much noise and disturbing Grandma's rest."

"You little girl, you can actually see through everything." Unexpectedly, my grandmother also came in, and with her came the things that she had just found out from Su Shaoqiang.

"Grandma is really old. Are these things found in the second housekeeper's room?" Grandma pointed behind her.

"Grandma, don't look at it yet. Let's fight first. Some things, some words, are better spoken out by themselves."

"Okay, grandma doesn't care anymore. Just watch the show." Su Yuanyuan stood up and helped her grandmother sit down in her seat.

"Let's get started." Su Yuanyuan sat on another chair that had just been moved in.

Someone stuffed strips of cloth into their mouths. Boss Xiao struggled, "Madam, please spare my life. Madam, please spare my life. I know I was wrong."

"Beating them first, you guys. Talk after the beating. A little torture, and then they'll tell the truth. Give each of you twenty hits first. Use some strength, don't act like you haven't eaten." Su Yuanyuan ordered both sides to start simultaneously. One person beat them, and the other four held them down. The two being beaten struggled desperately, but Su Yuanyuan didn't say anything, and no one else did. "Alright, stop now. You guys should rest for a while, and we'll continue later."

"Madam, Miss, I know I was wrong. I know I was wrong."

"Is Madam Wu dead? Where is she now? What did you do wrong? What did you do wrong? Boss Xiao, I want to give you a piece of advice. Don't hide anything. This person is in bad luck. I won't say anything on your behalf. I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself and make meritorious service. Tell us everything you know."

"Mother Wu is still alive. Yes, it was the second housekeeper's idea. He wanted to take away all..."

"The second steward is enriching himself and wants to put all the blame on Mrs. Wu to clear himself. Is that what you mean? Mrs. Wu is not dead, so where is she now?" Su Yuanyuan asked.

"Mrs. Wu is at Lanyue Villa. Three months ago, I received a message from the second housekeeper, saying that if Mrs. Wu goes to Lanyue Villa, we will detain her and then put all the blame on her. All I need to do is come to the mansion, and then we will kill Mrs. Wu. That way, she will be dead without a cure."

"Grandmother, our sudden return has ruined the Second Steward's plans. If we hadn't come back, I think the Second Steward's matter would have been resolved smoothly. Boss Xiao only needs to come. The news has already been reported, and the Second Steward can send someone to tell Grandmother that Mrs. Wu is dead, and all the blame is on Mrs. Wu. Su Shaoqiang, what else do you have to say?" Su Yuanyuan knocked over the box in the maid's hand. A box of gold and silver jewelry fell to the ground, and there were also a few pieces of paper. Picking them up and taking a look, they were the deeds to the shop and the farm. "Head Steward, you are the head steward of the manor. How could you not notice such a big thing?"

"I'm sorry, old lady, miss, I'm old."

"Butler, are you coming to our Su Mansion to retire? You should do your job, but what have you done over the years?" Su Yuanyuan asked.

"I'm sorry, old lady, young lady," Mother Liu suddenly knelt down on the ground and kowtowed.

"Meiyun, you adopted this adopted son because you're afraid that you'll be left alone when you're old." It seemed that my grandmother knew about this.

"Madam, Miss, please punish me as I should. Over the years, I know that the butler is doing this for my sake and is not arguing with Su Shaoqiang."

"Okay, everyone has understood this matter now. Grandmother, Yuanyuan has just returned to the mansion, and we don't know who has shown good knowledge. Grandmother, you are promoting someone else to replace Su Shaoqiang. Mother Yang, it's not that I don't give you this face, but we can't set this precedent."

"Miss, what you said makes me so embarrassed. I know I was wrong. Old Madam, I have felt that Zheng Shengmin is a good person and a loyal and honest person over the years. I want to recommend him." Yang Meiyu recommended.

"Yes, Madam, Miss, I also think he is good. He has been witnessed by everyone in the mansion over the years." The butler stepped forward.

"Grandma, Yuanyuan wants to establish a rule in the mansion. No one belongs to anyone else. Everyone should do their own thing and stop using big names as pretexts."

"Okay, from now on you will be the head of this mansion, and they will naturally listen to you."

"Miss, these were found in the house of Su Shaoqiang's lover." Zhiju came in with someone. "These are the jewelry and letters found in her house."

"Grandma, this is how the matter is. Should I handle it, or should Yuanyuan handle it?"

"Yuanyuan, you take care of it."

"Okay, Grandma, if there's anything wrong with Yuanyuan, just point it out to me," she said, watching Qiaofen bring someone in. "Is he Zheng Shengmin?"

"My name is Zheng Shengmin. I'm honored to meet the old lady and the young lady." The man appeared to be in his twenties and looked very energetic.

"Zheng Shengmin, everyone in the mansion says that you are capable. Since you are capable, the master will not bury your talent. From now on, you will temporarily take the position of second steward. You must not disappoint our expectations of you and serve the master well."

"Yes, Miss, I understand." She knelt down and kowtowed. "I will do my best."

"Okay, now there's something. Take a few martial artists and go to Lanyue Villa. Mrs. Wu is being held there. Hurry and bring her back safely. If anyone tries to stop you, you can just take action. I promise that no matter if they're dead or injured, you won't be held responsible. Have Mrs. Wu take people to search Boss Xiao's house and take back all the money they've embezzled over the years."

"Yes, miss, I will take a few people and set off immediately." Zheng Shengmin stood up happily, and Su Yuanyuan nodded.

"Butler, first, you must keep these two people under close watch. Aside from delivering two meals a day, no one is allowed to see them. Remember to pass on the instructions: if anyone sees or talks to them, they will be dealt with together. Second, quickly search for the jewelry and other items found from Su Shaoqiang and his lover. Find out how much silver they are worth in total, and how much silver the mansion is short of. When Mrs. Wu comes back, find out how much silver these two have embezzled. Then send them to the government office together. Don't tell me what the charges are. "Third, you are still the chief steward, but from now on, you must fulfill your duties as a chief steward, and you must not be partial to others or indulge anyone, otherwise your position as chief steward will be over. Fourth, you should be punished for your inaction over the years, and the same goes for you, Mother Yang. You knew that Su Shaoqiang was taking advantage of your power and bullying in the mansion, but you did not discipline him properly. The punishment for both of you is that for two years, you can only receive half of your monthly salary. If you have any objections, you can leave now."

"Miss, I know I was wrong and I am willing to accept the punishment." The butler knelt down.

"Miss, I am willing to accept the punishment." Mother Yang knelt on the ground.

"Okay, Old Lady and I believe in your loyalty. You are the most familiar with the people and things in the mansion over the years. I will give you one day to get rid of everyone in the mansion, whether they are in a living or dead contract, those with bad character, those who are cunning, self-righteous, or like to play tricks. Those who should be sold will be sold, and those who should be driven out will be driven out. If I find out that you have kept someone because of favors, then I'm sorry, you will have to go with them. Then find a human trafficker and have him bring more people with you. Old Lady and I will personally select a group of people to work in the mansion. Remember, only capable people will be kept in the mansion from now on. Grandmother, is this a good way for Yuanyuan to handle it?"

"Okay, okay, okay, Grandmother is relieved. Head Steward, Aunt Yang, I haven't properly checked the accounts of the mansion in these years. You should sort out all the properties in the mansion and let the young lady review them. Have all the shopkeepers and managers in the shops and farms come to the mansion once a month to report on the accounts. We can't let this go on like this anymore."

"Yes, old lady, I will sort it out as soon as possible."

Seeing that it was still early, Su Yuanyuan wanted to go out for a walk. What she experienced at the Cai Mansion today was really disgusting. "Grandma, Yuanyuan wants to go out for a walk, okay?"

"Okay, go have fun, buy whatever you want outside, eat whatever you want. Bring more people with you."

"No need, grandma, just let Zhilin accompany him. Yuanyuan just wants to go out for a walk."

"Miss, let me accompany you too." Zhirong said. Su Yuanyuan looked at her grandmother's expression and had no choice but to nod. Bringing one more person would save her grandmother from worrying.

"Let Old Zhao follow you and bring more silver to the accounting office." Grandmother waved her hand.

Su Yuanyuan wanted to walk around and take a look, but she didn't want to worry her grandmother. "Thank you, grandma." Su Yuanyuan led people out the door. "Uncle Zhao, take us to the most prosperous street in the capital. Zhirong, Zhiju, you two should also get in the car and introduce the capital to the young lady."