Mad Queen Leaves the Palace

When Xiao Lan led a group of people back to the courtyard, they saw Jiang Nihuang reclining leisurely in an exquisite chaise lounge, while her father, Xiao Daren, stood obsequiously to her side, occasionally offering her a cup of fragrant tea and fresh, delicious fruit. His obsequious and subservient manner resembled that of a lowly official serving his superior.

After entering the courtyard, Xiao Lan first bowed respectfully to Xiao Daren and Jiang Nihuang, then spoke directly: "Mother, after some investigation, I discovered that during the past forty years, Madam Jin has been incredibly greedy while managing the affairs of the Marquis's mansion! Not only has she embezzled a large amount of money, but she has also secretly given away the Xiao family's old mansion in the capital to her younger brother. What's even more despicable is that many of the priceless antiques in the old mansion have been secretly sold by her greedy sister-in-law to numerous high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital. Fortunately, I have already taken timely action, entrusting this matter to Prefect Liu of Xiwu Prefecture on charges of stealing from the master's property, and asking him to issue a document to the Prefect of Jingzhao in the capital. In my opinion, these embezzled properties should be able to be recovered in full. Now that Grandfather has handed over the power of managing the household to you, Mother, the most urgent task is to sort out the mansion's accounts as soon as possible."

After patiently listening to Xiao Lan's account, Jiang Nihuang nodded slightly and replied, "Yes, your father and I have a general understanding of the situation. How about this, in the afternoon, I will personally lead a team to check the accounts."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lan's heart tightened, and she quickly tried to dissuade Jiang Nihuang. However, before she could speak, Xiao Daren said, "Madam, you are currently six months pregnant and it is really not advisable for you to overexert yourself. Why don't we send a few more people from Bu Yuzhou to help?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nihuang glared fiercely at Xiao Daren and retorted irritably, "Hmph! With so many people in your Xiao family, do you really need to specially find people from Yuzhou? When Xiao Jin was in charge, I could tolerate some things without making a fuss, but now that the Xiao family has returned to your hands, you must take good care of this family business. As for personnel, you can just find people locally, why keep bothering those old folks in Yuzhou?"

Just then, Xiao Lan quickly chimed in, "Mother, actually, my initial idea was to ask Xiao Dayi's ex-wife to help you with these accounts, which would have taken about a month to sort out. But then I considered that you're pregnant with a little brother or sister, so I changed my mind. How about we work harder and finish sorting out all the accounts within ten days while I'm still in Xiwu Prefecture?"

"Ten days? How is that possible! Lan'er, you mustn't be joking with us like this." Jiang Nihuang's beautiful eyes widened as she looked at Xiao Lan in disbelief. She knew all too well the effort and time required to deal with those long-standing debts in Yuzhou, having painstakingly managed the city for many years. Even with her full effort, clearing things up would be difficult enough in a month, let alone a mere ten days.

Xiao Daren, who was listening to their conversation, nodded repeatedly, indicating his agreement with Jiang Nihuang's view. Although he did not participate in the specific management of the family business, the complexity of the accounts accumulated over decades was unimaginable, and it was definitely not something that could be sorted out in just one month.

However, facing her parents' doubts, Xiao Lan remained calm and composed. She smiled slightly and said confidently, "Father, Mother, don't be anxious. Although accounts are kept by people, there are patterns to follow. I only need to organize the accounts from the past ten years, and then I can analyze and deduce the accounts of the Jin family for the previous thirty years. Then, we can just take the account books and go straight to the Jin family to seize them. If we find any omissions or deficiencies, we can make their entire family pay off the debts." With that, Xiao Lan casually picked up a crystal-clear purple grape, put it in her mouth, and took a small bite. Instantly, the sweet and juicy flesh was chewed, and the purple juice flowed down her lips, instantly moistening her pink lips, making her look as delicate and beautiful as a blooming flower.

After listening to Xiao Lan's words, Jiang Nihuang instantly understood her daughter's true intentions. However, her gaze involuntarily shifted to Xiao Daren beside her, for she knew this matter was no small thing. After all, the Changzhou Jin family had intricate connections with Xiao Daren's biological mother. Although the Changzhou Jin family was merely a branch of the Jin clan, they were still related in some way. Thinking of this, Jiang Nihuang frowned slightly and softly asked Xiao Daren, "The Changzhou Jin family has some connection with your mother. If we act this way, won't..." She paused, seemingly hesitant to finish her sentence. The unspoken part was—won't it put you in a difficult position?

"The Jin family of Changzhou is nothing more than a collateral branch of the Jin family! Back then, my mother was kind-hearted and took pity on Xiao Jin Shi, who was neglected and unloved at home, and brought her back to the Xiao family. I thought it would be a beautiful story, but I never expected that after my mother passed away, Xiao Jin Shi would treat me like this! Let alone expecting her to treat me like her own flesh and blood, she shouldn't have harmed me time and time again! If it weren't for the Jin family of Changzhou instigating and directing this, how could a married woman like her dare to act so recklessly and arrogantly?"

Recalling all these past events, Xiao Daren trembled with rage, his heart filled with unbearable resentment. When his birth mother, Lady Jin, was alive, he had initially genuinely treated Lady Jin as his own mother, serving her with utmost filial piety. However, this seemingly gentle and compliant woman had repeatedly plotted against him. If not for his good fortune, he would likely be dead long ago. Therefore, Xiao Daren now harbored absolutely no goodwill towards Lady Jin's maternal family—the Jin family of Changzhou.

"Yes, Mother! Think about it, if the Jin family of Changzhou had even a shred of kinship, how could they have allowed Little Jin to bully my father so wantonly? If they had even a little conscience, my father wouldn't have had such a miserable childhood!" Xiao Lan said indignantly, her bright eyes flashing with anger.

Xiao Jinshi was merely a married-out daughter of the Jin family. If the Jin family of Changzhou truly valued the relationship between Da Jinshi and them, even if Xiao Jinshi was determined to elevate her son to a high position, she probably wouldn't dare to bully Xiao Daren so openly.

Jiang Nihuang had never liked Xiao Jinshi, and now that she heard Xiao Daren say the same thing, she nodded without hesitation in agreement with Xiao Lan's opinion.

Throughout the day, Xiao Lan stayed by her parents' and brother's side, patiently and meticulously explaining the Xiao family's situation to them and helping them quickly familiarize themselves with their new environment. Because Jiang Nihuang was heavily pregnant and had difficulty moving around, Xiao Zhenwei, being considerate, did not try to keep them talking after dinner, but instead urged the family to return to their rooms to rest as soon as possible. So, everyone got up to say goodbye, returned to their rooms, took off their outer garments, climbed into bed, and prepared to drift off to sleep.

After a good night's sleep, Xiao Lan was undisturbed by any dreams and woke up early. Yesterday, she had carefully arranged the necessary manpower and handed them over to Hou Xianglan. Shortly after breakfast, Hou Xianglan arrived with her men. In fact, Xiao Lan had already explained Hou Xianglan's situation in detail to Jiang Nihuang the day before, so when they met, there was no excessive small talk or formalities; they went straight to the point and began discussing the follow-up matters.

Before long, the managers of the Xiao family's various shops and estates arrived one after another, numbering over forty! Moreover, some of them held important responsibilities, managing several shops simultaneously. This demonstrates the sheer scale and prosperity of the Xiao family's businesses, truly making them a large and powerful family.

First, Hou Xianglan introduced Xiao Lan and Jiang Nihuang to everyone, informing the managers that Jiang Nihuang was now the matriarch of the Xiao family. Then, Xiao Lan bluntly stated her requirement to obtain ten years' worth of detailed accounts within three days. While she was speaking, she had already quietly dispersed her guards to surround each manager. Although she claimed this was for their safety, everyone present knew perfectly well that this young lady of the Xiao family was clearly sending people to monitor their every move.

Of course, Xiao Lan not only made her statement clear, but also made it explicit that all she wanted were honest, unbiased accounts. Regardless of the complex relationships these shopkeepers had with Xiao Jinshi in the past, from now on they must obey her mother, Jiang Nihuang's, orders. Having said this, Xiao Lan ordered someone to bring pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and demanded that all the shopkeepers present sign the contracts on the spot.

The contract clearly stated in black and white that if any manager caused any problems, the Xiao family would have the full right to deal with that manager and their entire family. Frankly, this contract was an outright unequal treaty! As everyone exchanged bewildered glances, one of the estate's managers, Sun Qi, finally couldn't contain his dissatisfaction and abruptly stood up, saying bluntly to Xiao Lan, "Miss Sun, we are all long-serving loyal servants of the Xiao family! Now that your mother is in charge, we are naturally loyal. But your relentless pressure to force us to sign such an unfair contract seems far too unfair. Besides, even if Lord Xiao were here, he would certainly not agree to us signing such a document! Are you trying to forcibly drive us away?"

After listening, Xiao Lan showed no anger on her face. She simply gazed at Sun Qi quietly, her eyes deep and calm. Then, she slowly shifted her gaze from Sun Qi, scanning each person present. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she softly said, "If you all believe that I, Xiao Lan, am not qualified to make decisions here, then I can now offer you all a contract of compensation. You may leave the Xiao family immediately, and I will compensate each of you who chooses to leave with three years' worth of wages."

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone present couldn't help but show joy. However, to everyone's utter surprise, Xiao Lan's next words were like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads, instantly making them feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, their whole bodies chilled to the bone.

Xiao Lan paused for a moment, then continued slowly, “Of course, this money won’t come to us for nothing. The document I’ve prepared will clearly state that if any discrepancies are found in the accounts later, you will all have to compensate my Xiao family tenfold! I presume you are all veterans who have served the Xiao family for many years, always loyal and diligent, never embezzling or falsifying accounts. Therefore, you have no need to be afraid. Consider these three years’ wages as compensation from my Xiao family for your tireless efforts and dedication to serving the Xiao family over the years.”

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence. Apart from Jiang Nihuang and Hou Xianglan, whose expressions remained unchanged, everyone else's faces changed drastically, some turning deathly pale, others ashen-faced, all filled with panic and unease.

Xiao Lan's gaze slowly swept across the faces of everyone present, taking in the subtle changes in their expressions, before she spoke again: "I'm sure you all feel that if I were to bring up the accounts again in ten or twenty years, it would seem somewhat inappropriate. Therefore, I have naturally considered this point. The contract will clearly state that only any accounting issues discovered within the next three years will be considered valid; once that period has passed, even if I discover problems with the accounts, it will not implicate any of you. After all, I have already paid you all the money you are owed in full during these three years! So, my small request shouldn't be considered excessive, right?" After speaking, she deliberately adopted an innocent and harmless demeanor, blinking her eyes and staring intently at the managers sitting upright in the hall.