My wife wants a divorce; if she ruins my life, I'll leave.

Upon hearing this, Song Chen'an understood most of it; there must be something fishy going on in the shop!

Seeing Li Mama, who was secretly anxious, standing to the side, Li Liang realized that Li Liang had become his mother's woman after marrying her. He knew without a doubt that his mother had secretly sabotaged the shop's operations.

Although he didn't know exactly what his mother had done, he knew he couldn't make a big deal out of it! His father's upright and incorruptible nature was one factor, but there was also the matter of the eldest son's family!

He had no objection to the eldest son's family taking half of the silver, but his mother was different. He had heard his mother say many times that the eldest son's family did not contribute but enjoyed the fruits of others' labor, making money outside and even trying to take the money from the mansion into their own pockets!

As the eldest son, it was only right that he inherited the majority of the family fortune; he wasn't jealous. He also believed in himself and knew he would one day rise to great heights, at which point his family might not be any worse off than the eldest son's!

Therefore, he spoke up to stop her, saying, "Mother, we cannot ruin the reputation of our Song family. Since the money has already been handed over to the accountant, let it go. These are all old goods; how much more money can they fetch? It's better to clear them out like this so we can quickly recover our costs." He then said sternly to Meng Ruohua, "Meng, you are not allowed to arbitrarily arrange the goods in the shop in the future, and you are even less allowed to take money at will!"

Meng Ruohua didn't take it to heart. She glanced at the second wife who was glaring at her and smiled gently: "Husband, what if we run out of money in the manor? Are we supposed to let the whole manor starve if we don't go to the shops to get money?"

When Song Chang heard that there was no money in the account, he remembered that there was also no money in the account a few days ago. He couldn't understand how such a large mansion could not even withdraw fifty taels of silver.

Back then, he would spend three to five hundred taels to buy a calligraphy, painting, or folding fan. How come he doesn't even have fifty taels now?

Coupled with the second wife's shifty gaze and her ambiguous statements, Li Liang and Granny Li, he was quite certain that there was something he didn't know about!

Song Chang's gaze lingered between the Second Madam and Meng Ruohua before finally settling on Manager Li.

Let's take care of the shop's affairs first!

"Li Liang, since the goods have been taken and can't be retrieved, this matter ends here. Go back and watch the shop. If this happens again, I will hold you responsible!"

Song Changwei said sternly, "Meng Shi, from now on you are not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the shops in the mansion, and you are even less allowed to buy and sell the goods in the shops at will!"

Meng Ruohua had anticipated this outcome and calmly advised, "Second Master, since Manager Li is already here, don't you plan to take a look at the shop's accounts?"

The second wife glared angrily; this Meng woman really knew how to stir up trouble.

They weren't even planning to pursue the matter with her anymore, yet she's still holding onto other people's issues!

"Meng, this is about your problem, don't drag others into it!" The second madam quickly stopped her, "Go back first, the shop's affairs are not your business!"

Meng Ruohua smiled helplessly and said indifferently, "I didn't interfere. I just made a suggestion."

Whether or not they accept it is up to Song Chang and Song Chen'an to decide.

Song Chang was too lazy to manage household affairs, but Song Chen'an was not easily fooled. He was someone who wanted to have everything under control. Although he did not interfere in the trivial matters of the mansion, he would not allow anyone to deceive him!

Looking at the composed Meng Ruohua and recalling her changes, Song Chen'an felt deeply that all of this was part of her plan!

Upon closer inspection, her composure was merely superficial; deep within her eyes lay a profound sarcasm!

She did it on purpose! She wanted to expose everything!

What exactly is wrong with the ledger?

Song Chen'an looked at his uneasy mother and the flustered Li couple, and he was once again certain that there was a big problem with the account book!

Even if there are problems, they shouldn't be exposed in front of everyone!

He coughed lightly, "Ms. Meng, you should go back to your room first. Manager Li and Granny Li are Mother's people. You can leave any problems to Mother to handle."

She wouldn't be satisfied until she brought down Manager Li and Granny Li today!

In her past life, Granny Li had slapped Linglong and Yuye countless times, and even forced Linglong to marry her mentally challenged nephew. How could she possibly stand by and watch Granny Li roam freely in the mansion this time?

Meng Ruohua stood up and walked lightly to Li Mama's side, staring at the crimson brocade long gown with chrysanthemum patterns embroidered on her. The silver embroidered flower stamens shone even more brightly in the afterglow of the setting sun.

“This long gown of Granny Li looks so familiar, it seems to be made of fabric from a cloth shop.” She then looked at the pearl and gold hairpin in Granny Li’s hair, “This hairpin must be from the Treasure Pavilion, the pearls are so round and smooth, they even shine when worn in the hair.”

Everyone was drawn to Meng Ruohua's movements, and their eyes involuntarily followed her to look at Granny Li.

Granny Li awkwardly turned her head away, trying to avoid everyone's gaze.

The second madam's eyes showed suspicion. Others might not understand, but she did. Although the gold hairpin in Li Mama's hair was thin and the pearls were small, its quality was clearly excellent, worth at least several dozen taels of silver. And look at her long gown—a bolt of brocade worth at least ten taels of silver, something a servant couldn't possibly afford!

Could there be something fishy in the ledger that she doesn't know about?

No wonder the profits have been less in the last two years. Could it be that Manager Li did something wrong?

The second wife's eyes kept flashing, making Manager Li's whole body tremble with fear.

In front of Song Chang and Song Chen'an, Manager Li didn't even dare to defend himself. He just hoped that the Second Madam would be clear-headed and not be led astray by the Second Young Madam!

Of course, Song Chang could also see these things. When he was a child, his family was quite prosperous, and he had seen all sorts of good things.

He could guess the general idea at a glance, and seeing Li Mama's guilty expression, he immediately made up his mind.

He summoned his personal attendant, Song Jie, and whispered a few instructions to him.

The second wife tried to stop him, but Song Chang interrupted her, saying, "If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place."

In less than a quarter of an hour, Song Jie brought over the account books stored in the mansion, along with the mansion's accountant.

Song Chang was too lazy to look through the ledgers, so he had the accountant report out all the silver that Jinxiu Cloth Shop had paid over the years.

As Meng Ruohua said, the amount of silver handed over by Jinxiu Cloth Shop decreased year by year, and last year it was more than half less than six years ago!

As the accountant was about to report, he was trembling slightly!

He knew about it, but the second madam instructed him not to make a fuss, so he naturally pretended not to notice.

He was hired by the second wife a few years ago, and the second wife also pays his monthly salary!

Song Chang slammed the ledger onto Manager Li's head and demanded, "Tell me what happened?"

Manager Li stole a glance at the second madam, only to see her indifferently look away. He had no choice but to remain silent; only if the second madam was safe could he save himself!

Meng Ruohua added fuel to the fire at the opportune moment, "Look how aggrieved Manager Li looks. I heard that Manager Li's family even bought two little maids, so they're like masters and mistresses at home!"

What master and mistress? In front of their master, they are always servants!

Granny Li hurriedly defended herself, "Second Young Madam, please don't slander me with baseless accusations! My family has not bought any maids!"

"Oh, really? Then I must have misremembered. Anyway, everyone says that Manager Li's family is doing well, and the courtyard smells of meat every day!" Meng Ruohua smiled faintly. "I wonder if Manager Li has other sources of income behind the back of the household? Otherwise, with your monthly salary of three to five taels, how long would it take you to save up enough to buy that pearl and gold hairpin!"

Startled, Granny Li quickly pulled the gold hairpin off her head.

No matter how fast she moved, she couldn't escape everyone's eyes.

Song Chang glanced at him coldly and ordered Song Jie, "Go to Li Liang's house."