My Lady Always Lacks Ambition
Chapter 333 - 331 The Reason for Losing Composure

Chapter 333: Chapter 331 The Reason for Losing Composure

Qin Liuxi had never seen Mrs. Wang reveal a side of weakness and hesitation, even when she had just returned to the old mansion, her face thin and haggard, her back was still straight. Those days were even tougher than now, yet she handled them with poise.

It was the first time she saw her so distressed and panicked.

Qin Liuxi instinctively felt Mrs. Wang must have encountered some trouble.

When Mrs. Wang heard her question, her eyes felt somewhat sore and swollen, a sense of suffocation in her chest that she couldn’t relieve unless she spoke out, to the extent that she forgot the girl in front of her was just a child who had just come of age.

Yet, she found herself wanting to confide.

Mrs. Wang gave a bitter smile and said, "You noticed it? Previously, in the large mansion as the housekeeper, all I had to do was sit and direct, checking the ledgers, but I didn’t realize doing business was a profound study. A slight misstep, and one could fall into a trap, deceived to the point of losing everything."

Upon hearing this, Qin Liuxi closely observed her face. Although frustrated, she didn’t seem to have lost any fortune. She then said, "Did you encounter a swindler? But you held steady and didn’t get deceived."

"If it weren’t for your prior advice, we would have signed the documents and then been swindled out of the payment for the goods," Mrs. Wang said, rather agitated.

She and Qin Meiniang, although both had been madams, had never personally handled business themselves. Before, they had dowry shops, but all were managed by accompanying servants; they only needed to hear the accounts once a year or half a year and make some decisions.

Even if the dowry shops encountered problems, the stewards would formulate solutions and then come for them to make decisions.

But once they took over personally, they realized the depth of knowledge involved. Not to mention anything else, just sourcing the materials was baffling. They met a broker at the dock who offered ingredient sources for preserves at a much cheaper rate than market prices, but the catch was the required volume was large.

Mrs. Wang and her group were naturally pleased. To be cautious, they followed the broker to the seller’s warehouse to view the goods, which were indeed excellent and fresh fruits, and they saw the related transaction documents. However, the condition from the other party was in large quantities, and they wouldn’t sell in small volumes, needing immediate payment for the goods and no delays, as they were also in a rush to leave.

Upon hearing this, Qin Liuxi asked, "Wasn’t Chief Li with you?"

"He was," Mrs. Wang sighed and said, "Their cleverness lies in the documents and goods being genuine, but the warehouse was rented, the goods sold multiple times over; those goods had already been bought by someone just waiting to pick them up."

"How did you figure it out then?"

Mrs. Wang said with a somber face, "Your aunt thought the goods were worth buying, and Chief Li also said that taking them would certainly reduce costs. But I remembered your words not to rush, so I made an excuse to arrange funds, and let Chief Li find someone unfamiliar to inquire around. But just in a day, before we even found anything out, guess what, they planned to sell the same batch thrice, the seller had run away, and the second buyer realized they had been cheated when they came to pick up the goods, caught the broker and brought the matter to the court."

Thinking that they had almost been cheated out of a sum of money, Mrs. Wang broke out in a cold sweat, both angry and anxious.

"If it weren’t for your tips, we would have taken that batch of goods and been fooled."

Qin Liuxi frowned, "Uncle Li has been in Li City for so long, he should recognize several brokers, how did he not see through that broker was a swindler?"

Mrs. Wang said, "That broker had only recently come to Li City, and you say he’s a swindler, he claims himself as a victim, just a middleman, unaware that the seller was selling the goods multiple times. And guess whose person he is."

"Who?"

"The younger sister of Mrs. Ding San’s mother’s family."

Qin Liuxi raised an eyebrow: "How come there are people from the Ding family everywhere?"

Mrs. Wang coldly said: "With the Ding family backing him, even if this broker is brought to court, he will at most be fined some silver and then let off lightly. He deals not only in real estate and goods but also in lending money with interest."

Her words carried disdain and contempt: "Chief Li has already investigated through informants; that money-lender is Mrs. Ding San. Your grandfather originally helped Ding Shouxin because they were fellow townsfolk, merely pulling him up from his poor family background. Ding Shouxin would publicly call your grandfather ’teacher,’ but who knew that when Ding Shouxin’s official position grew, he would become such a person, allowing his family to engage in such morally corrupt activities – truly disgraceful!"

It’s normal for brokers to commit fraud, but for Mrs. Ding San to lend money at high interest rates is outrageous. After all, such loans are made to be repaid with high interest, and who typically borrows money?

Either those in desperate need or gamblers. No matter which, failing to repay can cost a life, as gamblers also have families. If they cannot repay, aren’t they just burdening their families?

Thus, Mrs. Wang was utterly opposed to and furious at Mrs. Ding San’s actions.

It’s too sinful!

Qin Liuxi tapped lightly on the table and asked, "Do you think the Ding family knows you are conducting business?"

Mrs. Wang was startled but quickly understood Qin Liuxi’s implication: "Are you suspecting that the Ding family intentionally trapped us?"

"No evidence, hard to say."

Mrs. Wang pondered and then shook her head: "It shouldn’t be the case. We have no grievances with the Ding family; your grandfather even supported Ding Shouxin significantly. Although our family has declined, it does not hinder them. They could remain indifferent and unwilling to help, but it isn’t likely they’d kick us while we’re down and entrap us, right?"

Qin Liuxi smiled and said, "Mother, do you know what some people dislike the most after they’ve become successful?"

Mrs. Wang: "?"

"To recall their impoverished past. They would rather completely erase that memory so nobody knows about it, bury the unhappy past, and only display their successful, lavish side to the public, showcasing their wealth and achievements, rather than letting people remember their destitute times," Qin Liuxi said with a mild smile. "Whether the Ding family feels this way, I can’t say for sure, but if so, there are no innocent grievances; it’s purely spite."

Mrs. Wang, looking dazed, felt a chill run down her spine.

Seeing her almost scared, Qin Liuxi reassured her: "Let’s not talk about this for now. No harm done is a blessing. Regarding the raw materials, let Chief Li visit the Landlord Qian I mentioned earlier. His family has a trading business and some connections. Also, in Ningzhou Prefecture, I have recruited two servants released from a criminal official’s family, skilled in making desserts and tea snacks, all usable. You can bring them to the shop; when the workshop starts, let them follow the recipes to make candied fruits and tea snacks."

Mrs. Wang brightened up: "Is it reliable? After all, those are your recipes. It would be bad if they got out. Should we have them sign a strict contract?"

"It’s already done. I’ve met them in person. They are all trustworthy and loyal. Once the shop opens and we provide sufficient monthly salary, they will feel secure working there."

"That’s natural." Mrs. Wang’s face relaxed, and looking at Qin Liuxi’s composed demeanor, she sighed, "Look at me, panicking over a small matter. I’m not as calm and collected as you, a young lady. I feel quite ashamed."

Qin Liuxi chuckled: "As the saying goes, experience is the mother of wisdom. After this experience, whether you conduct the business yourself or listen to the steward’s reports, you will be well aware of what to do. By the way, that servant from the northeast in Old Lady’s home, is she your younger aunt’s maid?"