The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 465: Losses (7)_1

Chapter 465: Chapter 465: Losses (7)_1

The words of King Ling in the Northern Land were like imperial edicts. On the second day, Feng City’s streets and alleyways were plastered with notices from the authorities.

"What? No unauthorized price hikes? Grain must be sold strictly at the prices set by the officials?" After hearing the servant’s report, Li Jiesong was so frightened that the cup he was holding fell from his hand.

"How could this be?" he stood up anxiously, pacing back and forth in the room.

The attendant who delivered the news was too intimidated to utter a word, keeping his head lowered.

"Go, see what the You Residence has to say." In his anxiety, Li Jiesong suddenly thought of a solution.

"Yes, young master." The servant by his side, upon hearing the order, quickly rushed out.

"All of you return and watch over the warehouses, don’t touch anything for now." Li Jiesong paced anxiously in the room before he realized that the messenger hadn’t left yet, and he irritably issued the order immediately.

"Yes, young master." The messenger received the order and respectfully retreated. Entering the courtyard, he wiped the sweat off his forehead. My goodness, what a fright. He was terrified that the young master would lose his temper and he might have to pay with his life in the Marquis Residence.

"Stop, who are you?" Just when the servant tried to catch his breath, a sharp reproach came from behind him.

As the servant turned around, he saw the wrath on Li Yanran’s face. Despite being a servant often out and about, he still recognized Li Yanran’s identity.

"This humble one is giving respects to the young miss." As servants of the Li Residence, everyone knew that the Li’s eldest daughter had a temperamental nature and was hard to serve. Faced with Li Yanran’s wrath, the servant felt like dying.

Today was his miserable fate brought him to the Li Residence to deliver the message. Had he known earlier, he would have found an excuse to avoid this altogether.

"What are you up to with your wily shifty eyes? I don’t recognize you!" Li Yanran asked, her eyes flashing with anger.

"This humble one works for the young madam’s shop. I came today to inform the young master about a minor issue." The servant explained with a forced smile on his face. "Due to my rush, I did not see the young miss. It’s my fault. Please punish me, young miss."

"So, you’re from my sister-in-law’s shop?" Li Yanran’s tone softened slightly.

The servant immediately nodded in response, "Yes, this humble one is always at young madam’s shop doing miscellaneous tasks."

"Next time when you enter the Residence, be more composed. With your clumsy and panicky disposition, I’m sure you must have embarrassed the young madam out there." Li Yanran put on the airs of a mistress

to lecture the servant.

The servant kept nodding in agreement, just hoping that Li Yanran would finish her tirade soon and let him go.

"Hurry up and leave." The maid beside Li Yanran rolled her eyes at the servant as soon as she finished speaking.

Hearing this, the servant gratefully bowed to Li Yanran and left.

"Why can’t my sister-in-law ever be found these days?" Li Yanran grumbled, pouting.

"It’s said that the old lady of the You Residence is unwell lately. It’s only natural for the young madam to be concerned and often go to look after her," replied her maid.

Li Yanran pouted and remained silent.

Hmph, they’re mother and daughter, so what? Do the daughters-in-law at the Marquis Residence really have to serve a merchant’s wife?

Indeed, Madam You was at her maternal home, running herself ragged.

"Sister, we only bought such an enormous quantity of grain based on your suggestion. If we sell at the prices posted by the prince, not only will we not earn any Silver, but we will also have to pay out a lot. You know how difficult it has been to do business in our household in recent years. If this batch of grain doesn’t get sold, our entire family might starve." The first wife of the You Residence held onto Madam You’s hand, crying and sobbing.

"Sister, we are all counting on you now," pleaded the second wife.

"M’Lady You, go back and ask the Marquis for some advice. We can’t let this business opportunity slip through our fingers." Old Mr. You directly gave the order.

"Fine, you all can stop crying. I know. I’ll return and think of a way." Madam You, unable to tolerate the hassles from her relatives any longer, left for home with her maids without even eating lunch.

On her way back, she ran into the servant who had been sent to inquire. Upon hearing his reason for coming, she sent him away immediately.

"They are actually putting the blame on us." Back at the residence, upon hearing Madam You’s words, Li Jiesong immediately stood up, his face rigid.

"Who would have thought that the prince would pull such a trick out of his sleeve?" Madam You was both physically and emotionally exhausted. Her relatives and husband blamed each other, and she was caught in the middle. Did anyone ever consider her feelings?

"We invested all our silver into this grain business, not to mention we’ve borrowed at high interest from Mr. Hei’s gambling den." Li Jiesong, in a flurry of panic like an ant on a hot pot, paced back and forth in the room. "What can we use to repay the debt in half a year’s time? Weren’t you the one who said we would be able to unload it quickly?"

"I did this to make a bit of silver on the side, who would have expected the prince to pull such a move?" Madam You’s face turned pale. Useless man. When he heard that there was silver to be made, he was more eager than anyone else. But when trouble arose, they pushed it all onto her. Why should she be held responsible?

"Make silver? Now we’re at such a loss, we might have to sell the shop." Li Jiesong roared.