Chapter 9- I will be your pillar

The young man was startled again by her reply but more importantly the estrangement of her tone. Suyan what made you change in a short time?

Lilian was oblivious to the thoughts spinning in the young man's head. Her attention was on the group of elders and the young woman in front.

"Xiu the manager of the textile shop in the capital had sent the monthly records last week. Bring those books here."

"Yes", he left the room under everyone's watchful eyes. Regardless of the result, it was unavoidable for a fight not to happen so before returning to the room he stationed additional guards around the room in case.

Almost instantly Xiaohua's eyes sparkled in surprise. She had already reviewed those documents and knew the problems within it like the back of her hands. Hence, she considered to be half the victor.

If she could also demonstrate her ability in pointing out the manager's mistake perhaps Grandfather will form a good impression on her. Heh- Suyan, I'm the destined heir, you-scram!

Old Xiu fetched the documents under the Old Patriarch's orders.

Xiaohua leaned closer towards Feng Tianlu. "Third Uncle, don't worry I'm confident about this."

Nodding, Feng Tianlu patted her hand under the table, "Very good. Show that Old man whose eyes were blind that you're the real treasure."

Yes, she was the real pearl.

Her eyes slowly trailed towards Suyan who was biting her lips before smiling. "I will…" Crush her to dust.

A Textile shop…

Lilian has no idea about its operation.

But the clouds above her hear hadn't dispersed and was rather getting darker by the minute.

It will probably just launch a strike once she confesses her inability to take over.

What did I get myself into?

After several minutes passed, Xiu came back with two servants in tow and each was carrying a tray filled with books bounded by sewed strings. Counting, there was a total of five books in each.

One servant went to hand over one tray to Xiaohua.

Lilian raised her eyebrows when another servant approached her table and placed a tray. "Eldest Miss", the servant whispered and stuffed something in her hands.

"Hey you-", her words landed into deaf ears as the servant she wanted to ask picked up his steps and disappeared outside the door.

"What's wrong?" the young man beside her inquired after noticing the sudden complexities swimming in her eyes.

Lilian unfolded the note under her table and finally found out its contents. Wide eyed, she threw the people in the room glances, reviewing their expressions.

Finally landing upon the man beside the Old Patriarch, she suddenly received a wink. It immediately dawn to her that he was the one who handed the cheat.

Annoyance twitched her blazing eyes, long eyelashes trembled along. The note in her hand became a hot potato and she immediately discarded it. Even if she's desperate, she would not resort to underhanded means.

"…" The young man who received the note thought that she wanted to relay an important matter and thus, he immediately stuffed it inside his sleeve securing it from the prying eyes.

There were five books in front of her, and each recorded the previous month's business transactions. Slender fingers resembling a fresh bamboo shoot traced the title 'Purchases' in a slow and gentle manner. Lifting the blue cover, she began to skim each entry in the book. Her eyes reflected wit and confidence.

Just witnessing her carefree and light attitude, Feng Tianlu and his side were assured in winning the heir's seat. They leaned back in their sandalwood seats, savouring the tea's lingering subtle taste in their mouths. They eyes were brimming with ill intentions and were directed at the woman who was scratching her head after only looking through the first page.

"What is this?" Unable to contain her annoyance, her voice sounded angry. But in the eyes of the opposing faction her reaction was akin to an ignorant person who has no knowledge of reviewing the document. Earlier she her calm composure was particularly singing in the eyes but now they're ego was slowly recovering.

Their minds laughed at her misfortune, each one of them tried to restrain the smile brewing in their lips. But the fourth uncle had no self-control and therefore his cackling echoed inside the room earning ire from the young man, Old Patriarch, Xiu and the rest of Suyan's supporters.

"Suyan don't push yourself if don't understand a thing. Your head might be damaged in the long run and father will blame us for it."

"Silence rascal or I will sew your mouth."

"Grandfather please calm down." The young man appeased him.

Xiaohua heard him hurling an insult at Suyan. She looked over at the woman and found out her situation. Her lips dotted with sarcasm. Didn't even have an ability to show but had boasted earlier, Suyan you're doomed. Once I will be the heir, I'll immediately kick you out.

"Suyan if need more time just tell grandfather", The Old Patriarch cooled his rampaging mood for the sake of not disturbing his granddaughter's focus.

Xiaohua thought Lilian was having a hard time understanding a thing and so was the others but that was not the case.

Every single-entry, descriptions, amount, date and notes written like the clear surface of the water, as if the transactions recorded were happening in front of her but as distinct as they were, the creases on her fair forehead deepened indicating that there was mistake. Like those murky green molds under a smooth rock, the transactions were filled with questionable transparency.

But how much of a big mistake it is, you question?

Well, it was enough to consider being struck by the system's punishment instead.

"Hey woman, do you want to be heir? Fine I will revoke my right. This textile business of yours is doomed to be without prospect anyway. With this kind of transparency how do you think the business will prosper if even the management does a bad job at tracking assets?"

"Why aren't talking?" Lilian grabbed the corner of the book. Veins protruded on her hand as she tried to calm the storm in her mind. She resisted flinging the book across the table.

Xiaohua stood up and pointed her finger. In utter disbelief, her red lips pressed on a thin line. "How did you know? Who told you?"

This woman! She knew of this anomaly but didn't voice it out! Does she even know the consequences of turning a blind eye? So angry!

Her eyes were ignited and flashing flames of wrath.

Crash-

The book in her hand was thrown and hit the vase behind the woman causing it to break into pieces scattering on the floor.

"Suyan!" almost all exclaimed.

"What an incompetent individual! Do you know your decision you made in not reporting what you knew would make the business bleed every hour?" Her nose flared in anger and as if surrounded by flames, the ones near her felt the temperature increase.

"No…I don't know anything at all." Suddenly caught in a bind, Xiaohua was being filled with guilt and panic.

"Feng Xiaohua explained yourself!" The Old Patriarch caught the hint in their exchange and his eyes darted towards the denying woman.

"There is nothing to explain. Her expression was a confession itself. If you want your business to bear losses every month then by all means appoint her as the heir."

Her eyes roamed towards the stunned individuals who were displaying a myriad of emotions.

Until it stopped at the woman standing opposite to her, slamming the table, she slapped her chest in a domineering way, "But if you want to thrive and be on the top, I will be your main pillar. I will endure even if I have to withstand the strongest wind, dreadful storms and the thunderous roars of the heavens."