Chapter 14 - Return Everything to Me

The next morning, Su Li was getting ready after waking up when Mo Hua stormed in angrily.

Su Li smiled and asked, "What's the matter? Who upset you so early in the morning?"

Mo Hua complained, "Miss, since you're not going to the Qionghua Banquet, Second Miss is taking advantage. I just saw her wearing your twelve-piece jade set, looking all rich and glamorous!"

Su Li shook her head. This little maid was upset on her behalf.

"For such a banquet, dressing too ostentatiously isn't necessarily a good thing."

After all, Su Yue was still young, and the mistress of the Western Courtyard was merely a concubine with no vision. They believed that standing out would earn the favor of influential people.

Little did they know, true nobles had no interest in such attention-seekers. Otherwise, in her past life, Su Yue wouldn't have tried to snatch Zhao Huai'an from her.

At present, Su Yue still looked down on the Zhao family's humble background. Only after hitting a few walls would she see reality clearly. By then, with Zhao Huai'an gradually rising under her support, Su Yue would shift her focus and set her sights on the Zhao family.

Mo Hua pouted and said, "I know that, but I just can't stand her acting that way."

Su Li stood up. "Let's go to the main courtyard."

Su Li accompanied her mother for breakfast before heading out together.

When they arrived at Drunken Immortal Residence, a servant helped Su Li and her mother off the carriage.

"Madam, Miss, you're here?" Shopkeeper Lin quickly approached them.

Su Li smiled. "Uncle Lin, we're here to check how much grain Mr. Xia has stored for us."

Xia Jiang, standing behind the shopkeeper, bowed and said, "Owner, the warehouse is a bit far from here. Let's take the carriage to get there."

Su Li's mother nodded, and they returned to the carriage.

Shopkeeper Lin and Xia Jiang also got into another carriage to lead the way.

After traveling for nearly the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, they arrived.

Su Li got off the carriage and looked around.

It was a courtyard that seemed abandoned for a long time.

"Owner, Miss, this is a place I rented for storing grain. Let's go inside."

Su Li nodded and helped her mother into the courtyard.

Xia Jiang opened each room, revealing piles of grain stacked high.

Su Li smiled. "Mr. Xia is truly dedicated to Drunken Immortal Residence. Have you always stored the grain here?"

Xia Jiang smiled humbly and said, "You flatter me, Miss. I've always stored the grain here."

Su Li clicked her tongue in wonder. "That's odd."

Xia Jiang, fearing she had noticed something, asked nervously, "Does Miss have any concerns?"

Su Li replied, "Mr. Xia, you started stockpiling grain last year and stored it here. Yet, it hasn't spoiled?"

Xia Jiang stammered, "Well…"

He knew grain should be stored in a proper warehouse with measures against moisture, pests, and rodents. But renting a warehouse was costly!

The money for buying grain was scraped together, so where would he find extra funds to rent a warehouse?

Xia Jiang quickly thought of an excuse. "Miss, you may not know, but even though I didn't rent a warehouse, I've been having the grain aired out during good weather. It's been well-preserved. If you don't believe me, you can check."

Since the grain was freshly bought, there was no issue with it, so he wasn't worried about them inspecting it.

Su Li's mother laughed. "I trust Mr. Xia, but storing grain here isn't ideal. Shopkeeper Lin, arrange to have it transported to our estate's granary."

Shopkeeper Lin stepped forward and replied, "Yes, Madam. I'll arrange it as soon as we return."

Su Li's mother turned to Xia Jiang. "Mr. Xia, since you came recommended by my husband, I trusted you. However, while reviewing the accounts recently, I noticed that the prices Drunken Immortal Residence paid for rice, flour, and oil were 10–20% higher than market rates. Can you explain this?"

Xia Jiang calmly replied, "Madam, you may not know, but our establishment serves distinguished guests. Naturally, we purchase higher-quality goods, which come at a premium price."

Su Li's mother frowned. "I had people investigate those suppliers. Their prices are actually lower than market rates. How do you explain that?"

Xia Jiang hadn't expected her to investigate and was left speechless.

His embezzlement methods weren't particularly clever. He'd relied on being recommended by the Minister of Revenue and gaining Su Li's mother's trust.

But Su Li's mother wasn't a fool. Once she decided to investigate, she'd uncover everything!

Su Li's mother continued, "Mr. Xia, I pay you much more than the going rate for your position. Is this how you repay me? Should I report this to the authorities?"

Xia Jiang immediately knelt and begged for mercy. "Please have mercy, Madam. I was momentarily foolish. On account of my sister, please spare me!"

Feigning ignorance, Su Li's mother asked, "Your sister?"

"She's Summer Concubine in your household. Qingzhi is my biological sister!"

Su Li's mother feigned realization. "Ah, I see. For her sake, I'll give you three days to return the money. If you don't, there will be no room for leniency."

Xia Jiang hurriedly thanked her, scrambling away to gather the funds.

Watching him leave, Su Li's mother smirked coldly. "What's mine must be returned in full."

Su Li stepped forward. "Mother, once he returns the money, will you really let this go?"

Su Li's mother replied, "Let's wait until he returns the money and decide then."

Looking at the large amount of grain, she added, "With this much grain, Drunken Immortal Residence won't need to buy more for the next two years."

Su Li shook her head. "Mother, not only do we need to keep buying, but we should also stockpile even more."

Her mother was startled. "Why? How long would it take to consume all this?"

Su Li gazed at the grain, recalling the scenes from her previous life.

In three months, an unprecedented flood would devastate the south, leaving countless people with no harvest. What followed was a harsh winter and a snowstorm, causing starvation and death on a massive scale.

It was during this disaster that Jun Hui made his mark, gaining recognition.

This time, she wouldn't let him take the credit!

Su Li turned to her mother. "Mother, have you noticed that I've changed a lot recently?"

Her mother nodded, puzzled.

"That's because I had a long dream. I dreamt that in three months, the south would experience a severe drought."

Her mother chuckled. "Silly child, it's just a dream. It's not real."

Su Li shook her head. "No, it's real. I also dreamt that Xia Jiang was Concubine Xia's brother. And that at today's Qionghua Banquet, the Crown Prince would choose the Grand General's legitimate daughter as the Crown Princess. If you don't believe me, wait a few days to see."

Hearing this, her mother was stunned and touched her daughter's forehead.

"Child, have you offended something supernatural?"

Su Li laughed and gently moved her mother's hand away. "Perhaps it's a blessing from Buddha."

Though her mother remained skeptical, she relented. "Alright, let's wait a few days. Even if we wanted to sell grain, it wouldn't happen immediately."

Hearing her mother's response, Su Li felt relieved.

Though her mother didn't believe her yet, once the Crown Princess was announced, she would.

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