The night once again enveloped the Shen Mansion, but Shen Ruoxin's state of mind was completely different from the previous night's panic and unease. The figures in the account book, those cold yet conclusive evidence, gave her an unprecedented sense of confidence. Liu Shi seemed to be closing in step by step, but in fact, she was fierce on the outside but weak on the inside. The huge deficit of the Jinxiu Pavilion was a sharp sword hanging over her head, and that absurd cotton, linen and cloth trade with the Jinxiu Cloth Store was a fatal flaw left by her digging her own grave.
She couldn't go directly to confront the Liu family. That would be no different from trying to break a stone with an egg. We can't expect our elder brother Shen Zhongkang to change his mind either. He has long been in collusion with the Liu family. Father was seriously ill and unable to take charge. At this moment, the only ones who could balance the Liu family and care about the reputation of the Shen family and the ancestral rules were those elders in the clan who were usually low-key but could speak with great authority in critical moments.
The Shen family has many members, but there is only one person who truly holds weight, dares to speak up, and is relatively fair. After much deliberation, Shen Ruoxin found that there is only one person - the third uncle, the third uncle of Shen Wanshan, who is now the most senior and respected elder in the Shen family. Uncle SAN was also engaged in business in his early years. Although his family's fortune declined later on, his vision and insight remained. He valued the family's reputation and rules the most. If he were to learn that the Liu family dared to trade the Shen family's legitimate daughter (external status) and family wealth, corrupting the family's reputation, he would never stand idly by.
To convince the Third uncle, empty talk won't do; there must be solid evidence. The key point is the purchase account that records the false transaction with Jinxiu Cloth Store.
Just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Shen Ruoxin found Liu's accountant's office again. This time, she didn't mention the overall accounts of Jinxiu Pavilion. Instead, she directly pointed out: "Uncle Liu, I want to carefully check the warehousing vouchers for the batch of cotton and linen cloth we purchased from Jinxiu Cloth Store last month and..." Contract. I remember the price of that batch of goods was not low, but it seems that we didn't see it on the storefront of our Jinxiu Pavilion. I want to confirm exactly where it was used so that I can give an account to my big brother.
She deliberately brought up "explaining to the elder brother", and then pointed out "the price is not low" and "I haven't seen it", suggesting that there might be something fishy going on, placing herself in a position to fill in the gaps and consider the interests of the family.
Liu's expression changed slightly, clearly understanding the profound meaning behind this. He hesitated for a moment, gave Shen Ruoxin a complicated look in his eyes, and said in a low voice, "Second Miss, that batch of goods..." It's indeed a bit strange. The contract and the warehouse receipt documents are all here. You... Have a look yourself. He pulled out a separate file from an unremarkable corner.
Shen Ruoxin took the case file and quickly flipped through it. Sure enough, in black and white, it was recorded that Jinxiu Pavilion had purchased a large quantity of ordinary cotton and linen cloth from Jinxiu Cloth Store at a price nearly 30% higher than the market rate. The terms of the contract are simple and crude. They are vague about the grade, use and delivery details of the fabric, and there is something wrong at a glance. The most crucial point is that the payment method is - the full amount is paid before the goods are inspected!
This is simply a blatant contract for transferring benefits!
Uncle Liu, this contract... May I copy a copy? Shen Ruoxin raised her head, her gaze calm.
Liu Zhangfang's lips moved slightly and he finally nodded: "You..." Be careful.
Shen Ruoxin said no more. She quickly found a pen and paper and copied down the key terms of the contract, especially the price, quantity, payment method, and the signatures of both parties (although it was signed by her elder brother Shen Zhongkang on his behalf, it was stamped with the large seal of Jinxiu Pavilion) word for word.
With this crucial "evidence" in hand, Shen Ruoxin didn't delay for a moment. She sent Shi Tou and delivered a sincere letter to the Third Uncle's residence at the fastest speed. She only said that her great-niece Shen Ruoxin had an extremely urgent matter concerning the reputation of the Shen family and earnestly requested the Third uncle to spare some time to meet her in the afternoon. The location was set at a secluded tea house outside the city. She must avoid being noticed by Lady Liu and her elder brother.
In the afternoon, there was a tea house on the outskirts of the city.
Shen Ruoxin arrived early and chose a private room in the far corner. She was a little nervous, her palms slightly sweaty, but more so, there was a determination to go all out.
Just as the appointed time arrived, the curtain of the private room was lifted, and an elderly man, full of vigor and with a gaunt face, walked in, supported by a servant boy. It was precisely the third great-uncle.
"Girl, why is it so urgent to make an appointment in this remote and desolate place?" Uncle SAN sat down, looking at Shen Ruoxin with a sharp gaze, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.
Shen Ruoxin rose to her feet, respectfully bowed to the Third Uncle, and then sat down again. Her voice carried a hint of just the right amount of choking and grievance: "Third Uncle, great-niece..." I was really at my wit's end, so I had no choice but to alert you, Sir.
"Oh?" Third Uncle raised his eyebrows slightly, "But someone in the mansion has bullied you?" Your father is ill. Your elder brother and stepmother...
Not entirely. Shen Ruoxin shook her head, took a deep breath, and began to explain the words she had prepared long ago in a gentle and smooth manner, "Third Uncle, do you know that your great-niece is already fifteen years old?" Yesterday... My stepmother suddenly brought it up, saying that she had already arranged a marriage for me, and it was the son of the shopkeeper of the West City's Brocade cloth Store.
"Shopkeeper Wang?" Uncle SAN frowned. "I remember his family was just so-so. That son..." It seems that there is nothing outstanding either. Your mother had a generous dowry back then, and you are the legitimate daughter of the Shen family. This marriage seems... It doesn't quite match.
"Third Uncle, please give a clear warning!" Shen Ruoxin seized the opportunity, her eyes brimming with tears. "If it's just a matter of inappropriate family background, the great-niece, thinking that her father is seriously ill and her elder brother is having a hard time, would accept it." But... But this marriage was by no means a formal engagement; rather, it was a... A deal!
"Transaction?" Uncle SAN's expression darkened.
"Yes!" Shen Ruoxin presented the copy of the contract with both hands and said, "Uncle SAN, please take a look." This is a purchase contract signed by the eldest brother with that Jinxiu Cloth Store in the name of Jinxiu Pavilion last month. Our Jinxiu Pavilion purchased a large quantity of ordinary cotton and linen from his store at a price 30% higher than the market rate. Even before the goods were inspected, we had already paid off the full amount of several thousand taels of silver! This sum of money is almost the annual income of Jinxiu Cloth Shop! May I ask my third uncle, how could there be such a way to do business in this world?
Uncle SAN took the copy, his gaze fixed on the glaring figures and terms, and his expression grew increasingly gloomy. Although he has not been in charge for many years, his basic business common sense still remains. The problem of this contract is obvious at a glance.
"Ridiculous!" Uncle SAN suddenly slapped the table, and the teacup jolted. "This is simply a waste of the Shen family's money!" Zhong Kang is confused! Mrs. Liu... Even more presumptuous!
Seeing this, Shen Ruoxin knew that the time was ripe and was on the verge of tears: "Third Uncle, this confusing account has only been settled for a few days, and my stepmother has brought up this marriage." The great-niece ventured to guess that this was simply... It's the stepmother and the eldest... Big brother, with our Shen family's money, I bribed the Wang family to marry me. What they were after was nothing but the dowry left by their great-niece's mother! Even... It's to use the Wang family's hands to completely control the great-niece so that they can rest easy... "Empty the Shen family!"
She didn't directly say that Liu Shi and her elder brother had begun to empty the family business. Instead, she pointed out their motives and possible consequences, portraying herself as a pitiful orphan girl who was about to be sacrificed but still had a deep understanding of the conspiracy.
"They dare!" The Third uncle was so angry that his beard trembled and his eyes were filled with rage. "Taking advantage of Wan Shan's serious illness, he so humiliated the orphan girl and embezzled the family property. This is simply a disgrace to the conscience and a disgrace to the family's reputation!" The face of our Shen family has been completely ruined by them!
Shen Ruoxin hurriedly stood up and prostrated herself on the ground again: "Third Uncle, Father is now in a coma. Big Brother has been deceived by the stepmother." The great-niece was all alone and really had no strength to resist. I earnestly beg my third uncle to speak up for his great-niece and for the Shen family! At least... This dirty deal, which was obtained with the daughter and family wealth, mustn't succeed!
She lay on the ground, her shoulders trembling slightly, vividly depicting the helplessness and fear of a weak woman in the face of power. Yet, in her words, she always maintained the defense of the family's reputation.
Uncle SAN looked at Shen Ruoxin lying on the ground. Her thin shoulders seemed unable to bear the burden, but there was an unyielding tenacity in her eyes. He thought of his nephew Shen Wanshan, who had died young and was shrewd and capable, and of his younger sister-in-law, who had been gentle and virtuous and married into the Shen family with a generous dowry. His heart was filled with both regret and anger.
"Good child, get up quickly." Third Uncle personally helped Shen Ruoxin up, his tone carrying a touch of pity and determination. "Don't worry. With Third Uncle around, you will never suffer such injustice!" This marriage must not succeed! Liu Shi and Zhong Kang... Humph! I'll go and ask them myself if they still remember the rules of the Shen family!
Shen Ruoxin's heart was finally lifted by a huge burden. Tears could no longer be held back and streamed down her face: "Thank you, Third Uncle!" Thank you very much, Third Uncle!
The tears at this moment are half aggrieved and half excited at the success of the plan. She knew that with the intervention of her third uncle, Liu Shi at least dared not openly force her to marry the Wang family immediately. She managed to gain a precious breathing space for herself.
More importantly, she successfully planted a seed of suspicion and checks and balances within the Shen family. The intervention of the third uncle is bound to trigger a chain reaction. The situation of the Liu family and the eldest brother will no longer be as carefree as before.
"All right, girl, don't cry." Third Uncle patted the back of her hand and said, "You go back to the mansion first and pretend to know nothing." The rest of the matters are left to Uncle SAN. However... He changed the subject and his gaze became profound. "The thing you presented today and the words you said are no small matter." You must make sure that every word is true. Otherwise...
"Third Uncle, rest assured," Shen Ruoxin met his gaze, her eyes clear and open. "Every word my great-niece said is true." If there is even a single false word, I am willing to accept any punishment. The account books are in the mansion. Just check them and you'll know.
Uncle SAN stared at her for a moment and then nodded slowly, "Good, good!" No wonder she is the daughter of Wan Shan! Courageous and responsible! You go ahead. Be careful in everything.
Shen Ruoxin bowed again and left the tea hut.
The setting sun stretched her figure very long. The cold wind blew. She tightened the cape on her body, but her steps were unusually firm.