CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 158: TO AVOID FURTHER COMPLICATIONS

The steward Cai angrily explained the ins and outs of the matter to Mrs. Qian.

Mrs. Qian frowned, "I did pay the deposit, and the rules of the broker don’t need me to say more. Steward Cai, you know them better, right?"

"Yes, yes, I understand. So, I thought to come and discuss with you, Mrs. Qian. How about compensating three times the penalty? Additionally, the broker promises to help you find another suitable shop without any middleman fee. What do you think?" Steward Cai said.

"Steward Cai is so straightforward, which shows it is the other party who is willing to pay this penalty, right?" Mrs. Qian asked.

Steward Cai chuckled awkwardly, "Indeed, nothing escapes Mrs. Qian."

"The owner of the shop was in urgent need of silver, which is why they sold the shop. I didn’t take advantage by lowering the price because of that urgency. Steward Cai, you tell me, was the price I offered fair and reasonable? It’s flawless wherever you look, right?" Mrs. Qian said calmly.

"Of course, of course, who doesn’t know that Mrs. Qian is fair in business?" Steward Cai complimented.

"So, it must be someone offering to buy at a price higher than the value of this shop," Mrs. Qian affirmed. "If it’s one or two points higher, they might not necessarily break the agreement. I suppose this price is at least half more than the price we discussed."

Steward Cai gave a thumbs up, "Mrs. Qian, you are indeed amazing!"

"Businesspeople, who aren’t savvy? Those who can buy at a high price mostly do so to annoy the original buyer," Mrs. Qian snorted disdainfully, "Tell me, isn’t it Mrs. Li who interfered?"

Steward Cai remained silent.

"Though I’m not a benevolent person, my conscience is clear in what I do. I don’t usually make enemies with anyone. After thinking it over, I could only think of such a person," Mrs. Qian said leisurely.

"I didn’t say anything," Steward Cai quickly distanced himself.

"Alright, I know you all are afraid to offend her. I won’t make it hard for you, just give me three times the deposit. As for finding another shop, forget about it. If they cause trouble once, they’ll do it again. It’s not easy for you guys, and I don’t want to burden you," Mrs. Qian said.

Steward Cai showed a look of gratitude, "Mrs. Qian is magnanimous."

Although he said they could continue helping her find a shop, it was only lip service.

After all, Mrs. Li had already warned them not to do business with Mrs. Qian in the future.

Mrs. Qian waved him off, and Steward Cai left with gratitude.

"Is there anything I can help with?" Meng Yao asked Mrs. Qian. She instinctively felt that Mrs. Li’s meddling was not only due to past grievances with Mrs. Qian but was also related to her and Zhao Dahe.

"It’s nothing, Ah Yao, don’t worry," Mrs. Qian replied nonchalantly, "It’s just that the opening of the bookshop might be delayed a bit. But rest assured, I’ll definitely handle it well."

"If it has to be later, so be it. But, sister, if there’s anything, you must tell me," Meng Yao said.

"Don’t worry, everything will be fine," Mrs. Qian was confident. Over the years, whether overtly or covertly, she had seldom suffered losses in her conflicts with her cousin.

This time would be no exception.

Mrs. Qian had things to attend to, so Meng Yao did not bother her further. She made a trip to the Hundred Embroidery House, then to the Hundred Herbs Hall, and afterward, drove her carriage home.

She wasn’t very adept at driving, so she proceeded slowly.

By the time she got home, it was already past noon.

"Where is Chang’an?" Meng Zhu asked when she saw Meng Yao returning alone. She glanced outside but didn’t see anyone, so she asked, puzzled.

"He went to roam the Jianghu," Meng Yao replied.

"What?" For a moment, Meng Zhu couldn’t react, "What do you mean?"

"It means he went to pursue your daughter-in-law. Are you happy?" Meng Yao explained with a smile.

"You’re joking with me, right? That troublesome lad, how is it possible? No, Ah Yao, when did you become so mischievous?" Meng Zhu scolded playfully.

"How could I lie? It’s true, Chang’an went to find Zhenzhen," Meng Yao said earnestly.

Delighted, Meng Zhu exclaimed, "What did he say to you?"

"He just said he felt moved and didn’t want to miss out. He wanted to ask if Zhenzhen has feelings for him," Meng Yao explained.

"Alright, alright," Meng Zhu clapped her thighs excitedly, "That troublesome lad finally got a clue. But does he know where Zhenzhen went? What if he can’t find her?"

"He asked Sister Qian, don’t know the exact location, but he got a general direction. Whether they find each other depends on their fate," Meng Yao replied.

"Yue Lao governs marriage. No, later, I must go to the Yue Lao Temple and offer incense, so Yue Lao can bless them," Meng Zhu mumbled, anxiously showing on her face, "You’d think Li Baixia would realise to come pick me back."

She was practically ready to rush to the Yue Lao Temple immediately.

Just then, as if summoned, Li Baixia’s voice came in from outside.

Meng Zhu couldn’t wait and walked out. Li Baixia hadn’t even had a chance to enter the house, looking all puzzled as she dragged him away.

"Ah Zhu, slow down, slow down. You’re carrying twins now; you can’t be so hasty," Li Baixia said, "I haven’t even greeted Meng Yao yet; how improper."

Meng Yao chased after them, "Brother-in-law, we’re all family; no need to worry about courtesy."

Zhao Dahe and the others heard the commotion and came out from inside the house as well.

"Mom, you’re going alone? Shouldn’t I go back with you?" Li Changning asked.

"Oh, right, right, there’s also Changning," Li Baixia remembered upon seeing his daughter that she was here too.

Meng Zhu also belatedly realized she almost left her daughter behind.

"Didn’t you say you wanted to play more with Xiao Hua?" Meng Zhu asked.

"No, I’ll come back with you," Li Changning said, "You don’t pay attention to yourself at all. I wouldn’t feel at ease if I don’t watch over you."

"Alright then, when you want to see your aunt again, just come over," Meng Zhu said.

Mother and daughter got on the carriage, and Li Baixia waved to Meng Yao.

"Brother-in-law, be careful on the road," Meng Yao advised.

"Don’t worry, don’t worry, I’m an old hand at driving," Li Baixia said.

The carriage disappeared from view, and only then did Meng Yao turn back to go inside.

As she walked to the middle of the courtyard, Meng Yao felt that she should mention the issue of Mrs. Qian’s shop to Zhao Dahe, so she went with him to his room.

After hearing what Meng Yao said, Zhao Dahe’s brows knitted tightly. Indeed, he had been too presumptuous previously, assuming Li Enwai and his wife were not a threat, but reality harshly slapped him.

Honestly, Mrs. Li’s blatant meddling was not merely because of her past grievances with their teacher’s wife.

More importantly, it was a warning to their family—

If they didn’t know what was good for them, she had a hundred ways to deal with them.

"Mother, I’ll set off for Qingzhou Prefecture tomorrow," Zhao Dahe said, "The teacher has several classmates in Qingzhou Prefecture whom I need to visit on his behalf. Also, Si Hai, Wen Shu, and I have agreed if we’re listed, we’ll handle family matters and head to the Prefecture as soon as possible."

"However, I must also trouble you, Mother, to slightly alter my appearance to avoid unforeseen complications," Zhao Dahe added.