CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 57: DID YOU FIND ANYTHING?

Ruan Jiao hurriedly lowered her head, and just as she was about to speak, Li Mao bluntly said, "Aunt Ruan, you are now part of our Uncle’s Mansion, and I am still your second uncle. If there is something I need your help with, you surely wouldn’t refuse."

Ruan Jiao felt a pang in her heart, instinctively sensing trouble.

Offending Li Mao was certainly not a good idea.

Since he had personally come to find her, it was clear that she had no chance to refuse.

"I wonder what Second Master needs my help with?"

Li Mao merely smiled slyly, his slender eyes full of cunning, and quietly shared his thoughts.

Upon hearing this, Nanny Zhang’s eyes widened in shock, and she quickly went to tell Mrs. Wang what she had seen and heard.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wang had just been speaking with Ruan Mian.

Mrs. Wang glanced at Nanny Zhang, smiled, and said, "Have you uncovered something? Miss Ruan is not an outsider, go ahead and tell us."

Hearing this, Nanny Zhang quickly relayed what Li Mao had said: "Madam, Miss Ruan, earlier I saw Second Master approach Aunt Ruan, and they were... secretly plotting against Miss Ruan’s sister-in-law. They plan to..."

Ruan Mian narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of a smile on her lips.

She was surprised that the other side had targeted her sister-in-law.

Mrs. Wang looked at her and whispered, "Miss Ruan, I think it might be better if I stepped forward and told my mother-in-law about this?"

Ruan Mian shook her head, glanced at Mrs. Wang, and guessed her intent.

By having Nanny Zhang tell her these things willingly, wasn’t she seeking cooperation?

So she chuckled lightly and said, "I won’t let anyone make a move on my family. Since Ruan Jiao thinks this way, let’s allow her to taste the bitter fruit of her own making."

"What does Miss Ruan mean?"

Ruan Mian leaned in and whispered something to them.

In the original story, Mrs. Chen was manipulated to death by Ruan Jiao, along with the unborn child, meeting a tragic end!

This time, how could she let the tragedy repeat?

Before Mrs. Wang left, she remembered something and reminded Ruan Mian, "Miss Ruan, just in case, I should tell you that the Chaling Restaurant in Taoqiu County is an industry of the Uncle’s Mansion, always managed by Second Master, you should be cautious."

Ruan Mian’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and she thought carefully, the original story did not mention much about Li Mao, but indeed there was mention of the Li Family secretly gathering military funds for King Yan in Taoqiu County.

So... this was all backed by Li Mao’s business chain?

No wonder it was only upon arriving in Taoqiu County that Li Mao began to reveal his ambitions, previously remaining unnoticed even with little conversation.

On his own territory, he even dared to set his sights on a married woman.

It seems he was looking for an opportunity to do something behind the scenes.

If that’s the case, then I’ll personally shatter his pipe dream!

In these days, no shops in town were open, and everyone was focused on survival, having no mind for business.

Taking advantage of the opportunity for a free clinic, Ruan Mian inquired from County Magistrate Lin.

"My lord, do you know who the real owner behind the Chaling Restaurant is?"

County Magistrate Lin regarded her as a benefactor and did not hide these matters: "To be honest, Miss Ruan, the Chaling Restaurant has only two managers, and as for the name of the owner, I am unsure."

"However, given the recent natural disaster in Taoqiu County, even if normalcy returns, the restaurant may also find it hard to reopen."

"Oh? How do you mean, sir?"

"Chaling Restaurant was famous for its luxurious cuisine, primarily catering to passing trade caravans for fine delicacies. Over the past few months, many of the restaurant’s unique ingredients have stopped coming, many rare dishes are no longer made, and with the bad weather, business has thus declined."

"With the size of the restaurant, even those two outstanding managers can’t sustain it. I had guessed that the owner’s accounts behind the scenes might have run into some issues."

It seems that due to Li Mao’s incident, the back channel of funds had been cut off.

Thus, some of the precious ingredients were gradually no longer supplied.

"Sir, you mentioned those two managers as outstanding, have you met them?"

"They are both locals, and have been in business for many years, even running their own shops, always doing well."

"And what about their character and business reputation?" Ruan Mian inquired.

County Magistrate Lin immediately confirmed: "In our area, they are considered very reputable."

That, indeed, would be better.

This time, if Li Mao passes through Taoqiu, he will surely squeeze out the last bit of value from the restaurant.

Ruan Mian turned again to County Magistrate Lin, smiled and said, "Could you introduce me to the two managers of the restaurant?"

Chaling Restaurant.

The two managers walked over quickly, clad in thick clothing, bowing respectfully to County Magistrate Lin.

Upon seeing Ruan Mian, they exchanged a glance, puzzled, "Lord County Magistrate, who is this?"

Ruan Mian stood up and smiled lightly, "Greetings to the two managers. I asked the Lord County Magistrate to introduce us today, wishing to discuss taking over the restaurant with you." "You... you wish to take over our restaurant? This lady must be joking, to take over our restaurant would cost quite a sum."

In such weather, with the restaurant in this state, only a fool would spend so much to take over this mess.

Yet they did not understand Ruan Mian’s intentions.

She confidently produced a few gold bars and several documents, handing them over.

Seeing the gold bars, the two managers were stunned, their eyes widening!!

Nobody expected this woman to make such a bold move! Especially since she had connections with the Lord County Magistrate.

Immediately, their attitude became humble: "My lady, this... I still need to discuss this with our boss, you see..."

"In this situation, your boss has no reason to refuse."

"And, after I take over the shop, the recipes and business methods here are all documented in writing, and going forward you can continue to manage it, only I’ll be your boss."

"I’ll pay you double your usual wages, and every month I’ll need to see the detailed accounts, which just have to be filled in as written on the documents and handed into the Magistrate Mansion."

On the way here, Ruan Mian had already reached an agreement with County Magistrate Lin.

Because it wasn’t convenient for her to reside here, she planned to have the red-faced messenger under County Magistrate Lin temporarily collect the accounts for her.

County Magistrate Lin agreed without any hesitation.

And regarding the restaurant’s recipes, based on what County Magistrate Lin said about some dishes, she found they generally leaned towards heavy flavors.

She also prepared several sets of dish recipes and preparation methods, adding breakfast items, teas, and desserts.

This news was like a gift from the heavens to the two managers.

They exchanged glances; since this Boss Li got into trouble, he had been asking them for accounts, and the restaurant couldn’t operate anymore, now they can earn an extra sum of money, what a great opportunity!

Once this chance is gone, it’ll be gone for good, so before Ruan Mian finished speaking, they agreed happily.