The steward stood trembling on the side, watching Master Shen spit out a mouthful of blood. He opened his eyes wide and called out "Master" in a panic, standing on the side in a panic, not knowing what to do.
Mrs. Shen came out from behind the screen in a flash and rushed to Mr. Shen. When she saw the blood on Mr. Shen's lapel, she was scared to death. She held Mr. Shen's hand, and even her shoulders were shaking.
Mr. Shen had to force himself to stand up. He patted his wife's shoulder, tremblingly took a handkerchief beside him and wiped his mouth. Enduring the taste of rust in his mouth, he told the steward: "Ah Zhong, you have been with me the longest. You have to follow me on this trip back to the village. I will not hide it from you. How much money we can get back from selling these shops will be our living expenses in the future. Go ahead. I trust you. Six thousand... just six thousand."
Ah Zhong's face was full of dejection. He felt even sadder when he heard what Mr. Shen said. He choked up and agreed, then walked out of the Shen's house dejectedly.
He had just walked out of the door and turned into the alley, and before he could even sigh, someone suddenly grabbed his shoulder and pulled him to the side, almost making him fall. He couldn't help but scream, but before he could scream, his mouth was covered by someone.
Finished!
Ah Zhong cried out in his heart, his face pale as he thought that today might be over.
He didn't know how long he was dragged. He was taken into a room and his mouth was released. He fell to his knees on the ground, not daring to lift his head, and began to cry for mercy.
"Uncle Zhong, don't you recognize me?"
Ah Zhong was startled. His finger joints were so painful that he couldn't straighten them because he had used too much force. He suddenly raised his head when he heard the voice. He saw Su Yao sitting above him. He couldn't help but shed tears. He shouted in surprise and joy, "Miss!"
Su Yao has been very obedient and sensible since she was a child. When she was still in the Shen family, she dared to follow Mr. Shen to collect debts at a young age, and often stayed outside for several days before returning home.
All the housekeepers, big and small, knew that their eldest daughter was a successful person and they thought she would take over the master's job. But suddenly news came out that the eldest daughter was not a biological daughter but the daughter of a rich man from a wealthy family in the capital.
If you think about it, they haven't seen Su Yao for many years, but when they heard Su Yao's voice, how could they not recognize him
Ah Zhong was surprised and delighted, and then he subconsciously realized that Su Yao was different. The Su Yao in the past was like a flower growing casually on the roadside, looking full of vitality, but the Su Yao now was like a rose grown in a fence, dazzling.
He was overwhelmed with emotions and didn't dare to look anymore. He prostrated himself on the ground and called out "Miss" again.
Su Yao nodded at him and glanced at Ruan Xiaojiu, who had already hurried to help him up. Immediately, someone else swiftly brought him some tea.
It all happened so fast as if in a dream. Ah Zhong glanced around and realized that if he looked out the window, he could see a few stalls downstairs and the big words "Chongming Old Ginseng Shop" opposite.
This should be Jinxiu Tower, he thought to himself. When he heard Su Yao cough, he hurriedly looked at Su Yao with full concentration.
Su Yao's voice was still gentle, and he asked him with a smile: "Uncle Zhong, you are an old man following the master. I have a few questions to ask you. Please tell me the truth."
In the past, when Su Yao was only eight or nine years old, he was already very capable in the Shen family. At that time, many payments for goods could be directly given to Su Yao. The close shopkeepers and managers all knew this. Moreover, Su Yao was now completely transformed, and was many times more majestic than when he was in Jin.
Ah Zhong didn't even bother to think and agreed cautiously.
Su Yao put the tea aside and asked softly, "Master, have you encountered any difficulties in your business recently?"
Ah Zhong was a little hesitant.
Ruan Xiaojiu couldn't help but laugh at the side: "The steward is also an elder of the Shen family, so he must know our girl's thoughts. She asked these questions only for the good of Master Shen. Why are you confused?"
Ah Zhong patted his forehead subconsciously, then he stopped hesitating and nodded with a depressed look: "To be honest, young lady, the master has already asked me to transfer the two most profitable shops in the capital, and I am waiting to return to Jin when the time comes to make money."
He sounded unhappy and looked completely listless.
When the entire family business was moved from Jin to the capital, it had already suffered a lot due to the suppression of the Su family. Although it recovered later, it was easy to accumulate wealth but it only took a few days to lose it.
If we go back like this now, it will be difficult for us to gain a foothold in Jin in the future.
The boss's business is difficult, so how can those who are in charge have an easy life
Su Yao raised his eyebrows, tapped his knees with his fingers, and then spoke: "Uncle Zhong, if you suddenly say you want to sell the store, won't you be forced to lower the price?"
"That's right." Ah Zhong sighed, "Two very promising shops, the total price was only 6,000 taels."
Six thousand taels!
Su Yao had done business before and had helped the Shen family with their accounts. In the second half of her previous life, she had even taken care of the Cheng family's finances. She controlled no less than a dozen farms and shops, so she naturally understood what these six thousand taels of silver meant.
This is what robbery is like.
She sneered.
Ruan Xiaojiu also whispered: "Miss, I'm afraid you've encountered some difficulties. Otherwise, no matter how anxious you are to sell it, you will never do such a business. Do you think I should go and check it out?"
Su Yao hummed, and suddenly said to Ah Zhong: "Uncle Zhong, you are the one who is useful to the master, so you naturally know the principle of prosperity and adversity. The master hurriedly said that he wanted to return to Jin, and now he is selling off his property at a low price. It must be a big event. Do you know why?"
Now that things have come to this, there is nothing to hide anymore. Ah Zhong wiped the sweat off his forehead and said listlessly, "It happened a few days ago. Something happened at the drugstore in Maoer Hutong. A pregnant woman had diarrhea. The doctor prescribed antidiarrheal medicine, which contained coptis root. But the clerk in the store replaced it with rhubarb..."
Mother Shen's face turned pale, and she explained to Su Yao: "Rhubarb is a laxative..."
Ah Zhong was even more frustrated: "What's even more unfortunate is that the family didn't know that there was something wrong with the medicine. By the time they found out, it was too late. The fetus was not saved, and the pregnant woman was half dead... They came to our door and... Everyone knows about it. For those who run a medicine shop, isn't this the thing they fear the most? If something like this happens, how can they do business?"