It's said that De Sheng Chang established its presence in the Shanxi money business through the support of the Cao Family.
The Cao Family is the natal family of Old Lady Fang.
Initially, De Sheng Chang's money business had many interactions with the Cao Family's businesses, and there were quite a few Cao Family members employed at De Sheng Chang.
Later, as the Cao Family declined, the Fang Family flourished, and then Grand Old Master Fang and Old Master Fang suddenly passed away. At that time, whether Lady Fang was carrying a boy or a girl was yet unknown. The Cao Family began to have thoughts of merging the two families, believing it would also help Old Lady Fang, who had married away.
After all, at that time, the direct relatives of the Fang Family in Shandong also came to cause a scene.
Old Lady Fang resolutely refused. Moreover, she vigorously expelled the Cao Family members from De Sheng Chang and demanded repayment of debts, which involved her own brothers.
This forced several brothers to sell off their properties. Old Lady Fang's mother, still alive in her eighties, came to plead with her daughter, threatening that if she didn't comply, she would kill herself first.
Old Lady Fang looked at her mother, who was making a scene at the door, and without hesitation, took a wooden stick from the hand of the Fang Family guard and struck.
"Anyone who dares to rob me of my wealth is no kin of mine, but an enemy," she shouted.
With one blow, she struck Old Lady Cao, causing her head to bleed profusely and shocking everyone in Shanxi. People questioned why they should bother with a heartless beast who only recognized money. The Cao Family and Fang Family members slipped away, severing all ties. They became strangers upon meeting.
At that time, the Fang sisters were still young. Over a decade passed; although they were strictly educated in business matters, they enjoyed the protection of their elders in daily life. That so-called heartless Old Lady Fang seemed to be someone else to them.
What are they planning to do?
Fang Yunxiao's face was deathly pale, and Lady Fang was uneasy. Only Fang Yuxiu remained composed.
"Misses, Old Lady Fang asks if you've had enough fun," the lead maidservant said coldly. "If so, hand over the seal."
Fang Yunxiao continued to look nervously at Fang Yuxiu.
"What if we haven't had enough fun?" Fang Yuxiu asked. "Will you beat us to death?"
"Stop speaking nonsense. How can you both be so unruly?" Lady Fang reprimanded, caught between her mother-in-law and her daughter, utterly unsure of what to do.
The maidservant's expression remained unchanged.
"You're just joking, Second Miss," she said, signaling to those behind her.
The maidservants behind her promptly surged forward, and Lady Fang, hands outstretched to stop them, found herself unsure of how to do so.
Fang Yunxiao quickly stood in front of Fang Yuxiu. Though her face was pale, her gaze was firm, standing her ground.
"I'll hand it over, I'll hand it over. Don't make a move," Fang Yuxiu said promptly, raising her hand.
Everyone in the room was momentarily stunned, and the maidservants almost didn't stop in time.
Handing it over just like that?
Isn't this too... spineless?
"Even if you hand it over, you two have caused trouble. Old Lady Fang is confining you," the maidservant said coldly, signaling the others to advance.
Fang Yuxiu responded with a simple "Oh."
"That won't do," she said. "Even if I hand over the seal, the managers won't open the treasury without my personal appearance. That's what I said from the start."
The maidservant's brow twitched.
"Yuxiu, don't push it. Just because you've managed things for a few days, do you no longer know your limits? Do you really think De Sheng Chang belongs to you? Will it close without you?" Lady Fang scolded with raised eyebrows.
Fang Yuxiu shrugged calmly.
"Of course not," she said. "But having managed for a few days, it's allowed to stir things up a bit, right?"
That wretched girl, Lady Fang glared, realizing for the second time her dislike for someone so clever yet detached; the first time was with Miss Jun.
......
......
"Let her go," Old Lady Fang commanded deeply.
"Who knows if she's telling the truth? What else is she plotting in the money business? I don't know how they managed it, but they've really gathered quite a following there, listening obediently to them," Lady Fang hesitated, also feeling somewhat guilty, "I don't know why this child turned out this way."
"It's a good chance to see who listens to her stirring up trouble and grab them all. I refuse to believe I've managed De Sheng Chang for decades and now fall short of a young girl," Old Lady Fang said, raising her eyebrows. "First, open the money business, calm the outside rumors, and then any issues can be handled privately within the family."
Old Lady Fang appeared very anxious.
Could it really be so chaotic because of these two girls?
Being hurt by those closest to you, the ones you let your guard down around, is indeed the most infuriating and distressing.
This situation had left Lady Fang equally breathless with frustration.
Lady Fang responded with acknowledgment.
As the carriage exited the Fang Family's gate, the people on the street were startled.
"Someone's coming out!"
"Come quickly, who is it!"
The street was abuzz with chatter as people gathered.
The Fang Family members were also startled.
When did so many people start loitering outside the door?
"They're all here for the show."
"These people really have time to waste."
Concubine Yuan murmured to Lady Fang.
Lady Fang sighed in frustration.
"What a mess," she said, holding her forehead. "How did the children turn out like this?"
"Madam, children grow up and tend to have their own thoughts," Concubine Yuan carefully comforted, "especially a smart child like Second Miss."
"Are you saying I should be happy about it?" Lady Fang said, glaring.
Concubine Yuan scratched her head awkwardly.
"Make sure the people in the carriage are well-watched," Lady Fang said irritably, exhaling deeply. "I can't handle them anymore."
"Madam need not worry; there are four maidservants with each, all skilled," Concubine Yuan assured. "The carriage will go straight into the money business."
Lady Fang pressed her forehead and waved dismissively.
"Why is Chengyu taking so long?" She suddenly recalled, "He should've arrived by now, shouldn't he?"
Concubine Yuan cleared her throat quietly.
"I think, perhaps the Young Master is deliberately going slowly," she suggested. "With the family matters being impossible to hide from him, he probably doesn't know how to deal with it either. Coming back is awkward too."
Indeed, Chengyu has always been close with his sisters. Now that things have escalated, it must be awkward for him.
Lady Fang pressed her forehead once more.
"This is truly internal and external troubles coming together," she lamented.
Numerous guards escorted three carriages to the money business. The curtains on the carriages were tightly drawn, and even the curious onlookers outside couldn't see who was inside, leaving only speculation and pointing.
The money business was already informed, and Manager Gao raised his hand to signal a few employees.
"Open the door," he said.
The employees hesitated momentarily.
"Manager Gao, are we really going to do this?" one couldn't help but ask again.
If outsiders overheard, it might seem amusing—just opening a door, yet sounding as if something monumental was being planned.
Manager Gao's expression showed no trace of humor, gravely nodding.
"Do it," he said.
The employees responded in unison, stepping out to the door.
The side door of the money business creaked open; this door didn't match the grandeur of the money business, being somewhat narrow and with a high threshold.
The threshold, like the high counters in the money business, was designed for security and couldn't be removed.
Hence, when the carriage arrived at the entrance, the horses were unhitched, and the carriage had to be carried in by employees—a common practice.
This time, however, perhaps due to the number of people inside, the burly employees at the front wobbled as they stepped over the threshold, yoo-hooing in surprise as they lost their grip.
This unexpected weight shift from behind elicited startled cries as more employees tried to support the carriage.
Several hands held the carriage tightly.
Yet it didn't stop the carriage from crashing to the ground with a splitting sound, its sides breaking apart.
With screams, those inside the carriage tumbled out.
Four robust maidservants and one petite young woman.
Young and petite, the woman swiftly rolled out onto the street outside.
The onlookers immediately surged forward with a buzz.
"It's Second Miss!"
"It's Second Miss Fang!"
The shouts echoed through the crowd.
The protagonist in the inheritance fight had appeared, exciting the waiting crowd immensely.
"Oh no," Lady Fang exclaimed from the carriage behind, hurriedly lifting the curtain.
Yet it was too late; Fang Yuxiu was already on her feet, stumbling toward the crowd.
"Aunts and uncles, save me!" she cried out, "My grandmother is going to kill me."
Excitement!
The crowd roared.