Chapter 747 - 749: Punishment
Chapter 747: Chapter 749: Punishment
The previous Family Head of the Hou family had taken an unconventional path. On the surface, it seemed he had failed to align with an official family by choosing a poor Scholar. However, his eye for talent proved impeccable. That poor Scholar’s career skyrocketed, and with the Hou family’s secret backing, his official rank rose steadily.
Now, by marrying off a legitimate daughter to Gu Wenheng’s cousin, they might just produce another Mr. Gu.
Gu Wenheng was young and promising. Rumor had it that he was favored by the current Holy Emperor. Right now, there wasn’t an official in the entirety of Yi Province who didn’t give him a wide berth.
The Hou family’s strategic move made Old Sir Wu exceptionally green with envy. Yet, he still had to maintain his pride. He had made wild boasts in front of several aristocratic families, vowing to teach the Hou family a lesson.
He hadn’t expected the brat, Wu Kun, to be so useless. Instead of striking a blow, Kun was the one who ended up getting handled.
This train of thought had been sparked when his subordinates reported that Lady Liang had brought her niece to Tianle Restaurant the other day.
Wu Hao grew disgruntled seeing the old man being all thunder and no rain, ready to gloss over the Tianle Restaurant’s losses so quickly.
Just a few days ago, Hao himself had only lost a few hundred taels of silver and had cut his losses in a timely manner, yet he had still been punished with kneeling in the ancestral hall. If Kun were let off this easily, he would be the first to protest.
"Father, Kun lost so much silver. There has to be an explanation for this, right?"
"Brother," Wu Kun retorted, "the other restaurants I opened previously are still turning a profit. I’m the one bringing the most daily revenue into the family."
"Hmph, that’s two different matters. You make it sound like the rest of us have just been working for free all these years," Wu Hao scoffed. "Ask our other brothers. It’s not like they haven’t brought silver home.
"Don’t forget our family rules. There are rewards and punishments. With such a massive blunder this time, you have to give everyone—including our subordinates—an explanation!"
Seeing the nods of agreement from his other brothers, Wu Kun took the initiative. "Father, I was thoughtless this time. I am willing to accept my punishment."
Old Sir Wu glanced at his assembled sons. "Since you acknowledge your mistake, go kneel in the ancestral hall later."
The sons of the Wu family knew the old man was letting him off easy again. He told him to kneel in the hall, but he hadn’t set a time limit. Kun would hardly be kneeling for long before the Old Madam went in and brought him out.
Despite their anger over such blatant favoritism, it wasn’t the right time to push the issue. They could only flick their sleeves in indignation and storm off.
"Father, don’t forget the prior agreement between our families," Wu Hao called back as he left.
"Get lost," Old Sir Wu scolded. "It’s not your place to dictate family matters."
Wu Hao was rendered speechless.
Once everyone had departed, Wu Kun prepared to head to the ancestral hall. He had almost reached the door when he was stopped.
"If you think that daughter of the He family is suitable, it’s not entirely impossible," Old Sir Wu said.
Wu Kun shook his head. "Father, we can’t make the final call on this. Why don’t you talk to the legitimate branch?"
Old Sir Wu was the legitimate son of a collateral branch. Although they had split from the main family to live independently, many matters still required discussion with the legitimate branch.
Old Sir Wu remained silent. He knew full well that the legitimate branch would never allow a collateral branch to surpass them.
「Meanwhile.」
The prior battle between Tianfu Restaurant and Tianle Restaurant had given everyone plenty of lively gossip for a while.
Now that the dust had finally settled, the newly emerged Soap Workshop provided everyone with a fresh novelty.
On the streets, whenever people ran into each other, they would ask what scent of soap they had used that day and if it made them feel much cleaner than before.
This caused the various estates of Yongchang County to recognize Jin Qianqian’s capabilities all over again.
To open a shop so quietly yet stir up such a massive storm—they had truly underestimated her before.
The construction of the storefronts in East City was basically complete, and many small shops were opening their doors to customers.
However, none had become an overnight blockbuster quite like Jin Qianqian’s Soap Workshop.
Fortunately, her pastry shop appeared perfectly conventional without any particularly outstanding features, which offered the onlookers a small sense of comfort.
When Mrs. Wu brought Hou Tian’er over for a visit, Jin Qianqian naturally couldn’t avoid meeting her future cousin-in-law. She ordered the servants to serve tea, tidied herself up, and hurried over to receive her guests.
"I’ve come uninvited again today," Mrs. Wu said. The moment she saw Jin Qianqian, she and her niece stood up to perform a Fuli.
"Don’t say that. It is my fault for not greeting my distinguished guests properly," Jin Qianqian replied, nodding at Hou Tian’er beside her. "Don’t just stand there. Sit down, have some tea, and moisten your throats.
"It’s a bit dry and cold today. Shall I have someone bring in a brazier?"
"That won’t be necessary," Mrs. Wu said, waving her hand in refusal. "We’re used to the weather here, so we don’t really feel the chill.
"Tian’er and I happened to be strolling down the street today and heard that your Soap Workshop released some new products. Unfortunately, we were too late and couldn’t buy any. So, we came over specifically to pull some strings and go through the back door."
Hou Tian’er discreetly tugged at her aunt’s sleeve. Speaking so bluntly was far too embarrassing.
"It’s fine. Mrs. Gu and I are relatives. We should speak frankly. Beating around the bush would only make us seem like strangers," Mrs. Wu said, turning to look at Jin Qianqian. "Mrs. Gu, don’t you think I make a fair point?"
Jin Qianqian had long experienced this woman’s overly familiar nature, but she still had to give her face for Hou Tian’er’s sake.
"I’ve entrusted the shop’s matters to my subordinates, so I’m not entirely sure what you need. Let me know, and I’ll have them prepare it for you separately."
"I originally didn’t want to trouble you, but my mother-in-law’s grand birthday is coming up," Mrs. Wu explained. "I felt that the soap gift boxes produced by your Soap Workshop would be perfect. I wanted to add them to the gifts being sent back to our estate before the celebration.
"Since the journey will take a few days, I was worried about delays, which is why I brazenly came to ask for your help.
"Mrs. Gu, it’s only because you are so magnanimous and tolerant of my temperament that I dared to make this request."
Mrs. Wu knew that showing up unannounced was inappropriate. Bringing her niece along this time was a calculated move to add some leverage.
From the looks of it, Mrs. Gu and her husband still valued their cousins highly, which made things much more convenient.
"These are trifling matters. Besides, Lady Wu, you are patronizing my business," Jin Qianqian smiled. "If you need anything in the future, just tell the stewards. As long as it’s within their authority, they will definitely handle it for you as quickly as possible."
Jin Qianqian then asked Hou Tian’er about her daily life and invited the guests to stay for a meal. Seeing that it was getting late, the aunt and niece finally bid their farewells and returned to their estate.
"Madam, if we keep visiting unannounced like this, it won’t reflect well on Miss Tian’er," Mrs. Wu’s personal old servant softly advised in the carriage.
"What do you know? Relatives must visit each other frequently," Mrs. Wu retorted.
"Besides, it’s not like I didn’t pay any silver. She secured a sale, and we took the opportunity to draw closer. It kills two birds with one stone.
"I know you’re thinking of Miss Tian’er, but as her aunt, do you really think I’d do anything to harm her?"
"This servant didn’t mean that," the old servant hurriedly lowered her head. "It’s just that I saw Miss Tian’er sitting so stiffly just now. She was clearly uncomfortable."
"That’s exactly because her skin is too thin and she has no one around to guide her." At the mention of this, Mrs. Wu’s face darkened. "Later, follow Miss Tian’er’s carriage back. Tell the Old Madam that I want Miss Tian’er to stay at my estate for a while."