Chapter 9

The madam frowned slightly, “Imperial Uncle and war god… I have never seen him before. He is quite powerful, winning countless wars and obtaining lots of territory for the Xuanqing Empire.

“However, he is not the blood-related little brother of the Emperor. The Emperor was grateful to him for saving his life and recognized him as his sworn brother. No matter how good he is to him, it’s impossible for a war god to become Emperor. Ignore him!”

The mother-daughter pair had major plans for the future. They naturally didn’t put that little illegitimate child in their eyes.

Shi Qingshan also got a period of calm. Every morning, she would wake up sleepily and chant the scriptures in the hall. How could the old madam not like this diligent child?

The old madam allowed Shi Qingshan to frequently accompany her. Shi Qingshan not only delivered Buddhist scriptures, but also made some jokes here and there making the old madam laugh happily each day. It caused the old madam to feel more and more attached to her.

One day, Shi Qingshan presented the newly copied scriptures to the old madam. She was pleasantly surprised, “Qingshan, why is there a fragrance coming from the scriptures? It smells good!”

The old madam brought it closer and sniffed. The fragrance of flowers blew over, giving a sense of peace and calm.

Shi Qingshan smiled shyly, “Grandma, this is my own handmade ink which I used to write!”

“Oh, you can make your own ink?” the old madam’s interest was piqued.

“En, in the past, Lady Jiu…” Shi Qingshan paused.

Seeing that the old madam’s face turned bad, she hurriedly changed her words, “She taught me these things. Grandfather gave her many stores in the capital, many of which were related to items used in Buddhism. Amongst them was this scented ink.”

Based on the old madam’s reaction, she could tell that the madam and Concubine Zhang must’ve said quite a bit in the back which was why the old madam didn’t like Jiu Liu. Shi Qingshan’s heart chilled as her hate for the madam increased.

Good thing the old madam’s attention was on this scented ink, “Is this easy to make? Can you give some to your grandmother?”

Shi Qingshan obediently replied, “These flowers and spices were all picked at dawn. After grinding, drying, and adding supplements, with my crude achievements, it will take approximately half a month to make a little bit of scented ink.”

The old madam was slightly disappointed and frowned, “Didn’t you say that the shops given to you by the Jiu family has these kinds of scented ink? Why do you have to make them yourself?”

Could it be that she didn’t want to give any to her which was why she made such a roundabout tale?

“Grandmother…” Shi Qingshan’s face was slightly embarrassed, “If Grandmother is in a hurry, then Qingshan will go to see Mother as soon as possible to see if any scented ink can be retrieved from the shop storage.”

When she mentioned the madam, the old madam’s face grew darker, “The stores that your Grandfather gave you, even if your birth mother is not here, should be left under your name. Why do you have to go ask her?”

“Mother… Mother…” Shi Qingshan’s small face turned beet red. With great difficulty, she said, “I am still young and Mother is worried, so she helped me…”

“Don’t speak up for her anymore!”

The old madam was enraged and pounded the table, “As a mistress of the house, she even carefully counts the things belonging to her daughters in her hands! She is greedy beyond words! Hu Momo, go call her for me!”

The madam was ‘invited’ over to Suxin Courtyard. Shi Chenghuan also tagged along.

When the madam saw Shi Qingshan, her heart sank. She began to regret not dealing with this brat earlier, allowing her to kick her back later.

Seeing that the madam walked in, the old madam righteously stated, “What’s wrong with you? Placing the Jiu family assets under your name, don’t you find it strange?”

The madam’s face stiffened as her eyes swept across Shi Qingshan. Her heart was filled with hatred.

She smiled, “Mother, did Qingshan ask you to find me for this matter?”

“How could Qingshan be those types of people that sow discord? She kept trying to speak up for you, but this old woman here cannot let her suffer these grievances!”

The old madam huffed and puffed. She was dissatisfied with this overly arrogant madam since long ago.

Shi Qingshan pitifully lowered her head.

Shi Chenghuan gave her a glance and softly comforted, “Grandmother, don’t be angry. Let’s first understand the reasons before jumping to conclusions. Otherwise, it would inevitably harm the relationship between mother and daughter for Qingshan and Mother!”

Hearing Shi Chenghuan’s soft and water-like voice, the old madam pressed down her anger.

The madam asked, “Mother, when Lady Jiu was sent to Dakong Temple to repent, Qingshan was only ten years old. If I didn’t stand out and plan for her, who else would do so?”

The old madam snorted and didn’t believe these words.

The madam looked towards Shi Qingshan once again with eyes full of sincerity, “Now, Qingshan is old now. If she wants to handle her own affairs, would Mother not bear to let these things go? Qingshan, saying these bad things about Mother in front of Grandmother makes Mother feel greatly saddened.”

Shi Qingshan was very distressed and almost broke out in tears. However, she was cursing the madam in her heart. No matter what stage it is, she still tries to get off easy.

The old madam ignored the madam’s play and coldly ordered, “Since you have the heart, then return everything to Qingshan. It’s also bad if the Jiu family finds out about this matter.”

You must know that over these years, all the money the madam got was from these stolen assets. To give away such a big gold mine, the madam was so infuriated she almost couldn’t stand.

Fortunately, Shi Chenghuan held the madam’s arm and steadied her. She smiled and placated, “Everything is according to Grandmother’s wishes. However, Qingshan, you must know that Mother’s every action is in consideration for us sisters.” She gave the madam a glare and the madam immediately calmed herself down.

Shi Qingshan gratefully said, “I will not forget Mother’s benevolence.”

The old madam gave them a glance and lightly said, “How many shops are there in total?”

The madam’s pupils shrank. This old witch was trying to force her into a corner!

She silently calculated in her heart before saying, “I didn’t count it clearly since my subordinates are the ones reporting to me. There may be more than 70 shops. During these past four years, more than thirty of them went bankrupt and shut down. The rest of them are being barely sustained through my dowry.”

Shi Qingshan’s eyes were cold.

She had long summed it up with Duan Xian. When Jiu Liu married over, there were a total of 81 shops handed over. How could there only be a little more than 70?

Even though the old madam felt like there was a problem, but since it had already reached this stage, it would strain their relationship beyond repair if she kept pressing them.

“Then send someone to check it out and hand over the assets to Qingshan. If Qingshan manages it well, then it’s her own skill. Even if it all goes bankrupt, the Jiu family wouldn’t say anything about it.”

The madam’s ice cold eyes swept past Shi Qingshan as she respectfully said, “Yes. This daughter-in-law will immediately send someone to handle the matter.”

The old madam leaned against the chair and closed her eyes. She waved her hand, “Alright, you and Chenghuan go handle this matter. I am tired. Qingshan can remain and recite scriptures for me.”

Shi Chenghuan and the madam bade a proper farewell and with a complicated look in their eyes, left.