Chapter 57: Family Shame

“Sister Lan, Sister Yan has left. She even took three of her close friends with her…” Ah Xiang’s tone was tinged with sadness. The once lively Ningxiang House, filled with laughter and sisterhood, had now scattered to the winds, each going her own way.

“Let’s not talk about her anymore. Later, go to Haicheng Street for me and fetch something,” Bai Yulan instructed. Though she felt a pang of pity, betrayal without consequence would only invite more in the future. Mercy has no place in command. Did they really think Bai Yulan was so easily bullied?

…

Though she hadn’t been thrown out of Ningxiang House, it hardly mattered—Yan Yuyan knew she had nowhere else to go. Only Qunfang Hall would take her in now. She just wasn’t sure if the young master of the Qin family would still honor his previous promise, given that she’d failed her task. Still, with the thirty thousand in compensation from Bai Yulan, if Qunfang Hall refused her, she could set up shop on her own. With the connections she’d built up in the trade over the years, as long as she established a front, business would follow.

“You must be Sister Yan, the manager from Ningxiang House? We’re from Qunfang Hall, sent by the young master to fetch you all!” A luxurious carriage rolled up, and a servant in Qunfang Hall’s signature livery leapt down. Yan Yuyan didn’t hesitate; she and her three companions boarded the carriage.

From the upstairs loft, Bai Yulan watched the scene and sighed. Some people choose their own paths—no one else can be blamed.

…

Wenchang Bridge, the Su residence.

Heated voices and sobbing spilled from the study, causing the servants to keep their distance, afraid to be caught in the turmoil.

“Dad, I don’t care how you carry on outside, how many women you keep, but you can’t bring one home to marry. You promised my mother!”

“Your mother has been gone for years. Is it so wrong for your father to marry again? Or do you expect me to live out my days alone?”

“You can remarry, but why does it have to be Bai Yulan of all people? Do you not care about her background, or your own reputation? Aren’t you worried about being laughed at? If you marry her, I’ll leave for Beiping tomorrow and never return home!” Su Yun’s reaction was fierce.

“Xiao Yun, can’t you consider your father’s feelings?” Su Wenqing’s anger rose. He’d expected Su Yun to oppose his marriage to Bai Yulan, but not so vehemently.

“Dad, I don’t care how many women you have as long as you don’t bring them home. I can pretend not to see, even if you want companionship. You can find someone closer to your age, someone to look after you, even give her the title of concubine—but not Bai Yulan!” Su Yun declared tearfully, her tone unyielding.

“Xiao Yun, has someone been saying things to you, turning you against Bai Yulan?” Su Wenqing asked.

“No!” Su Yun denied flatly.

“A Xing, A Xing…”

“Sir, I’m here!” Downstairs, Su Xing heard the shouts from the study and hurriedly responded.

“Come up here!”

Su Xing quickly gathered his robe and rushed upstairs, pushing open the study door.

“Sir, young miss.”

“A Xing, who’s been gossiping in front of the young miss?” Su Wenqing demanded, furious. How could Su Yun know so much after only a few days back? Unless someone had been speaking out of turn.

“Sir, the afternoon before last, the young miss met some old classmates from her school…” Since Su Wenqing had asked, Su Xing dared not conceal the truth.

Su Wenqing’s brow furrowed. This was tricky—if it was a servant, he could punish them, but classmates were another matter. If he threatened them, Su Yun would only be more upset. Still, he couldn’t let people gossip unchecked; to do nothing would be unlike him.

“Dad, if you dare touch my friends, I won’t forgive you!” Su Yun spat out and stormed away.

Su Wenqing, furious yet helpless—she was his own daughter after all.

“A Xing, warn those classmates—tell them not to gossip in front of Xiao Yun again.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Any news about Bai Yulan’s shipment of cotton cloth?”

“Not yet. You gave her three days to move the goods; a day and a half has passed. Even if she found a new warehouse now and gathered carts and labor, it would take at least another day,” Su Xing replied.

No sooner had he finished than the telephone on the desk rang sharply. Su Wenqing picked it up. “Hello, this is Su Wenqing…” Halfway through, he shot to his feet. “What did you say? Bai Yulan sent people to move the cotton cloth from the warehouse?”

“Yes, Chairman. Thirty large carts have already started loading.”

“Find out immediately where Bai Yulan is taking that cotton cloth!” Su Wenqing barked, his face stormy. Who in Ice City would dare cross him and rent a warehouse to Bai Yulan?

“Sir, it looks like Madam Bai is determined to refuse your offer,” Su Xing whispered.

“That woman is stubborn as a mule. In all of Ice City, who but me is worthy of her?” Su Wenqing was beside himself—so used to having the upper hand, yet today he’d been outmaneuvered.

“Sir, Madam Bai has closed Ningxiang House. It wasn’t a warehouse, but if she’s using it as one…”

“I’d forgotten about that! Good thinking, A Xing. She must have anticipated I’d pressure her, closed Ningxiang House in advance, and cleared space for a temporary warehouse.” Su Wenqing realized.

“I’ll send men to investigate!”

…

“Sister Lan, why are all these carts coming in without unloading?” Ah Xiang asked curiously as cart after cart, loaded with cotton and goods, rolled into the courtyard.

“You’ll understand soon enough.” Bai Yulan smiled. Some things, Ah Xiang simply didn’t grasp—the treachery of this world wasn’t something an ordinary person could comprehend.

“Brothers, you’ve rested enough, time to head out!” The convoy leader, having enjoyed his tea and snacks, called out.

The carts, still loaded with cotton, turned and rolled away from Ningxiang House.

Of course, those watching inside and outside Ningxiang House noted this scene.

“Ah Xiang, post guards around the courtyard tonight, and have two men patrol to guard against fire,” Bai Yulan said sternly.

Ah Xiang was puzzled. The windows were all papered over, and the place was empty—what was the point of patrols? Wasn’t it a waste?

Bai Yulan only smiled. Some lessons could only be understood through experience.

…

“Thank you for your hard work, everyone. When we get to Boss Qing’s, you’ll all be paid a bonus. But let me be clear: if anyone breathes a word of today’s work, he’ll never find work in Ice City again!” Zhou Sen warned with a wave.

“Thank you, Boss Lin!” the teamsters and laborers chorused before dispersing.

On the surface, Bai Yulan’s goods had been moved to Ningxiang House, but in truth, they’d been taken to Tongji’s warehouse—a deft sleight of hand.

This was mainly to throw off Su Wenqing. Their relationship needed to remain hidden as long as possible, and Bai Yulan needed time to handle matters with the Ma family. As for the Qin family, they had bigger concerns at the moment. Qin Lang, the Qin family’s second son, had gotten wind of what Qin Xiong was doing behind Old Master Qin’s back and would be unable to resist acting. He had two choices:

First, expose everything to Old Master Qin. That might enrage the old man, bring trouble for the eldest son, but since the old man favored giving the family business to the eldest, it could backfire.

Second, confront Qin Xiong directly and use the information to secure greater benefits or a private agreement.

With Qin Lang’s hot temper, he’d likely choose the first. But if he chose the second, then he was even more dangerous than his brother—cunning and patient.

“Brother, do we need to post guards for all this cotton?” Wuen asked.

“No need. I’ve signed a contract with Tongji—they’re responsible for the goods’ safety. No worries,” Zhou Sen reassured him.

“Come on, from tonight, you’ll be staying at Ningxiang House.”

“Me? At Ningxiang House? Brother, I can’t…” Wuen’s cheeks flushed as he waved his hands frantically.

“What are you thinking? Ningxiang House is closed now. You’re there to protect Miss Ah Xiang, understand?”

“Oh…”

“Go on, you’re just staying temporarily. Don’t overthink it—unless you want me to escort you personally?” Zhou Sen gave him a gentle shove.

It had been a grueling day—up before dawn, running around, wolfing down lunch, then overseeing things at Tongji’s warehouse. He was exhausted. After dinner and washing up, he fell straight to sleep.

…

Meanwhile, a storm was brewing within the Qin family’s inner quarters.

Since winter had set in, the old master, Qin Laoqi, had been in poor health—hospitalized, then resting at home, refusing all social calls. Rumors spread that he was on his last legs. In truth, he’d been ill before winter but had since recovered. He simply didn’t want the strain of his old life anymore.

Of course, his body had aged, but not his heart. Back in the day, he’d nursed a grudge against Old Ma for taking Bai Yulan for himself. Now Old Ma was dead, and the beauty should have been his—if not for Su Wenqing’s interference. Their rivalry had allowed Bai Yulan to live in peace for two years. Now, the two men had struck a gentleman’s agreement: whoever could win Bai Yulan’s hand would not only hold the beauty, but also the presidency of the next Chamber of Commerce in Ice City.

Qin Laoqi had held that position for ten years, thanks to the support of his sworn brother and in-law, Jin Rongsheng. Now Jin Rongsheng had been promoted and left Ice City; his influence lingered, but an absent official wields little power. With Qin Laoqi clinging to the presidency, others were dissatisfied—Su Wenqing chief among them.

Thus, the fate of Ningxiang House and Bai Yulan had become a prelude to their contest for the Chamber’s leadership.

But what Qin Laoqi never anticipated was that before the contest over Bai Yulan could be settled, a fire would break out within his own household.