Chapter 91: False Accusation

Chapter 91: False Accusation

Faced with the relentless and uncompromising Jiang Shu, the two men were furious, their faces pale with anger.

"Even your father wouldn't dare speak to us like that. You are truly disloyal to our clan and disrespectful to your roots, disrespecting your elders. No wonder Marquis Jing'an cast you aside," Jiang Shaohua invoked his status as an elder, trying to use his authority and Jiang Shu's past as a weapon against her.

With a calm, indifferent gaze, Jiang Shu retorted, "The ancient saying goes that superiors should be virtuous and subordinates should be filial. Perhaps Uncle and Third Uncle should first reflect on their own conduct."

"As for my separation from Marquis Jing'an, it was I who abandoned him, not the other way around. If you doubt me, we can go ask the Grand Princess."

"My divorce decree bears the imperial jade seal."

"You!" The two men were rendered speechless with rage, their faces turning red and their nostrils flaring as if they were about to spew fire.

After a moment of stalemate, Jiang Shaohua asked, "I'm asking you one more time, do you agree to split the family business?"

"Never!" Jiang Shu's eyes flashed with determination.

"Very well, then!"

"I'd like to see how you, a mere woman, can run the Jiang family business without your father."

"Since you show no mercy, don't blame us for being ruthless!"

Having made their threats, the two men left in a fury.

As they stormed off, Jiang Shu's expression grew grave.

Now that they had completely dropped all pretenses of civility, they would stop at nothing. She needed to prepare for any trouble they might cause.

Without delay, Jiang Shu instructed the clerks to summon all the shop managers for a meeting to discuss the matter.

While the managers were loyal to Jiang Shu’s father, many had long-standing relationships with Jiang Shaohua and Jiang Shaohe, and some were even on friendly terms with them, making it hard to accept the severity of the situation.

"Would Uncle and Third Uncle really try to undermine the Jiang family business?"

"We share both prosperity and adversity. If one prospers, we all prosper; if one suffers, we all suffer. What advantage would they gain from this?"

Jiang Shu pressed her lips together, her voice filled with indignation. "They see my father incapacitated and are trying to divide the Jiang family business. I refuse."

"This..." The managers looked at each other in dismay.

"The boss's life and death are uncertain, yet they show no concern and even try to take advantage of the situation. It's truly unconscionable." Someone exclaimed angrily.

"Exactly, all these years, whenever the shops managed by them encountered problems, it was the boss who solved them. They've essentially been idle managers who just collect money without doing any real work. It's really disheartening to see them act like this now."

"Young Miss Jiang, be assured, we will stand by your side and never let them succeed."

Deeply moved by their words, Jiang Shu made a solemn promise, "I will always remember your loyalty and will certainly not overlook you."

After communicating with the shop managers, Jiang Shu continued to manage the business as usual and even inspected the shops managed by Jiang Shaohua and Jiang Shaohé during her free time.

This move was meant to make it clear to them that the Jiang family's business, no matter who was managing it, remained the Jiang family's.

It can be entrusted, and it can be reclaimed.

If they behaved and worked diligently, they would be given a way out. If they harbored unrealistic ambitions, they would end up with nothing.

Jiang Shaohua and Jiang Shaohé stubbornly guarded their shops, sparing no effort to incite and provoke the managers of other shops, and even colluded with suppliers to create obstacles for Jiang Shu.

Jiang Shu handled it with composure, countering each move as it came. She promptly dismissed the betraying shop managers and promoted shrewd and capable clerks as new shop managers.

This way, the indecisive managers who were watching and considering rebellion didn't dare to act, and the clerks in the shops were all loyal and eager to perform well, hoping to become the new shop managers.

"By making an example of one to warn others, Shu'er's strategy is very effective." Jiang Fu said appreciatively while sipping soup.

Jiang Shu, who was massaging his legs, said, "So, Father, focus on recuperating and rest assured to leave Jiang Ji in my care."

Hearing this, Jiang Fu smiled with relief and looked at Jiang Ning beside him, hesitantly saying, "I thought, maybe let Ning'er follow you and help while learning the ways of business."

Jiang Shu had considered it, but Jiang Ning was still young and loved studying, so she doubted he would want to learn from her.

As expected, upon hearing Jiang Fu's words, Jiang Ning immediately shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum.

"I don't want to learn business, I just want to study."

Jiang Fu sighed deeply, "But your elder sister is bearing too much alone. As a man, you should protect her."

"I will study hard and in the future, pass the imperial exams and attain an official position to better protect and support my elder sister." Jiang Ning declared firmly.

He did not study business management not because he was irresponsible or unwilling to share his sister’s burdens, but because the books he read and the things he witnessed made him understand that merchants had declined, and even the wealthiest were constrained in many ways.

Therefore, he must study hard to pass the imperial examinations, enter government service, and become a support for his elder sister.

Only in this way could he protect them to the greatest extent possible.

"Sister believes in you; you can definitely do it," Jiang Shu patted Jiang Ning’s shoulder, her heart filled with tender emotion.

After experiencing the disdain and cold treatment from high-ranking nobles, Jiang Shu’s thoughts aligned with those of Jiang Ning.

All professions are inferior, except for scholarship.

If one does not enter government service but merely focuses on making money through business, the more wealth one accumulates, the greater the danger, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.

It is easy to accumulate wealth, but difficult to keep it.

"Ah, you’ve grown up and have your own ideas; we can’t control you anymore," sighed Jiang Father with relief.

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Mother said, "Then don’t worry about anything, just take care of your health; that’s better than anything else."

"Yes, yes, you’re right; I’ll listen to you," conceded Jiang Father.

The three of them looked at each other and smiled, the family harmonious and happy as before.

The tenth day of every month was the day for the Jiang family to audit accounts. On this day, the managers of each shop would bring their ledgers to the Jiang residence, hand them over to the master for verification, and report on the affairs of their shops.

Jiang Shu sat in the main seat of the hall, carefully reviewing the ledgers from each shop, listening to the reports from the managers, and discussing matters with them.

"Sir, Third Sir, Miss is busy," the steward’s voice came from outside the hall.

Jiang Shu looked up and saw Jiang Shaohua and Jiang Shaohuo storm in angrily.

The managers sitting on either side turned their heads, looking at the two men in confusion.

"What! Master... is dead?"

Jiang Shu put down the ledger in her hand, her almond-shaped eyes turned icy as she stared at the two men in the hall, her beautiful face suddenly turning cold.

"I respect you as elders and have always shown you respect. But you have disregarded family ties, wished for my father’s death, and now you falsely accuse me. You have the heart of a wolf and the conscience of a dog, utterly devoid of humanity!"

"Hmph! Whether Father Jiang is dead or alive, everyone can go and see for themselves," Jiang Shaohé urged.

That day when they came to visit the Jiang residence, Mother Jiang had told them that if Father Jiang didn’t wake up within ten days, it would be a bad sign.

Now that ten days have passed, there has been no news of Father Jiang waking up. When they tried to visit Father Jiang's courtyard just now, the servants also prevented them from entering, which must mean something is wrong.

Combined with Jiang Shu's recent actions, they suspected that Father Jiang had already passed away and that Jiang Shu wanted to monopolize the Jiang family's estate, thus hiding the fact of her father's death.

A mere woman actually thinks she can control everything. It’s utterly ridiculous!

"The doctor said my father needs quiet rest and cannot be disturbed or agitated," Jiang Shu said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shaohua and Jiang Shaohé became even more confident in their suspicions and said with renewed assurance, "Listen, she’s feeling guilty and doesn’t dare let us see."