At first, no one involved took the news seriously. So what if there was an audit? Who didn’t have their accounts checked?
The sources of their assets were tangled, a mix of all sorts. But one thing was the same—
For at least a year, sometimes ten or twenty, there had been no oversight from above.
Instead, they had been managing things on behalf of others. With such a fat piece of meat sitting there, who could resist? At first, it was just skimming a little profit here and there. Slowly, when no one came knocking, they grew bolder.
Now, the real owner had arrived.
They were a little rattled.
But they figured that with years of operation and careful greasing of connections and contacts, even if something fishy was uncovered, there was safety in numbers. Surely justice wouldn’t come after everyone.
Yet the real owner turned out to be Su Ning!
“Damn it, why her? Wasn’t there even a whisper of news before?”
“If there had been, don’t you think we’d have tipped each other off?”
“This one’s no pushover. I’ve made inquiries—ruthless and merciless, a real she-devil.”
Inside a compound, the atmosphere was stifling. The faces of those seated were etched with worry.
Every so often, someone lowered their head with a sigh.
Then someone gritted their teeth and spoke up:
“Sitting here won’t get us anywhere, and it’s wasting time. She wants us to bring the accounts in five days. Fine—I’ll just cover the shortfall. I’ve made enough over the years off the money I’ve skimmed!”
No sooner had he finished than others chimed in agreement. But these were the cautious ones, who hadn’t taken much.
Those who couldn’t—or wouldn’t—fill the hole were less pleased.
Some tried to reason, others threatened.
One man bluntly said:
“What are you afraid of? That Su Ning may have a reputation, but this is Nanyang. We haven’t been sitting idle all these years. If she pushes us to the edge, we’ll fight to the death—who’s to say who wins?”
As he spoke, a glint of menace flashed in his eyes.
Everyone present understood what he meant. These plantations weren’t like traditional farming with tenants; the laborers were all fit young men.
If it came to it, a uprising from below wasn’t out of the question.
Some wavered.
But the man who’d first offered to cover the shortfall stood up and let out a cold laugh:
“Fight to the death? Do you even have the right? She’s the legitimate owner; we’re just caretakers. On paper, we’ve no leg to stand on. And do you think the workers will necessarily listen to you? And even if they did, what then?”
He scanned the crowd, enunciating each word:
“This woman—she’s got guns under her command.”
The room went dead silent.
Without sneering at them further, he clasped his hands in a polite gesture:
“Call me a coward, but I’m not gambling my family’s lives on this. I won’t hear any more of this talk. I’m out.”
With that, he turned and left.
Someone else immediately rose and threw out a quick line:
“Same here.”
Then a second, a third. Soon, more than half the room had cleared out. Those left craned their necks, watching the departures with hesitation, shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
Eventually, more followed. Better to sell everything to cover the debt than lose your life over money!
The mood inside grew even heavier.
Those still seated were the ones who really couldn’t leave. Then a hoarse voice rang out, unhurried:
“She hasn’t even shown her face, and you’re all scared just from hearing a few rumors. Useless cowards. No wonder you’ll never make real money—good for nothing but working for others.”
Everyone turned to look.
The speaker was a man in his forties or fifties, sharply dressed, with shrewd eyes. He always had a way of looking down on others, a hint of arrogance tilting his chin up.
“Brother Zhuo, you saying you’ve got a plan?”
“Hmph.” Zhuo Da snorted dismissively, brushing peanut shell dust off his palm. His tone was arrogant. “Plan? As I see it, this Su—whoever she is—is just trying to spook you. How long has she even been here? And suddenly we’re hearing all these tales about her legendary ruthlessness? Does that sound right?”
It didn’t.
Seeing the dawning realization on their faces, Zhuo Da felt a swell of smugness.
He drawled:
“She must have deliberately spread those stories to scare us into submission. If she’s going to these lengths, it means she’s not nearly as formidable here in Nanyang.”
“So that’s it! I knew something felt off,” someone said.
“Pfft, don’t be a Monday-morning quarterback. It’s Bro—no, Mr. Zhuo who’s sharp enough to see the key. We nearly fell for her trick. Hey, should we tip off the ones who left?”
“Aren’t you the bleeding heart? When they left, they didn’t give a damn about us. And even if you warn them, they might not appreciate it. Worse, they might suck up to that Su woman to curry favor.”
“Exactly. You want to tell them, you go ahead.”
“Besides, if anyone should give that order, it’s Mr. Zhuo. It’s not your place to play the hero.”
Hearing this, Zhuo Da shot a sidelong glance at the man whose face had reddened.
He magnanimously spoke:
“Forget it—he didn’t mean harm. No need to tip them off, though. A bunch of spineless sacks, pathetic. Not worth my time.”
Everyone hastily agreed.
Then someone couldn’t help asking, in that case, what should they do? And to be clever, he added, “Whatever you say, Mr. Zhuo.”
Zhuo Da, puffed up with flattery, waved a hand grandly:
“What’s there to fear? Just don’t go to the audit. The day after tomorrow is my mother’s birthday. You’ll all come to the party. Say you had a prior commitment—couldn’t get out of it.”
He paused, then said with certainty:
“And my daughter will be coming back from the Huo family to celebrate her grandmother’s birthday.”
The Huo family.
They exchanged glances. Right—Zhuo Da did have a daughter married into the Huo family as a concubine. And apparently, she was quite favored.
Those who knew more perked up, “whispering” loudly about how Huo Xiang doted on Concubine Zhuo, how well he treated her—soon she might be promoted to legal wife, they said!
Zhuo Da’s smile deepened.
He didn’t deny it.
With that, everyone’s confidence was steadied. With the Huo family’s influence backing them, they were absolutely safe!
…
“The Huo family sent gifts again?”
“Yes.”
Assistant Lin nodded. The weather in Nanyang was hot, and the wooden windows on all sides stood wide open. The wind rustled the broad leaves of the courtyard trees, ruffling his shirt.
He seemed to have lost a bit of weight—proof that the local food didn’t agree with him, Su·jerk·Ning thought.
It was fine now and then, not three meals a day.
So, she needed to wrap this up quickly.
Su Ning glanced at the Huo family’s gift list. Nothing outrageously valuable, but it included everything from food and drink to entertainment—wide-ranging and thoughtful.
They’d responded so fast. And they had the grace to play humble.
Classic move from a man who’d carved out a massive enterprise in Nanyang years ago, a true legend of that era.
But... someone was letting the side down.
Su Ning smiled lightly.
“Since they’re being so gracious, it wouldn’t look good for me to stay indifferent. Send someone over to thank them.”
Forest Lin: …
Worried about her reputation? Did Miss Su have a reputation to worry about?
At the Huo residence.
After the lavish gifts sent off Su Ning’s envoy, Old Master Huo finally broke into a smile.
He said to his old butler:
“Those outside always exaggerate. That Miss Su—she’s not nearly as arrogant and unyielding as they make her out to be.”
“Indeed,” the butler replied.
The old butler quickly said:
"In my opinion, it's just that Miss Su has a tough temper and is not easy to provoke. They couldn't take advantage of her, so they're venting with gossip outside. It seems that once Miss Su finishes her own business, she'll soon meet with you and clear things up. Then the matter will be settled, and you might even build a connection. That's what they call 'friends made after a fight'!"
"You sure know how to talk."
Old Master Huo knew that although the butler hadn't mentioned Huo Xiang by name, he was still speaking on his behalf.
But since things seemed headed for a resolution,
he was in a good mood and chose not to dwell on it. "Having him present in person works best for an apology. Send another telegram urging him to come back as soon as possible."
"Yes."
The old butler promptly agreed.
As he stepped out, he happened to run into a group of people carrying various items, some hoisted, some loaded, all decorated with the character for "longevity" and tied with red silk. It didn't take much thought to figure out what was going on.
He chose not to meddle.
A favored concubine trying to gain some face wasn't a big deal anyway.
It wasn't as if the Huo family was lacking that little bit.
Time passed.
Soon, the day for settling the accounts arrived.
