frightfiction Chapter 21 The Death of Lai Da
Chapter 21 The Death of Lai Da
Qiao Qingshu bent down, lifted Chunfen's chin, and stared intently into her eyes.
"Spring Equinox, think carefully about who holds your contract. If you want to live well, whose advice should you listen to?"
The Spring Equinox was like a wake-up call. Although Liu Wan'er offered her small favors, it was Qiao Qingshu who truly held her own destiny in her hands!
He immediately became alert, and respectfully and devoutly kowtowed to admit his mistake, completely disregarding the blood already flowing from his forehead.
"Young lady, I was wrong! I really know how terribly wrong I was. From now on, I will only listen to you and will never have any other foolish thoughts. I only beg you to have mercy and not to marry me off to that filthy old man!"
Qiao Qingshu smiled and reached out to help her up.
"I knew you were a smart person. If you behave well, I will promise you a bright future."
Chunfen nodded timidly, but dared not look up at Qiao Qingshu.
Qiao Qingshu took out a handkerchief and pressed it against Chunfen's forehead.
"Look how scared you are, you even bumped your head. You look so pitiful. Miss Biao will definitely bring you medicine later."
The Spring Equinox was so frightened that it hurriedly waved its hands.
"No, no, no, girl, I don't want anything from her anymore, nothing at all. I'll avoid her from now on."
Qiao Qingshu tilted her head and smiled.
"No, you must, and you must tell her properly how I hit you. From now on, you must honestly come back and tell me every single word she says to you. If you miss a single word, Chunfen knows the consequences."
Spring Equinox nodded vigorously, readily agreeing.
“Girl, I understand. I know what to do.”
In her past life, she could never bear to be too harsh on her servants, feeling sorry for them because of their hard work and toil. But now she sees clearly that everyone has their own destiny, and it's not her place to act as a bodhisattva and pity them.
Between master and servant, they only need to do their respective duties. If they are loyal to her, she will treat them sincerely in return. If they betray her, she will punish them severely.
With a wave of his hand, he finally let the Spring Equinox pass.
Late Autumn stared wide-eyed as Spring Equinox disappeared through the doorway, then turned and said,
"Miss, a traitor shouldn't be used anymore. Who knows if she might betray you again!"
Qiao Qingshu nodded and took a small sip of tea.
"Late Autumn, you're right. People like that aren't worth trusting again, but that doesn't mean they're useless."
Upon hearing this, Wanqiu seemed to understand something, nodded, and said nothing more.
After last night's fierce battle, Qiao Qingshu was exhausted. Knowing that she had won the first battle, she relaxed her vigilance a little after many days. She hadn't had a good night's sleep in days.
He then instructed the maids to lower the curtains, burn incense, and warm the bed, and then slept soundly.
I slept for a full five or six hours.
She woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and energetic. After eating some food, she went to Fushou Hall.
The Bai family has already brought people to move the dowry.
Upon entering the room, Old Madam Qiao sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), her face stiff and dark, clearly unwilling.
Sitting at the lower end of the table were her uncle Bai Zhining and aunt Shen Wenying.
Qiao Qingshu bowed obediently.
"Grandmother, Uncle, Aunt, I'm late."
Shen Wenying quickly pulled her to sit down next to her.
“Good boy, we just arrived too.”
Bai Zhining said coldly,
"Madam Qiao, now that Shu'er is here, let's begin the inventory."
Qiao Qingshu slowly took out her dowry book and another account book, and sat down at the table.
"Grandmother, I'll start counting now."
Old Madam Qiao pursed her lips, displeased, but still calmly instructed the people behind her.
"Help me count them."
Granny Zou, Granny Li, and Steward Lai from the outer courtyard all walked to Qiao Qingshu's side to help count Bai's dowry.
Bai was actually a very meticulous person. When she was the eldest daughter of the Bai family, the old lady of the Bai family raised her to be the matriarch of the family. Bai was also intelligent and quickly learned how to do it.
In the first few years after marrying into the Qiao family, she managed the Qiao household very well, making it prosperous and thriving. Everyone praised Bai Shi for her great abilities.
Later, when her legitimate son was abducted, Madam Bai seemed to lose her soul, focusing all her attention on finding her son, and her power to manage the household was taken back by Old Madam Qiao.
Old Mrs. Qiao thought that she would live a muddled and confused life from then on.
However, Bai's good habits were already ingrained in her bones. Although she did not interfere in the affairs of the mansion, she still managed her own courtyard very well, and her accounts were clear and concise.
Therefore, every item in the dowry book is recorded in detail in terms of its whereabouts and destination, so clear that it can be easily identified at a glance.
Qiao Qingshu first arranged for someone to inventory all the antiques, calligraphy and paintings, famous calligraphers' works, jade, jewelry, and fine porcelain in the Zhonggong warehouse, compiling them into a booklet. She then made a copy and handed it to Granny Zou, and took out the token and handed it over.
"Granny Zou, please take them all out."
Granny Zou respectfully accepted the token and booklet, walked to Old Madam Qiao's side, and waited with her head bowed.
After a long silence, Old Madam Qiao reluctantly took out the key to the Zhonggong Treasury and handed it to Granny Zou.
"Go get it."
Granny Zou took the keys to check and pack the boxes, while the Bai family's carriage was already waiting at the second gate.
Qiao Qingshu then lowered her head to sort out the estates, shops, and farmland that Bai had given as part of her dowry.
The Bai family has not paid much attention to these businesses in recent years. Although the income is not as high as it used to be, it is still a considerable sum of money.
The estates and fields outside were managed by Li Yan, the son of Gui Mama, who was brought with Bai as part of her dowry. They were considered family members.
Because the Bai family lacked business acumen, the management of the shop was handed over to Lai Da, the head steward of the Qiao family.
Qiao Qingshu looked at the shop's income in the ledger, which was not much different from previous years, and couldn't help but glance at Lai Da.
These numbers may seem simple, but over the years, especially in recent years when the economy has been bad, maintaining a stable business income must have taken a lot of effort.
Lai Danian was about the same age as Qiao Jizhou. Lai Danian's father was the steward when Old Master Qiao was in charge of the household.
Lai Da's father rose to prominence alongside Old Master Qiao, and the Lai family had served the Qiao family for generations with unwavering loyalty.
Later, before his death, Old Master Qiao specially freed Lai Da's son from slavery. Lai Da's son was also a promising student. He studied hard for many years and is now a successful candidate in the imperial examinations. He lives a very respectable life.
Lai's descendants were freed from slavery, which made Lai Da extremely grateful. He was so loyal to the Qiao family that he devoted himself to them to the point of exhaustion.
However, Madam Qiao complained more than once in private that they should not have freed his family from slavery, saying that if the Lai family became successful, they would definitely betray their master and even plot against him.
Madam Qiao was quite jealous of Lai's son passing the imperial examination. Qiao Jizhou, the eldest son of the Qiao family, had obtained his official position through donation, while the son of a servant was able to pass the examination. This made Madam Qiao treat Lai Dayou coldly and dislike him for a long time.
But back then, it was Old Master Qiao who was in charge, and although Old Madam Qiao complained many times, it was all in vain.
After Old Master Qiao passed away, Old Madam Qiao took over the household and treated Lai Da very harshly and poorly. In the end, Lai Da died on his way to collect debts for the Qiao family, and Lai Da's son harbored resentment towards the Qiao family because of this.
Years later, Lai Da's son became successful in his official career and took revenge on the Qiao family many times. Even Qiao Qingshu was implicated. Her path to becoming empress was so bumpy because of Lai Da's repeated memorials impeaching her and making things difficult for her.
In this life, she absolutely cannot let Steward Lai die a tragic death in the Qiao family again.
Qiao Qingshu looked at Lai Dadao.
"Steward Lai, you've taken good care of Mother's shops over the years. If you have time tomorrow, come with me to the shops to take inventory and hand over the business."
Lai Da bowed his head and nodded respectfully, agreeing.