Finest Servant

Chapter 183 Taking Over (Part 2)

In haste, Lin Wanrong grabbed the Eldest Miss' arm, “Have you lost your wits, Miss? We have the written promise given by Tao Dongcheng himself. All we need to do is take over the Tao family's estate. Why are we arguing about this? Even if the Xiao family is fraudulent, the Tao family has no choice but to accept it. Tao Dongcheng has done plenty of wrongs. If I swindle him just once, does he dare to bite me?"

Tao Yu responded, "My son, Dongcheng, was unfortunately ill yesterday. He is currently resting at home. Once he recovers, it will not be too late for us to confront each other."

‘Resting? Probably frolicking in some damsel's belly,’ Lin Wanrong thought amusingly, recalling his own masterpiece.

The Eldest Miss huffed, "Master Tao, I'm just a common woman, while you're an official appointed by the imperial court. Naturally, you are more familiar with the laws and regulations than I am."

She took out a contract from her bosom. It was the document Tao Dongcheng had signed at the Sunshine and Rain Restaurant, "This contract was made by Young Master Tao at the Sunshine and Rain Restaurant. It bears Young Mater Tao's signature and seal, and it also has the autograph of the top scholar, Master Xu Wei, as his personal notarization. This contract serves as clear evidence, with all the facts presented. Master Tao, would you also deny this?"

"How dare you, Xiao Yuruo! Are you trying to deceive me? Master Xu is a virtuous minister of the court, his status highly prestigious. How could a woman like you know Master Xu? I suspect that this seal is a forgery." Tao Yu snapped.

"How audacious!" Gao Qiu stepped forward, pointing at Tao Yu and shouting, "You insignificant official, dare to doubt the authenticity of Minister Xu's seal? Are you so lofty to overlook the truth?"

"Who are you?" Seeing that the man was tall and robust, with sharp eyes, Tao Yu asked in alarm.

Gao Qiu drew a golden token from his waist, waving it in front of Tao Yu, "I am a royal bodyguard, armed with a sword, serving under the imperial order to protect Master Xu Wei. The seal on this document was personally made by Master Xu Wei. He feared someone might play tricks, so he specially instructed me to come to Jinling to clarify this matter. You, as an official, pretend not to recognize his seal. Are you planning to rebel?"

Being a royal guard, Gao Qiu was accustomed to dealing with princes and high-ranking officials. To his eyes, the local official Tao Yu was no more than a minor character. Even without an official title, anyone close to the emperor deserved extra respect. Tao Yu naturally fell silent under Gao Qiu's scolding.

The Eldest Miss didn't waste her breath on Tao Yu either. She handed the contract to Lin Wanrong. He took it, paraded around in front of the onlookers, and rustled the contract, "Ladies and gentlemen, take a good look. This is Tao Dongcheng's personal signature and seal, indicating his intent to transfer the Tao family's cloth estate to our Xiao family. Our Eldest Miss, kind and benevolent, didn't wish to trouble the Tao family unnecessarily, thus gave them a day to relocate. Who would've thought that the Tao Family would be so audacious today, not only assaulting our appointed representatives but also trying to deny the contract's existence? Even the contract Tao Dongcheng personally signed, he's denying now? Master Tao is an official, but I want to ask all of you here, can officials freely bully us commoners? Today, they bullied the Xiao family; tomorrow, would they bully the Zhang family or the Li family? Is there no place for justice in this world anymore?"

The words of Lin Wanrong were a mix of truth and fabrication, and Young Master Guo was transformed under his tongue into the righteous messenger of the Xiao family, a brave incarnation. Guo Wuchang listened, heart swollen with satisfaction, and he puffed up his chest, shouting, "Let go of me, let go quickly."

Lin Wanrong's last few words were provocatively designed to stir up unrest between the officials and citizens. Almost immediately, the crowd erupted with cries of "Release him, release him." The shouts stirred a resonance in the crowd and they swelled even louder.

The Eldest Miss spotted a few familiar faces in the crowd, those who seemed to be servants of the Xiao household. She even recognized Xiao Feng and Si De, who were among the most enthusiastic in the crowd. Lin Wanrong gave her a knowing look and a subtle smile. ‘Yes, they were plants.’

Seeing the rising public sentiment, Tao Yu's face changed and he stepped back, shouting, "Close the gates—"

"Governor Luo has arrived—" A loud call broke the uproar, a sedan chair slowly approaching from a distance.

Lin Wanrong secretly let out a sigh of relief. ‘That old fox Luo Min always made his entrance at the critical moment, likely trying to give me a scare.’ Without a doubt, the old rascal must have been lurking in some dark corner watching the drama unfold. He only revealed himself once he saw the young mistress had left Tao Yu without a word to say, swooping in to pick the ripe fruit.

Upon hearing the Governor had arrived, the crowd quieted down. Lin Wanrong signaled Si De, who quickly withdrew with the others.

Luo Min, sporting a big belly, alighted from the sedan chair, feigning a stern survey of the surroundings, his face stern, "I was leaving the city on official business, passing by here, but seeing this crowd, what exactly has happened here that it is so noisy?"

"Subordinate Tao Yu greet the Governor." Tao Yu, seeing it was the Governor himself, hurried forward to greet him. He secretly conspired with Cheng De, but he also understood that Luo Min was not someone he, a mere Suzhou silk manufacturer, could afford to offend.

"Oh, so Tao Yu is also here? When did you return from Suzhou? Why did my office not receive news of it?" Luo Min spoke with official airs. If an official abandoned their post without permission from a superior, the punishment would not be light. If Luo Min reported this, it would be enough to make Tao Yu suffer.

Tao Yu hurriedly said with respect, "I had to return to Jinling due to an urgent matter at home, as the situation was urgent, I didn't have time to take leave. I was just about to report this to the Governor's mansion, but I didn't expect to meet you here."

Luo Min let out a long "Oh", saying, "So it was like that. Tao Yu had urgent family matters, that's understandable, my office will not pursue it. But what is the reason for this crowd gathering in front of your residence today?"

"That's just some minor issue among the common people, I have already dealt with it, I wouldn't dare trouble you to worry about it," Tao Yu said respectfully.

"A minor issue? Master Tao, you make it sound so trivial." The Eldest Miss sneered, stepping forward slowly, and respectfully saluted Luo Min, "Common woman Xiao Yuruo greets Governor Luo, I plead for you to stand up for my Xiao family, and give us justice."

Luo Min glanced at Tao Yu, asking, "Why would Miss Xiao say such a thing? You are a descendant of Elder Xiao, who would dare to bully you? Could there be some misunderstanding?"

Xiao Yuruo held up the written contract with both hands and respectfully said, "This seal on the contract was penned by Mr. Xu Wei himself. The bet was presided over by Mr. Xu in person. Mr. Xu even specially sent Gao Qiu, a first-class guard from the palace, to Jinling to verify this matter. Please check it carefully, sir."

Gao Qiu saluted, reporting, "Informing Governor Luo, this matter of the bet was witnessed by Mr. Xu himself, who wrote the contract. I was specifically dispatched here for this reason."

Luo Min nodded, glancing at the seal, surprised, "Indeed, it was penned by Mr. Wenchang himself."

After reading the contents of the contract, Luo Min's brow furrowed. He pulled Tao Yu aside and softly asked, "Mr. Tao, is this really your son's seal?"

Tao Yu nodded gritting his teeth, "Yes, it is."

Luo Min sighed, "Mr. Tao, not to criticize you, but your son has indeed acted recklessly this time. How could the Tao family's shops be used so casually for a bet? Signing a contract and adding a seal, creating irrefutable evidence?"

Tao Yu sighed heavily. Tao Dongcheng had always been mature and competent from a young age, always making him feel reassured. But why had he met with a setback with the Xiao family this time? He couldn't figure it out.

Luo Min continued in a placating tone, "Mr. Tao, you and I both serve in the same province, and we have the camaraderie of our subordinates. Normally, I would definitely help you to suppress this matter. But the problem is, your son has offended Mr. Xu Wei. Even if I tear up this contract now, Mr. Xu is already aware of the situation. Who is Mr. Xu? We both know very well. To be blunt, our combined power is not enough to match even a fraction of Mr. Xu's influence. How can I help you?"

With his eyes squinted, Luo Min put on an air of deep concern, appearing to be genuinely worried for the Tao family. Tao Yu remained silent, his spirit deflated. Both men seemed troubled, and aside from Lin Wanrong, who could tell that they were putting on a show, each for their own purposes?

Luo Min whispered a few more words to Tao Yu, who turned even paler. He glanced at the Eldest Miss, grunted harshly, pondered for a long time, and finally, gritted his teeth and nodded.

Luo Min walked over, smiling at Xiao Yuruo, "Miss Xiao, there seems to have been some misunderstanding. I have explained things to Mr. Tao. Since Mr. Xu Wei himself is guaranteeing, there surely won't be any discrepancies. Mr. Tao has agreed to transfer the Tao family's cloth shop to the Xiao family. I hope you will manage it well in accordance with Mr. Tao's teachings and not let him down."

"In that case, Yuruo thanks Mr. Tao for his magnanimity and also thanks Governor Luo for his just decision," the Eldest Miss said with a gentle smile. Tao Yu grunted in anger and stormed off.

Lin Wanrong secretly gave Luo Min, the cunning old fox, a thumbs-up. Luo Min chuckled and returned to his mansion; this matter was exactly why he had come.

The rest of the matters were much easier to deal with. With Tao Yu gone, the servants of the Tao family naturally wouldn't stay either. The Tao family's cloth shop property, along with the cloth, all became the property of the Xiao family. According to Lin Wanrong, they had indeed struck it rich this time. "Damn, I could marry a hundred wives, make a hundred clothes for each, and still not run out of this cloth."

Inventory check, goods verification, and reception, the Eldest Miss was busy with all these tasks in a diligent and efficient manner. As for Lin Wanrong, he had no interest in such trivial matters, considering himself naturally suited for a chairman's role, he watched the Eldest Miss' figure and chuckled.

He felt relatively at ease when he was busy. But as soon as he was idle, he felt uncomfortable. The weather was getting colder and colder, and in a month, it would be the New Year. After the New Year, he would head north to the capital to find Qingxuan. The Second Miss could accompany him to study in the capital, but what about Qiaoqiao? Was he supposed to leave that girl alone in Jinling? That would be asking for trouble.

As he was lost in thought, he found himself downstairs at the Food for Immortals. Qiaoqiao's surprised voice came from upstairs, "Big brother, you're back?"

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