SFS Chapter 26 Grandmother Faints
Chapter 26 Grandmother Faints
After looking at it for a long time, Qiao Qingshu's brows gradually relaxed.
There's nothing wrong with these ledgers.
To Qiao Qingshu's surprise, these account books were extremely detailed and clear, much like her mother Bai's bookkeeping style.
I couldn't help but ask,
Who set these bookkeeping rules?
The shopkeepers all said in unison.
"It was Butler Lai who gave the order."
Turning her gaze to Butler Lai, before Qiao Qingshu could even ask a question, Butler Lai bowed and replied.
"This bookkeeping method was given to me by the Second Madam when she was in charge of the household. I found it useful back then, so all the accounts of the Qiao family that passed through my hands, Lai Da, followed this bookkeeping method, and it is still in use today."
Qiao Qingshu couldn't help but secretly admire him. This was a man who got things done. With such a capable steward, the Qiao family might be able to hold on for a while longer.
If such people were to lose heart and leave the Qiao family, the Qiao family's decline would surely be even more rapid. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Qiao Qingshu was calculating in her mind, but her face behind the white veil showed no emotion. She simply gave the order in a calm voice.
"Esteemed managers, you have served the Qiao family for many years. Thank you for your hard work. Now that Mother has passed away, the Bai family's assets must be returned in full. Members of the Bai family will be coming to take over the assets in the next few days. In consideration of your many years of hard work, I have prepared a red envelope containing twenty taels of silver for each of you."
The shopkeepers stepped forward and bowed to express their gratitude. This was already a very kind arrangement, and there was nothing to complain about. They all obediently followed the instructions.
Watching from the side, Steward Lai nodded inwardly. This eldest daughter of the Marquis's family was clear-headed and efficient in her work, and her manners were impeccable. If she could manage the household, the Marquis's family would surely prosper in the future.
Unfortunately, the girl eventually had to get married, and the Marquis's mansion eventually fell into the hands of that old woman and was ruined.
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The old master had such a illustrious reputation, how could he have married that woman Miao Er and ruined the century-old foundation of the Marquis's mansion?
He should choose a virtuous wife; when his son is looking for a wife in the future, he should keep his eyes open and carefully select one.
My son has just passed the imperial examination and has a bright future ahead of him. We must not let a woman ruin the efforts of generations.
Just as he was pondering this, he heard Qiao Qingshu call him.
"Butler Lai, let's go back."
After returning to her residence, Qiao Qingshu used the same method to kick out all the Qiao family members from the Bai family's businesses, leaving only the Bai family members.
After finishing the task, he instructed Bai Zhining to come and bring people to meet the farm and estate.
Fushou Hall.
Old Madam Qiao sat on the couch, her brows furrowed, listening to Granny Zou report on Qiao Qingshu's movements over the past few days.
Madam Qiao's temples were throbbing with pain.
Half of the Qiao family's wealth was built by the Bai family. Now that the Bai family's dowry has been completely withdrawn, Old Madam Qiao's heart is bleeding!
Qiao Jizhou sat at the lower end, sighing repeatedly, like a lost dog.
The old lady was so exasperated by the sigh that she slammed her hand on the table in anger.
"Stop sighing! You've ruined the Marquis's fortune with your sighs!"
Qiao Jizhou trembled with fright and lowered his head, not daring to breathe loudly again.
Old Madam Qiao's face was extremely ugly. She was burning with anger, and her heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys were almost scorched. In just a few days, nearly half of the Qiao family's storeroom was emptied!
What's even more heartbreaking is that the 50,000 taels of silver that the family spent was originally meant to bring them good fortune, but instead of good luck, it has added fuel to the fire, leaving the Qiao family in ruins and adrift in the storm.
With no hope of his son getting promoted, Bai's dowry was all taken away, leaving the Qiao family with half of their wealth. Now, the Qiao family's reputation in the capital is utterly ruined.
Nothing had gone right these past few days. Old Madam Qiao was so angry that her body trembled, she felt dizzy, her chest was tight, and she couldn't breathe properly.
Suddenly everything went black, I fell backward, and passed out.
Fushou Hall was immediately thrown into chaos.
When Qiao Qingshu arrived, Qiao Jizhou was in the hall, frantically pacing around like a headless fly.
Several physicians from the prefecture could not come up with a solution, saying they had never seen such symptoms before.
The two aunts, along with Aunt Xu, Liu Wan'er, and the Qiao family girls, gathered under the porch, anxiously peering inside.
Qiao Qingshu held her father's hand and asked,
"Father, how is Grandmother? Has she not woken up yet?"
Qiao Jizhou was so anxious that he was covered in sweat.
"Several doctors examined her, but none of them could diagnose the problem, so they've already sent people to other clinics to fetch more doctors."
Qiao Qingshu frowned and said,
"Those doctors outside are nothing special. Why don't you invite Doctor Ouyang, Father?"
Aunt Chen heard this through the window and shouted in a loud voice,
"Doctor Ouyang? Young lady, you make it sound so easy. Doctor Ouyang's consultation fee is fifty taels of gold per person, and he only treats royalty and nobles. How can ordinary people afford to hire him?"
Xu Biyun couldn't help but blurt out something.
"That's right, even if you have money, you can't hire Doctor Ouyang."
Liu Wan'er then glared at her mother, signaling her to be quiet.
Xu Biyun quickly covered her mouth and stopped interrupting.
Qiao Qingshu didn't care at all about what the people outside were saying, and just held her father's hand and said,
“Father, my maternal grandmother has some connection with Doctor Ouyang. I will write a letter and ask my maternal grandmother to invite Doctor Ouyang over.”
Upon hearing this, Qiao Jizhou nodded hurriedly. It would be wonderful if Doctor Ouyang could be invited.
Before half an incense stick's time had passed, Doctor Ouyang arrived at the door.
Qiao Jizhou busily led the person into Fushou Hall to take the old lady's pulse.
Aunt Chen thought to herself, "You really did manage to invite people here." Then she rolled her eyes and thought, "What's so great about you? Just because your Bai family has power and influence doesn't mean you're so great!"
Seeing that there was no excitement to be had, he wiggled his hips and returned to his own Begonia Garden.
Xu Biyun, however, was kept standing under the eaves by Liu Wan'er, waiting. Xu Biyun's legs were aching badly and she wanted to go back, but Liu Wan'er persuaded her to stay.
"Isn't Mother trying to mend her relationship with the Old Madam and the Second Master? Now is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation. It's always good if you're more attentive."
After an incense stick has burned.
Mr. Ouyang came out of the house and nodded slightly to Qiao Qingshu with a deep gaze.
Qiao Qingshu nodded in response without changing her expression.
Qiao Jizhou rushed over to inquire about the old lady's condition.
Mr. Ouyang then slowly said,
"The old lady suffered from a sudden attack of anger and couldn't catch her breath. She has now been given acupuncture and is asleep. Her life is out of danger, but she has been overthinking and has damaged her liver. I will prescribe a medicine. She will need to take about six months to recover."
Upon hearing that there was no serious problem, Qiao Jizhou breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly instructed someone to prepare the medicine according to the prescription.
Qiao Qingshu personally escorted Mr. Ouyang out of the mansion.
After escorting him to the entrance of the Marquis's residence and seeing that no one was around, Mr. Ouyang whispered...
“Young lady, the poison you gave the old lady was quite effective. An ordinary doctor would not be able to detect it. Even I had to feel her pulse for a long time before I could detect a slight pulse. You can continue to administer the poison without worry.”