Chapter 11: I Know a Loan Shark

Watching Shen Yi’s retreating figure, Xiao Huaijin’s face revealed a trace of worry.

He had naturally heard Jiang Nansheng’s heartfelt words, but he was well aware of his own modest salary.

Shen Yi had always managed the War King’s estate with impeccable order, and Xiao Huaijin was deeply grateful for all her efforts on behalf of the estate.

After returning to the courtyard, Shen Yi felt somewhat anxious.

She had never considered that Jiang Nansheng would seize the authority over the estate at this very moment.

Xiao Huaijin’s monthly salary was fifteen hundred taels of silver.

When Shen Yi was in charge, this amount was barely enough to cover the estate’s expenses.

However, Xiao Huaijin, as the War God of the Great Yu Dynasty and the Regent Prince, owned countless fertile lands and shops.

Among them were seven or eight prosperous shops alone.

Whenever Xiao Huaijin was short of money, he would simply take it from the account office and trusted Shen Yi implicitly, never questioning her about finances.

But the original Shen Yi had indeed falsified many accounts.

Liu’er, looking at Shen Yi’s expression, asked with concern, “Miss, what’s wrong?”

Shen Yi remained silent for a moment before speaking, “Liu’er, summon the accountant. I have instructions to give.”

Soon, Liu’er brought the accountant over.

The accountant was a middle-aged man in his forties with a small mustache.

Upon seeing Shen Yi, he respectfully said, “Miss, may I know what orders you have for me?”

Shen Yi said, “Mr. Zhang, starting today, I will hand over the authority over the estate to the Princess Consort. From now on, whatever the Princess Consort says, you must obey without question.”

Zhang Xilai fell silent, pondering Shen Yi’s intentions.

He also wondered which side he should align with going forward.

Although Jiang Nansheng bore the title of Princess Consort, Shen Yi was the one who had managed the War King’s estate for many years.

Even if Jiang Nansheng was nominally the lady of the estate, the servants could not simply take sides at will.

Choosing the wrong side could ruin one’s entire life.

After much thought, a faint smile appeared on Zhang Xilai’s face.

“Miss, rest assured, even if the Princess Consort holds the authority, without our cooperation, she is nothing but an empty title. The War King’s estate will still heed your lead.”

Shen Yi felt like crying!

Zhang Xilai’s expression of loyalty was completely unnecessary.

She sincerely intended to hand over the authority to Jiang Nansheng.

Zhang Xilai had clearly misunderstood her meaning.

Shen Yi solemnly said, “Mr. Zhang, you really have misunderstood! What I mean is from now on, the Princess Consort will manage everything in the estate, and I will no longer be involved. I also hope you all cooperate with the Princess Consort—that is the War King’s wish!”

Only then did Zhang Xilai understand that Shen Yi was serious and not merely speaking in passing.

It seemed the War King had reprimanded Miss Shen.

Otherwise, given her personality, how could she have willingly relinquished the estate’s management?

Unaware of Zhang Xilai’s thoughts, Shen Yi could have rolled her eyes had she known.

After understanding, Zhang Xilai nodded and said, “Miss, rest assured. Since it is the War King’s will, we will assist the Princess Consort with managing the estate from now on.”

Shen Yi stood up and whispered, “Also, over the years I managed the estate, there have been some irregularities in the accounts. I have saved a sum of money for the War King, intending it for emergencies. Now that the authority is handed over to the Princess Consort, please use this money to balance the books. I do not want to see any discrepancies. Mr. Zhang, please do not betray my trust!”

With that, Shen Yi pushed a wooden box toward Zhang Xilai.

Inside were stacks of silver notes.

Zhang Xilai understood Shen Yi’s reasoning.

Over the years, he had benefited somewhat under her management.

If any issues arose from the accounts, given the relationship between the War King and Shen Yi, she might be spared, but he would certainly suffer.

He had just taken a concubine and absolutely could not afford problems over this matter.

Zhang Xilai accepted the box and left Shen Yi’s courtyard.

…

After the authority over the estate was given to Jiang Nansheng, her first task was to patrol every shop under the War King’s estate with her maid.

She also informed them that the management authority now rested with her, Jiang Nansheng.

The shopkeepers, naturally, had nothing to say.

They were simply workers and had to serve whoever was in charge.

However, they had heard that the Princess Consort had grown up in the countryside and wondered if she could manage the estate as well as Miss Shen had.

Jiang Nansheng knew of their doubts but, having managed an estate before in her previous life, she believed it would not be difficult.

Since Shen Yi had handed over control, all the account books accumulated over the years were moved to Jiang Nansheng’s residence.

Upon returning and seeing the towering piles of ledgers, Jiang Nansheng felt overwhelmed.

Fortunately, her confidence was high; even with such a mountain of accounts, she would finish processing them in just a few days.

By then, whatever silver Shen Yi had embezzled would have to be returned in full.

At this moment, Shen Yi had already gone out to have clothes made.

After all, the flower viewing banquet was only three days away.

In the original world, she could have worn old clothes without issue.

But this world was different—if she wore outdated clothes, no one would think the War King’s estate was thriving.

Shen Yi brought Liu’er to the most famous fabric shop in the capital and, unexpectedly, encountered Chen Xijun there.

Chen Xijun’s eyes lit up upon seeing Shen Yi.

“Sister, are you here to choose fabric for the Empress Dowager’s flower viewing banquet three days from now as well?”

Shen Yi smiled and replied, “Yes, I dare not neglect the Empress Dowager’s banquet. Little sister, you’re here for the same reason, aren’t you?”

Chen Xijun said, “Indeed, the Empress Dowager’s banquet must be attended in grand attire. But the fabrics here are so expensive—my father only gives me two taels a month, not nearly enough for a whole outfit.”

Hearing this, Shen Yi immediately understood Chen Xijun’s implication.

She was trying to take her for a sucker.

Unfortunately, Shen Yi was not so easily fooled.

She smiled gently and took Chen Xijun’s hand.

“Sister, now that you’ve met me, how could I stand idly by? Don’t worry, we’re sisters; as your elder sister, I’ll find a way to help you!”

Chen Xijun was delighted but then paused.

“Find a way to help me? Wait, haven’t you always just bought things for me? Why is this different from what I expected?”

Frowning, Chen Xijun asked, “What kind of way are you talking about?”

Shen Yi’s expression remained unchanged, a slight smile playing on her lips.

“I know people who lend money on promissory notes. Why don’t you borrow from them and repay once you have the money? Do you think this would work?”

Chen Xijun stepped back in surprise, staring at Shen Yi.

“What? You want me to borrow money on promissory notes?”