Chapter 231: Distributing Account Books and Authority
Many women from the Yun family had arrived.
Although the Yun family had recently encountered trouble, it was only in the imperial court. The Emperor had not truly shaken the family's foundations. Their vast enterprises remained intact and required management.
Lin Shi was growing older, and Liu Shi was pregnant, leaving Yun Chu—a young woman who had divorced—to manage the affairs.
Those women assumed that Yun Chu, having been a sheltered young lady before becoming the mistress of the humble Xie family, would naturally struggle to handle the Yun family's extensive businesses. They believed it was only reasonable for them to offer assistance.
These women typically spent their days attending to husbands and children, managing their dowries, and had ample leisure time. Hearing that Yun Chu needed help, they naturally came forward.
A crowd gathered in the flower hall.
"Please, aunts, aunties, and sisters-in-law, take a seat."
Yun Chu smiled as she invited everyone to sit, and maids served them tea and snacks one by one.
"I've just taken over the Yun family's businesses and am truly overwhelmed, so I must ask for your assistance," she began with a smile. "I know that some of your families are also involved in the Yun family's enterprises. For instance, Third Uncle's nephew oversees the farmlands in Jizhou, Seventh Granduncle's eldest grandson inspects all the manors every year, and the cloth business is managed by..."
She clearly outlined who was responsible for what.
Yun Chu's Fourth Aunt, who had initially underestimated her, straightened her posture and frowned slightly.
"Given that the Yun family is currently in troubled times, business has become more challenging than before, and those under our management may cause disruptions. I alone cannot oversee everything," Yun Chu explained. "I propose distributing the account books among us. Each person will be responsible for a few shops or manors, attending to every detail to prevent any mishaps." She had several chests of account books brought forward. "This year's accounts are all here. Please feel free to share what you excel at."
Everyone present was stunned.
They had assumed Yun Chu would assign them specific tasks, never expecting her to distribute the account books.
After all, account books were the most critical element of any shop. Holding them meant having a say in its operations.
Distributing the account books was equivalent to delegating authority.
While most people sought to centralize power, Yun Chu was dividing it as soon as she obtained it?
Fourth Aunt Yun couldn't help but sneer.
She had thought Yun Chu was capable, but it turned out she was merely lazy. Handing over the accounts to others—what kind of management was that? Ridiculous.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Fourth Aunt Yun glanced around and finally said, "Since Chu'er needs our help, I won't refuse. My dowry includes a silk shop, so I'm quite familiar with that aspect. Why not let me take charge of the Yun family's cloth accounts?"
Yun Chu nodded with a smile. "I've heard that Fourth Uncle owns a tea shop, which you help manage. How about overseeing the Yun family's tea estates as well?"
Fourth Aunt Yun was overjoyed.
She had been modest, only daring to request the slightly less significant cloth business, but Yun Chu immediately entrusted her with the tea trade as well.
Cloth and tea together accounted for sixty percent of the Yun family's profits—two highly lucrative ventures.
It was an unexpected windfall, and she wasn't about to refuse.
Fourth Aunt Yun patted her chest confidently. "Since Chu'er needs me, I won't let you down!"Third Aunt Yun was immediately displeased. She said incredulously, "Fourth Sister-in-law, your little tea shop only earns a hundred taels a year. The Yun Family Tea Estate makes tens of thousands in profit annually. Do you really think you can manage it?"
Fourth Aunt Yun smiled cheerfully. "Should we let Third Sister-in-law handle it instead?"
Third Aunt Yun was left speechless.
Her son Yun Run was outstanding, so she couldn't be bothered with managing business affairs. She spent her days socializing with other noblewomen over tea, paving the way for her son. Business matters were beyond her understanding anyway—she had only come today to join the excitement.
She found her elder sister-in-law Lin Shi utterly baffling for handing over the family business to Yun Chu, a married daughter, and Yun Chu was being so reckless with it.
The Yun family needed a change in leadership—her son should be the clan head...
Third Aunt Yun stood up. "Chu'er, these businesses are the foundation of our Yun family. If you ruin them, you'll become the family's sinner. I won't involve myself in these matters any further. I'll take my leave now."
Generations of accumulated family wealth were concentrated in the main household, supporting this vast clan. If the family fortune were lost, the Yun family would cease to exist.
She set down her teacup and left directly.
Yun Chu narrowed her eyes slightly.
It was somewhat unexpected that Third Aunt would choose not to involve herself in these matters.
Based on each family's circumstances, she distributed the account books. The women who had come all happily received their ledgers and departed.
Yun Chu kept only the master account book for herself.
After finishing these tasks, the Imperial College let out. Before even seeing anyone, she heard Chu Hongyu's voice coming from the other side of the wall.
"Mother, I'm home!"
Yun Chu hurried out and scooped up the little one who came rushing toward her.
The child clung to Yun Chu's neck and said, "Luckily I ran fast! If Crown Prince Uncle and Second Uncle had arrived, I wouldn't have been able to sneak through the hidden passage."
Yun Chu indeed noticed that as soon as the child arrived, Cheng Zongguan had someone cover the hidden passage. So the Crown Prince and Gong Xi Prince had come.
With only a wall separating the two courtyards, she worried the child's noisy chatter might be overheard. So she took both children to the front courtyard.
The Crown Prince and Gong Xi Prince entered the courtyard together, looking around left and right.
The courtyard was elegant enough but lacked grandeur—hardly fitting for a prince's residence.
Frowning, the two proceeded to Chu Yi's courtyard. Their expressions grew even more disdainful. The main residence was actually tucked away in a corner by the wall, completely improperly positioned. They wondered what genius had designed this layout.
"Crown Prince Brother, Second Brother." Chu Yi remained lying in bed without moving. "The imperial physician ordered me not to rise. My apologies."
The Crown Prince nodded. "The imperial physician said your heart was nearly pierced. You should indeed rest properly. But this courtyard is too cramped—it's unsuitable for recovery. You should swallow your pride sooner and ask Father Emperor to let you return to your princely mansion."
Gong Xi Prince advised, "Third Brother, it's truly not worth causing such a fuss over a woman."
Chu Yi's voice was low and hoarse. "If I think it's worth it, that's enough."
"I never knew Third Brother was such a romantic," said the Crown Prince with clear incomprehension. "You'll understand eventually—women are like clothing. No matter how much you like something now, soon enough you'll fancy new garments."
Chu Yi remained silent.
Gong Xi Prince spoke gently, "If Third Brother persists in this manner, Father Emperor might arrange to have your beloved eliminated. Even then, would you still refuse to yield?"
Chu Yi's expression finally changed.
Gong Xi Prince unfurled his paper fan and smiled.I had thought the Third Prince had no weaknesses, making it impossible to find a breakthrough.
Now, this weakness has come knocking at my door.
I heard Yin Pin had visited several times but failed to capture that woman—it's just unclear where she's been hidden...
If that woman were to fall into my hands, I would surely use her to turn the Crown Prince and the Third Prince into mortal enemies...
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