Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 534 - 537: Undercurrent (Part 4)

Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, and Xiao Yanyi said, "The Teng Family’s ship that sank with salt, the Maritime Trade Bureau has already discovered it was smuggled illegal salt. Two crew members on the ship have already confessed. What do you think of this matter?"

There are explicit laws in Great Zhou’s salt industry that prohibit any merchant from privately opening salt business without the Salt Transport Bureau’s permission.

However, due to the heavy taxation in the salt industry, yet accompanied by high profits, despite the legal restrictions, people still secretly transport and sell salt. Such matters cannot be thoroughly investigated one by one, but anyone found violating the laws will be punished by confiscation of property and exile.

Fourth Master Xiao nodded and replied, "Since the Emperor is involved, he must have already gotten to the bottom of it. I suppose Chief Duan will lead a search through the Teng Mansion in the coming days... at the least, confiscating property, at the most, enforcing military exile." Pausing, he continued, "As for our Fifth Brother, you should advise him not to attempt salvage; the Teng Family is at the end of their strength."

"Hmm." Xiao Yanyi nodded and added, "After dealing with the Teng Family, I expect the Maritime Trade Bureau will definitely reopen several cases. I plan to send people to Fujian for preparations so that once the Emperor eventually lifts the sea ban, we won’t be completely unprepared."

Fourth Master Xiao thought for a moment and said to Xiao Yanyi, "The Shen Family still has some influence in Fujian. Since you’re sending people there, you might as well meet with them. When I was in Fujian, they greatly helped me to find out the cause of our eldest brother’s death. The late Empress has been gone for years, and the Shen Family is no longer connected to the royal family, so there’s no need to be overly cautious if they could offer assistance." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Xiao Yanyi nodded and said, "I’ll give instructions later. Let’s have Dai Quan handle it!" Fourth Master Xiao had no objections. Xiao Yanyi then asked, "Is there any news from Miaojiang?"

When Miaojiang was mentioned, Fourth Master Xiao’s expression turned grim, and his tone became cold: "No, none of the people sent there have returned."

Xiao Yanyi furrowed his brows and sighed, "It’s been so many years..." Pausing, he recounted the matter of Teng Qiuniang having Miao medicine in her possession, causing Fourth Master Xiao to suddenly stand up, exuding a strong killing intent. He angrily shouted, "Why didn’t you tell me earlier about this!"

"Calm down." Xiao Yanyi consoled him, "We have no evidence, so even if we tell you, what could you do about it?"

The air around Fourth Master Xiao was icy. Xiao Yanyi continued, "Fourth brother, you usually handle things calmly, but when it concerns this matter, you always act impulsively. Let me handle this from now on. You needn’t involve yourself!"

"How would you manage it?!" Fourth Master Xiao retorted coldly, "You don’t need to say any more, I know what I’m doing!" After saying this, he turned to leave, but suddenly seemed to remember something, turned back to look at Xiao Yanyi and said, "Keep an eye on Xing’s matters." Pausing, he added, "Have Housekeeper Hu select a couple of boys who know how to fight to follow him, and find an older maid from Mother’s side to accompany."

Xiao Yanyi was taken aback, asking in surprise, "Did you hear anything?"

"Handle your own affairs at the back!" With that, he left the room, unwilling to say more.

Xiao Yanyi sat there in a daze, his expression gradually darkening.

When Fourth Master Xiao returned, Xiqiu was in the room sewing, waiting for him. Seeing his return, she instructed Chunliu outside the door, "Bring in the meal." While serving, she helped Fourth Master Xiao remove his outer garment and asked, "Did Fourth Master go to visit Second Brother?"

Fourth Master Xiao sat at the table, nodding slightly. Xiqiu asked again, "Did you have a talk with Second Brother?"

"Yes." But his voice was not as gentle as when he left, now tinged with coldness. Xiqiu looked at him in confusion, sitting across from him, "Did Fourth Master have a disagreement with Second Brother?"

Just then, Chunliu brought in the meal. Fourth Master Xiao said nothing. Xiqiu took a cloth to help him wash his hands, then sat beside him during the meal. When Fourth Master Xiao finished eating, Xiqiu offered him tea. He took a sip and said, "No, I just mentioned a few things to him without going into detail."

Xiqiu felt relieved.

As Fourth Master Xiao went in to freshen up, Biwu came hurriedly with Wenyu. Xiqiu frowned at them and asked, "What’s the matter, rushing like this?"

Wenyu whispered, "Madam, this servant just saw Qiuping rushing out of the door, seemingly heading towards the front courtyard." Xiqiu was puzzled and asked, "Did you see where she went clearly?"

Wenyu nodded and replied, "She seemed to have gone to the Second Madam’s courtyard. This servant didn’t dare to follow too closely and watched her go inside from the doorway."

"Go back and see where else she might go. Be sure to pay close attention."

Wenyu nodded and left quickly.

Biwu hesitated and said, "Madam, Hu Hanrui’s wife from the laundry room mentioned something to me." Xiqiu was startled, and heard Bihuai lower her voice and continue, "The laundry room doesn’t handle the masters’ intimate garments, but it does handle things like sheets from the master bedrooms. Over at the Second Room, Madam Teng changes sheets twice at the beginning of each month and only once at month-end. Madam Shen also has a pattern, but from the twentieth of each month, her sheets are brought for washing every day..."

Biwu wasn’t quite sure about the details and relayed it to Xiqiu as she had heard it, "But starting two months ago, Madam Shen began changing sheets consecutively at the beginning of the month, and the sheets showed signs of her small periods..."

Biwu didn’t understand, but Xiqiu grasped the underlying meaning.

Madam Shen attends to the bedroom at the end of the month, but her small period arrives around the twentieth. After the period cleanses, it’s her turn for bedroom duties. According to the female menstrual cycle, those days are a safe period, making it difficult to conceive. Unintentionally or not, the Second Madam precisely arranged it during those days. Madam Shen also undoubtedly understood this; unable to change her bedroom duty timing, she secretly used medicine to bring her small period forward. This way, the bedroom duty days aren’t her safe period anymore.

When the small period arrives, sheets are inevitably stained with dirtiness, so Hu Hanrui’s wife deduced that Madam Shen was adjusting her small period timing by observing the sheet-washing schedule.

Xiqiu nodded and said, "If you don’t understand this matter, just leave it there. Keep an eye on Wenyu as well. She’s young, and I worry she might not manage alone." Biwu acknowledged this and left hastily.

Fourth Master Xiao emerged at that moment, asking, "Who were you speaking with?" The tension on his face had eased considerably.

Xiqiu smiled and said, "I drafted the menu for the upcoming 28th today. Biwu mentioned that the kitchen lacked some ingredients, and several housekeepers came to consult about purchasing them tomorrow. She sent them away, saying it would be discussed early tomorrow!" Fourth Master Xiao nodded upon hearing this, leaned against the bed, gestured at Xiqiu, and asked, "The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching. There will be dragon boat racing outside the city. Would you like to join the festivities? If you want to go, I’ll arrange it and accompany you there."

Xiqiu’s eyes lit up but, thinking of the large crowd and the trouble it would cause Fourth Master Xiao, she said, "Better not to go. Dragon boat racing isn’t that noteworthy. I’d prefer not to join the hustle." Pausing, she added, "If Fourth Master has some free time, why not take Min along to watch? I’ll wait for you at home."