From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 381: Chapter 382: Suppress It

Jin Qianqian silently sipped her tea. She wasn’t the one who needed to be anxious now. It was just a matter of seeing who would break first.

Madam Huang, however, could not remain calm. They weren’t afraid of a mere doctor.

But their household was poorly managed, relying on just a few shops to get by these past few years. If those stopped generating income, who knew how long the entire Minister’s Mansion could last?

Each branch of the family had its own dowry to manage, but even she, without the family estate being formally divided, couldn’t possibly use her own dowry to plug this huge hole, let alone the other daughters-in-law who weren’t in charge of their households.

Thinking about how all these troubles would eventually land on her, Madam Huang became even more eager to resolve the matter quickly. If this dragged on, she wouldn’t even need a commotion to erupt within the mansion; the shopkeepers and clerks at their external shops would be at their wits’ end.

"So what will it take for you to stop?" Madam Huang lowered her head. ’I can’t believe this Mrs. Gu Jin is so difficult. I came here in person, and she still won’t yield?’

Jin Qianqian placed her cup on the table. "It takes a more sensational rumor to suppress an existing one. Having been in Shangjing for so long, I’m sure Madam Huang understands that!"

Madam Huang replied, "But everyone has been behaving themselves lately. There’s no good material for gossip."

’The new Champion Scholar’s romantic affairs were easy to talk about and could quickly start a wave of rumors. Besides, it was easy to manipulate something so baseless. But other households were either too powerful to offend or couldn’t generate this much buzz.’

’On top of that, with the imperial court having just dealt with so many people, everyone was lying low. It would be difficult to stir up trouble even if one wanted to.’

Jin Qianqian smiled, pressing her lips together. "They say whoever tied the bell must be the one to untie it. The one who caused the trouble should be the one to bear the consequences."

Madam Huang shot to her feet. "That’s impossible! Besides, while my household may have some minor flaws, you can’t just fabricate things out of thin air."

"Getting anxious?" Jin Qianqian beamed at her, revealing two deep dimples.

Though it was a sweet and lovely smile, Madam Huang found it exceptionally unpleasant, even jarring to look at.

Jin Qianqian said slowly, "There’s no use in getting anxious. Aren’t you the ones who came to me to discuss a solution? I haven’t even started, so what’s your hurry?"

Jin Qianqian’s all-knowing gaze made Madam Huang exceptionally uncomfortable. Having managed the mansion for so many years, she had at least heard of some of the dirty business within, even if she hadn’t participated.

She understood the principle of ’if one falls, all fall.’ Because of that, she couldn’t afford to follow Jin Qianqian’s lead.

"Mrs. Gu, I came here today with sincerity. But if you continue to be so unreasonable, then I’m washing my hands of this."

Jin Qianqian paid her threat no mind. It was time for her to show a bit of her fangs, lest these people think she was a pushover.

’She called it an apology, but from start to finish, I haven’t seen a shred of remorse. Even her visit was so casual—no formal calling card, no gifts. This is hardly the attitude of someone seeking reconciliation.’

"I haven’t even begun to go into detail, and look how anxious Madam Huang is. It seems you’re all well aware of your own secrets. Minister Huang isn’t as upright and incorruptible as the rumors claim."

"Mrs. Gu, you can’t just say things like that. Since you have no intention of reconciling, I will take my leave." Madam Huang stood and started to walk out, but was stopped by Jin Qianqian calling for her to stay.

A smile spread across her face. ’This Mrs. Gu Jin is still too green. If I had known, I wouldn’t have wasted so many words on her.’

Jin Qianqian’s icy words struck her heart, one by one. "The Xiao Family’s daughter coveted power and status. The sisters hit it off and plotted to poison Lord Niu and his mother. The Minister’s Mansion was the mastermind behind the scenes, scheming against others, but by a twist of fate, the runner-up fell into the trap instead.

With a script like that, do you think that little rumor about my husband and me can still make any waves?"

Madam Huang’s eyes widened in shock. She turned and stared at her. "That’s all a complete fabrication."

"So what if it is? Just because the Xiao Family Sisters didn’t succeed back then, does that mean I deserve to keep backing down again and again?

Besides, didn’t you think it was just a little rumor? From your perspective, it’s nothing that can cause any real harm. So why should Madam Huang be so concerned?"

A sense of helplessness washed over Madam Huang. Moreover, what Mrs. Gu Jin had just said left her heart pounding with fear.

’The latter part of the story did indeed happen at the Huang Mansion, but if the first part about the Xiao Family Sisters’ plot was true, then the entire household would be implicated.’

"What do you want?"

Seeing Madam Huang’s resolve crumble, Jin Qianqian revealed her dimples, her smile especially cheerful. "Too late. If your household had come to resolve this yesterday, there might have been a chance to salvage the situation. But now? It’s probably already spread through every street and alley."

In Madam Huang’s eyes, that smile was demonic, utterly vicious.

"Then why did you argue with me for so long before?"

Jin Qianqian spread her hands. "I wanted to speak with you nicely, but you never gave me the chance."

"Fine. You’re very good," Madam Huang said, flicking her sleeves and storming out. "Just be prepared for the consequences of offending our Huang Mansion."

After she had left, Ou Qingshui squinted into the distance. "Madam, how long do you think it will be before she comes back?"

Jin Qianqian pursed her lips. "Probably less than two hours. Maybe even sooner."

In reality, they had both overestimated her. Before Jin Qianqian had even finished a stroll around the backyard with Li Cuicui, Nanny Ou came to report that Madam Huang had returned, and with extravagant gifts this time.

Li Cuicui asked worriedly, "For her to come back so soon, is something wrong?"

Jin Qianqian called over Lichun and asked her to continue walking with the old madam in the courtyard. "It’s nothing serious. I’ll go take care of it and come back to accompany you later."

"An old woman like me isn’t important. Go on and tend to your business." Since Seventh Wife wasn’t elaborating, Li Cuicui didn’t press the issue. She trusted that with the intelligence of Seventh and his wife, they would handle everything with discretion.

Returning to the side hall where she received guests, Jin Qianqian saw Madam Huang pacing back and forth impatiently the moment she entered.

Seeing Jin Qianqian enter with her attendants, she immediately put on a smiling face and went to greet her.

"Mrs. Gu, I’m here to bother you again. Please don’t find me a nuisance."

Jin Qianqian sidestepped her hand. "A visitor is a guest. Please, have a seat, Madam Huang."

Despite her inner anxiety, Madam Huang reined in her impatience and sat in the same seat as before.

"You’ve heard the rumors."

Jin Qianqian stated it with certainty. When it came to manipulating public opinion, even if she had never done it herself, she had heard plenty about it.

The previous rumors about the Huang Mansion and the story scripts had all spread from high society first. Jin Qianqian, however, had gone straight to the common folk—the peddlers and porters. With the help of the Capital’s little beggars, the story didn’t even need time to brew. Overnight, sensational stories about the Xiao Family’s daughter—how she murdered her husband and harmed her mother-in-law—were already spreading like wildfire.

By the time Madam Huang sent people to inquire, the story had long since spread throughout the city’s markets.