From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 567: Chapter 569: Coming to the Door

The Tian Family

Tian Zhuang had clearly received the news as well. At this moment, a dark expression clouded his face as he stared at his men. "You’ve been investigating for so long, and you still don’t even know what kind of shop she’s opening?"

Li Yong had earned merit for protecting his master and had been able to summon reinforcements in time, so he was now Tian Zhuang’s right-hand man.

Now, relying on this status, he had quickly secured the position of Grand Steward.

"Father, we don’t need to be afraid of her. Even if she wants to come after our family, this is Le City..."

Before Tian Mi could finish, Tian Zhuang immediately barked, "You don’t know anything, so stop trying to tell me what to do.

Your aunt and your cousin suffered at her hands. If it weren’t for the Huang Mansion, they probably wouldn’t have been able to keep a single dowry shop.

Besides, that woman really has a knack for business. If she brings her Shangjing methods here, our shops might not stand a chance against her.

From now on, just stay in the rear courtyard with your mother and learn some etiquette. Stop going out and causing trouble for me all day."

"Father, that’s not what you used to say," Tian Mi retorted.

Tian Mi was displeased. ’Ever since we came back from Shangjing, Father hasn’t looked at me with anything but a sour face.’

’He doesn’t even stop to think that when he was thrown in jail, I was the one who suffered alongside Mother to find someone to rescue him.’

Tian Zhuang had no time for her at the moment. He was currently overwhelmed by a sense of urgency.

He even had a faint premonition that if he didn’t handle this situation properly, it might truly lead to the ruin of his family.

"Li Yong, come with me to the study. Tell me everything you know. Where have they secured their shop locations?"

Li Yong glanced at Tian Mi but said nothing, respectfully following Tian Zhuang out.

Furious, Tian Mi smashed a nearby cup. ’That woman caused our family so much misery, and now she’s delivered herself right to our doorstep! Doesn’t Father know he should be striking back?’

’Besides, has Father forgotten? As long as Aunt is around, our cousin at the Minister’s Mansion won’t dare to ignore us.’

’A single word from the Minister’s Mansion, and so what if it’s Prefect Nan? Didn’t he have to release him immediately and obediently return all the confiscated properties?’

If Tian Zhuang knew what his daughter was thinking right now, he would have slapped her across the face.

Favors wear thin the more you use them. This time, a major crisis had occurred, and those people had extended a helping hand. Now, the Tian Family was the one who owed the Minister’s Mansion a massive favor.

Hadn’t she seen that as soon as he got out of prison, he had to prepare several carts of lavish gifts? That was nearly thirty percent of his family’s wealth, gone just like that. To this day, the heartache still kept him from sleeping at night.

"For the next few days, drop everything else and just keep an eye on them." Tian Zhuang still felt it wasn’t safe enough. "I’ll give you more men later. You absolutely must watch them closely.

I don’t just want to know what they’re doing; I also need to know if they leave behind any leverage I can use."

When Li Yong heard how heavily Tian Zhuang emphasized the word "leverage," he immediately understood. "Rest assured, Master. I will find a way to get some leverage on them."

’And if there isn’t any, can’t it be manufactured?’ he thought. He had only just become the Grand Steward; anyone who tried to sabotage things was his enemy.

Having agreed on a plan, the master and servant exchanged a cunning smile.

* * *

When Jin Qianqian saw Ouyang Bing and Mudou appear before her once again, she smacked her forehead. She’d had a nagging feeling she had forgotten something, and it turned out to be the person right in front of her.

"So you went on the last sea voyage too."

Ouyang Bing nodded. "You can’t blame us for that. We were working on the ship that day, and the general saw how quick and diligent we were, so he had us stay."

Although he had schemed a little, it was true that the other party had been the one to suggest they go to sea together.

Jin Qianqian snorted. "The agreement was that you would sneak aboard yourselves. What’s the point of coming to me about this now?

Or have you already taken care of those matters you mentioned?"

Ouyang Bing replied, "I heard your ship is about to set sail on a long voyage. Mudou and I came this time to ask for a chance to go with you."

Before, he had only planned to hide out on the ship for a while. He never expected such a pleasant surprise to come so suddenly, giving them a chance to see the wider world.

Ouyang Bing had now had a change of heart. He had already made an enemy of Miss Zhong from the Zhong Family. Since it was a choice between facing the music now or later, he figured he might as well face the challenge head-on.

’Considering the friendship between our two families, the worst that could happen is a good beating. Hiding like this all the time is no solution, is it?’

’Besides, once this is resolved, I can do what I want openly and honestly in the future.’

Jin Qianqian inwardly looked down on Ouyang Bing. "Don’t you think life at sea would be a bit dull? Besides, you haven’t even resolved your own issues. I have no intention of inviting trouble for myself."

’If he knows he’s in the wrong and wants to avoid the situation, why not just face it openly and sit down to resolve it?’

"Not at all. I’ve already arranged a meeting with the Zhong Family. My parents have also arrived in Lu City, and I will have everything settled within a few days."

"Come back and talk to me after you’ve handled it," Jin Qianqian said.

Ouyang Bing scratched his head. "Actually, there’s one more thing I wanted to discuss with you."

Hearing him use such polite language, Jin Qianqian had a bad feeling. "There’s nothing for us to discuss."

Ouyang Bing continued, "It’s like this. Look, for this sea trade voyage, I can bring Mudou along to act as a guard for you on the ship."

"Is it that simple?" Jin Qianqian asked.

She didn’t believe it for a second. She could see the calculation in his eyes.

"There’s just one small request. I’d like to bring some of my own goods to trade for other things to bring back."

"But my ship’s cargo hold is already fully booked," Jin Qianqian said. "There’s no spare room for you to store goods."

Ouyang Bing said, "Do you remember those novelties I traded with you a few years ago? I’ve always been interested in that sort of thing. Since I have the chance to go to other countries this time, I naturally want to see if I can trade for some more to bring back."

Jin Qianqian immediately knew what he was referring to. ’This is a mess I made myself, so I suppose I have to clean it up,’ she thought with resignation. "The world overseas is vast. Who knows which island country those things came from?

My ship might not even go there. You should think twice. After all, a sea voyage like this isn’t like the last one that was just a few months round trip. This could take a year or two."

"Don’t worry," Ouyang Bing said. "I’m not bringing much. Besides, I’m unburdened and free as a bird right now. I could even handle drifting at sea for ten years."

Jin Qianqian snorted coldly. "They say people heading out to sea want to start with a good omen. We haven’t even set off yet, and here you are talking about drifting at sea for ten years?

If you have so little faith in it, why get involved at all?

On account of that attitude alone, I’m refusing your request. Young Master Ouyang, please see yourself out."

Jin Qianqian raised her cup in a gesture of dismissal. She was afraid that if she listened to him any longer, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from having him kicked out.