Chapter 15: The Ruthless One

The Qi family’s assets included a thousand acres of fertile farmland, one money exchange, three goldsmith shops, six tea houses, ten restaurants, and fifteen rice shops. Additionally, they owned the largest brothel and casino in Yunjiang, and maintained 345 private soldiers on the city outskirts.

Qi Yuheng said calmly, “Jiang, what do you intend to manage?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Luan realized the holdings were considerable and boldly replied, “If grandfather trusts me, what harm is there in entrusting all of it to me?”

Qi Yuheng was speechless.

He had detailed the Qi family’s assets so thoroughly, hoping to intimidate the presumptuous youth into backing down, but to his surprise, Jiang Luan was shamelessly unfazed.

Seeing the young man’s indifferent demeanor, Qi Yuheng hesitated. Could it be that his granddaughter-in-law truly possessed exceptional qualities?

Yet, he had never heard of any talent in Jiang Luan from the Jiang family; even his maternal relatives sighed and dismissed him as all show and no substance, a complete fool.

Standing nearby, the Duke of Suping’s face darkened.

Qi Shaoyang, still young and unable to hold back, sneered, “I never expected you to be so capable, little sister-in-law, but don’t blow your own trumpet too hard, or you might burst your belly.”

“You flatter me, Brother Yang,” Jiang Luan blinked. “But boasting requires something to boast about. How can one know I’m incapable without trying?”

The Duke of Suping snorted coldly and turned to Qi Yuheng. “Ancestor, entrusting the vast Qi family fortune to a mere greenhorn—isn’t that child’s play?”

Qi Yuheng frowned slightly, about to respond, but Jiang Luan spoke first.

He smiled, “Your Grace’s words are reasonable; I am indeed young… How about entrusting me with half of the assets?”

The Duke of Suping was speechless.

Qi Shaoyang shouted, “Is this something to bargain over?”

“Isn’t bargaining common in business?” Jiang Luan smiled again. “I’ll concede further—just the money exchange and the private soldiers.”

Madam Zhou cleared her throat, reminding him, “The private soldiers are currently under your second uncle’s control.”

Jiang Luan nodded. “Then replace the private soldiers with the casino.”

“You!”

Jiang Luan knew how to pick—choosing only the profitable ventures—which infuriated the Duke of Suping to the point he nearly slammed the table.

Qi Yuheng, however, coughed a few times and glanced at him.

The Duke of Suping forced himself to hold back his anger.

“Since Jiang is so confident, some tempering might not be a bad thing,” Qi Yuheng said thoughtfully.

The Duke of Suping hadn’t expected the old man to agree to such an absurd proposal and looked displeased. “Ancestor...”

“But I’m only entrusting you with the money exchange and one restaurant,” Qi Yuheng told Jiang Luan. “And there will be a performance review in one month. If you don’t pass, Jiang, you will need to humbly continue learning.”

Jiang Luan’s initial grandiose boasting was all aimed at acquiring the money exchange. Now that his goal was achieved, he nodded obediently, “I won’t disappoint grandfather’s expectations.”

Seeing the matter settled, the Duke of Suping stamped his foot in frustration and stormed off without a word.

Qi Shaoyang followed closely behind, casting Jiang Luan a furious glare as if to say, “Let’s see how long this fool can keep bouncing back.”

Jiang Luan laughed inwardly. If these two had lived in modern times, they’d make great actors—their true feelings written plainly on their faces. Indeed, they were father and son.

Madam Zhou quietly sipped her tea, observing the spectacle. Now that it had ended, she offered, “Sister-in-law’s temperament...”

“Still needs refining,” Qi Yuheng finished for her.

The two elders exchanged a knowing glance, sharing a silent understanding. Jiang Luan simply sat quietly, sipping his tea.

Now that he had the money exchange, what harm could the old man’s threats do?

The Duke of Suping stormed out angrily, with Left Lang, who was stationed at the door, quietly trailing after him.

“Damn it! Truly infuriating!”

---

Back in his private room, the Duke of Suping slammed a glass flower vase onto the floor.

Hua Chao, who had been directing the maidservants to clean up, hurried over upon seeing the Duke’s grim expression. “My lord, what happened? Weren’t you dining in the main hall just now?”

“That old bastard! Has he forgotten that the Qi family’s vast fortune exists only because it’s been riding on the Duke’s name for these past ten-plus years?!” The Duke grabbed another vase and smashed it, the loud crash drawing Qi Shaoyan from a side room, who timidly peered in.

The Duke of Suping turned, furious to see her. “Who let you in, you jinx? Get out at once!”

Qi Shaoyan had intended to comfort her father but was shouted down like a frightened quail and hurried away.

Hua Chao quickly closed the door.

Qi Shaoyang patted the Duke’s back, trying to soothe him. “Father, don’t be angry. The old man doesn’t have many days left anyway. It’s just a money exchange. If it goes to that wretch, it’ll be taken back soon enough.”

Hua Chao, overhearing this, asked, “My lord, what exactly happened at the money exchange?”

“Yang’er, you tell her,” the Duke said, “I get heated just hearing that wretch’s name!”

“Yes, sir.”

Qi Shaoyang recounted everything that had transpired.

“He wants the money exchange?” Hua Chao frowned slightly.

“Exactly. And one restaurant. We’ll just give him the worst one in the west of the city,” Qi Shaoyang sneered. “That wretch’s boasting is sky-high; he probably can’t even count. I want to see how he embarrasses himself.”

“The money exchange…” Hua Chao murmured, seemingly deep in thought.

The Duke noticed her change in expression. “What is it? Something wrong?”

“I’m afraid it’s not good. Our earlier ‘smuggling’ is still inside,” Hua Chao explained.

The Duke hesitated, realization dawning. “You mean… this kid wants the money exchange on purpose. He’s trying to investigate me?”

“Maybe I’m overthinking,” Hua Chao said after considering. “I’ve always heard Jiang Luan is an unlearned fool, a mere pretty face. Probably not that cunning.”

“That’s right. We let him in because we thought he was an idiot,” the Duke slammed the table in frustration, “but I didn’t expect such a thick-headed fool to be this infuriating.”

Hua Chao sighed. “To be safe, I’ll have someone create false accounts and switch them out at the bank.”

“Good idea.” The Duke nodded. “You’re always so thorough.”

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it? Come in.”

Left Lang, who had been sent to the east wing earlier, entered, hands bound behind his back and looking nervous.

The Duke sipped his tea and sneered, “You still have the nerve to show your face?”

Left Lang whispered, “I had no choice.”

“Do you know how much disgrace you brought on the Duke today, you dog servant!” The Duke splashed a bowl of hot tea onto Left Lang.

Left Lang shuddered from the scalding and immediately knelt, bowing his head. “It’s all my fault for not keeping an eye on Jiang Luan… but ever since I went to the east wing, Jiang Luan has been on guard against me. I didn’t even know he had prepared seaweed soup!”

“That wasn’t a big deal,” the Duke said coldly. “But remember this: your mother is still under the Duke’s roof. If I want her to live, she lives; if I want her to die, she dies. Understand?”

“Yes, yes.” Left Lang nodded frantically, trembling like a leaf.

“Fine, you may go.”

Left Lang rose and backed out, nearly colliding with a burly man wearing a mask at the door.

“Sorry, sorry…” Left Lang hurriedly apologized.

The man paid no attention and hurried inside.

As Left Lang was about to close the door, he heard the Duke shout, “What? That wretch is already at the money exchange checking the accounts?!”

Lowering his head, Left Lang’s lips curled into a cold smile as he quietly closed the door.

---

Less than half an hour later, just after the Duke had left, Jiang Luan finished his meal and bid Qi Yuheng farewell.

He returned to his room, fastened his cloak without attendants, and stepped out alone.

Spring was approaching; most of the snow had melted, and many children were chasing kites in the streets.

Upon stepping outside, Jiang Luan saw a familiar figure crouched in a corner, watching a beggar assemble a kite.

“Three steamed buns for this kite, interested?” Qi Shaolin asked.

The beggar, just crawling out of a garbage pile and reeking, stretched out one leg lazily, sunning himself. “No deal.”

“How about five?”

“Nope,” the beggar replied. “Only if you trade me the fur coat you’re wearing.”

Qi Shaolin wore a brand-new fox fur coat, fluffy and warm—quite a change from his usual thin garments.

He stroked the coat reluctantly. “But this was made by my wife.”

“The kite’s for your wife too, isn’t it?” the beggar snorted. “Seems like your heart’s not in it. Better get lost so I can nap!”

Qi Shaolin sniffed and hesitated, fingers fumbling at the buttons of his coat before reluctantly starting to undo them.

At that moment, someone tapped his shoulder.

Qi Shaolin turned around and cried out in delight, “Wife, what are you doing here?”

The beggar looked up and saw the beautiful woman standing before him, immediately smiling.

He grinned, showing yellowed teeth. “Didn’t expect you to be telling the truth, fool. Your wife’s a real beauty—she’s wasted on you.”

Jiang Luan narrowed his eyes and asked the beggar, “What happened to your leg?”

Beside the beggar lay a pair of crutches. He was clearly favoring one leg.

“Funny to be cared for by a beauty,” the beggar said with a lecherous grin. “I got this leg broken for talking nonsense before.”

Jiang Luan smiled warmly. “Then be careful with the other leg. If both get broken, you’ll have to crawl around begging.”

His tone was gentle, his smile kind.

Yet under Jiang Luan’s gaze, the beggar felt an inexplicable chill down his spine.

“Alright, alright, five steamed buns—take it!”

The beggar tossed the kite to Qi Shaolin.

“Great!” Qi Shaolin happily hugged the kite close.

“Here are five copper coins. Go buy your own now.”

Jiang Luan counted out several coins and tossed them to the beggar, then patted Qi Shaolin on the shoulder. “Lin, come with me for a bit.”

“Where to, wife? Are we flying kites?”

“Later. But don’t be pulling and tugging on the street…”

The beggar watched the two affectionate figures walk away, picked up the copper coins from the ground, and slipped them into his pocket.

He chuckled softly, “A ruthless man for a ruthless woman, and both as stingy as can be. What a perfect match.”