Chapter 109: The Rise of the Cloud Clan Shakes the World

Since Hua Wuying left, Chuxiu had been carrying this matter heavily in her heart. Shen Yu was handsome and upright, charming and elegant, from a good family, loyal and righteous, and also skilled in martial arts. It was only natural that Yun Xiangrong liked him.

But... did she truly intend to bring up this matter to Shen Yu? How could she even begin to speak of it?

Logically, as the Lady of the Marquis of Lixin, she naturally wished for harmony and prosperity throughout the Yun household, especially after the series of disasters that had struck the second, third, and fourth branches—some had died, others had left. The Yun estate had grown considerably quieter. If this could be an opportunity to reconcile with the second branch and suppress the resentment in Hua Wuying’s heart, it would be most beneficial.

Yet, Yun Xiangrong liked Shen Yu... and in Chuxiu’s heart, she was truly unwilling to force him, let alone use him as a means to secure the future peace of the Yun family.

Putting aside their identities and statuses, Chuxiu felt she already owed Shen Yu too much: his life-saving grace, his deep affection, his selfless letting go, his current stay in Fangzhou... Shen Yu had even been instrumental in bringing her and Yun Ci together.

For a man like him, whom she was deeply indebted to and could never repay in this lifetime, how could she possibly ask him to marry another woman? Chuxiu felt an unbearable struggle and torment within her heart.

Fortunately, it was the end of March again, the time when the managers of Yun’s businesses across regions and industries would come to report their accounts, which somewhat diverted the household’s attention. However, this year, fewer managers arrived than in previous years—the managers from Beixi did not come.

Of course! Yun’s business in Beixi had been terminated, and each branch was now managing its own affairs independently, so those managers naturally had no reason to come.

“It’s usually bustling every year, but fewer people this time makes it feel somewhat unfamiliar,” the matriarch sighed. “The Yun estate is growing increasingly quiet.”

Chuxiu did not know how to reply and merely acquiesced. The estate was indeed quieter: the second branch’s mother and daughter rarely left their rooms, almost invisible; the third branch had only the thirteen-year-old Yun Muge left; the fourth branch’s Lengboyuan was now vacant... Only Zhiyan Pavilion remained lively, with at least the heir Yun Cheng present.

“This year only the managers from Nanxi have come to report, and the business volume isn’t too large either. Come with me to the council hall to audit the accounts—I want to hear your opinions,” the matriarch said, pulling Chuxiu back from her thoughts at just the right moment. “You’ve been handling the household affairs for quite a while and have reviewed these accounts in the past few days. It’s time to see the world and strengthen your courage.”

“Matriarch...” Chuxiu was greatly surprised.

“Call me ‘Mother’!” The matriarch’s face darkened as she scolded her. “How many times have I told you? Why can’t you remember?”

Chuxiu, feeling ashamed, respectfully called her “Mother,” then gently declined, “As a newly widowed woman, I fear it’s inappropriate for me to appear in public.”

“What’s inappropriate? Do you think the mistress of the Yun family only needs to manage household chores?” The matriarch snorted coldly. “You’re far too petty.”

Was the matriarch not the mistress of the Yun family? Chuxiu was even more astonished. “You mean...?”

The matriarch still held herself aloof but softened her tone. “I’m old. After managing this household for so many years, I’m tired. Now that you’ve come of age, I feel at ease. This time, you’ll come with me to audit the accounts. If you can hold your ground, I will hand over the position of mistress to you.”

“How can that be allowed?” Chuxiu hurriedly refused again.

“Why not? Do you want this old bone of mine to keep working herself to death every day? I’m already one foot in the grave. If I don’t hand over power and suddenly pass away, won’t the Yun family be left without successors?” The matriarch fiddled with the prayer beads on the table and then laughed, “You lack confidence, but I’ve seen you handle things steadily. You dealt with the second and third branches quite well. I have faith in you.”

Was this... encouragement? Chuxiu was somewhat overwhelmed, opening her mouth but unsure what to say.

Seeing this, the matriarch waved her hand, signaling Chuxiu to help her up. “Say no more. Come with me to the council hall. If you don’t want to appear publicly, just sit behind the curtain. I’ll handle everything.”

Chuxiu dared not refuse further and supported the matriarch as they walked toward the council hall.

At this moment, the large council hall was densely filled with people. Chuxiu recalled her first visit when Yun Feng had mistakenly taken the wrong account book, and she had led him to verify it with Danxin. She had stealthily glanced at the hall then and marveled at its immense scale. Now, filled with over a hundred people just from Nanxi’s various industries, it no longer seemed as vast.

Perhaps it was because she had grown wiser and was no longer the refined courtesan of the Drunken Flower Pavilion nor the ignorant maid of Zhiyan Pavilion.

At the steward Yun Zhong’s announcement, “Matriarch and Lady have arrived,” the council hall doors slowly opened, and a rustling sound indicated everyone was adjusting their seats. Chuxiu, supporting the matriarch, walked in with eyes forward, feeling the scene’s solemnity.

“Greetings, Matriarch, greetings, Lady,” came a unified chorus, echoing throughout the hall and causing an involuntary shiver.

The matriarch took her seat at the main dais of the council hall, and at her gesture, Chuxiu sat behind the curtain. Through the thin veil, she could barely see the hundred or so managers gathered—only those from Nanxi for now.

“Everyone, you must be tired from the journey; please be seated,” the matriarch’s voice was calm yet authoritative. The attendees responded with thanks and quietly took their seats.

“I have already reviewed the accounts submitted from various regions. I have praised what deserves praise and criticized what needs criticism. This year is the first time the Lady of the Marquis has come to audit the accounts. You will listen to whatever she says. If anything is improper, I will speak up again.”

The matriarch’s words placed all the pressure on Chuxiu, causing her great distress. But despite her pain, she knew she had to shoulder the burden. She couldn’t remain silent forever.

Clearing her throat, Chuxiu carefully recalled the calculations she and the matriarch had made over the past few days while reviewing the accounts. Naturally soft in nature, she was now forced to grow up, though she was still far from ready to be the mistress of the Yun family. If she spoke too politely, she might be seen as a pushover.

Since she had already issued a stern order regarding Beixi’s business, stirring controversy, she decided to use a stronger approach now—to ensure the managers would not underestimate her.

With this in mind, Chuxiu deliberately lowered her voice and spoke through the curtain: “I have carefully reviewed your accounts under the guidance of the matriarch, but there are a few unclear points I would like to ask you about.”

Though no one responded immediately, the managers breathed a sigh of relief. Some even sneered inwardly, thinking this Lady Chuxiu was an ignorant woman now daring to “inquire” of them.

But their arrogance was short-lived, for they soon witnessed how Chuxiu wielded gentleness to conquer hardness.

“Is the manager of the ‘Xiangyun Timber Company’ present?” Chuxiu asked calmly.

A middle-aged manager of about forty rose and replied, “Wang Xu of Xiangyun Timber Company greets Lady Chuxiu.”

“Manager Wang, I am inexperienced. Under the Marquis’s guidance in previous years, I reviewed the timber business accounts. The past two years barely broke even, but last year incurred losses. Might I ask the reason for this?” Chuxiu inquired.

Wang Xu bowed slightly and responded matter-of-factly, “Last year, due to the war in Beixi, a large portion of our forest was ravaged by fire and destroyed, resulting in heavy losses.”

“Is that so?” Chuxiu retorted softly.

Wang Xu felt a chill at those two light words and shuddered inwardly. “I dare not deceive the Lady.”

“Business relies on management skills. According to Manager Wang, a large forest was lost to war, so timber should be in short supply in the market. If you understood management, you would have raised timber prices in time to cover costs. If priced properly, the losses shouldn’t be so severe.”

Wang Xu was immediately displeased. “Lady, you speak from on high and cannot understand the hardships of operations below.”

“I do not know your hardships, Manager Wang. I only know that Nanxi’s Qian family’s timber business matched Yun’s in previous years, but this year it has surpassed Yun’s by forty percent. Is that due to Qian’s skillful management or your incompetence?” Chuxiu said calmly, though her words made many present sweat nervously.

Before Wang Xu could reply, Chuxiu continued, “Beixi is at war, so why is it that only Yun’s forests were burned, not others’? If others’ forests were burned too, why did Qian’s business rise while ours fell? If only Yun’s forests were burned, can I then conclude that Manager Wang is not only incompetent but also unable to protect Yun’s fundamental assets?”

“Lady!” Wang Xu was rendered speechless by these three consecutive questions, stammering for a long while before pleading, “I lack ability. Please forgive me.”

“Since Manager Wang admits his incompetence, please hand over the timber business,” Chuxiu declared decisively.

Her words surprised not only Wang Xu and the managers present but even the matriarch, who glanced slightly behind at Chuxiu.

As if anticipating this, Chuxiu’s palms sweated, but she clasped her hands firmly before her and kept her voice steady and calm. “I am cold-hearted and do not value personal ties as the matriarch does. Times have changed; Yun’s assets in Beixi have been fully relinquished. Therefore, the business in Nanxi is especially important. In the past, managers were lax, embezzled, and enriched themselves. Yun tolerated this ignorance, but from now on, Yun will no longer support idlers!”

Through the thin curtain, Wang Xu seemed to feel Chuxiu’s gaze upon him, along with her words: “The Xiangyun Timber Company barely broke even before, but every year spent a large sum maintaining staff and shops while filling Manager Wang’s own pockets. Such a costly and unprofitable business Yun no longer desires. Please arrange the handover and clear out all shops within a month, so we may transfer everything to the Qian family.”

“Transfer to the Qian family?” Wang Xu exclaimed anxiously. “Lady! If we hand over our timber business to the Qian family, they will monopolize the industry!”

“Let them monopolize. Isn’t Yun already dominant in rice, silk, and transportation? Business requires harmony and acknowledging defeat. By handing over the timber business, we gain liquidity, and Qian expands. This is a win-win.”

Chuxiu paused to sip tea and moisten her throat. “Trying to dominate everything or suppress competitors only leads to defeat. Many things require patience. One must not be greedy.”

Her final words struck a chord with many managers, who sensed the deeper meaning.

Sure enough, the white-clad figure behind the thin curtain spoke again with a sharp edge, “All of you managers have devoted yourselves to Yun. Yun will not mistreat you. Minor embezzlements here and there can be overlooked, but your private appetites must align with your ability to profit.”

“Given that Manager Wang is advanced in years and considered an elder of Yun, you may resign on your own accord.”

The council hall fell silent.