Chapter 438: Chapter 439: Too Much Change. Chapter 438: Chapter 439: Too Much Change. In the alley, Shen Zifang had been waiting for a long ti and bowed as soon as he saw Qi Yue.
“Master.”
Qi Yue shook her folding fan and gave Qingzhu a aningful glance.
“No need for formalities, let’s talk sowhere else.”
“Yes.”
Qingzhu quickly arranged a quiet inn room nearby and set people to watch around, while she herself stood guard outside for safety.
In the room, without waiting for Qi Yue to ask, Shen Zikuang began to report the information he had gathered.
“Master, looking solely at business, the Liu Family seems to have no issues. However, there is one very strange phenonon.”
“What phenonon?”
“The Liu Family’s businesses encompass three main categories: grain, cloth, and dicine. These should all be highly profitable sectors, but based on my judgnt of the accounts, they only make a minimal profit. It seems there’s sothing hidden behind this.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Yue gripped her fan, “You an soone is siphoning off the profits?!”
“Hard to say, but it feels a bit odd. The thods of the people involved are indeed exquisite, making it difficult for to see through.”
Shen Zikuang paused, his face full of deep apology.
“Master, it’s my incompetence. To this day I have not uncovered the reason behind the massive accumulation of wealth by the Nanyue Court.”
Qi Yue waved her hand, unconcerned.
“Don’t worry. Spying on such secrets is not your forte; I oversimplified the issue and thought too much of it.”
After a mont of silence, she continued, “You need not worry about this matter anymore, just focus on the partnership for the finished dicine.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Also, you were present today; you know about the matter with the Liu Family, right?!”
“Master, are you referring to the fact that you are the Liu Family’s nephew?”
“Yes,” Qi Yue nodded and briefly explained the situation.
“Now, only Liu Zhinan from the Liu Family knows my true identity. During your partnership negotiations with Liu Zhiqing, do you know what to do?”
Shen Zikuang’s eyes flickered, then he respectfully replied.
“I understand, I will not disappoint you, Master.”
“Good.”
The two talked a while longer about business matters, and Qi Yue then noticed that Shen Zikuang had been standing respectfully at her side, his deanor more that of a subordinate than the chief steward of Qi’s Pharmaceutical Business.
His cautious manner was even more pronounced than Zhao Chong’s and Zhao Tai’s when they t her.
Qi Yue couldn’t help wishing to lighten the mood.
“Mr. Shen, why do I feel sothing off about you this ti? Being so cautious, I almost suspect you’ve done sothing to wrong ?”
Her words were casual, but who knew Shen Zikuang would suddenly kneel with a thud.
“Master, please don’t say that; how dare I!”
This kneeling indeed startled Qi Yue.
She still rembered how Shen Zikuang had traveled a great distance to Longnan County Governnt years ago to propose a partnership with her to produce proprietary dicines.
At that ti, Shen Zikuang was the largest dicinal herb rchant in Beiyuan, a very prominent figure known as Young Master Shen.
Their partnership was also founded on a basis of equality and mutual benefit.
But after many events, Shen Zikuang ended up as a minor shareholder of Qi’s Pharmaceuticals.
Since Qi’s Pharmaceuticals in Dongjiang had prospered, Shen Zikuang also received millions of taels of silver in dividends each year.
While the share was small, he was still one of the boss.
Outside, he was the renowned head steward of Qi’s Pharmaceuticals, respected wherever he went.
To keep him engaged, Qi Yue even granted him the privilege of using the Black Feather Guard’s hot air balloons for sending ssages.
In the past whenever they t, Shen Zikuang was respectful, but since he was older, he sotis joked around like a big brother.
But this ti, the change was significant.
It had only been a few days?
Watching Shen Zikuang kneeling before her, Qi Yue silently pondered.
Sothing must have happened in the days after they last parted in Jimo City.
Could it be that after Shen Zikuang arrived in Nanyue, he made contact with so other people and betrayed her?
Several nas quickly flashed through her mind:
Shen Gong, the Emperor of Nanyue, or even Liu Zhinan?
After all, she still didn’t know why the Liu Family wanted to so publicly acknowledge her as their niece!
She silently pursed her lips, having made a decision in her heart.
“You tell , no matter what you did, I promise not to pursue it, as long as you handle the matter well.”
No matter what, Shen Zikuang was soone she had supported from the start; even if he made mistakes, he deserved far more opportunities than others.
She had even decided that if it were a matter of money, she would act as if nothing had happened.
After all, money was a good thing, and Shen Zikuang had been diligent and devoted over the years; it was normal for him to have extra thoughts.
“Master, you mustn’t think too much, I really didn’t do anything!”
This ti, Shen Zikuang actually looked up at her, seemingly mustering the courage to be bold.
Seeing his sincere expression and clear eyes, which didn’t seem to be those of soone who had done wrong, Qi Yue felt even more puzzled.
“Then why are you so nervous? It’s as if I’m going to eat you.” Qi Yue pointed at Shen Zikuang with her fan, gesturing for him to stand up and talk.
Shen Zikuang slowly stood up, but he did not sit opposite her as he used to, instead continuing to stand by her side.
Qi Yue narrowed her eyes and poured a cup of tea, pushing it to the position opposite her.
“Brother Shen, co here and sit, try this tea.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Zikuang waved his hands like a startled rabbit.
“I dare not, I dare not, it’s better to call the steward.”
Qi Yue snorted coldly, putting down the cup she was holding heavily on the table.
“When I tell you to co over and drink tea, just co over, why all this fuss?”
“Yes, master.”
Shen Zikuang finally moved over, holding the teacup nervously. Before drinking, he even glanced at her, as if observing her mood.
His expression clearly showed fear, respect, and even a bit of fright.
Now Qi Yue was even more baffled.
She hadn’t done anything in the few days since leaving Jimo City!
The only thing worth ntioning was that Liu Zhinan unexpectedly wanted to be her uncle.
But they had already talked about that, and Shen Zikuang hadn’t shown any reaction then.
Beyond that, Qi Yue really couldn’t understand what could make Shen Zikuang suddenly look at her as if he were seeing a flood or beast.
Just as she was thinking, Shen Zikuang suddenly spoke up.
“Master, there is sothing I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Go ahead.”
“It’s like this, I often think back to the past years, and if it weren’t for you, master, saving and giving opportunities, I, Shen Zikuang, would have been reduced to nothing by now. You are like a second parent to , and I truly could never repay your kindness fully…”
Qi Yue found this speech all too familiar, having heard it from quite a few people already, and she quickly interrupted him.
“Stop, stop, stop, can you get to the point and just say what you want to do…”
Before she could finish, Shen Zikuang unexpectedly flipped his robe and knelt down.
“Please, master, take back the 20% dividend of Qi’s Pharmaceutical that Shen Zikuang holds.”
“What?” Qi Yue almost laughed out loud.
She thought Shen Zikuang was complaining about receiving too little, but it turned out he didn’t want the money?!
“What do you an? Is the steward planning to leave Qi’s Pharmaceutical?”
Shen Zikuang once again prostrated himself.
“For the imnse favor of the master, Shen Zikuang wishes to repay it with my life.”
Qi Yue twitched the corners of her lips.
“Stand up and talk.”
Shen Zikuang shuffled a bit but did not move, and his head remained bowed, as if to say, unless you agree to take back the dividend, I won’t stand up.
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