Chapter 12: Teasing Shen Hong (Part 3)
Shen Cui was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but pout. It really wasn't something to be proud of—all because Ji Cheng's background was too lowly.
Seeing Shen Cui's expression, Ji Lan became furious: "What's with that look? Are you also looking down on your mother's humble origins?"
Shen Cui cried out, "Mother, what's wrong with you? Every time you mention Uncle's family yourself, don't you also..." Her face showed clear disdain. But Shen Cui caught herself this time; seeing Ji Lan's darkening expression, she swallowed the rest of her words.
Ji Lan seethed with self-directed anger. She'd never imagined her constant complaints would make her own daughter disdain both her and their family roots. The truth was simple—Ji Lan permitted herself to scorn her family and brother, but tolerated no criticism from others. This wasn't about affection, but about maintaining face before outsiders.
"That's your uncle's household. Your mother grew up there. Without me, you wouldn't exist! If you despise them, you shouldn't have been born to me!" Ji Lan's voice turned shrill.
Having rarely faced such maternal fury, Shen Cui protested, "Mother, what's gotten into you? Are you taking Ji Cheng's side now? Do you think she surpasses me in every way?"
"Since when did I say you're inferior?" Ji Lan massaged her temples. "From head to toe, you outshine her! I'm telling you to use your brain! Ji Cheng is your cousin—that fact won't change. Privately, treat her as you like. But publicly disparaging her? That's insulting yourself and me! Do you think such behavior earns respect?" Her voice rose sharply: "They'll despise you more! To others, she's family. If even you scorn your own blood, why should others value you?"
The logic pierced Shen Cui's stubbornness. Though reluctant to apologize, her mother's praise soothed her pride. After prolonged fidgeting, she mumbled, "I was wrong, Mother."
Ji Lan stroked her daughter's hair with a sigh. "A'Cui, don't estrange your cousin. You may need each other's support someday."
Shen Cui hummed noncommittally, privately certain she'd be the one propping up Ji Cheng. What prestige could Ji Cheng gain anyway? Without the Shen family's charity, she'd rot in that backwater Jin Province forever.
Mother and daughter shared this unspoken agreement—both viewing Ji Cheng as their indebted servant who should endure abuse gratefully. Yet Ji Lan's sophistication outshone her daughter's rashness. She manipulated Ji Cheng with alternating discipline and rewards, maintaining perfect control. Fearing Shen Cui's bluntness might sever useful ties, Ji Lan advised: "Should your cousin marry into the capital's elite, her fortunes could shift—never underestimate the less fortunate. Moreover, your father and I lack business acumen. Though we hold many shops from your uncle, we still rely on their family's management for your future dowry."
"I understand," Shen Cui answered dismissively.
Ji Lan spoke truth. Despite controlling numerous shops from her brother, she depended entirely on Ji family stewards for operations, merely collecting substantial annual dividends. Unbeknownst to her, most establishments now answered to Ji Cheng.
The Ji family's hopes rested on eldest son Ji Yuan, who buried himself in scholarly pursuits. Second son Ji Ze's hotheadedness made him unfit for business. With younger siblings still immature, Father Ji Qing reluctantly entrusted management to his daughter.
Ji Qing often lamented, "If only Cheng'er were born male! With Yuan pursuing officialdom and Cheng managing commerce, our family would flourish!"
The next day brought a school recess. After securing Ji Lan's permission, Ji Cheng returned to the Ji family's Beijing residence—a spacious three-courtyard compound purchased for Ji Yuan's potential capital career, alternatively intended as Ji Cheng's future dowry. Now it served as her business headquarters where regional managers reported.
As Ji Qing's health declined, thirteen-year-old Ji Cheng had assumed control. Her razor-sharp scrutiny exposed falsified accounts instantly. Though ruthless, she rewarded competence generously—earning both fear and loyalty from subordinates.
That morning, reviewing ledgers from Ji Lan's twenty-odd shops, Ji Cheng addressed Manager Mei: "With increasing Western Region trade, I'm sending you to establish our presence beyond Dunhuang and Zhangye—to Kucha, Kashgar, Tokhara, even India. Monitor Turkic tribes for potential partnerships too. Our southern expansion falters—the northwestern route must dominate, lest competitors control our fate."
Mei Changhe blinked in surprise. "What of my six shops here? How to explain this to Madam Ji?"
"Aunt's long distrusted our management. Haven't you trained replacements?"
"They're not fully prepared!"
"How will we know unless tested?" Ji Cheng smiled faintly, secretly hoping for their failure. With wealth and powerful connections, Ji Lan's arrogance needed checking—this would remind her the Ji family weren't servile underlings.
Though grateful for past favors, Ji Cheng refused to be Ji Lan's puppet. She recognized her aunt's dual motives—to exploit her usefulness while demanding submission—but years of leadership had forged an unyielding spirit.
Understanding the implicit order, Mei Changhe nodded. "Understood, Mistress. But westward expansion requires more hands."
"I'll assign assistants." Ji Cheng promptly listed stewards managing Ji Lan's shops.
"However, we can't abandon Madam Ji abruptly. Spend two months showcasing your replacements' capabilities—she'll release you willingly then."
Observing Ji Cheng's subtle smile, Mei Changhe bowed. "Naturally." All grasped the plan—gilding incompetent successors' appearances to secure approval.
"Don't mention western expansion. Invent excuses to avoid future resentment. The shops are hers—our prolonged management chafes her pride."
"Rest assured, Mistress. We know what to say."
Between the wise, some truths needn't be spoken.
(End of Chapter)
