Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

Chapter 1262: Carving Up the Spoils

What a fine situation, she’s directly calling herself Aunt, instantly elevating her status, much better than Fan Yu’s approach.

Young Master Dou said, "Aunt, you overpraise me. As long as the two Brother Fans are willing to learn, I will certainly teach them."

Teach them how to ruin their household and sell family assets cheaply to him.

Fan Yu was anxious upon hearing this. Wasn’t Young Master Dou on his side? Why was he being so polite to Ms. Miao?

"Young Master Dou, the Dou Ou Bank in the Prefecture is doing well. Aren’t you staying to oversee it?" Fan Yu was worried that Young Master Dou would side with Ms. Miao, so he quickly interrupted.

Young Master Dou said, "I would like to stay in the Prefecture, but I haven’t visited the Dou Ou Bank in Bagu County yet. I must go once; otherwise, Master Ouyang will be worried."

He added, "But I’ll be back in the Prefecture soon, and I’ll visit Boss Fan’s family altar when I return."

Ms. Miao saw that Young Master Dou only spoke to Fan Yu, completely ignoring her two sons, so she hurriedly pushed them over. Fan Er, being somewhat chubby, nearly toppled onto Young Master Dou.

Young Master Dou was quite disdainful in his heart, and Dou Meng quickly helped steady Fan Er, saying, "Watch out, Young Master Fan."

Despite his size, Fan Er wasn’t naive. He shoved Dou Meng aside and said to Young Master Dou, "Brother Dou, I often hear my father mention you. He praises you highly, says you’re great at business. Meeting you today is truly an honor."

Judge Tang was unnerved—weren’t you all in mourning for your father? Why aren’t you arranging the funeral but instead flattering Young Master Dou?

Unable to bear it any longer, Judge Tang urged them, "The deceased deserve respect. In life, Boss Fan was a renowned merchant in He’an Prefecture. It’s improper to keep his remains in the government office for long. Hurry up and take Boss Fan’s body home for a proper funeral, so he can rest in peace."

Since Judge Tang had spoken, Ms. Miao and her family couldn’t stay any longer and reluctantly took Boss Fan’s body, crying all the while.

Young Master Dou, unaffected by the chaos, followed them to claim the body, much to Judge Tang’s dismay.

As Ms. Miao’s group carried the coffin out of the government office, Young Master Dou called after them, "My condolences, my condolences."

Judge Tang, witnessing this, briefly wondered if Young Master Dou was insane, but given his status as a wealthy patron whose Dou Ou Bank was needed in the Prefecture, he couldn’t afford to offend him, so he let him be.

After watching the spectacle all morning, Young Master Dou finally went to see Master Ouyang leisurely, saying, "Old man, is everything packed? Can we leave now?"

Master Ouyang almost wanted to strangle him. They had agreed to leave for Tianfu County this morning, but Dou Ke got so excited upon hearing of Boss Fan’s death that he immediately went to watch the commotion.

"What’s the rush? I’m having a pleasant chat with Boss An. It’s not too late to leave after our conversation," said Master Ouyang. Originally, he didn’t want to meet with Boss An and Master Qi, but since Dou Ke went off to see the commotion and delayed their departure, he wanted to teach Dou Ke a lesson, so he met with Boss An.

"Boss An?" Young Master Dou gritted his teeth. How did he forget about that wolf, surnamed An?

Boss An stood up, bowed to Young Master Dou, and said with a smile, "Young Master Dou, we meet again. It must be fate."

"Heh, Boss An, have you been spending too much time with Master Qi and learned his phrasing?" Young Master Dou sarcastically retorted.

Master Qi, standing aside: "..."

What phrasing? I’m a scholar; I always spoke with grace and courtesy!

Yet, Master Qi dared not argue with Young Master Dou. His happiness today came from his two sons getting to meet Master Ouyang.

Boss An chuckled but ignored Young Master Dou and said to Master Ouyang, "Meeting you today is the fortune of a lifetime for this younger man. It’s getting late, so I won’t delay your travels any longer."

He added, "If there’s anything you need help transporting, I’m here to assist."

Young Master Dou: "Ha, when did Boss An become a porter, offering to help move goods? Coincidentally, I have several large boxes. Boss An, could you help move them to the carriage?"

Boss An smiled and said, "Since Young Master Dou asks, of course An will assist."

Saying this, he called outside, and An Family’s servant came in immediately, addressing Young Master Dou, "Young Master Dou, where are your boxes? I’ll help you move them."

The question was asked so sincerely that it infuriated Young Master Dou, who directly questioned, "An, are you also eyeing the Fan Family assets?"

Boss An raised an eyebrow, saying, "Young Master Dou, you truly are bold, fearing nothing and speaking your mind.

Nonetheless, he nodded and said, "Indeed, I have that intention. Boss Fan is gone, and his manner of death is known. Now that he’s dead, the Fan Family is ripe for picking. Anyone with ambition will take a bite."

Ms. Miao is too naïve, thinking the Miao Family can protect the Fan Family assets? Ha, they’ll be devoured.

Young Master Dou was furious at these words, pointing at Boss An and saying, "An, you’re truly unscrupulous! You know I’ve had my eye on the Fan Family for a long time, yet you cut in—have you no shame?!"

Boss An maintained his composure, thinking if he were less poised, he might have laughed out loud: "Young Master Dou lecturing An on shamelessness seems ironic, doesn’t it?"

In terms of shamelessness, who could surpass you?

Hearing this, Young Master Dou wanted to overturn the table out of anger but couldn’t find words to retort since he indeed conducted business rather shamelessly.

Boss An didn’t want to provoke Young Master Dou further. After all, he was indeed outstanding in business and was the son of an Imperial Merchant, with connections to Master Ouyang. Riding the wave of the new bank with Ouyang Hong, he’d made a significant impression on the Emperor. Better to foster good relations.

"Young Master Dou, rest assured. The Fan Family assets are plentiful, too much for An to swallow alone, and you, too, cannot consume them alone. We might as well collaborate, divide the Fan Family assets among us, instead of letting others benefit. What do you say?"

Young Master Dou smiled, that was the proposal he was waiting for: "Deal!"

The Fan Family was like a large, succulent meal, with many eyes watching. Due to the recent attention from the new bank affair, he figured it wise to lay low and not openly assimilate the Fan Family assets.

With Boss An in the forefront, he could remain behind the scenes and devour the Fan Family.

Master Qi was stunned. Were they really so openly discussing dividing the Fan Family assets?

Young Master Dou turned to Master Qi, showing his teeth in a cynical grin, and said, "Master Qi, as a scholar, you should understand the principle that a gentleman keeps his mouth shut."

With a gulp, Master Qi swallowed his fear and said hurriedly, "Understood, understood. Qi will not speak carelessly. Rest assured, Young Master Dou."

"Let’s go; stop bullying people here," Master Ouyang said, looking exasperated. He glared at Dou Ke and left the room with Gu Jin’an.