Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1248: Son of a Prostitute

Excessive? Who dares to call it excessive?!

A wave of anger rippled through the crowd, yet the explicit threat from Ouyang Hu instilled enough fear to prevent any of them from daring to establish a new bank to challenge the farmers.

"You all come from esteemed families, blessed with wealth and diverse enterprises. There is absolutely no need to tarnish your family's reputation with this particular trade. You must understand, this business is fraught with peril, and a single misstep could result in the execution of your entire lineage." Master Ouyang began by illuminating the inherent dangers before softening his demeanor.

"Execution of the entire family? Old Ouyang, cease your fear-mongering!" Shen Si retorted, his voice laced with indignation. He was acutely aware that if this venture succeeded, their branch of the family would be set for generations, basking in wealth.

As an illegitimate son born into a Marquis Mansion, the inheritance he received was meager. This opportunity represented his sole chance for a dramatic ascent in status; he refused to relinquish it.

"Fear-mongering? Do you truly believe that pilfering silver and businesses directly from the Emperor would not lead to the execution of your entire family?" Master Ouyang scoffed, gesturing towards the others present. "Do you all share his sentiment? If so, by all means, feel free to establish a new bank collectively and conduct this business according to your own rules. Just remember, your surname is not Shen, nor are you part of the imperial lineage; the Emperor would not hesitate to eliminate you."

As anticipated, a profound silence descended upon everyone in attendance.

They were all well-acquainted with the Emperor's notoriously ruthless temperament, a man who would not shy away from executing his own sons. His insatiable appetite for riches was legendary; he had already confiscated the assets of numerous nobles and families to bolster the treasury. How could they not harbor a deep-seated fear?

Observing their continued silence, Master Ouyang turned his gaze to Shen Si, inquiring, "If you are genuinely unafraid, then proceed with establishing a bank and undertaking this business independently. The Rong'en Marquis Mansion is intrinsically linked to the royal family, and with the prosperous Chushen Pharmacy under its wing, launching a bank should present no significant hurdles."

Upon hearing this, Shen Si seethed inwardly but dared not proclaim his fearlessness of the Emperor or his intent to vie for wealth and business.

Master Ouyang continued, "As detailed in the correspondence, both Young Master Dou and I are capable of this endeavor because we never established Dou Ou Bank with the primary goal of profit. Presenting the bank to the Emperor poses no detriment to us, so long as it prevents you from exploiting such institutions for personal gain."

Damn it all!

A collective internal curse echoed through the assembled individuals.

Disregarding their darkening expressions, Master Ouyang directed his attention to Master Qi, stating, "Continue the reading."

Master Qi stammered, "Continue reading?"

The initial letter had already left them utterly stunned. Could there possibly be a need for a second one? Would he perhaps be spared from this unfolding drama?

Master Ouyang offered a resolute nod. "Indeed, proceed. They need to understand that not all noble houses, high-ranking officials, and esteemed individuals stand in solidarity with them."

With no alternative, Master Qi resumed reading the letter.

The letter addressed to Master Ouyang from Old Master Ming, an old acquaintance, initially delved into trivial matters and fond reminiscences. However, it concluded with a pivotal sentence: "Regarding your inquiry, Brother Cong has given his assent. When the Emperor initiates action against those individuals, Brother Cong will undoubtedly spare no effort in the investigation, leaving no room for leniency."

This solitary sentence drained the color from the faces of everyone present, replacing it with palpable fear.

Ming Cong, the alias for Junior Minister Ming. Who, precisely, was Junior Minister Ming? He was a figure of terrifying reputation, known to manufacture pretexts for confiscating family property and ordering beheadings even in the absence of a genuine crime – a formidable weapon wielded by the Emperor.

At this very moment, Junior Minister Ming was engrossed in investigating the Tong Family's illicit operations involving the production of iron implements from privately owned mines in Linhe Prefecture. The case had already resulted in numerous fatalities. What if his attention, and his executioner's blade, were to turn towards them?

"Master Ouyang, you must have misunderstood. We harbor no intention of competing with the Emperor for wealth and business. Our sole aim in investing in Dou Ou Bank was to support the farmers; it was never about personal profit." Old Master Shi was the first to break the silence, his plea born from a desperate realization that this was no longer a game the Shi family could afford to play; he was utterly finished with it.

Master Ouyang offered a placid smile. "I am relieved to hear it was merely a misunderstanding. In that case, does the Shi family still harbor an interest in investing in the bank or establishing a new one?"

Such a question made Old Master Shi wish he could simply vanish on the spot.

His gaze flickered towards Gu Jinli... The Gu Family, indeed, was the bane of his own family's existence. His second son, harboring a profound disdain for the Gu Family, had tasked his disciple, Miao Qianwen, with bribing Lv Bai in an attempt to ensnare Gu Jin'an. Not only did the scheme fall apart, but his son's apprentice ended up permanently paralyzed by pufferfish poison.

Now, he had merely sought to amass some funds for the family, only to find himself thwarted yet again. It seemed impossible.

It appeared imperative that he instruct his family members to steer clear of the Gu Family henceforth, if only to shield themselves from impending misfortune.

Noticing Old Master Shi's silence, Master Ouyang did not press the matter further. He simply remarked, "There are certain profits in this world that are simply not worth pursuing, gentlemen. It is far wiser to preserve your lives and seek your fortunes elsewhere."

After his words concluded, two more letters were produced and presented to Shen Si.

Shen Si, his heart filled with immense rage, demanded, "What other letters are there? Just how many have you been keeping hidden?"

When would these correspondence ever cease?

Master Ouyang then stated, "I am aware that individuals from the Ying Family and the Zongzheng Family are present. Please deliver these missives to them. Whether they choose to heed them is entirely their decision; I have conveyed my complete message."

After all, with his pronouncements now publicly known, no one would dare to act as their scapegoat. Should the Ying Family and the Zongzheng Family harbor intentions of exploiting the agricultural sector, they would be compelled to do so under their own banners and with their own resources.

Shen Si hesitated to accept them, yet he dared not refuse. He snatched the letters with fury, casting a cold, biting smile towards Magistrate Gu, stating, "Lord Gu, what a masterful strategy; I shall certainly remember it!"

He realized that by inviting Old Ouyang to this place, they had been utterly defeated.

Magistrate Gu, feigning utter innocence, replied with a mournful tone, "Elder Si, this prefecture acted strictly according to your directives, without any deviation or additional measures."

Shen Si let out a heavy snort, bypassing Magistrate Gu entirely, and turned his gaze toward Young Master Dou. "Dou Ke, do not presume that merely by currying favor with the Ouyang Family, you can rest easy. You shall never ascend to the position of Dou Family Master in this lifetime!"

Having effectively severed his access to funds, Shen Si plotted to report to his father, intending for Dou Er and Dou San to forcibly seize control of the Dou Family from Dou Ke, leaving him destitute and expelled from the clan.

"Shen Si, merely being addressed as Elder Si, do you truly believe yourself to be a patriarch?" Young Master Dou, now emboldened by Master Ouyang's successful suppression of the opposing faction, fearlessly retorted. He pointed a finger directly at Shen Si, unleashing a barrage of insults, "How can the legitimate son of a Primary Wife not inherit the Dou Family? Will the responsibility fall to you illegitimate offspring? Do you genuinely believe the Great Chu Criminal Law would sanction such an outcome?"

"You, a mere bastard whose birth mother was nothing more than a slave, not even a recognized concubine, what reason do you have to feel proud? Oh, I seem to recall, your mother was later relegated to the status of a slave; she began her life as a prostitute, intimate with thousands!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, it is hardly surprising that you are favored, it appears you have inherited some truly extraordinary talents from your mother, learned during her time in the brothel."

Elder Shen was so utterly devastated by these verbal assaults that he nearly collapsed on the spot, stammering as he pointed at Young Master Dou, "You, you, you are fabricating falsehoods!"

The unfortunate truth of his biological mother's origins from a brothel had always been a profound source of shame, a stain he found impossible to erase. Fortunately, the Shen Family held a high standing, and he himself was favored, which had served to discourage any from daring to mention it to his face for many years.

Yet, to his utter astonishment, this Dou fellow had the audacity to humiliate him so openly!

Young Master Dou continued, "Nonsense! Your maternal relatives at Feixian Tower still maintain their presence in the Capital, and yet you lack the courage to acknowledge them? Go on, bring forth flames and burn down Feixian Tower if you possess such bravery."

Currently, Feixian Tower operates as a commercial enterprise under the ownership of the Emperor's own sister, the esteemed Eldest Princess Songyang.