Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1262: Carving Up the Spoils

What a clever move, addressing herself as 'Aunt' immediately elevates her standing, far surpassing Fan Yu's previous tactic.

Young Master Dou responded, "Aunt, you are too kind. If the two Brother Fans are willing to learn, I will gladly impart my knowledge."

Imparting knowledge on how to squander their family fortune and sell off assets at a pittance to him, no doubt.

Fan Yu grew uneasy upon hearing this. Was Young Master Dou not on his side? Why was he showing such courtesy to Ms. Miao?

"Young Master Dou, the Dou Ou Bank in the Prefecture is thriving. Are you not staying to manage it?" Fan Yu, fearing Young Master Dou would side with Ms. Miao, quickly interjected.

Young Master Dou replied, "While I wish to remain in the Prefecture, I haven't yet visited the Dou Ou Bank in Bagu County. I must make a trip there; otherwise, Master Ouyang might worry."

He added, "But I shall return to the Prefecture shortly, and I will pay a visit to Boss Fan's ancestral shrine when I do."

Ms. Miao noted that Young Master Dou was addressing only Fan Yu, completely disregarding her two sons. She promptly nudged them forward. Fan Er, being rather stout, almost stumbled into Young Master Dou.

Young Master Dou felt a wave of disdain internally. Dou Meng quickly offered a hand to steady Fan Er, saying, "Be careful, Young Master Fan."

Despite his build, Fan Er was not unintelligent. He pushed Dou Meng aside and addressed Young Master Dou directly, "Brother Dou, my father often speaks of you. He holds you in high regard, praising your business acumen. It is a true honor to meet you today."

Judge Tang was taken aback. Were they not in mourning for their father? Why were they busy flattering Young Master Dou instead of arranging the funeral rites?

Unable to bear it any longer, Judge Tang urged them, "The deceased deserve solemn respect. In life, Boss Fan was a distinguished merchant of He'an Prefecture. It is improper to keep his remains at the government office for an extended period. Please, hurry and take Boss Fan's body home for a proper burial, so he may find his eternal rest."

With Judge Tang's word, Ms. Miao and her party could no longer linger. They reluctantly carried Boss Fan's body away, their cries filling the air.

Young Master Dou, unfazed by the dramatic scene, followed them as they prepared to claim the body, much to Judge Tang's private consternation.

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

Witnessing this, Judge Tang briefly pondered if Young Master Dou had taken leave of his senses. However, considering his status as a wealthy benefactor whose Dou Ou Bank was vital to the Prefecture, offending him was out of the question, so he chose to let it pass.

After observing the morning's events, Young Master Dou leisurely proceeded to meet Master Ouyang, inquiring, "Old man, have you finished packing? Can we depart now?"

Master Ouyang felt a surge of frustration, nearly wanting to throttle him. They had planned to leave for Tianfu County that very morning, but Dou Ke, upon hearing of Boss Fan's demise, had become enraptured by the spectacle and rushed off to witness the commotion.

"Why the hurry? I am engaged in a pleasant conversation with Boss An. It is not too late to leave after we conclude our discussion," Master Ouyang stated. Initially, he had no intention of meeting with Boss An and Master Qi, but with Dou Ke having absconded to watch the unfolding drama and delaying their departure, he decided to teach Dou Ke a lesson by engaging with Boss An.

"Boss An?" Young Master Dou's teeth clenched. How could he have forgotten that fox, the one with the surname An?

Boss An rose, offered a bow 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, picking up his manner of speech?" Young Master Dou retorted sarcastically.

Master Qi, standing nearby, was speechless.

What phrasing? I am a scholar; my words have always been delivered with grace and refinement!

Yet, Master Qi did not dare to argue with Young Master Dou. His current joy stemmed from his two sons having the opportunity to meet Master Ouyang.

Boss An chuckled but paid Young Master Dou no mind, turning to address Master Ouyang instead. "Meeting you today is the greatest fortune of this junior's life. As it is getting late, I shall not detain your journey any further."

He then added, "Should you require any assistance with transporting your belongings, I am at your service."

Young Master Dou scoffed, "Ha, since when did Boss An become a porter, offering to help move goods? Coincidentally, I have several large crates. Boss An, would you be so kind as to help move them to the carriage?"

Boss An smiled and replied, "Since Young Master Dou requests it, naturally, An will assist."

With that, he called out, and a servant from the An family promptly entered, addressing Young Master Dou, "Young Master Dou, where are your crates? I shall help you move them."

The question was posed with such genuine sincerity that it instantly incensed Young Master Dou, who directly confronted him, "An, are you also coveting the Fan family's assets?"

Boss An lifted a brow, remarking, "Young Master Dou, your audacity is truly remarkable, fearing neither heaven nor earth, speaking whatever comes to mind.

Nevertheless, a nod was given, with the proclamation, "Indeed, that is my intention. Boss Fan has met his end, and the circumstances are widely known. With his demise, the Fan Family presents a feast for the taking; any with ambition will surely partake."

Ms. Miao's naivety is astounding, believing her Miao Family can safeguard the Fan Family's holdings? Hah, they will be utterly consumed.

At these pronouncements, Young Master Dou's fury ignited. Pointing a finger at Boss An, he thundered, "An, your unscrupulous nature knows no bounds! You are aware I've long coveted the Fan Family's wealth, yet you brazenly interfere—have you no sense of shame?!"

Boss An maintained his cool demeanor, inwardly contemplating that any less composure might have led to outright laughter: "Young Master Dou lecturing me on shamelessness strikes me as rather ironic, wouldn't you agree?"

In the realm of the shameless, who could possibly eclipse you?

Incensed by this retort, Young Master Dou yearned to overturn the table but found himself speechless, for his own business dealings were undeniably conducted with a similar lack of scruple.

Boss An harbored no desire to further provoke Young Master Dou. After all, his business acumen was undeniable, being the son of an Imperial Merchant with ties to Master Ouyang. Riding the coattails of the new bank venture alongside Ouyang Hong, he had already made a significant impression on His Majesty. Establishing a good rapport seemed prudent.

"Young Master Dou, please set your mind at ease. The Fan Family's assets are vast, far exceeding what An can digest alone, and similarly, you cannot consume them single-handedly. Why not join forces? We could divide the Fan Family's spoils between ourselves, preventing any outsiders from reaping the benefits. What say you?"

A smile graced Young Master Dou's lips; this was precisely the proposal he had been anticipating: "Agreed!"

The Fan Family, like a grand, succulent banquet, drew the gaze of many. Given the recent attention procured from the new bank's establishment, it seemed judicious to maintain a low profile, avoiding overt assimilation of the Fan Family's considerable wealth.

With Boss An as the visible front, he could operate from the shadows, systematically devouring the Fan Family's inheritance.

Master Qi stood aghast. Were they truly discussing the division of the Fan Family's assets so openly?

Young Master Dou turned his attention to Master Qi, baring his teeth in a sardonic grin, and stated, "Master Qi, as a scholar, you must surely comprehend the principle that a virtuous man holds his tongue."

With a noticeable gulp, Master Qi suppressed his apprehension and hastily responded, "Understood, understood. Qi shall refrain from careless words. Rest assured, Young Master Dou."

"Let us depart; there is no need for further intimidation here," Master Ouyang declared, a look of exasperation clouding his features. Casting a pointed glare at Dou Ke, he exited the chamber, accompanied by Gu Jin'an.