Cuiliu was filled with indignation. When it came down to it, this entire affair had been orchestrated by the steward in league with Jiang Yuan: using the pretext of medical treatment, they had substituted inferior medicinal herbs while reporting them at inflated prices to reap exorbitant profits.
For the past two years, the Old Madame had placed immense trust in the steward, and Jiang Yuan had been the steward’s own recommendation to the estate. To expose the matter directly would not only risk alerting them prematurely but would more likely drive these people to destroy the evidence in a panic. However, by using the pretext of the stolen dowry and setting a three-day deadline, the Marquis would be forced to weigh the consequences, even if he wished to shield them.
It had to be said that the Marchioness’s strategy was truly brilliant. Once the issue with Jiang Yuan came to light, the steward would inevitably trip himself up.
Chapter 19