Right when the entire Wanchuan Pier was abuzz due to the courtesan incident, the Yu Family found itself under a dark cloud of despair.
"Miss, Shengtai Bank has just issued a final ultimatum, demanding that we settle all owed amounts by the morning of the day after tomorrow, or else... they will freeze all assets related to the Yu Family," said a worried accountant.
Yu Yunchan fell silent, and after a moment she asked, "Is there no room for negotiation?"
"None," replied the accountant, his face full of hopelessness.
"Alright, I understand. You may leave now."
"Yes!"
Initially, the accountant planned to say more, but upon seeing the pale expression of Miss Yu, he felt an immense sense of reluctance, so he did not speak further and bowed before leaving.
After he left, Leng Yue, the maid, approached angrily.
"Miss, these people are simply too much. It’s one thing not to lend a hand in times of need, but to kick us when we are down? Remember, the Shengtai Bank used to beg us to take money, and now they suddenly demand all debts be settled. Isn’t this taking advantage of us?"
"Banks are exactly that kind of business, lending umbrellas on sunny days and taking them back on rainy days, it’s something you get used to," Yu Yunchan said faintly.
"But the problem now is, what do we use to clear these debts?" Leng Yue fretted.
Since the Yu Family fell into crisis, many previous business dealings have been severed, coupled with the sudden betrayal of numerous former business partners, the liquidity of the Yu Family is nearly dried up.
Under such circumstances, repaying the debts to Shengtai Bank is almost impossible.
Yet not repaying isn’t an option, because if the assets of the Yu Family are frozen, it will surely trigger a dreadful chain reaction and might even topple this ancient family that’s been passed down for centuries.
"No need to worry, I will think of a way," Yu Yunchan said solemnly.
Leng Yue actually understood that at this moment, Yu Yunchan surely had no solutions; saying this was merely to comfort herself.
Even though she realized this, she couldn’t show it.
The only thing she could do is quietly bring a cup of hot tea and stand by waiting upon Yu Yunchan.
And just as Leng Yue suspected, Yu Yunchan indeed didn’t have any solutions at the moment.
But she remembered the lesson her father taught her.
In the face of challenges, one must remain calm.
Those who achieve great things must possess composure in the face of crisis; only by doing so can one possibly find a glimmer of hope in desperate circumstances.
Therefore, Yu Yunchan strained her mind searching for a breakthrough.
Alas, their opponent this time was really too powerful.
So powerful that they needn’t even show themselves, merely a word has plunged the entire family into an abyss.
Is there really no way out?
Yu Yunchan forced herself to calm down, then flipped through the latest intelligence she had gathered.
This was a habit of the Yu Family, compiling a booklet of minor and major events occurring at Wanchuan Pier every day for the patriarch to read.
Now with the patriarch gone, Yu Yunchan, as the actual controller of the Yu Family, naturally enjoyed this privilege as well.
Since all previous channels were no longer usable, Yu Yunchan could only look outward for opportunities, seeing if there could be a glimmer of hope.
Suddenly.
She halted her hand flipping through the booklet, gazing at its records lost in thought.
Seeing her mistress suddenly pause, Leng Yue, the attending maid, curious about the event, hurried over.
Upon seeing the records in the booklet, Leng Yue’s cheeks flushed red, and she spat lightly.
The booklet contained detailed accounts of Zhao Ya and the happenings with those brothel courtesans, even including public commentary.
The suggestive remarks within were sure to cause quite a shock to a young maid like Leng Yue.
Leng Yue could hardly fathom why her mistress was suddenly fascinated by this matter; such gossip was daily fare at the pier.
Moments later, Yu Yunchan suddenly remarked, "Leng Yue."
"Miss, what’s the matter!"
"Tell the steward to come!"
"Yes!"
Leng Yue followed the orders and soon led the Yu Family’s senior steward inside.
Yu Yunchan pointed to the booklet in her hand, "Are you aware of this matter?"
"I am aware!" The steward immediately nodded.
"Who sent over those brothel courtesans?"
"It was the dispatcher at the pier!"
"And what’s the stance from the Commander-in-Chief?"
"His stance is not clear yet, but not stating a position is a stance in itself."
"Alright, I understand, you may leave now!" Yu Yunchan instructed.
The elderly steward didn’t budge, instead looked at the young lady he had watched grow and could not help but say.
"Miss, if I may speak candidly, though this dignitary possesses quite a remarkable status, even overshadowing Lord Kang of the No-Self No-Form School, Wuyou Longevity Palace is by no means benevolent. Collaborating with them is akin to plotting with a tiger, so I urge you to reconsider."
Beside him, Leng Yue felt a surge of shock, fully realizing Yu Yunchan’s intentions.
She intended to leverage this unexpected visitor from the Wuyou Longevity Palace to salvage the family?
But as the steward said, it’s akin to plotting with a tiger.
Especially when this disciple from the Palace clearly presented himself as a notorious rogue, wasn’t Miss stepping into disaster with her plan?
Making the young maid highly anxious.
Yet Yu Yunchan responded with a smile full of assurance, "Rest assured, I have my discretion, and will not endanger myself. I merely see this as an opportunity to be utilized."
Witnessing this scenario, the old steward secretly shook his head.
Being a seasoned member of the Jianghu, how can he not discern that Yu Yunchan was lying?
However, as servant and master are distinguished, since she had spoken thus, persuading further wasn’t appropriate.
"Since Miss claims discretion, I, your old servant, shall hold my tongue."
Before turning to leave, at that moment, a distressed servant dashed in.
"Miss Yu, outside... outside... "
"What happened outside?"
"A crowd of pier workers have gathered outside, insisting they have urgent business to see Miss Yu."
These words shocked the elder steward instantly.
"This is bad, those workers might be stirring trouble, quickly, send people to disperse them."
"No need."
With that, Yu Yunchan stood up, her eyes gleaming with peculiar brilliance.
"I trust the reputation the Yu Family has amassed over the years avoids those workers kicking us while we’re down."
"I shall go see what business they must discuss with me."
Saying this, Yu Yunchan moved towards the exit. The steward wanted to stop her but was already too late, leaving him with no choice but to summon security guards to accompany her closely.
Yu Yunchan went through the courtyard swiftly to the main entrance.
Sure enough, she saw the ground before the door filled with pier workers.
Upon seeing her presence, the pier workers stirred, and a worker was pushed forward to the front of the steps.
"Excuse me, are you Miss Yu?"