Inside a grand mansions flower hall in the southeast corner of Hangzhou City.

  Several elderly men in brocade robes sat around, looking anxious and uneasy. The servants entered one after another, pouring tea, serving snacks, without any sign of slowness, but the atmosphere in the hall was quite tense, with everyone holding their breath waiting.

  Liu Jian, who sat at the bottom, had just been promoted to the head of Qingfeng shop a month ago and was still following other shopkeepers to the government office for the first time today. At this moment, it was his turn to audit the accounts of the shops under his jurisdiction, which was called "crossing the hall" in business terms.

  "Mr. Liu, are you personally in charge of the accounts for your shop?" The womans voice came from the desk in the center of the flower hall, soft and gentle at first, but instantly made Mr. Lius heart tighten up.

  Liu Jian dared not be careless and hastily stood up to reply: "Exactly!"

  "Excellent. Then tell me, why did your stores revenue increase by 40% and expenses increase by 20% this month compared to last month?" The womans voice was calm and clear, but it was impossible to discern her emotions from it.

  Liu Zhanggui, who was in charge of the Qingfeng shop, was located in Shili Town, ten miles west of Hangzhou City. It was also the only ready-to-wear store in the town. He had been following the old master since he was an apprentice, doing low-key and humble work, and finally became the new master of the store after the old master retired to the countryside with a letter of recommendation. As a result, there were more comings and goings among his peers and neighbors, and the stores accounts were temporarily managed by Lao Er. He himself was also familiar with some large numbers in the days before the handover, ready for inspection. He did this because he had his own small cleverness. The scale of Qingfeng shop in Shili Town was small, incomparable to the big branches in the city. So he thought that the master would not ask specifically. But todays luck was just so bad!

  "That... although its still midsummer, we should be prepared for the future, so weve stocked up on some autumn fabrics this month, thinking that we can respond in advance." Liu Jian felt that his reason was quite sufficient, and it made sense to stock up in advance. He looked up at the little girl sitting at the desk, braiding her hair, with a small stature and feet that barely touched the ground. He couldnt help but wonder why they had switched to the older sister today.

  Qin Miao heard Liu Jians reply, and the corner of her mouth twitched with a sneer. The bosses of various families saw this scene, and their hearts cooled down a few degrees, it seemed that the young lady was not in a good mood today.

  "Liu Jian, youve been making mistakes all month. Next time, think carefully before answering me!" Qin Miao slammed the account book shut with a loud "slap", causing the surface of Huang Lis desk to vibrate, and then said in a low voice: "Take it away!"

  Ive heard that the young lady has a photographic memory and is ruthless in her methods. Today, I witnessed it firsthand, and indeed, she lives up to her reputation. Liu Jian trembled slightly as he walked forward to retrieve his familys account book, then sat back down with a dejected look on his face.

  After a morning of lectures, Qin Miaozhen was somewhat tired. She stood up and walked around the bookcase that was several times bigger than her, standing in the center. Judging by their age, these shopkeepers could all be her fathers, and some could even pass as her grandfathers. But in front of Qin Miao, these shopkeepers were all very honest and didnt dare to be presumptuous.

  "Everyone, Im reiterating this once again. Old Master Qin said it before: Be prepared for danger in times of peace! Dont let a moments pride blind you, and get your spirits up!" As soon as these words were spoken, they were clearly directed at Liu Jian. Sure enough, the newly appointed Liu boss had already buried his head in shame, a man in his thirties being lectured by a fourteen-year-old girl until his ears turned bright red.

  "Alright, thats all for today. Disperse!" Qin Miao casually waved her hand and led the four maids and four young servants back to the inner residence with a flourish. The shopkeepers respectfully saw off the group as they left the flower hall, and only then did they start criticizing Liu Zhuang, each one regretting that he had not lived up to their expectations.

  ----------------------

  "Ah Nuan!"

  "Eldest Sister-in-law!" Qin Miao had just entered the Flower Petal Gate when she saw her pregnant sister-in-law, Cui Feng, walking towards her from a small path among the flowers. She happily took two more steps forward and grasped her sister-in-laws hand.

  "Eldest sister, todays matters are really many, and Anuan is exhausted." Qin Miao changed from the severe and powerful tone she had in the flower hall earlier, pouting her mouth to complain to her only older sister.

  Cui Feng smiled and poked Qin Miaos head with her finger.

  "You! Always thinking of ways to be lazy, wait till you get married and see how youll still be able to be lazy?" Cui Feng was a typical Jiangnan woman, gentle and lovely. This year she just turned seventeen, two years ago she married Qin Miaos only older brother Qin Yu. The couple were deeply in love, with a pregnancy of four months now."

  Qin Miao was after all a young girl who had just reached adulthood, and being mentioned by her sister-in-law in this way, how could she not feel embarrassed.

  "Sister-in-laws mouth is just not a gate, she can say anything."

  The two of them walked into the hall with a strong wind, and bowed to the elderly lady sitting at the top. "Greetings, elder!"

  Old Lady Qin took one look and saw that it was her daughter-in-law and granddaughter who had arrived, and she busied herself asking them to take a seat: "Good fortune, good fortune! Fenger, youre pregnant now, dont stand around. Sit down, sit down..."

  "Ancestors, youre being biased. My son has been socializing with the shopkeepers for half a day today and his throat is parched, yet you dont see him getting any sympathy." Just as he said that, Qin Miao started to pretend to be heartbroken, and it really was pitiful to behold.

  Madam Qin was used to her improper behavior and cooperated with a snort: "Hey, you little heartless one." She pointed at the swallows nest soup on the table, looking like an innocent victim: "I had prepared it with eager expectation, but someone, who got the benefit and loved to show off, humph..."

  The maids in the hall took a glance. It seemed that the old lady and the young mistress were at it again.

  Qin Miao had always been a clever ghost since she was young, knowing when to stop while ahead. She suddenly flung herself into Old Lady Qins arms and cooed: "Oh my, the old ancestor is still formidable after all. I couldnt hold out for so long."

  The soft and fluffy little ball was like a small pig, rubbing back and forth on its own body, making Old Lady Qin laugh loudly with "heh heh", the fine lines at the corners of her eyes becoming more pronounced. The servant girls were also holding their bellies in laughter.

  In a peaceful and joyful atmosphere, the servants were waiting on their masters who had finished their soup before lunch, washed their hands with chrysanthemum tea, and then set out the midday meal. However, there was a full table of dishes, but only three masters.

  Everyone knows about the wealthy Qin family in Hangzhou. However, due to the Qin familys ancestral teachings, all Qin males do not take concubines or have extramarital affairs, so the Qin familys population is actually very small.

  Mr. Qin had a son and a daughter with his wife, Mrs. Qin. The son was Qin Shuren, the father of Qin Miao, who married Tian Shi, the illegitimate daughter of the governor of Chenzhou. When Tian Shi gave birth to Qin Miao, she died due to postpartum hemorrhage, and Qin Shuren never remarried. Mr. Qins daughter, Qin Lian, was married to the King of Jinling as his first wife, but they rarely saw each other throughout the year.

  Recently, Qin Shuren took his son Qin Yu to Pingyang to open a shop and do business in the capital. As a result, only three old and young people were left at home as the real masters of the house.

  "Anu, was the trial in the front courtyard smooth today?" Qin old lady had a good appetite since she was young, but as she grew older, she had to be careful with her teeth. She finished her meal earlier than her granddaughter and grandsons wife, and was being served by someone to rinse her mouth.

  Qin Miao held the bowl and drank the soup with a gurgling sound, it was extremely delicious. However, Sun Ayi beside her was anxious, Miss is already 14 years old, but still so casual, what will happen in the future? Qin Miao naturally received Sun Ayis extra attention, immediately put down the bowl, picked up the spoon on the table with a pout, and slowly put it into her small mouth one bite at a time.

  "Ancestors, today Ive checked twelve shops and everything looks fine on the accounts. The gross profit is 40% and the net profit is 20%." Qin Miao had been learning to manage accounts since she was a child, and at the age of ten, she began to follow Old Lady Qin to inspect the shops, showing a natural talent for business. She stirred her tea with a small spoon, her mouth pouting in dissatisfaction.

  Sun Auntie saw that she was being stubborn again, so under Qin Old Ladys permitting gaze, she handed the large spoon to the little ancestor in front of her. Only then did Qin Miao smile with an open mouth: "Sun Auntie, this is the way to drink soup." After saying that, she picked up the spoon and scooped it into her mouth, and before long, a bowl of sweet soup was gone.

  "Ancestors, drinking soup should use this kind, fast and affordable, cost-effective!"

  Hehe... Cui Feng covered her stomach and laughed out loud, this little girl is really not letting people off easy. "Ancestor, you cant let Sun Niang spoil her like this, what kind of family lets a young lady drink sugar water with a large spoon? Be careful or else shell get married and be held to rules by her in-laws."

  "Ah! Youre talking about getting married again, whats going on with you today, always mentioning marriage. "Sister, Im still young..."

  Cui Feng listened and she blushed again, turning her head to look at the old lady who was staring at Qin Miao with narrowed eyes, suspiciously asking: "Hasnt the ancestor told Ah Nuan yet?"