Chapter 343 - 337_1
Wei Family’s matriarch naturally wouldn’t keep from her own daughter how she got the formula, especially since it was Zhao Lingxiang who had suggested it. Though stealing was not the most honorable act, now there could be something wrong with the formula, and Zhao Lingxiang, aware of its severity, had no choice but to recount how the matriarch had obtained the formula.
"Master, that’s how it is. The formula was obtained by the hired hand while Zhao Erhu and his wife were unaware. There shouldn’t be any problem, right?" Zhao Lingxiang looked at Master Wei anxiously, her heart unsettled. She was the one who had acquired the formula, and if any problem arose, it was her responsibility. The master might neglect her again, and considering the favoritism he had shown her lately, the other women in the household probably wished her dead. Her days would not be easy, but thankfully, she had the child in her womb. For the sake of the unborn child, the master would probably make an exception.
Master Wei had always been a cunning and unscrupulous businessman, having committed even more vicious and cunning deeds for the sake of business in the past. Thus, he didn’t find anything wrong with the way Zhao Lingxiang had obtained the formula; instead, he somewhat admired her, feeling that this woman was somewhat intelligent and was very dedicated in helping him with his affairs. However, it seemed now that the formula was likely problematic.
"The formula is most likely fake," Master Wei pondered aloud. With his years of experience in business and his skill in judging people, he had met Zhao Erhu and his wife and found them exceedingly cunning. Knowing that they were aware of his interest in the formula, how could they allow it to be easily stolen? This must have been a trap they set, providing a fake formula and enticing the hired hand to steal it. His own impatience had led him to challenge Zhao Erhu’s business before the goods from the formula were ready. Now, in this situation, he needed to act quickly to acquire the real formula. Otherwise, the loss would be substantial.
Hearing that the formula might be fake, Zhao Lingxiang’s face changed color. She looked at Master Wei tremblingly, afraid that he would blame her. "Master, how can the formula be fake?! The hired hand clearly said it was very difficult to obtain. He lurked in Zhao Erhu’s household for over a month before finding the opportunity to steal it," she said anxiously.
Zhao Lingxiang spoke hurriedly, clinging to a sliver of hope that Master Wei was mistaken, and that the issue wasn’t with the formula so it wouldn’t be her fault.
"Zhao Erhu and his wife are so cunning; how could they possibly leave the formula where a hired hand could find and steal it? It’s likely that your repeated demands for the formula made Zhao Erhu and his wife wary, and so they deliberately set up this trap to frame you," said Master Wei, revealing his thoughts.
"If the formula is indeed fake, then, then what shall we do? Master, your concubine never intended this. I never imagined Zhao Erhu and his wife could be so cunning and fell for their plot. Please punish me, Master." Drawing from past experiences, Zhao Lingxiang knew begging for mercy was futile. By admitting her mistake and showing a proper attitude, the master might be lenient in his punishment. She immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness.