Repaying a debt 2

Ki's grandmother held the most power and capability within the family but with her getting older she had to pass on many responsibilities to her son.

If Ki was seeking help from the family then she would have to ask her grandmother first then other tiring tasks would be given to her father so it was better to involve him too if she wanted to use the families resources for her plans.

Walking into the office Ki sat down, her father entered and stood by his mother's side looking at his daughters face deep in thought. 'Hmph wife, at least my beloved daughter still remembers me. I wonder what she has to ask for though.'

'It looks like she came prepared.' Agnes examined her granddaughters calm face and then noticed a piece of paper in her hands. "So what is it you wish to say?"

"Grandmother I have a business plan that requires your help but it includes some parts in which the family does not usually step foot into or frown upon. However I believe that they will prove beneficial later and help to build up the families power and create our own place to sell our own specialty of goods." Ki began to briefly explain. "The first part would be interfering with a families marriage relationship in order to acquire their lost restaurant businesses within the 3 nearby cities. I know we never often interfere in other families matters but I believe this time it will be beneficial for us and not have many repercussions on us if handled well."

Agnes frowned at this. "We don't get involved with the inner workings of other family struggles because it can get messy, we don't want to create unnecessary enemies but go on and explain."

"The maid and daughter you took in do you remember them?" Ki asked.

"Yes I remember, she is a hardworking woman and back then she was in a very bad state but did not say anything about herself." Agnes nodded in response.

"I will be brief then, she is the owner of the three restaurants and ran away from her husband in fear of him killing her and her daughter to gain the business for himself. There are traces of poison being fed to her for a long time still left in her body so this can be checked by a doctor." Ki paused before looking at her grandmothers look of doubt. "I know it cannot be proven that the husband was the one who used poison because the source may be long dead or gone so investigating the truth would lead to a dead end. The main point I want to accomplish is to allow the maid divorce her husband so that she can reclaim her business and possibly catch the husband if he has done any misdeeds within the business over the years. If he can poison his wife I know he may not think much before taking money from the business over the years to put into his own pockets."

Adams eyes lit up at his daughters insights. "Then how would you accomplish the task?"

"The biggest role in this would be timing and marriage duties." Ki smiled looking at her fathers bewildered face. "After marriage the maid was filial to her family and gave birth completing her duties well so can not face any problems. The husband however did not do his duty of remaining faithful and made a child with another woman. Normally within most families this is something most people look the other way on when usually a woman marries into the family from a lower position but has to put up with their husbands concubine or lover. In the maids case she was in a higher position of wealth so is entitled to take back what she had after the divorce."

Noticing her fathers look of disgust towards the word concubine and lover, Ki almost broke out into laughter before finishing her explanation. "Timing would be for the date of birth of the lovers child, no matter how much a couple denies their relationship happened after the maid disappeared they would not be able to cover all their traces. The best way would be to investigate the child's age, the relationship between the husband and his lover and find a way to get a hold of the restaurants accounting books to check for traces of taking money he shouldn't be using and trying to cover it up. This should provide the maid with enough of a reason to divorce without much resistance and be able to take back her own business. If possible to also have him arrested for forging the accounting books if my guess is correct."

Adams eyes lit up after his daughters words but then frowned. "Are you sure you want to get involved with this?"

"Yes. The maid is in our debt already and very loyal, hardworking and skilled. There are two options open after completing this task. The first would be gaining a business partner to trade with in the future who will not break the contract, she can rebuild her business and then repay what she owes while she continues work with us in the future. The other option is to purchase the restaurants from her after helping her and provide her a place to put her skills to more use." Ki smiled confidently. "I believe that this will be beneficial towards my next request too so please help me grandmother."

Agnes who had been silent for sometime finally opened her mouth. "I will consider it depending on your next requests."

"The second request or project I want to ask for is to grow more mulberry trees and different fruit trees around the mansion, possibly some grape trees and make me a research room so I can try making some sample products for different drinks, drying leaves for tea or making different types of food." Ki paused for a moment before sighing. "I would request for a herb garden but I'm already asking for enough."

Both dad and grandmother were sitting with a frown on their faces at Ki's strange request, then her Agnes spoke. "What is the reason for doing so?"

"Our inheritance has been wasted." Ki replied casually as if saying that her grandmother and the others before her had not been using what they had properly.

In response to this her grandmothers face turned red with anger and embarrassment before turning her hand towards her son. "Get out now I have to finish my talk with your daughter."

Adam locked eyes with his daughter asking. 'Are you going to be okay?'

Ki nodded in response to her fathers gaze. 'I will be fine.'

Her father left the room and wandered the hallway before quickly changing direction and quickly walked to his work room. 'I really wanted to hear the rest, daughter I am proud of you for showing this much progress but what should I do now…. Oh no! I forgot I was behind on my paperwork so please forgive me wife and kids I have to work sigh.'