Cai Wei had also left the palace early in the morning. The release of people from within was drawing to a conclusion, and the several hundred thousand taels of silver she had amassed were nearly spent. Her early departure was twofold: to collect silver and review the books at the various shops and to meet with Xiang Yun, gossip about family matters, and help her alleviate some worries.
When she arrived at Mi Fangzhai, the shopkeeper of Mi Fangzhai saw that the Empress Dowager was gracing them with her presence. He hurriedly invited Cai Wei upstairs and, after serving tea, respectfully presented a contract for her to examine.
Cai Wei took the contract and saw it was a stock transfer contract stating that Mi Fangzhai would split shares between the two, with Cai Wei holding four parts and Manager Wen six.
