Volume One, Chapter 13: The Five-Thousand Tael Deficit

Last time, she and her second sister-in-law went up the mountain to pay respects to the Buddha. Their carriage and the Jiang family’s carriage met face to face, blocking the narrow mountain path. According to custom, the Lu family’s carriage should back up, so the second sister-in-law instructed the coachman to do so.

After they had reversed for a while, just before the Jiang carriage departed, a man inside lifted the curtain and said, “Thank you, young lady.” Only then did she realize that the man inside was none other than the young marquis, and from that moment on, she was struck by lovesickness.

“You foolish girl, all you think about are men! Don’t get your hopes up too high; Jiang Xu is a hostage. Who knows when he might lose his life,” Mrs. Chen scolded her, tapping her daughter’s forehead.

“Mother!” Lu Wanrou pouted. “How could that be? The Marquis of Liaoyuan’s household is at its peak. The emperor still depends on them for the southern campaigns!”

“Hmm, it would be good if you could marry into the Marquis’s household,” Mrs. Chen mused, calculating in her heart. “But Jinxiu Studio’s things are far too expensive. A few thousand taels of silver just slips away carelessly. If you can’t marry into the Marquis’s household, we’ll suffer a huge loss!”

“Mother! Please tell second sister-in-law to pay off the debt at Jinxiu Studio, or else Manager Wen won’t let me buy on credit anymore,” Lu Wanrou tugged at Mrs. Chen’s elbow. “Mother, why don’t you manage the accounts yourself? We don’t need to depend on the Fang family’s goodwill!”

On the way back to the mansion, she had stopped by Jinxiu Studio again to buy some pearl ornaments, but Manager Wen told her that the Lu family still owed a debt of five thousand taels and refused to extend further credit.

“Don’t get any foolish ideas! I’m too old and lazy to manage the accounts,” Mrs. Chen said firmly. The Lu family’s tangled debts were no secret to her, and she wouldn’t want to take on the burden even if offered.

Back when Lu Changqing’s father indulged in ginseng worth a thousand taels a piece, the Lu family had already been drowning in debt before Fang Qianxue entered the household. The eldest son, Lu Changli, was a spendthrift, often throwing thousands of taels in pleasure houses. The only reason the Lu family had managed to keep face these years was thanks to Fang Qianxue’s dowry and her family’s support.

“But I really want that pearl hairpin!” Lu Wanrou pleaded.

Mrs. Chen lightly tapped the tea lid, a proud smile playing on her lips. “Leave the matter of Jinxiu Studio to your sister-in-law. When she arrives, I’ll speak to her and have her pay the money.”

If Fang Qianxue hadn’t married into the Lu family, this money would have been confiscated long ago.

Hmph, the Fang family’s money is rightfully ours!

As the mother and daughter spoke, the curtain at the door rustled.

Fang Qianxue entered with her maid, glancing at the two inside. “Mother is looking for me? Wanrou is here too.”

“Qianxue, I have something to discuss with you,” Mrs. Chen said, appraising Fang Qianxue with a hint of surprise in her eyes. “The Empress Dowager has decreed that Miao Yan must attend the Flower Morning Festival at the palace.”

After Xu Shi entered, Fang Qianxue had not sunk into despair; instead, her face was radiant, glowing with health. Compared to the frail Miao Yan, she looked like a blooming flower while Miao Yan was like frost-bitten cabbage.

“This matter should be discussed with Xu Shi herself,” Fang Qianxue said, sitting down cross-legged on the soft couch opposite Mrs. Chen, clearly impatient.

She was busy!

Tomorrow was the third birthday of Yuan’er and Yao’er. Lu Changqing, lost in Xu Miaoyan’s tender embrace, was too lazy to organize a celebration, bluntly saying, “No money.”

But Fang Qianxue would never let her children suffer. Not only would she hold the birthday banquet, but she intended to use it as a chance to re-enter the noble circles of the capital.

“You know Xu Shi has few fine clothes. I decided to buy her a few sets, otherwise, if she went to the palace looking shabby, it would bring shame to the Lu family,” Mrs. Chen lifted her tea cup and took a sip. “You should pay off the Jinxiu Studio debt—five thousand taels. It’s not a small sum.”

“Five thousand taels is no small amount,” Fang Qianxue’s gaze swept over Lu Wanrou beside her. “It seems Mother not only bought clothes for Xu Shi but also quite a few for you.”

“I only bought a few items casually,” Mrs. Chen patted Lu Wanrou’s hand reassuringly. “Anyway, you just settle the debt. I’ll put in a good word for you in front of Changqing.”

“Put in a good word? Haven’t I patched up enough holes for the Lu family over the years?” Fang Qianxue took a deep breath, fixing her gaze steadily on the old woman opposite her. “The total cost of clothes for Yuan’er, Yao’er, and me doesn’t even reach five thousand taels. If you say it’s nothing, then you can cover the debt yourself.”

“Your clothes are cheap because you’re unworthy!” Lu Wanrou suddenly stood up, sneering. “The two children are so young; a few rags to cover them is already good enough. Why bother making fine clothes?”

“That’s enough,” Mrs. Chen pulled Lu Wanrou back down. “Qianxue, I know you’re upset, but think about it. Miao Yan is a palace attendant handpicked by the Empress. Wanrou, if she dresses well, might have a chance to marry into the Marquis’s household someday. As for you… what use is wearing Jinxiu Studio’s clothes? Changqing wouldn’t even glance at you twice.”