Chapter 288: Paying Money and Guests from the North [Many thanks for everyone's support

It seemed that the incense at Marquis Marquis Tuoxi's residence was exceptionally fine,

or perhaps the opera troupe hired by the Cao family sang with great beauty,

gathering began at the Si hour (after 9 a. m.) when everyone had arrived,

and the main ladies of each household stayed until the Shen hour (after 3 p. m.).

When Xu Xu Zaijing, accompanied by his young attendants and maids, arrived with his elder brother at Quyuanjie,

Sun Da Da Niangzi's carriage was just entering the Xu family gate.

Xu Xu Zaijing walked his horse to the side of the carriage, dismounted nimbly, tossed the reins to Brother Qingyun, and reached out to help his mother down from the carriage.

"Mother, why have you returned so late?"

"Just now, I went with your Aunt Bai to the Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu to visit your elder sister."

"Is elder sister well?"

"Mm! She looks more comfortable than when she was pregnant with the eldest! Zhang-ge'er, what are you carrying in your hand?"

Having dismounted, Xu Zaizhang lifted the food box and said:

"Mother, these are a few dishes Great-Grandmother sent home for us; they were just taken out of the pot when school ended."

He handed the food box to Mama Dan to reheat,

and the mother and her two sons walked toward the Main Lady's courtyard,

arriving just as Shi and Sheng Hualan hurried over.

After tea was served inside the room, Mama Zhu, at Sun Shi's signal, led the maids out to the doorway.

"Today, the various families pooled together fifteen hundred thousand strings of silver notes in preparation for purchasing that Jin Buhuan."

"The Cao, Zhang, Gu, and Qi four families contributed one hundred thousand strings, while our few families pooled fifty thousand strings."

"Once matters are settled, only heaven knows how much money it can be sold for."

Everyone in the hall nodded.

Xu Xu Zaijing warmed his hands with his teacup and said:

"Mother, rest assured, we will definitely not suffer a loss!"

Seeing his family looking at him curiously, Xu Xu Zaijing continued:

"At noon, Elder Brother Zhao sent someone to tell me that while the wound-healing effects of this Jin Buhuan have not yet manifested, its efficacy in reducing swelling and alleviating pain is extremely outstanding."

"With such effects alone, it is a good thing!"

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, Sun Shi was momentarily stunned and said:

"Could results really be visible after just one night?"

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded.

"Then, our family should have invested more; what a pity—"

Sheng Hualan and Xu Zaizhang, standing nearby, exchanged a glance before Sheng Hualan spoke in a low voice:

"Mother-in-law, I still have about two thousand strings of silver notes here; please take them and invest them!"

Sun Shi looked at Sheng Hualan and said, "Nonsense! Silly child! How could we ever use your dowry!"

"Mother-in-law, this is not my dowry; it is the spare money I saved over the years while living at my natal home and here; it does not count as dowry!"

"Moreover, the profits from the fields and shops that came with my dowry are of no use to me!"

"Following Little Five's reasoning, I even wish to ask the main branch of my natal family to contribute some silver to invest together!"

Wu Da Da Niangzi pondered for a moment, then looked at her youngest son; seeing no objection on his face, she said:

"Very well, but Hua'er must absolutely not spread the words spoken in this room!"

"Yes, Mother-in-law; then I shall send word to my natal family!"

The next day

Exactly at the Mao hour (6 a. m.)

Jiying Lane

Qi Heng bent low to enter the lecture hall beneath the cotton curtain that Hearing Buwei had lifted,

and then he was surprised to discover that behind the desks of the Xu brothers, the seats were actually empty today.

Walking to his desk, Qi Heng sat down and asked curiously, "Feng-ge'er, what is happening today?"

"Young Master, I do not know either,"

Chang Feng replied in a low voice.

On the other side, Hearing Rulan pursed her lips and said:

"Brother Qi Heng, it is because my eldest sister is returning today."

Just after the Chen hour (after 9 a. m.)

Inside the Xu family carriage, on the seat where the master sat, a layer of wolf-fur matting was laid, followed by another layer of cotton padding,

and between the wolf fur and the cotton padding, leaning against the backrest, several hot-water bottles were stuffed in,

upon which sat Sheng Hualan, looking somewhat helpless,

while Sister Cuichan and Caizan sat vigilantly yet lightly on the embroidered stools on either side, ready at any moment to serve as cushions.

Outside the carriage,

Xu Xu Zaijing and Brother Qingyun rode horseback guarding one side, while Xu Zaizhang and his young attendant rode guarding the other side.

Feeling the carriage turn a corner,

Sheng Hualan inside the carriage asked, "Husband, are we about to arrive?"

Xu Zaizhang replied, "Yes, do not move around recklessly!"

Hearing these words,

Inside the carriage, Cui Chan shot Hua Lan a teasing glance.

At the Sheng family estate,

at the entrance to the inner gate,

watching the two brothers riding tall, sturdy horses and escorting the carriage as it slowly entered,

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu smiled,

and once Hua Lan was helped out by two maids,

seeing Hua Lan 'chase' the two brothers, Xu Xu Zaijing and his elder brother, off toward the study hall,

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu walked over to Hua Lan, glared fiercely at her, and said:

"If you had something to discuss, you could have just sent a message; with your condition, why did you come yourself? And your mother-in-law didn't even try to stop you!"

"Mother, I wanted to come myself!"

Hua Lan said affectionately, leaning against Wang Wang Wang Ruofu with a smile.

The whole group headed toward Shou'an Hall,

and along the way, maids and nursemaids frequently bowed and offered greetings.

"Tell me, what is the real reason you came back?"

"Mother, the Xu family has a business venture that needs capital for turnover, so I came."

"With the Xu family's vast estate..."

While Hua Lan spoke with a smile, she made no effort to lower her voice,

and a young maid bowing her head along the path, upon hearing these words, waited until they had passed before heading toward Linqi Pavilion.

Xu Xu Zaijing and his elder brother entered the lecture hall,

where Master Zhuang was already seated behind his desk;

he had already known the two would arrive late at the Sheng estate today,

so after seeing the brothers bow, he simply nodded.

By noon, when classes ended, sisters Ru Lan and Ming Lan quickly donned their capes and darted off toward Shou'an Hall like a puff of smoke.

The two entered the main hall,

just in time to see the Old Lady holding Chang Zhen, while Hua Lan, seated nearby, was pulling the little boy's fingers to tease him.

Since Hua Lan was currently pregnant, no one dared let her hold the child.

Standing behind Wang Wang Wang Ruofu were Wei Wei Shuyi and Nurse Liu.

"Sister."

"Sister Hua Lan."

Seeing the two girls enter, Wang Wang Wang Ruofu immediately cried out:

"Slow down! Slow down!"

Ru Lan and Ming Lan hastily slowed their pace,

and after playing for a while, Mo Lan finally arrived tardily.

All the women of the Sheng family took their meal in Shou'an Hall;

in the afternoon,

fearing it might be bad for Hua Lan's health, no incense was burned in Shou'an Hall as was usual.

The three 'Lans' each went to find their own mothers.

On the arhat bed,

the Old Lady of the Sheng family and Hua Lan lay on opposite sides,

chatting idly, sentence by sentence.

"In recent years, the eldest branch's business has become increasingly prosperous, and the dividends given to this old woman have increased considerably; take them with you when you return this afternoon."

"Grandmother, I mainly came back to ask Mother for money; you should keep your personal funds."

"What? You don't want Grandmother to make money?"

"Of course not!"

"Hmm, then take it anyway; whether there is profit or loss, Grandmother is in no hurry to get it back."

"Mm."

In the early afternoon,

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu, having also rested well, returned to Shou'an Hall.

Just before classes were about to end at the academy,

Hua Lan and Wang Wang Wang Ruofu bade farewell to the Old Lady and walked out together.

Following behind them, Cui Chan held an exquisite wooden box in her hands.

"I wonder how much the Old Lady gave you?"

Saying this, Wang Wang Wang Ruofu turned her head to look at the wooden box.

"Mother, not much! And you? How much will you support your daughter with?"

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu pursed her lips and said:

"First tell me about the Xu family's affairs! Your mother here is currently engaged in a major business venture; the profits are quite substantial!"

"Otherwise, you could give me what your grandmother gave you, and by year's end..."

Hua Lan stopped in her tracks, looking at Wang Wang Wang Ruofu with confusion, and said: "Mother! What business are you running?"

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu replied: "Nothing much! A business done together with your maternal uncle and his family."

Hua Lan nodded and continued walking forward: "Mm, you should listen to my aunt more often."

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu nodded, waved her hand behind her to dismiss the maids, and then asked, "What exactly is the Xu family doing? Is it truly impossible to say?"

Hua Lan, bearing the weight of Wang Wang Wang Ruofu's gaze, struggled to nod.

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu pursed her lips and said, "Seeing how secretive you are being makes me want to invest even more. If you can't reveal what business it is, surely you can at least say how much it will earn?"

Hua Lan gave a bitter smile and shook her head; she truly did not know.

Looking at Hua Lan's expression, Wang Wang Wang Ruofu finally pointed resentfully at her arm and said:

"A married daughter is like spilled water!"

Everyone arrived at the place where the carriages were stopped.

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu watched her eldest daughter board the carriage, clicked her tongue in annoyance, then held out her hand, prompting Mother Liu to hastily place the silver notes into it.

"Here, take it!"

Hua Lan pursed her lips and smiled. "Thank you, Mother."

Just as they had come to the Sheng family, they now escorted her back to Quyuanjie.

Hua Lan returned to the courtyard she shared with Xu Zaizhang.

Just as she was changing clothes,

Sister Cuichan beside her said, "Miss, this was given to me by Sister Sister Xiaodie, who serves Concubine Wei, while you were resting this afternoon."

Hua Lan frowned. "What is it?"

"Sister Sister Xiaodie said this is the money Concubine Wei has saved since arriving in Bianjing. Hearing that we needed funds for circulation, she specifically gave it to this servant."

"There are one hundred and thirty-seven strings of cash in total, along with three small gold piglets given by the Sixth Miss."

Hua Lan smiled and shook her head. "Little."

"Miss, should we count the Concubine and the Sixth Miss separately?"

"Mm! Count them separately."

Caizan beside her asked, "Miss, what if we lose money?"

Hua Lan laughed. "It's fine. This morning, my mother-in-law announced that the public treasury holds plenty of fine gifts other families sent to Little Five! If we truly suffer a loss, we can just pick any item to offset the Xu family's debt."

After dinner,

Xu Xu Zaijing drank tea while listening to Hua Lan speak:

"Mother-in-law, here are six thousand strings of cash from Grandmother, and here are two thousand five hundred taels in silver notes from your daughter-in-law."

"And here are two thousand five hundred strings of cash from my natal mother; she said that since she is doing business with my maternal grandfather's family, she didn't keep much silver or money."

Sun Shi smiled and said:

"It matters not. When you went to the Sheng family, Princess Princess Pingning sent word that the Chai family also invested fifty thousand strings of cash."

Hua Lan and Lady Xie exchanged surprised glances before whispering, "Has some news been obtained?"

Sun Shi nodded.

Shielded by a tea cup while drinking, Xu Xu Zaijing pursed his lips, thinking to himself: With so much silver and money, I wonder how badly Guangnan West Circuit will be fleeced.

Putting down his teacup, Xu Xu Zaijing's glance happened to be caught by Sun Shi:

"Little Five, do you feel this amount of silver and money is huge?"

"Mother, is my expression that obvious?"

Sun Shi laughed:

"In the eyes of your own mother, naturally it is obvious!"

Xu Xu Zaijing raised an eyebrow and made a gesture inviting her to speak.

Sun Shi said:

"When I was still a young lady, I heard about Your Majesty's accession ceremony; at that time, alone in Fujian Circuit, an order for one hundred and seventy thousand strings of cash worth of lychees was placed for delivery to Bianjing."

Xu Xu Zaijing beside her said, "That is indeed quite a lot!"

Sun Shi nodded, while Xu Xu Zaizhang beside her said, "Mother, but... lychees are cultivated by farmers, whereas Jin Bu Zhao Huan is not."

Xu Xu Zaijing put down his tea cup and said, "Brother! This one can be cultivated!"

Then he turned and asked, "Mother, is that mountain dweller from Uncle Xie's family, the one who presented the Jin Bu Zhao Huan, still around?"

Sun Shi and her eldest daughter-in-law exchanged a knowing smile.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law smiled brightly,

but they did not say much more.

Upon entering the twelfth month,

on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month,

while eating five-flavor meat porridge, Xu Xu Zaijing learned from his mother that

this matter of the Great Zhou's top nobility contributing funds had concluded,

having gathered a total of approximately two hundred and fifty thousand strings of cash.

Part of the silver and money was prepared for purchasing Jin Bu Zhao Huan, while another part was reserved for transforming this substance from wild-growing to cultivated.

And since the Xie family possessed quite a few sugarcane fields and excellent estates in Yongzhou,

whether or not they purchased new fields and estates based on the growth conditions of that Jin Bu Zhao Huan remained unknown.

More than three hundred li east of Bianjing,

a large column of horsemen and carts bearing banners with the character 'Pan' was approaching Jingcheng.

Nearly a hundred flatbed carts carried many goods covered with oilcloth.

From the perspective of the station soldiers at the roadside relay station,

the dozens of knights accompanying the carts on foot wore attire somewhat different from that of the Great Zhou.

Looking at their heads, it seemed they had freshly shaved their hair; they wore wolf-skin hats adorned with either golden or silver beads.

Moreover, the armor and weapons on their bodies were of excellent quality; when they looked at people, their eyes were dull, staring straight at vital points, which was somewhat frightening.

(End of Chapter)