Chapter 148

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Song Miao fell quiet for a few breaths.

Her reactions were usually very quick, but this time a good while passed before she smiled and shook her head, saying, "Killing a chicken doesn't require a butcher's knife."

"The world always pities the weak. Young Master still carries a Court decree and bears a great reputation. If you press your authority to the door using the Zhou Ya's name, although it would also resolve the matter, it would more easily invite slander."

She paused, then said, "Many thanks for Young Master's kindness, but a snake has its path, a rat has its road. For now I can still protect myself; it won't be too late to come seek guidance when I truly have no choice."

Finished speaking, she carefully tucked the banknote before her back into the envelope and gently pushed it back before Han Li.

"On the road to Hua Prefecture, there was a time we ate a meal. Young Master and the partners chatted idly, only saying that if this time we could dig through the river channels and guide the floodwaters into the Wang Jing River, and from there safely into the sea, it would certainly earn merit for everyone — you even specially said 'Stall Owner Song also deserves logistics support credit'."

"Others might think you were boosting morale, specially speaking encouraging words, but I believe it completely."

"These three hundred, five hundred strings of capital were originally burning hot in hand. No matter the amount, once accepted, future troubles would be endless. But if they could be turned into a favor, contribute a share of effort to this canal digging, do some good deeds, wouldn't I feel self-satisfied and pleased?"

"Young Master must not underestimate me. Glutinous rice three coins a small portion, five coins a large portion. Shaomai are priced high. Snow Steamed Cake, Red Bean Flower Rolls, and drinks also earn money. Plus various patrons visiting to support the business, entrusting banquet catering. In another two months, when we return to the Capital, that food shop can also reopen — following the current momentum, without two years I'll be able to repay the family debts."

"Not to mention those polite empty words — just speaking of benefits, compared to three hundred petty coins, I want even more to contribute an extra share of strength right now. If in the future there can be a Court reward, hanging a title on me, others wanting to manipulate me again, wouldn't they have to weigh it a few more times compared to now?"

Rarely speaking so many words in one breath, Song Miao also felt thirsty. She took tea and slowly drank a few sips. When she set down the teacup, she instead looked up and smiled, saying, "In Young Master's eyes, am I really that shortsighted, unable to calculate even this much?"

Han Li only felt his heart rise and fall, turn sour, turn astringent, turn melancholy, following the words of the person opposite. Because she said "believe completely," it even turned faintly sweet for a moment.

He had always thought himself steady; only now did he know he was still just a lad.

Seeing Song Miao insist on not accepting, he sighed a breath, saying, "Requesting merit is the Court rewarding Stall Owner Song for her efforts; it ought to exist. Let's set that aside for now. The money I've already given — there's truly no reason to take it back, is there?"

Finished speaking, he pushed that envelope to the center of the table again, saying, "These six hundred strings, let them be hung on the Song Ji account, for you to use in opening the food shop. If funds are temporarily tight, you also needn't consider partnering with others, and needn't worry. This doesn't count as investment, nor is it any loan or gift. In the future when I come eat a meal, Stall Owner Song will deduct a meal from within. Eat until finished. What do you think?"

"As for that Xiang Yuan, this person originally intended to lure you to the door, create more entanglement. Once you go back and forth, once stained it's hard to break free..."

He spoke solemnly; Song Miao also listened seriously. Then she smiled, saying, "Tomorrow night when Young Master returns, if this matter is still unresolved, I'll hand it over to you to help handle. Good or not?"

Finished speaking, she stood up, took that envelope, reopened it, carefully looked it over once more, and teased, "Six hundred strings. My family isn't a black shop."

Then she said, "Young Master has looked after me abundantly. This kind of sentiment — for now I'll deposit it with the original owner. In the future if I encounter an urgent need for money, I'll naturally open my mouth. At that time, please don't refuse!"

Finished speaking, Song Miao put the banknote away properly again, placed it before Han Li, drank two more sips of the tea he had just poured, smiled, set down the teacup, bid farewell, and left.

Left alone, Han Li faced the teacup, envelope, and the banknote within, only watching Song Miao's retreating figure, yet didn't move for a long while.

In his eyes, when Song Miao smiled her eyes curved, shallow dimples on her cheeks emerged accordingly. A clever smile, beautiful eyes glancing, exceedingly spirited.

Clearly separated by a chest cavity, seeing that smile, Han Li only felt his heart seemed to have been brushed by the fluffy inflorescence of a dogtail grass, brushed once, brushed again, aching sourly and severely.

Formerly he had memorized poetry and books, knowing how many phrases describing a woman's beauty. But at this moment seeing that smile, he forgot them all, only feeling it was good-looking. But whether it was the facial features that were good-looking, or the feeling that was good-looking, or something else that was good-looking, he fundamentally couldn't distinguish at all.

Sat for a moment. Then Kong Fuyang carried a steamer basket of flower rolls and two sets of bowl and chopsticks over. Seeing only Han Li alone, he hurriedly asked, "Didn't you say you were going to find Song Xiaoniangzi to talk about that surnamed Xiang matter? Where is she?"

Han Li just now returned to his senses, answered, "Finished speaking."

"Then when are we going to the door tomorrow??" Kong Fuyang put down the things and was already anxiously shouting, "And make me the leader! A shameless, filthy person, daring to scheme anything!"

"Tomorrow night we'll speak again."

Han Li opened that steamer basket. Watching Kong Fuyang pick up a flower roll, rarely not rushing to eat first, he put down his chopsticks but reached for the teacup on the right.

He paused, raising his head.

Kong Fuyang asked, "Has this tea been drunk already?"

Han Li pushed his own teacup over, saying, "This cup is clean."

Speaking, he took the cup the other had picked up, neither drinking nor rinsing with tea water, just setting it at his side.

The reheated brown sugar sesame paste flower rolls and spicy pork mince flower rolls, though not as potent as when freshly out of the basket, still emitted an enticing fragrance.

The two sat in the Main Hall eating for no more than a teacup's time, and already several people came up asking the flower rolls' origin. Learning they were made by their own people, with no extras to spare, there were even those wanting to offer a price to buy two.

Eating toward the end, even Kong Fuyang, who considered himself thick-skinned, couldn't quite bear it. He said in a low voice, "Song Xiaoniangzi's skill, ah! Zheng Yan, next time let's just eat in the room!"

At this very moment, the Xiang Family steward was also praising Song Miao.

He couldn't help asking, "Master Xiang, you clearly know Song Xiaoniangzi has that kind of skill, and she's smart. Today why..."

Xiang Yuan laughed, saying, "You don't understand. Do you think I gave the reward money readily, made her keep a good impression, and that's settled?"

"Men and women interacting is the same as doing business together. If you give all the money in one breath, she gets the benefit. Afterwards what further dealings would she have with me? My actions today look as if not very satisfying, but the partnership intention has been put out, conditions have been put out — ask an exorbitant price, and you can pay back the money on the spot, right?"

"If she takes my five hundred strings, the extra two hundred, in the future I can naturally go to the door and argue. If she refuses to take it, early as tomorrow, late as the day after, sooner or later she'll have to come to the door to find me — you come, I go, many times, still afraid there won't be opportunity?"

Watching the steward's facial expression change, Xiang Yuan laughed haha, saying, "That young lady is indeed smart, and her character is good. If she were a stupid, greedy one, today she'd be eagerly taking the five hundred strings, rushing to discuss partnership opening a food shop with me."

He took the tea the servant brought up, propped his feet, narrowed his eyes, and slowly savored it.

The steward, though capable at work, was ultimately an outsider. Some words were still not too convenient to say.

Opposite a young lady nearing the age of fifteen, beautiful in appearance, burdened with huge debt, interacting frequently with an unmarried man of wealth and property like himself, and with five hundred strings of large wealth sandwiched in between — even if there was nothing, outsiders would generate much discussion.

Even without random discussion, he could also help think up some discussion.

— What's the deal with five hundred strings?

— That Master Xiang is generous, gave it to thank her for finding the child.

If the young lady takes the money and opens a shop, both sides meet often, you're close, I'm close, perfectly fine.

If the young lady takes the money but doesn't open a shop, whether three hundred or five hundred — heard the child was actually at home, just happened to be seen, actually the master's family found him themselves. With this much money, how could she have the face to take it!

Or if she doesn't take the money, that's even better! He saves the money himself, and can also take the chance to visit the door more often, using thanks as an excuse, creating more interactions.

No matter what, he always firmly occupies the upper hand, only gains, never loses!

Thinking to here, Xiang Yuan grew even more proud, repeatedly reviewing his advantages.

After a moment, he instructed the steward, "Arrange someone to see what Little Yan is doing. If there's nothing busy, call the person over."

What busy things could a child have?

Soon, Liang Yan was called out.

Xiang Yuan first asked him about today's arrangements, then asked whether Xiang Lin had said anything bullying again, or done any bad deeds; hearing there were none, he finally looked relieved, and lastly said, "I went to the official post station today and saw your Song Jiejie."

Liang Yan immediately raised his head.

Xiang Yuan smiled and said, "I know you're close to her; this young lady is very good in character, and her skills are good too — it's just a pity her family owes so many debts."

Liang Yan sniffled while waiting tensely for him to continue.

Xiang Yuan then briefly related the Song family's situation — even without embellishment, it was already miserable enough.

Sure enough, the child listened and became both worried and anxious.

Xiang Yuan then said, "Yesterday I brought five hundred strings of cash; knowing her family affairs, I knew this money couldn't pay off all her debts. Rather than relieve a moment's urgency, better to extend lasting kindness — use the money as support, and I'll also bring her to open a food shop, a wine house, or the like; each month besides wages there will be profit sharing, which also repays her earlier kindness to you."

"Only this young lady, first, has a thin face, and second, probably still has some doubts, so she didn't agree at once — you're more familiar with her; next time you meet, persuade her well, and once the food shop opens, she won't have to toil so hard as now!"

Liang Yan thought seriously for a moment, then nodded in agreement, and hurriedly thanked Xiang Yuan.

Song Miao naturally didn't know that Xiang Yuan had even put a child like Liang Yan to use.

Early the next morning, after a simple breakfast at the official post station, she first went out with Dabing, bought some fruit, went to find the parents of that Xie San'er from before, and asked about the follow-up.

The couple were both honest people; they told how the Xie family's children were later summoned for a confrontation, and in the end it turned very ugly.

Xie San'er's mother also said, "Fortunately the Xie shopkeeper doesn't hold these things against us; he only told us to discipline our son well, and still lets him work in the shop."

"I thought keeping this child in the city isn't a solution; my husband and I still have to earn a living, we really can't watch him closely, so we simply sent him to the countryside to his maternal uncle's to help with farm work, to avoid the city's scoundrels and troubles, and wait a few years to see if he can reform."

She also thanked Song Miao: "We must also thank the young lady; if it had been discovered a few days later, the matter would have blown up even more, and I'm afraid it wouldn't have been so easily settled."

Song Miao listened with deep sighs, chatted a few more sentences, and when about to leave, finally asked, "I have a matter I want to find Shopkeeper Xie for, but I don't know what time he usually comes to the shop, or which shop he goes to more often."

That woman then told Song Miao everything in full detail.

It turned out the current head of the Xie Family Rice Business was called Xie Hu; he was quite decent, and diligent in his work; every day he would stay at the Xie Family Rice Shop for half a day, and rotate among the various shops.

She gave Song Miao the name and address of the shop that was on rotation today, according to the date.

Song Miao thanked her, left the fruit, and then took her leave.

After going out, she went again to buy more fruit and pastries, returned to the official post station, and asked the post soldiers to help find twelve available healthy women — preferably big-armed and strong, as they would need to help carry things shortly.

Soon, the post soldiers found enough people.

They were all laundresses from the Washing Clothes Workshop not far away; each was used to wielding the laundry mallet and often wrung out clothes, so they had plenty of strength and stamina.

With the people assembled, Song Miao first briefly explained the matter.

Soon a woman exclaimed in surprise, "So the person who supposedly got five hundred strings of cash by luck yesterday — that's you, young lady!"

The others also discussed it incessantly.

Song Miao had long been prepared in her heart, and wasn't surprised there would be such rumors outside; but since Xiang Yuan had played the first day, she naturally no longer helped cover it up, and smiled as she explained how the child was found, and why she searched that way at the time.

From the licorice branch on Xie San'er's head, to the traces left by mice causing trouble in the back kitchen, to the smell she noticed, the bones discovered under the corridor, and then recombining them with that licorice flavor.

Link by link, extremely meticulous, it made the group of women listen as if hearing a storyteller; besides enjoying it thoroughly, none failed to admire.

Especially when she spoke of how the traces left at the bottom of the plate from chasing and picking food with chopsticks were different — because it was entirely a common detail of daily life — almost everyone nodded involuntarily, with a look of deep resonance.

After finishing, she then said, "Actually it was just a chance encounter; Xiang Yuanzai said he wanted to repay me, but three or five strings would have been fine — it's really too much, so let's return it to him — trouble you ladies to help carry a load each; fearing the Xiang family won't answer the door, we'll just deliver it to a nearby Xie Family Rice Shop."

At once the whole group of women felt indignant.

Someone called out, "If not for you, young lady, judging by how that child hid, he might have stayed hidden for half a month or a month; no matter how generous the reward, it's what you deserved! Lately they've been inquiring every day — just the manpower alone costs who knows how much per day; you saved them all that — how can you not deserve some money?"

The others also chimed in agreement.

Song Miao smiled and said, "Though I don't want his money, I do want to ask a favor."

By now midday had just passed, right after lunch; six women carried loads on shoulder poles, another six women escorted them at the sides, and Song Miao with Dabing followed in front — this whole procession was naturally quite eye-catching, and all along the way had already drawn many onlookers.

Over a dozen local women walking along, inevitably they ran into some relatives, old friends, or former customers.

Curious ones came up to ask, and everyone said they were hired by Song Miao to help return the money.

The matter of the Xiang family's lost child being found yesterday, and the five hundred strings of reward money given in the end, had already spread like wildfire by evening; today it was known to practically everyone.

Now seeing the money being returned, the city had few entertainments to begin with, and because of the flood disaster even the traveling opera troupes from north and south were fewer; everyone had just finished eating, it was exactly the time for digesting, and with free excitement, who wouldn't go along for a look?

Soon they arrived at the Xie Family Rice Shop, and behind them a fairly long queue had already formed.

Song Miao politely went to the door, first asked if Shopkeeper Xie Hu was in, and when someone came out, she made a bow and said, "I met Xiang Yuanzai that day — I originally had a matter to trouble Master Xiang, and also wanted to ask Shopkeeper to serve as a witness, so I presumptuously came to call."

Six shoulder-pole loads, twelve women, plus Song Miao and Dabing made two — the sight made Xie Hu's head throb; though he didn't know the exact situation, he hurriedly sent someone to fetch Xiang Yuan.

The rice shop wasn't far from the residence Xie Hu had lent to Xiang Yuan; before long, Xiang Yuan rushed over in haste.

And when Song Miao saw him arrive, she smiled and gave a greeting.

Without her instructing, the group of women had already early on lifted the red cloth covering the money.

Song Miao bowed to Xiang Yuan and said politely, "Disturbing you, Master Xiang; thank you for your kind intention, but compared to such generous wealth, this young woman would rather ask a favor — Hua Prefecture needs to dig canals and repair dikes, I'm currently employed on this matter, but lack grain, so construction cannot start, and it's truly a huge headache."

"I wonder if these five hundred strings could be exchanged for a favor, asking Master Xiang to help introduce me to grain merchants and grain shops; even if Shopkeeper Xie finds it inconvenient, with Master Xiang's connections and prestige, I imagine you could also introduce others to lend some grain — would that work?"

On the left, strings of copper coins stacked high into six small mounds; on the right, old friend Xie Hu with an embarrassed expression; looking up, outside stood many onlookers, noisy and clamoring, pointing and gesturing at the inside.

Compared to yesterday's scene, it was practically identical, and even worse.

Xiang Yuan only felt his vision go black in waves.

He hadn't felt this sensation of being propped up high for a very long time; in his heart he truly wanted to vomit blood.

— Being a merchant himself, how could he not know why grain merchants are unwilling to lend grain to the yamen.

But right now, in front of so many people, he simply cannot refuse.

Yet once he agrees, he truly and genuinely must put up the favor, put up the money, and still might not get a good outcome!

?? Thank you thank you everyone for the monthly tickets, Xiaoxiang tickets, all kinds of tickets! Thanks thanks!