Chapter 175: Cold Moon Buries the Flower Soul (Thanks to

Three thousand for one person is not expensive.

Luo Zijun did not stand on ceremony with them, nor would he give them a freebie just because they were beautiful.

The poems had already been written, and the IOUs had already been drawn up.

The Jia Family's money—the masters can spend it, the servants can embezzle it, so why can't he earn it?

It would be a waste not to earn it.

Especially Lin Meimei, a true only daughter of a wealthy family.

She brought so much family property into the Jia Mansion, and it was all embezzled to build the Daguanyuan for others; she should be the one he earns from properly.

"By the way, it is not three thousand for Lin Guniang."

Luo Zijun handed the IOUs to Jia Tanchun and Shi Xiangyun first, and when he reached the delicate and frail Lin Meimei, he offered a reminder.

Lin Daiyu was slightly startled upon hearing this and took the IOU.

Jia Tanchun, standing to the side, laughed: "Young Master Luo, have you taken a fancy to our beautiful Lin Meimei, and that is why you are giving her a discount?"

After reading her own IOU, Shi Xiangyun leaned over to Lin Daiyu and laughed: "I am so envious, Pinpin is doted on wherever she goes."

Lin Daiyu's face instantly flushed red.

However, when she saw the amount on the IOU in her hand, she was momentarily stunned.

Shi Xiangyun was also stunned: "Ten... ten thousand taels?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Tanchun hurriedly leaned over to look at the IOU, her face full of surprise: "Young Master Luo, why is Daiyu's so much more silver than ours?"

Luo Zijun said: "Lin Guniang's fate is not easy to calculate; it is more difficult, so the fee is naturally higher."

The Daguanyuan is still under construction, and this Lin Meimei's family property should not have been spent yet; he must hurry and force her to bring some out.

Thinking of this, he added: "If Lin Guniang feels it is too expensive, you can forgo the poem. However, I would like to say a few more words: Lin Guniang's fate does not look very good either. I believe my calculations are quite accurate, and I will be able to calculate more things in the future."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu hurriedly said: "I... I am willing to let Young Master Luo calculate it. Ten thousand taels is ten thousand taels. I have it there; I will have Tanchun-jie bring it to Young Master Luo tonight. Also, I will pay the fifteen thousand taels for Yingchun-jie as well."

Luo Zijun: "..."

She really is a little rich girl!

Who knew she had hidden away so much private money!

It is pitiful to think about.

The family property she brought in her lifetime is squandered by the Jia Mansion, and after she dies, her private money is taken to be squandered as well.

"Lin Guniang, this time it is ten thousand taels. If I see anything else next time, I will need to charge separately."

Luo Zijun decided to fleece her a few more times, until she was squeezed dry.

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu looked at him with pitiful eyes and said weakly: "I... I only have that much there."

Luo Zijun said: "We shall talk about that later then."

For a person like this, one cannot be too hasty; let's secure today's earnings first.

"If everyone has no objections, then go sign and press your thumbprints. Then, I can give you the poems."

Luo Zijun wore a business-like expression.

Jia Tanchun took another look at the IOU in her hand, and without further hesitation, walked to the table to sign and press her thumbprint.

Shi Xiangyun also hurriedly walked over.

Just as Lin Daiyu was about to go over, her maid Xueyan behind her whispered: "Miss, could he be deliberately swindling us out of our silver?"

Luo Zijun heard this, his face calm, while he secretly thought to himself: You are quite clever.

But who isn't swindling whom?

Those hypocrites in the Jia Family can swindle, so why can't I, an honest scholar, swindle?

Lin Daiyu whispered: "Xueyan, don't talk nonsense, Young Master Luo is not a swindler."

Having said that, she walked to the table to sign and press her thumbprint.

Luo Zijun took the three IOUs, carefully checked them one by one, then picked up three sheets of rice paper from the table and handed them to the three of them.

"Three poems, accompanied by three drawings. As for the meaning within, the three ladies will need to go back and ponder it yourselves."

"Fortune-telling is inherently an act against heaven, violating the Dao of Heaven. By doing this, I have already damaged my own lifespan; if I were to explain it too clearly, I fear I would die young."

Luo Zijun explained.

Jia Tanchun looked at the rice paper in her hand, on which a simple drawing was depicted.

The drawing showed: two people flying a kite, a vast sea, a large ship, and on the ship, a woman in the posture of covering her face and weeping.

Below it was written a seven-character quatrain: "Talent from brilliance, ambition from high, born in the end of an age, fortune fades away. Sending off tears at the river's edge, a thousand miles of east wind, a dream far away."

On the rice paper in Shi Xiangyun's hand, there was also a drawing and a poem.

The drawing was: a few wisps of flying clouds in the sky, a bay of passing water on the ground.

The poem was: "What is the use of wealth and status, separated from parents in infancy; looking back at the slanting sunset, the Xiang River flows away, the Chu clouds fly."

After reading her own, Jia Tanchun was originally somewhat confused, but after reading hers, she was even more confused.

After reading it, Shi Xiangyun was also bewildered.

Then the two of them went over together to look at the rice paper in Lin Daiyu's hand.

Lin Daiyu's drawing: two withered trees, a jade belt hanging on the trees, and a pile of snow, with a gold hairpin beneath the snow.

Below it was also a poem: "Sigh for the virtue that stops the loom, pity the talent that chants of catkins. The jade belt hangs in the forest, the gold hairpin is buried in the snow."

Lin Daiyu frowned slightly, her eyes brimming with tears; even while deep in thought, she was a delicate and beautiful sight that made one feel pity.

Then, she looked at the rice paper in the hands of Jia Tanchun and Shi Xiangyun.

Jia Yingchun also walked over to watch.

The room fell into silence.

After a long while, Jia Tanchun said: "Young Master Luo, although these poems and drawings are not very clear, why does it feel like the endings do not seem very good? Is the future fate of the three of us the same as Second Sister's?"

As these words were spoken, the gazes of Shi Xiangyun and Lin Daiyu both turned toward the young man in front of them.

Luo Zijun was silent for a moment, then said, "Compared to Lin Guniang and Xiangyun Guniang, the fate of Tanchun should be much better."

Although Jia Tanchun was lonely and helpless, married far away overseas, and distanced from her loved ones, she avoided the implication when the Jia Family was raided, and her fate was much better than the others.

Upon hearing this, Jia Tanchun remained silent and looked at the judgment poem in her hand once again.

Shi Xiangyun suddenly asked, "Young Master Luo, why did you write two poems for Yingchun, and one of them was even an acrostic poem that directly indicated she could not marry into the Sun Family? Don't we three have any?"

Luo Zijun said, "As I said before, not everyone has a fate as clear as Yingchun Guniang's."

Shi Xiangyun pouted her small mouth and said with some dissatisfaction, "The paintings for Tanchun and Pinpin have so much content, but mine only has a few wisps of clouds and a bay of water; I can't understand it at all."

Luo Zijun said, "Some things cannot be understood at the time, but perhaps as time changes, you will slowly understand."

Shi Xiangyun said, "But I want to understand it now!"

Luo Zijun thought to himself: In that case, pay more!

But he said aloud, "Sorry, I am unable to help."

At this moment, Lin Daiyu, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke softly, "Young Master Luo, at what age will I die? This year? Or next year?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of Tanchun and the others all changed.

Jia Tanchun hurriedly said, "Daiyu, what nonsense are you talking about? You are only how old, how could you possibly die?"

Lin Daiyu did not speak, her eyes filled with tears, looking at the young man before her in a moving, pitiful way. Just as Luo Zijun was hesitating, this frail and sickly beautiful girl suddenly said softly again, "I will pay more, five thousand taels."

Luo Zijun: "..."

Lin Daiyu's cheeks flushed slightly, and she said, "I... I only have this much."

Luo Zijun could not help but sigh and said, "Lin Guniang's fate does indeed look not very good. Did Lin Guniang once like to sweep and bury flowers?"

As soon as this was said, everyone was shocked.

Jia Tanchun said, "Daiyu has always liked to sweep up the flowers on the road and then go bury them; there is even a flower tomb specifically for that there."

Luo Zijun nodded slightly, looked at the frail and beautiful girl before him, and said, "Then I will gift Guniang another poem."

Lin Daiyu's eyes brightened, and she held her breath.

Luo Zijun pondered for a moment and recited, "Cold pond carries the crane's shadow, cold moon buries the flower's soul. Fragrance fades, the person is unseen, tears stain the blood-red marks."

Upon hearing this, everyone silently recited it.

After Lin Daiyu finished reciting, she was silent for a moment and said, "Sure enough, this illness of mine cannot be cured."

!

Luo Zijun comforted her, "If Lin Guniang could be more open-minded, not be trapped by emotions, and not frequently get angry or shed tears, perhaps this illness would be cured."

Lin Daiyu gave a sorrowful smile, looked at him deeply, and said, "Young Master Luo, I feel like I have dreamed of this poem of yours before; it seems familiar. Therefore, I believe in Young Master Luo's judgment, as for the words of comfort, I do not believe them."

Immediately, she smiled again and said, "Is Young Master Luo saying that I am usually petty and love to get angry?"

Luo Zijun nodded honestly and said, "Yes."

Tanchun and the others nearby, who were already on the verge of tears, suddenly burst into laughter upon seeing this.

Shi Xiangyun laughed and said, "So Young Master Luo knows about our Pinpin's habit of getting angry."

Lin Daiyu's face turned red, and she followed suit and laughed.

Jia Tanchun looked out the window and, seeing that it was getting late and fearing there might be matters at the mansion, hurriedly said, "Young Master Luo, then we won't disturb you any further."

Hearing this, everyone felt somewhat reluctant to leave.

Luo Zijun hurriedly reminded them, "Young ladies, don't forget about the matter of owing me silver."

"Pfft..."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone burst into laughter again.

"Money-grubber!"

Jia Tanchun said with a smile, then took the sisters and maids to take their leave.

When they reached the door, Lin Daiyu hesitated for a moment, turned her head, and said, "Young Master Luo, I always feel that you still have many things left unsaid. We will come to find you again tomorrow, okay?"

Shi Xiangyun looked back and teased, "Pinpin, the rest of us have things to do tomorrow, you should come by yourself. Without us, you, the number one talented woman of Lin'an, can have a good chat with the number one talented man of Lin'an."

Lin Daiyu's face turned red with shame, and she reached out to pinch her.

Shi Xiangyun giggled and ran away, circling around Jia Tanchun, saying, "Look, Pinpin is anxious, I've hit the nail on the head."

Lin Daiyu chased her in embarrassment.

Jia Tanchun laughed and said, "Alright, alright, stop messing around, it's time to go home."

At this time, Jia Yingchun suddenly said weakly to the young man in the room, "Young Master Luo, you also told my fortune earlier, you haven't let me write an IOU yet?"

Hearing this, everyone immediately stopped their playful antics.

Luo Zijun smiled slightly and said, "Yingchun, you don't owe me silver; on the contrary, I should be giving you silver. If it weren't for you helping me promote, how could I have earned money from these younger sisters of yours."

Jia Tanchun and the others laughed again upon hearing this.

Shi Xiangyun laughed and said crisply, "Yingchun's person will belong to Young Master Luo in the future, so why would there be any need to give him money."

Jia Yingchun's face turned bright red instantly.

At this time, Bai Qingtong came down from upstairs, happened to hear this sentence, her eyes flickered, and she smiled, "Tanchun, are you all leaving so soon? Won't you stay for a meal?"

Jia Tanchun said, "No, we still have things to do, we must return early."

She still had to go back to scrape together silver; although Daiyu had plenty of money, she couldn't let her pay so much alone.

"Then I will see you all off."

Bai Qingtong smiled, looked at Luo Zijun in the room again, and smiled, "Sir, won't you come along to see the young ladies off?"

Luo Zijun was collecting the IOUs and said upon hearing this, "No, Third Miss can go see them off."

Bai Qingtong looked at him again and walked out the door with a smile.

After all the young ladies and maids boarded the small boat, Luo Zijun came out of the room, looked at the lake, and thought to himself: It seems there is still quite a bit of silver to be skimmed from the Jia Mansion; I will start with these young ladies first, and when the time comes, I will go find Jia Baoyu; that spendthrift can probably squeeze out even more silver. By the way, there are also the maids like Qingwen and Yuanyang; they should also have some money, I'll squeeze them all dry together.

Right! There is also Zhao Yiniang!

That vicious woman, who harbors resentment toward Jia Baoyu and Wang Xifeng and has been constantly trying to find ways to harm them, should also be able to cough up some money.

Of course, the most important one is still Jia She.

He is responsible for the construction of Daguanyuan and is also the father-in-law of Wang Xifeng, who is in charge of the money; there must be even more grease to squeeze out of him.

And then there is that glutton for lust, Jia Zhen.

I reckon that once he finds out about the medicinal pills given to Jia She, he won't be able to hold himself back either.

He is the master of Ningguo Mansion and the patriarch of the entire Jia Family, controlling quite a lot of family property, so naturally, he cannot be let off either.

The more Luo Zijun thought about it, the more excited he became.

How could the money earned from writing books ever come as quickly as swindling these people?

In any case, most of those masters in Jia Mansion are just beasts in human clothing, so he is not afraid of his conscience being uneasy; at worst, he can just save a few pitiful young girls from Jia Mansion to atone for his sins when the time comes.

Just as he was thinking excitedly, a sweet voice suddenly came from the stairs: "Brother Zijun!"

Luo Zijun was startled and turned his head to look.

A beautiful, petite young girl wearing a white dress stood at the stairs, her face full of joy.

Luo Zijun asked in surprise: "Why are you here?"

Then he suddenly thought of something: "Is the young lady upstairs?"

Bai Bai ran over happily, hugged his arm, and said: "Mm, the young lady wants you to go up. Brother Zijun, did you buy a sugar figurine for Bai Bai?"

Luo Zijun: "..."

"Next time, I will definitely buy one next time."

Bai Bai immediately pouted, her eyes full of resentment.

"Thump!"

Just at this moment, a sound of someone falling suddenly came from the stairs, and then, a petite figure wearing a green dress rolled down the stairs quickly and in a sorry state.

After steadying herself.

She immediately climbed up from the ground, then crossed her arms over her chest, holding a sword in her embrace, the sword body sinking into the towering cleavage on her chest, her hair disheveled, standing there motionless.

On that pretty and youthful face, she still maintained that tsundere, icy-cold expression.

(End of this chapter)