Chapter 233: Let You Go Bankrupt!

That night, the cold wind blew fiercely.

Inside and outside the Laishi Winery, people were patrolling back and forth; especially around the front and back of the wine warehouse, warriors were guarding it personally, making it hard for even a mosquito to enter.

The winery manager, Lai Qinglai, also stayed in a room inside the winery tonight.

Tomorrow was the day for wine delivery.

Because of the previous incident, the winery still owed some debts, and in order to brew this batch of new wine, he had even mortgaged this winery, so naturally, he could not afford any more mistakes.

It was not until nightfall that he personally tasted the new wine.

Lai Da had also sent someone to take a jar back to taste personally, for fear that problems would arise again.

Fortunately, however, everything went smoothly.

As long as they sold the new wine in the warehouse over the next few days to restore some reputation, and then sold a large amount during the New Year, they would not only be able to pay off the debts but also make a profit.

"After getting the business of this winery back on track, I will take advantage of the high price to sell it off, and then go to Lin County..."

Lai Da had come over yesterday and spoken to him about this matter again.

Originally, they had been working on disposing of this winery some time ago, but who knew such a thing would suddenly happen; if they were in a rush to sell now, they probably wouldn't get a good price, and it was very likely they would be insolvent, so Lai Da decided to sell two more batches first, earn some money during the New Year, restore the winery's reputation, and then sell it off.

"I don't know why Uncle is in such a hurry to leave; isn't it quite good here? With the protection of the Jia Family, and Lin'an City being so prosperous, money flows in like water—isn't it better than that Lin County?"

Lai Qinglai was drinking wine in the room, feeling puzzled.

An old man sitting opposite him smiled and said, "Qinglai, there are some things your uncle surely sees further than you do; you just need to follow his instructions."

Lai Qinglai whispered, "Uncle Song, is it that the Jia Mansion is failing?"

The old man quickly straightened his expression and said, "Do not speak nonsense!"

Lai Qinglai accompanied him with a smile: "Junior is not speaking nonsense; everyone is saying in private that the King has left, and that Jia Guifei is not having an easy time in the palace. I heard the Queen has killed many people in these few months, and many officials have been demoted or had their homes confiscated... The two Commandery Princes who were on good terms with the Jia Mansion have also had their titles stripped, and the Xue Family, who were of one mind with the Jia Mansion, have also had their qualifications as imperial merchants revoked... The Shi Family has also been reprimanded and punished..."

"Everyone is saying that the Queen is currently making moves against the Four Great Families..."

The old man remained silent, picked up his wine cup, drank it in one gulp, and after a moment, looked at him and said, "These matters have nothing to do with you or me; stop discussing them in the future. Listen to your uncle, finish dealing with these properties early, and leave this place of trouble early. Shang Rong is there in Lin County; that is where our place is."

Lai Qinglai said, "But, Brother Rong is only a small county official there; how can he compare to the Jia Family?"

The old man smiled faintly and said, "A county official of a small county can sometimes be more powerful than a high official in the capital. Moreover, Shang Rong is not just a small county official there; there are other forces there, and you will know when you go."

Just as the two were talking, the barking of two large black dogs suddenly came from outside.

The expressions of the two tightened, and they immediately went out to check.

At this time, several guards standing guard in the corridor also gripped the blades at their waists, their eyes looking vigilantly into the courtyard.

"What is going on?"

Lai Qinglai asked.

A guard respectfully said, "Just a wild cat; it just jumped onto the courtyard wall and has already been chased away."

Lai Qinglai glanced at the courtyard wall and solemnly instructed, "Nothing is allowed to be let in; you must be careful tonight, and there cannot be any mistakes!"

The guards answered in unison.

Lai Qinglai looked around again before returning to the room with the old man.

And at this moment, on the roof above them, a phantom was driving a lot of powder, silently drilling in through the gaps in the roof tiles...

The night was cold, and the north wind was wailing.

If someone were to enter the wine warehouse to check carefully at this time, they would suddenly see a bizarre scene.

A long, thin silver needle was rotating on its own, piercing into the sealing wax above a wine barrel, and then, some white powder silently drilled into the wine barrel.

Of course, the room was pitch black, and even if someone came in, if they didn't light a lamp and check carefully, they wouldn't be able to see it.

The time of one night passed quietly.

When the sky was just beginning to brighten, many carriages had already stopped at the gate of the winery.

Lai Qinglai took the keys, went to open the wine warehouse himself, and then led people to start moving the wine.

When the sun rose, many carriages loaded with barrels of wine drove to various parts of Lin'an City.

By nightfall, various restaurants, brothels, and mansions had opened the new wine, starting to taste it themselves or entertain guests.

This night, Luo Zijun did not go to the Diyuan to cultivate, but had a good sleep at home.

After dawn.

He ate breakfast, called Bai Third Miss, and went to the Jia Mansion together.

After getting on the carriage, Bai Qingtong joked, "Brother-in-law, haven't you started missing Lin Meimei after not seeing her for a few days? A few days ago, when she came to row a boat on the lake, Brother-in-law was watching her without blinking."

Luo Zijun said, "I was just looking; it's not like I was only looking at her."

Two days ago, Jia Tanchun brought several young ladies from the Jia Mansion over to play, and he was invited to go rowing on the lake together; he had only whispered a few words to that Lin Meimei, and everyone was teasing and joking about it.

Bai Qingtong hummed, "Then Brother-in-law, tell me, what secret words did you secretly whisper to Lin Meimei behind our backs that day?"

Luo Zijun said, "I just asked about her recent situation and some things about the Jia Mansion."

Bai Qingtong looked disbelieving: "Why didn't you ask about Tanchun, Xichun, and Xiangyun?"

Luo Zijun explained, "Last time I went to Liu Chujian's place, I heard Yingchun say that Lin Guniang's health has been very poor recently and she often coughs up blood, so I showed some concern that day and gave her a prescription and told her a few things."

Hua'er, who was on the side, smiled and said, "If that's really the case, Brother-in-law should have given the instructions openly; why did you have to do it behind others' backs?"

Luo Zijun looked at her and said, "That prescription cannot be known by others."

Just as Hua'er was about to speak again, Bai Qingtong quickly said, "So that's how it is; it seems I misunderstood Brother-in-law."

Then she smiled again: "I thought Brother-in-law found Lin Meimei beautiful and had other intentions. If you had other intentions, it wouldn't actually matter; Brother-in-law can just confess to me, I will help you secretly and won't tell on you to my sister."

Luo Zijun rolled his eyes at her: "Stop trying to fool me; which of the things I told you before did you not tell the Eldest Miss?"

Bai Qingtong smiled: "I only told Fenfen, not my sister. Brother-in-law has already consummated the marriage with Fenfen; if she asks me, naturally it's not good for me not to tell her."

Luo Zijun said, "Is there a difference?"

Bai Qingtong smiled and did not continue this topic, suddenly asking, "By the way, Brother-in-law, what were you using all that wine you suddenly had us order from our mansion and Second Uncle's mansion a few days ago for?"

Luo Zijun asked, "Was it all delivered yesterday?"

Bai Qingtong said, "They were all delivered; Father and Second Uncle and the others all drank some last night."

The corners of Luo Zijun's mouth twitched, and he said, "Third Miss, did you not tell them that I was the one who had you buy them?"

Bai Qingtong said, "No, I just said I decided to buy them myself. But since I bought too many, Father and Second Uncle both asked, and I said I was saving them to drink for the New Year."

As the two were talking, the carriage had already arrived at the Jia Mansion.

Very quickly, Jia Tanchun brought people out to welcome them.

Luo Zijun and Bai Qingtong walked up the steps together, exchanged a few pleasantries with Jia Tanchun and the others, and entered the gate.

In the courtyard, Lai Da was directing servants to move flower pots.

When Luo Zijun looked toward him, his gaze also looked over, and then he lowered his head and bent his waist, bowing with a fawning smile: "Miss Bai and Young Master Luo have arrived."

Luo Zijun said to Bai Qingtong at his side, "Third Miss, you go to the back and play with Miss Tanchun and the others first; I will come find you all in a while."

Bai Qingtong did not ask further and nodded.

Jia Tanchun glanced at him, then glanced at Cuimo who was following beside him.

Cuimo understood and stayed behind.

After everyone had left, Luo Zijun walked to Lai Da's side, watched the servants moving flower pots, and smiled: "Every time I come to the mansion, I see Steward Lai busy at work; it really is hard labor."

Lai Da sighed and said, "As a servant, isn't doing these things what I should be doing? I am different from Young Master Luo. Young Master Luo's appearance is clearly that of a wealthy and noble life, while mine is clearly a life of toil."

Luo Zijun said, "That is true, Steward Lai does have self-awareness."

Lai Da narrowed his eyes, shouted loudly at a servant in front, then turned his head to look at him, smiling all over his face: "Is your elder sister, Young Master Luo, in good health?"

Luo Zijun looked calm and said, "Quite good. What about Steward Lai's winery? I heard a few days ago that Steward Lai's winery brewed fake wine, harmed quite a few people, lost a lot of silver, and almost went bankrupt."

The muscles on Lai Da's face twitched a few times, and he smiled: "Bankruptcy is not quite the case. I don't care much about that little bit of silver; it's all just pocket money. As for you, Young Master Luo, I heard you earned money selling books before; you must have earned quite a lot, right?"

Luo Zijun smiled: "I stopped selling them long ago. I am living off a woman now; it's quite pleasant."

Lai Da was all smiles: "Young Master Luo is truly a carefree person. Living off a woman is indeed quite pleasant, but it's a pity I don't have that fate."

Luo Zijun said, "Steward Lai is joking. Living off a woman requires, first, good looks, and second, talent. To be honest, Steward Lai, it's not that you don't have that fate, it's that you don't have the possibility."

A flash of gloom appeared in Lai Da's eyes, and just as he was about to speak, a servant suddenly ran in from the gate in a panic, saying as he ran: "Head Steward! Head Steward! It's bad, the wine at the winery has had problems again! The entrance has been blocked by people, many people are beating others at the winery, the head shopkeeper is about to be beaten to death, you must go take a look!"

Once these words were out, Lai Da's expression changed instantly, and he hurried to leave.

Luo Zijun hurriedly followed behind and said, "Steward Lai, what is going on? Did your winery brew fake wine again? This time, won't it drink people to death? Our Bai Family bought quite a lot."

Once these words were out, Lai Da's footsteps paused, and he turned his head, looking at him with red eyes.

Luo Zijun also stopped his footsteps, spread his hands and said, "We really did buy quite a lot, preparing to drink it for the New Year and to give to other relatives. We only bought the wine because we trusted your Lai Family Winery. By the way, Third Miss even sent a few barrels to the Lin'an Prince and Shangguan yesterday."

Lai Da's body swayed, and he almost fell over.

He did not speak again, hurried to run, and soon went out the gate and boarded a carriage.

Luo Zijun stood in the courtyard, watching him stagger onto the carriage and head away, then turned his head, looked at Cuimo who had been watching him not far away, smiled slightly, and said, "Let's go, let's go to the back courtyard to find Lin Meimei—oh no, to find the young ladies and have a chat."

Cuimo giggled and said, "Young Master Luo almost let it slip."

Luo Zijun was not embarrassed at all; he was in a pleasant mood, asked about some things that had happened in the Jia Mansion recently, focused on asking about Jia Rong and Jia Zhen, and then asked about Qingwen.

Cuimo said, "Qingwen doesn't know where she offended Wang Shanbao's wife; the other party scolded her behind her back and even went to the Madam to complain. Qingwen was scolded by the Madam, was so angry she didn't eat for two days, and went to Wang Shanbao's wife's place to scold her back... then she fell ill. She has been lying in bed for these past few days, not eating or drinking, and has become very thin..."

Upon hearing this, Luo Zijun immediately said, "Cuimo, you take me to see Qingwen first."

Upon hearing this, Cuimo hesitated: "Young Master Luo, wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

In the place where the female family members of the mansion slept, how could she dare to bring a man over? And with Qingwen's temper, she didn't dare to provoke her either.

Luo Zijun said, "It's fine. You secretly take me over; Qingwen won't be angry, and your Young Miss won't blame you either. I can tell fortunes and I can also practice medicine; I will go take a look at Qingwen."

Cuimo hesitated again and said, "Alright. Anyway, the Young Miss did instruct that whatever Young Master Luo wants to do, this servant should try to agree."

Then she whispered: "You cannot let the Master and Madam know, otherwise this servant will be beaten to death, and the Young Miss will also be scolded."

Luo Zijun said, "You know, I know, Heaven knows, Earth knows, and Qingwen knows."

Cuimo giggled and said, "I'm just afraid of meeting others on the way."

Luo Zijun said, "You tell me the specific room, then you go find a way to lure the other maids away, and I will sneak in."

Cuimo snorted, looked at him and said, "Then how will Young Master Luo thank this servant? This kind of thing is very dangerous."

Luo Zijun said, "I will tell your fortune for free in a while."

Cuimo's eyes lit up: "Really?"

Luo Zijun said, "Of course it's real. We scholars never lie to people."

Cuimo was finally happy.

The two, one after the other, passed through the garden and arrived at a courtyard in the back.

Cuimo whispered the location to him, then went in first to lure away a few young maids.

Luo Zijun now had keen hearing; seeing that everyone had walked away, he immediately snuck in, passed through the corridor, and quickly entered the room.

A thick scent of medicinal herbs floated in the room.

On the bed in the room on the right lay a figure; with her breathing, the quilt rising on her chest rose and fell slightly, and a strand of black hair hung down from the edge of the pillow.

When Luo Zijun entered, the person on the bed had just sighed softly; she did not seem to be asleep.

She lay there with her eyes open; her originally bright and lively eyes were now dull and lifeless, and her originally beautiful and pretty face was now as pale as paper.

Luo Zijun came to the bedside, secretly rejoicing in his heart: Fortunately, I came today; if it were two more days, I fear it would truly be as written in the book—this stubborn girl would die of illness from fasting, dying in desolation.

"Qingwen..."

He came to the bedside and called out softly.

The young girl, who was staring blankly with her eyes open, had her gaze move slightly; she was a bit dazed, stunned for a few seconds, and whispered to herself: "It seems I really am about to die... I've actually started having auditory hallucinations, hearing Young Master Luo's voice..."

Then, two lines of tears suddenly flowed from the corners of her eyes: "Young Master Luo is so amazing, he actually calculated it so accurately, even telling me long ago that I might die like this... but, but I just can't help it..."

Luo Zijun said, "I also told you that if things happened and you really couldn't stay here anymore, you could come find me."

Qingwen heard the voice again, was stunned for a moment, blinked her eyes, suddenly turned her head to look at the bedside, and then, her eyes gradually widened.

Luo Zijun hurriedly made a "shh" sound and whispered, "Don't call out, don't be afraid, it's me. It's not a dream, and it's not a ghost."

Qingwen opened her eyes wide to look at him, dazed for a few seconds, then opened her small mouth as if wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

She suddenly remembered something, struggled in a panic to get up, quickly grabbed the bodice and other clothing from the stool by the bed, and stuffed them under the quilt; her face, which had been pale as paper, was suddenly flushed, and she looked at him shyly and nervously, saying, "Luo... Young Master Luo, how... how did you get here?"

Just as Luo Zijun was about to speak, the cold, sharp voice of Lady Wang suddenly came from outside the door: "Is that shameless little hussy still lying in bed playing dead? If you want to die, go die outside! Don't dirty our room!"

As she spoke, a flurry of chaotic footsteps entered the courtyard.

Qingwen's face turned pale instantly, and she hurriedly urged, "Young Master Luo, quickly... quickly hide..."

Seeing there was nowhere to hide, Luo Zijun had no choice but to crouch down and crawl under the bed.

Just as he got in, the group of maidservants and nannies crowded around Lady Wang as they entered the main hall, then came over, kicked open the bedroom door, and stormed into the room aggressively.

(End of this chapter)