https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-14-Seeking-the-Grand-Marshal-s-Protection/12582372/
Chapter 13: Someone Cares for Qianqian
Chapter 13: Someone Cares for Qianqian
Lu Lingxiao stormed out of the Hall of Sea Breeze, intending to confront his grandmother and demand an explanation for his anger.
But in an instant, he thought better of it, realizing that questioning his grandmother while in a fit of rage would be disrespectful and unfilial.
Fortunately, news traveled fast among the servants, and with a little attention, he could easily gather information.
It turned out that during his grandfather's lifetime, he had lent out a significant amount of money, or "high-interest loans." As a military general, no one dared to default on his loans, and he had made a handsome profit in the early years.
Tasting success, his grandfather had expanded his money-lending business.
However, these interest-bearing loans caused significant harm, and as soon as the Grand Emperor ascended the throne, he issued an edict banning the practice among the common folk.
Many people withdrew from the business, and Lu's grandfather wanted to do the same. But unfortunately, he had lent out too much money, and by the time he tried to retreat, it was too late, resulting in a total loss of his capital.
To recover his fortunes, Lu's grandfather mortgaged the family's mansions, shops, and farms to borrow a substantial sum. He then partnered with others to venture into the salt trade.
However, was salt trading an easy business to succeed in? Besides being a mere fourth-rank military official, even imperial relatives would think twice before dabbling in salt trading.
As expected, the news of his venture leaked out.
It was only because Lu's great-grandfather had contributed to the Grand Emperor's rise to power that Lu's grandfather escaped punishment and only had to pay a fine to keep his official position.
However, this incident left the Lu family deeply in debt.
When Lu Lingxiao reached marriageable age, the old madam had considered finding a prestigious match for him in the capital. However, once the prospective families inquired about the Lu family's situation, they dared not marry their daughters into the family.
It was only because the Meng family was far away in Youzhou and unaware of the Lu family's decline that they agreed to the marriage.
So, Meng Qianqian had not lied. It was her dowry that filled the Lu family's financial gaps and repaid their debts. It was also thanks to her dowry that the Lu family could maintain their prestigious and comfortable lifestyle.
A servant sighed, "That's how it is, young master. There's no shame in living off a woman's money; the shame lies in taking it for granted."
Lu Lingxiao glared, his face cold, "Why are you so talkative?"
The servant sullenly closed his mouth.
"What's your name?" Lu Lingxiao asked.
This servant had been sent by Liu Guan to be his personal attendant, but in just a few days, Lu Lingxiao felt annoyed by the servant's chattiness.
The servant replied, "Young master, my name is Shenyan."
Lu Lingxiao's face darkened, "And you dare to lecture me? I asked what your name is!"
The servant, looking wronged, explained, "My name is Shenyan, young master. I talk too much and have a loose tongue, so my master gave me this name to remind me to be cautious with my words."
Lu Lingxiao scoffed, "I don't see how that name has helped you at all!"
Shenyan hesitated, wanting to say something more.
Impatiently, Lu Lingxiao asked, "What now?"
Shenyan hesitated again before speaking, "I have something to report, young master."
"Speak!" demanded Lu Lingxiao.
Shenyan said, "The madam has settled the bill for the fabric."
Lu Lingxiao's expression softened, "It seems my great-grandmother still cares for me."
Shenyan added, "But it wasn't for Miss Lin."
"Qianqian! Qianqian!"
Meng Qianqian was halfway through her calculations when the old madam walked in, looking surprisingly energetic.
While she did have her moments of absent-mindedness, her health had improved significantly over the years thanks to Meng Qianqian's care.
Meng Qianqian closed the account book, "Great-grandmother."
The old madam approached her and glanced at the account book in her hands, "What is this book about?"
Meng Qianqian smiled and explained, "This isn't a storybook, it's an account book. I'll read a new one tomorrow and share it with you, great-grandmother."
The old madam nodded vigorously, "Then you must remember!"
Meng Qianqian smiled gently, "I will."
The old madam grinned mischievously, revealing a hint of triumph, "Hehe~"
Banxia and Li Mama couldn't help but be amused by the old madam's playful behavior, covering their mouths to hide their smiles.
The Old Madam grinned mischievously, her face full of mystery as she said, "Qianqian, guess what I bought for you!"
"Hmm..."
"Alright, alright, you'll never guess!"
With a grand gesture, the Old Madam exclaimed, "Bring it in!"
Two servants entered, carrying several bolts of vibrant and colorful fabric.
Li Mama fixed her gaze on the fabric, her eyes widening in surprise. "Isn't that the Floating Light Brocade sent by the cloth shop?"
It was clear that Lin had chosen the fabric for her unborn child, but a single child wouldn't need so much material. Anyone could see that she had chosen it for herself.
She certainly had an eye for fine fabric; all of them were high-quality woven silks.
When sewn into garments, this expensive fabric would clearly proclaim her as the rightful wife of the General who pacified the North.
"Does Qianqian like it?"
The Old Madam asked with a tilt of her head.
Meng Qianqian's heart warmed, and she nodded. "I like it. If it's from Great-Grandmother, Qianqian will like it."
The Old Madam, hands on her hips, laughed like a cunning old fox. "Ho ho ho~"
Meng Qianqian asked curiously, "Great-Grandmother, where did you get so much money?"
Seven to eight hundred taels was no small sum.
Old Madam: "It's my coffin money."
Meng Qianqian: "..."
At the Maple Courtyard
Lu Lingxiao had dinner with Lin Wan'er.
"I'm sorry, the fabric was bought by Great-Grandmother. I'll get you new ones later."
He said to Lin Wan'er.
Lin Wan'er shook her head and signed with her hands: Only one bolt of the fabric was for our child; the rest was originally chosen for the First Young Madam.
Lu Lingxiao had initially felt grateful and ashamed for Meng Qianqian's years of supporting the family, but after hearing Lin Wan'er's words, he suddenly felt that Meng Qianqian was still not as sensible as Wan'er.
While it was true that she had contributed by supporting the family, she shouldn't take advantage of that and do as she pleased in the household.
Lu Lingxiao held her hand tenderly, his heart aching for her. "I'm sorry you've had to endure hardships. You always consider her feelings, but she only thinks of herself. If she could be half as sensible as you, we wouldn't have this unrest in the family."
Lin Wan'er signed: The First Young Madam is young, and the General should be more understanding. Please don't be angry with her.
Lu Lingxiao furrowed his brows. "I understand. From now on, I'll try to accommodate her as much as possible. You're tired from the pregnancy, so rest first. I've made great contributions this time, and His Majesty will bestow rewards. Once the rewards arrive, I'll take you to buy fabric. I'll get some for you and the child, and you can choose a few more for yourself."
Lin Wan'er snuggled into his embrace and wrote with her finger in his palm: Being able to serve by the General's side is enough for Wan'er. I ask for nothing else.
Lu Lingxiao hugged her shoulders. "Bringing you back to the capital doesn't mean you should live a hard life. Besides the position of the main wife, I'll give you everything else a couple should have—love, wealth, and honor."
At the Crabapple Courtyard
Meng Qianqian spent the afternoon entertaining the Old Madam and then continued with the accounts in the evening.
The estate's accounts were divided into two parts: the internal accounts and the external accounts.
The internal accounts referred to the household expenses, while the external accounts dealt with the profits and losses of the fields and shops.
From the accounts, it was clear that not only were the fields and shops unprofitable, but a significant amount of silver had to be invested in them annually.
And it was obvious where this silver came from.
Meng Qianqian closed the account book. "I didn't expect that in just five years, most of my dowry has been spent."
Li Mama winced. "Yes, there's only 10,000 taels left."
Meng Qianqian frowned in thought. "There's a problem with these accounts. We'll need to go through them carefully later to see how much we can recoup. The urgent task now is to transfer this 10,000 taels out as soon as possible."
This would be the money she relied on for her future security.
But how and where should she transfer it?
(End of Chapter)
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