Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Luo's Death Warrant

Perhaps she was so shocked that she forgot to hold him down. Mrs. Luo, unable to bear it any longer, slammed the table and stood up. "Your lame son, you expect us to pay 30,000 taels for his dowry? Why don't you just go and rob him!"

Three thousand taels, it's okay if she grits her teeth, but thirty thousand taels, that would cost her her life!

Luo pretended to strangle Lady Wang's neck, but was stopped by Lady Wang's personal nanny.

Madam Wang, still in shock, looked at Luo, who was being held back by the nanny and still lashing out at her like crazy. She said with a stern expression, but with a weak heart, "Your daughter has been disgraced. Not to mention a family like ours, even ordinary families wouldn't dare marry her! Forcing her to marry into the Earl's family for 30,000 taels would be a huge loss for your Li family!"

Luo spat fiercely in her face. "For thirty thousand taels, why don't I just keep my daughter by my side for the rest of her life? Why would I let her marry a cripple?"

Mrs. Wang had anticipated her words and sneered, "You think 30,000 taels isn't worth letting your daughter marry my son? Then is your son's career as a top scholar worth 30,000 taels?"

Luo paused waving his arms and legs in the air, and his triangular eyes narrowed slightly.

Although she didn't say anything, Mrs. Wang knew that she had already controlled the Li family.

Although Mrs. Luo loved her daughter, she cared more about her son's career. If her son was ruined, the entire Li family would be ruined. At that time, there would be no need to even think about Li Susu getting married.

"Although my uncle's family is not one of the most noble families in the capital, it is still easy to capture a small third place winner."

After meeting Li Che, Mrs. Wang was convinced that the Li family would agree to her conditions. "If Li Susu becomes my daughter-in-law, our two families will be related by marriage, and we will be one family. In the officialdom, I will ask my brother to help her as much as possible, just like the matter of her joining the Imperial Academy..."

After Mrs. Wang appeared, Li Che remained calm from beginning to end. However, when he heard Mrs. Wang's promise with his own ears, his big hands on his knees curled up slightly, and he was already wavering.

The family of the Loyal and Brave Marquis was only relying on the favor of their ancestors, and he did not take them seriously. However, Mrs. Wang's brother, Wang Yangzhi, was the second assistant minister of the cabinet. He was in the court with the first assistant minister Zhang Huaixu, and they shared the government affairs and were equally powerful. His status was no less than that of his father-in-law.

If only Lord Wang could help...

Li Che's heart suddenly started beating like a drum.

He had been suspended from work for many days and had run into obstacles everywhere, which had already tormented him greatly. Coupled with his wife's indifference, he was even more disheartened. Now, faced with the olive branch suddenly extended by Mrs. Wang, it was hard for him not to be moved.

Mrs. Luo looked at Li Che's expression and gradually regained her composure. As a woman, she didn't understand officialdom, but from her son's reaction, she knew that Mrs. Wang's brother must be a powerful figure.

On one side is her son's career, and on the other side is her daughter's marriage. The scale in Luo's heart began to tilt slowly.

Looking at the bright side, thirty thousand taels can buy a son a smooth career and give a daughter the position of a young lady in a marquis's mansion. No matter how you look at it, this deal is worth a try.

Mrs. Wang saw the reactions of the mother and son, and finally picked up the teacup and drank it all.

It's done.

She put down her teacup, slowly stood up and said with a smile, "If you have thought it through, the marriage between our two families will remain as it is." Then she was about to leave.

Luo suddenly stopped her, "Wait a minute, Madam Wang. Thirty thousand taels is no small sum. I can't come up with it in a short while."

"You can't afford it, but don't you have a good daughter-in-law?" Madam Wang looked back and saw the embarrassment on Luo's face. She sighed and said, "Well, I'll give you six months. The wedding date will be officially set in the first month of next year. Don't regret it then. As for my sincerity, I will deliver it in a few days."

She got the news from her brother that the emperor was determined to support Prime Minister Zhang and would formally implement the new policy around the beginning of next spring. The Bo Mansion had to fill the hole before then at the latest, otherwise the higher-ups would definitely use the Bo Mansion as a warning to others.

At this point, the matter was settled and Mrs. Wang left gracefully. In the Qionghua Hall, Luo and Li Che sat opposite each other in silence for a long time.

Luo finally made up her mind, "Che'er, since this marriage affects your career, you should also think of a way to persuade Zhao."

Li Che himself knew that if Zhao Qingyi did not help, they would not be able to raise this amount even if they sold all their property.

But he knew even more clearly that his mother definitely still had some money.

"Mother." Li Che's voice was slightly hoarse in the dark night. "How much silver do you have?"

Luo was startled and alert, "What silver?"

Li Che was not surprised by her reaction and said calmly, "Mother, there is no need to pretend to be stupid and dote on your son. Your son knows everything you have done over the years."

Luo's butt almost slipped off the chair.

Li Che stared at her intently, like a beast staring at its prey. "I'll let Zhao pay a portion, but thirty thousand taels is too much. If I ask her for it all, even if I become a Hanlin, I'll lose all my dignity."

Luo clutched the armrest of the chair tightly, knowing she couldn't hide it anymore. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, "...at most ten thousand taels."

"Twenty thousand." Li Che remained calm. "As long as we get through this, I won't interfere in your affairs anymore."

He could continue to turn a blind eye to the things that Luo Shi did behind his back.

"If I can successfully enter the Hanlin Academy, there will be many people who want to curry favor with my mother in the future." Li Che said in a deep voice, patiently coaxing.

Mrs. Luo gradually calmed down, and after weighing the pros and cons, she endured the pain of cutting her own flesh and agreed, "Twenty thousand... just twenty thousand. If it's not enough, I'll let Luo Gui do it." Luo Gui is her younger brother from her mother's side.

"It's good that mother knows."

Li Che got up and left Qionghua Hall. He originally wanted to go back to his own courtyard first and discuss it with Zhao Qingyi another day, but he realized something was wrong as soon as he left Qionghua Hall.

Madam Wang made such a big commotion that it was impossible for Lanyue Pavilion not to hear it, but they didn't send anyone over. There was only one possibility: Zhao Qingyi did it on purpose.

Thinking that she had deliberately let people from the Bo Mansion in and stood by and watched when Lady Wang was making things difficult for the Li family, he suddenly became angry. He turned around and stormed towards the Lanyue Pavilion.

At this time, Zhao Qingyi was preparing to rest and was checking accounts in the room. She heard the voices of two maids paying their respects to Li Che outside the door, and silently put away the account book on the desk.

Just as they finished, Li Che opened the bamboo curtain at the door and came in. "Madam Wang is here, why don't you go and meet her?"

"She wants to meet her mother-in-law, and I'm not familiar with her." Zhao Qingyi seemed not to hear the sarcasm in his words.

"Really?" Li Che sneered, "But the Bo Mansion has already married into our Li family, so we'll have to interact frequently in the future. As the mistress, you should be there, but you're hiding in Lanyue Pavilion and not paying any attention. Is this how the Zhao family teaches you the rules?"

"Anyway, the Zhao family never taught me the rule of selling my daughter for fame." Although Zhao Qingyi hadn't shown up, she knew what the situation in Qionghua Hall was like. "My husband came to me, so he shouldn't just come to call me to task, right?"

Although he had never been able to gain the upper hand from Zhao Qingyi every time he came here before, Li Che was still not used to her mocking attitude.

Seeing her was like seeing his worst side, making his face burn with pain.

Li Che adjusted his mood and automatically ignored Zhao Qingyi's previous words, "I want to discuss something with you. Susu will be marrying into the Bo's Mansion in the first month of next year. The dowry cannot be small. I want to borrow 10,000 taels from you." After all, he didn't have the courage to ask directly.

Zhao Qingyi raised her eyebrows slightly, "Last time, my mother-in-law said that three thousand taels would be enough."

"Something happened that damaged the reputation of the Earl's family, so my mother and I decided to compensate her more with the dowry." Li Che looked at her delicate hands resting on the account book, hesitated for a moment, and wanted to hold her.

Zhao Qingyi stood up and walked away, holding up a box containing silver. "Ten thousand taels is too much, I can't lend it to you. Three thousand taels is a stretch, but I need you to use the Li family's old house as collateral."

She placed the heavy box on the table and opened it in front of Li Che. What caught her eye was the shining silver ingots and a small stack of banknotes underneath. Li Che swallowed unconsciously.

Only someone with Zhao Qingyi's background could casually come up with so much money.

Zhao Qingyi observed his reaction, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. In this life, Li Che was still young, uninitiated by the intrigues of the imperial court, and yet to learn the art of concealing one's emotions. His true nature would always be revealed in the smallest details.

"Now that you, your mother-in-law, and your sister-in-law are all living in the house I bought, the old house is empty anyway. It might as well be mortgaged. If you agree, we can sign the document now, and you can take the silver."

She had suffered too much of this kind in her previous life, and now the Li family couldn't borrow anything from her without any reason.

Li Che never imagined that his wife, the woman with the richest dowry in the capital, would be so petty with him.

He stood up dissatisfiedly and said, "Qingyi, you and I are husband and wife, are you still afraid that I will cheat on you?"

Zhao Qingyi didn't answer, as if to say, hasn't he lied to her enough?

"We are husband and wife, one body, sharing honor and disgrace. Is there any need to separate you and me?"

Li Che took a deep breath, his face filled with grief. "Your behavior is heartbreaking. People say a woman should obey her husband. As a noble lady, you should understand this principle better. But look at your face now. How can you look like a lady from a noble family?"

Zhao Qingyi found it amusing. "My husband needed money urgently and asked for my personal belongings. Didn't I just give them to him without hesitation? What else could he be dissatisfied with?"

Li Che opened his mouth, "You..."

That's true, but he just feels uncomfortable. What he wants is for her to hand over everything obediently, instead of giving him alms in a condescending manner like now. If it were Zhao Manyi, she would have coaxed him into giving him the money long ago.

Zhao Qingyi seemed to see through his thoughts and said with a smile, "As for what my husband said about husband and wife being one, I also agree with it. But my husband never handed over his salary to me in all these years. I thought that my husband liked it this way. What's yours is yours, and what's mine is naturally mine."

"It's not that I don't want to pay the household expenses, it's just..." Li Che sighed in frustration, "Life in Lingnan is really hard, and my salary is meager, barely enough to cover expenses. At worst, from now on, my salary will be under your management."

As he said this, Li Che suddenly realized that he was the one who wanted to blame Zhao Qingyi, so how come he was the one being criticized by Zhao Qingyi?

He began to complain again, "But you, as a woman, and my wife, take care of the harem, serve my mother-in-law, and let me have no worries in the officialdom. These are your duties, and what you should do. But you are arrogant and domineering, always putting your husband and mother-in-law first, and completely disregarding the reputation of your husband's family. Now I just asked you to borrow ten thousand taels because of my difficult situation, and you put on this attitude..."

"What's my stance?"

Zhao Qingyi raised her eyes and looked at him. "If you want to borrow money, we will follow the rules. Is that wrong? If my husband has a clear conscience and repays the money in the future, I will return the title deed to the Li family's old house to you. What are you worried about?"

"Also, my husband keeps saying that I'm superior to you. But who is actually supporting the Li family these days? If I didn't care, how do you think my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law have lived these past three years? Where do you think the money my mother-in-law sends every year comes from?"

Zhao Qingyi pulled out a book from a pile of complicated account books and threw it on the table in front of Li Che. "Every entry in it is recorded clearly. How much of my dowry my mother-in-law has embezzled in the past three years, my husband will know it at a glance."

Li Che was speechless because of her blockage. He casually flipped through a few pages of the account book, and suddenly his face turned ugly. The more he flipped, the more irritated he looked.

How can there be so many?

He always thought that the money his mother sent to Lingnan was earned by herself, but he didn't expect that she actually embezzled Zhao Qingyi's dowry. If this account book were to be spread out, he would be criticized!

My mother is greedy to the core, she is stupid!

"What do you think? Husband still thinks I'm too strong and want to overpower you in everything?"

The money has been embezzled by the Luo family, and Zhao Qingyi cannot get it back in a short time. The only way now is to firmly control the entire Li family. She has to make sure that the money is worth spending.

Li Che sat back down dejectedly. After a long while, he laid out his pen and paper and quickly wrote the mortgage deed. "Three thousand taels is three thousand taels. I'll use the Li family's old house as collateral first. I'll pay you back in the future."

He wrote his name at the end, put down his pen and pressed his fingerprint. Zhao Qingyi took it and looked over it carefully. After confirming that there was no problem, he also signed and asked Li Che to take the silver. Perhaps because he felt guilty, Li Che did not want to stay any longer. He picked up the box and turned to leave.

The two maids stood at the door, watching his departing figure. He walked so hastily, as if they were afraid that their grandmother would change her mind.

Tan Yue came in and whispered, "Grandma, the housekeeper has already found out that the master and the old lady promised the Earl's Mansion a dowry of 30,000 taels. Why is the master only asking you to borrow 10,000 taels?"

The remaining 20,000 taels is an astronomical figure for the Li family, and no one knows where they plan to raise the money.

Zhao Qingyi took out the account book that she had hidden just now. She was very curious about why the Luo family had unexplained income over the years. Now that Li Susu had happened, it was a good opportunity for her to follow the clues and investigate further.

She smiled coldly, "Order everyone to keep a close eye on Qionghua Hall. Report to me everything Mother-in-law does and who she meets."

Li Susu's dowry will eventually become Luo's death warrant, or perhaps, it will also be her chance to get rid of the Li family with good reason.

Sure enough, the doorman delivered the message the next day.

A man who claimed to be Luo's maternal brother came to the house and was taken directly to Qionghua Hall by Luo's mother. Not only was the door closed for conversation, but the other maids in the courtyard were also sent out, so they could not hear what the siblings said. Afterwards, Luo's maternal brother left in a hurry.

The housekeeper remembered Zhao Qingyi's instructions and immediately sent a clever servant to follow quietly.

Mrs. Luo didn't know she was being targeted yet. After sending her brother Luo Gui away, she leaned back on the couch and breathed a long sigh of relief. She took out a stack of banknotes from her sleeve pocket, counted them, and frowned.

"Why is it only this little? This is even less than what was delivered last month."

Mother Luo explained, "Perhaps it's because of our master. He's currently on leave from work. The gentry around Tongxiang who want to curry favor with our master are probably hesitant and waiting."

Tongxiang is the Luo family's hometown.

"What's there to hesitate about? At worst, can Your Majesty still revoke Che'er's reputation? As long as we have a reputation, those gentry and landlords will have to curry favor with us. Even with such a small amount of money, it's not enough to send away beggars."

Luo rolled her eyes in disdain, her triangular irises looking even more fierce. "We need to get Luo Gui to step up his game. Once this critical moment is over, they'll have to pay double the price if they want to curry favor with our Li family."

Mrs. Luo and Mrs. Luo's mother were both people in the harem, and they were isolated from the news. To some extent, they were not as good as the wealthy businessmen and gentry below. At least they had enough officials to curry favor with and were more informed. Many people had some speculations about the new policy. If the new policy was true, then it would not be possible for them to conceal the matter of their land by relying on successful candidates for the imperial examinations.

People like Luo are naturally no longer useful.

Mother Luo was worried. "We still have to rely on Grandpa. As long as Grandpa's career goes well, you don't have to worry about it, Madam."

"Who says it isn't?"

Mrs. Luo had been having a splitting headache these past two days because of the 30,000 taels of dowry. "It's also that damned Mrs. Zhao's fault. She was so rich that she suddenly became so anxious that she invited so many people over for tea. Otherwise, the affair between Susu and Wang Shisan wouldn't have become known to the whole city."

Luo already knew the whole story of the Mingxin Lake incident. Her intuition told her that it couldn't be such a coincidence. It was also impossible for Zhao Qingyi to invite people upstairs for tea at that time for no reason, and let a lot of people see what happened between Li Susu and Wang Shisan.

But if it is said that Zhao Qingyi colluded with the Bo family in advance to frame her Susu, it does not make sense. After all, given Zhao Qingyi's background, there is no need for her to frame her Susu. What good will it do to her if Susu is harmed?

Luo couldn't figure it out and became even more annoyed. She glanced at the box she had hidden at the bedside and felt resentful towards Zhao Qingyi again.

It was obvious that she could have solved the problem by herself, but she was so stingy that she was only willing to lend three thousand taels of money. What's the use of that?

Mrs. Luo put the banknotes into the box and waved her hand, saying, "Send someone to the Bo Mansion to urge Madam Wang. Che'er's career cannot be delayed."

The sooner Li Che enters the Hanlin Academy, the sooner she can collect the money.

Before the master and servant could plot something else, Jun Ge'er came running over on his short legs. As soon as he entered the room, he hugged Luo's thighs and asked stutteringly, "Grandma, grandma, when can I...when can I see my mother?"

Last time, his grandmother promised to let him reunite with his mother as soon as possible, but several days have passed and there is still no news.

His words reminded Luo Shi, who slapped her forehead and smiled happily, "Look at Grandma, how could you forget our Jun'er's mother!"

Zhao Qingyi is stingy, but Zhao Manyi may not be. That woman loves her Cheer wholeheartedly.

The haze that had enveloped her heart instantly dissipated a lot. Luo Shi was more friendly to Jun Ge'er than ever before. She held Jun Ge'er on her lap and said, "Jun Ge'er, do you want to live with your mother in our house?"

"I really want to." Jun Ge'er clapped his hands happily, "I want to live with my mother..."

"Okay, okay, I'm just worried that your mother won't agree. When the time comes, you have to persuade her more, okay?" Luo coaxed Jun Ge'er while winking at Luo's mother. Luo's mother understood and went to invite Li Che.

Ever since the incident with Li Susu, Li Che had to face other people's mocking gazes whenever he went out, so he simply stopped going out. When Luo's mother came to invite him, he was reading a book in the corridor, and he went to Qionghua Hall without thinking much.

Seeing Luo teasing Jun Ge'er, Li Che's face showed no joy, "Mother, do you have something to ask your son?"

Mrs. Luo asked him to sit down. "Actually, I wanted to tell you last time that I plan to let you take a concubine."

Li Che's eyelids twitched, and he heard Luo continue, "You told me before that it was the daughter of the second branch of the Zhao family who had been taking care of you in Lingnan all these years, and she even gave birth to Jun'er for you. I thought, why don't you marry her? Firstly, she and Jun'er will be reunited, and secondly..."

Mrs. Luo paused and said meaningfully, "She is also the daughter of the Zhao family. I think her dowry is quite large..."

"Mother, you're overthinking it." Li Che didn't want to mention Zhao Manyi at all. The image of her face covered in rashes was still lingering in his mind. "The first and second branches of the Zhao family are very different. What's more, she was born out of wedlock and has an unmarried elder sister. The second branch can't give her much dowry."

In fact, the most important thing is that he understands Zhao Manyi's character. She would never commit herself to being a concubine. If she was willing, why would she endure the pain of separation between mother and son and let Jun Ge'er enter the mansion first?

"That's better than nothing!"

When Mrs. Luo got excited, her voice suddenly became high-pitched, which frightened Jun Ge'er in her arms. Jun Ge'er's mouth pouted and he was about to cry, so Mrs. Luo quickly took him out.

Luo's concerns vanished. "I've heard it all. Her biological mother, that concubine, was very favored by the Second House. When Zhao Manyi was sent away to seek marriage, she became a widow. She felt sorry for her daughter and used all sorts of tricks. The Second House Master then asked for a divorce letter and took his daughter home. If you marry her, the concubine will definitely give her a lot of money."

Li Che felt helpless after hearing what Luo had planned to this extent, but on the other hand he felt that this was a good idea. At least Zhao Manyi could reunite with Jun Ge'er openly, and she wouldn't have to come to him every few days to make trouble.

He thought for a moment, then softened his tone. "...Well, let's do as Mother said. It just so happens that my father-in-law and his family are about to return to Beijing. After three years, I have to accompany Qingyi back home. When we get to the Zhao family, I'll find a chance to tell Man'er about it."

Li Che agreed with this, and Luo immediately smiled.

Things turned out just as Li Che had expected. Two days later, news came that the eldest branch of the Zhao family had arrived in Beijing. It was said that they had returned with the eldest princess and her husband.

The eldest princess is the twin sister of the current emperor and the only princess in Daliang. Her status is naturally noble. Her presence as a member of the Zhao family undoubtedly makes the Zhao family more respected by the people.

Zhao Qingyi couldn't contain her excitement. As she was about to get on the carriage, her hands in front of her trembled slightly. Soon, she would see her father, mother and younger brother.

Just as Qiao Yue was about to help her get into the carriage, Li Che stretched out his hand and said, "Madam, I'll accompany you."