Chapter 214 Asking for Money

Despite the frequent troubles within the Xie family, they had little impact on Shen Yuanzhu and Xie Qi.

The two of them focused all their attention on the Dyeing Competition and paid no more attention to it.

Xie Qi got up early and went to Jixia Manor, while Shen Yuanzhu took out the real "Shen Family Dyeing Manual".

This Shen family dyeing manual looks ordinary and is no different from ordinary handwritten notes.

However, Shen Yuanzhu often took it out to look at it, even though she already knew the contents by heart.

Seeing her young mistress gently caressing the dyeing pattern, Madam Luo asked softly, "Is Miss in a bad mood?"

"without."

Shen Yuanzhu raised her head, revealing different handwriting on the same page of the dyeing chart.

This dyeing manual was originally compiled by Shen Yuanzhu's maternal grandfather, so it contains some yellowed and tattered paper.

Later, her father made some adjustments to her grandfather's dyeing formula, so there are also her father's annotations on it.

Turning the page further, you see her mother's handwriting.

That notebook, at first glance, looked tattered and worn, simply because it had been torn apart and pages added several times, and even contained the first half of the Xie family's farming and weaving charts.

Now, Shen Yuanzhu has added her own handwriting to it.

There are new patterns with foreign influences, some improved weaving and dyeing methods, and the other half of the farming and weaving charts obtained from the Xie family.

Shen Yuanzhu held a thick stack of handwritten notes, carefully smoothing out every old crease.

Looking at it, Luo found another square piece of red cloth, took out the faded and dull silk from the wooden box, and replaced it with a new one.

Seeing this, Shen Yuanzhu said, "Nanny, I think I need to come up with a new dyeing recipe for the Dyeing Competition."

"Miss, are you not confident?"

"Yes, Shen Yanhuai must have something good. He hasn't brought it out yet because the time isn't right."

Shen Yuanzhu touched the dyeing chart with one hand and rested her chin on the other, sighing: "Jixia Manor went from an unknown little shop to become the 'second-best' weaving and dyeing merchant in Suzhou Prefecture, simply because it made a splash during the sample cloth competition at the Prince's Mansion."

"Yun Zheng had nothing in his hands, yet he dared to take other people's things and erect a signboard out of thin air. This shows that people don't care about the truth or falsehood; they just like to watch the show."

"So I think Shen Yanhuai probably saw some signs from Jixia Manor and wanted to use the Dyeing Competition to make a name for himself."

Her fingertips lightly touched the dyeing pattern.

"The Shen family is already famous for its dyeing techniques. As long as he produces something outstanding, people will feel that he truly deserves the name 'Shen family'."

"The Shen family's reputation, which had been dormant in the past, can now be turned around and shine brightly again."

Seeing her melancholy expression, Madam Luo thought for a moment and cautiously asked, "Miss, do you not want Shen Yanhuai to restore the Shen family's reputation?"

Seeing Shen Yuanzhu frowning, Madam Luo said, "Miss, please don't blame this old servant for being nosy. Since Shen Yanhuai didn't do those things in the past, there's no need for you to argue with him endlessly."

Luo said, "With an elder brother around, he can help you with anything, big or small, in the future."

Shen Yuanzhu laughed and said, "Luo Qing and Luo Bai, aren't they my elder brothers?"

"That's true, but..."

Shen Yuanzhu held Luo's hand and said softly, "Nanny, I know your worries, but Shen Yanhuai and I... although we have the bond of brother and sister, we have no affection for each other."

"Moreover, business matters are not about fighting or grabbing, or about never giving up; it's just about each person using their own methods and abilities."

Knowing that her young mistress had her own ideas, Madam Luo stopped trying to persuade her and instead started talking about other things.

"By the way, Miss got up late today, unaware that there was another disturbance up ahead."

"what happens?"

Madam Luo said, "Didn't the eldest son's family go to the textile and dyeing garden yesterday? Guess what happened?"

"What's wrong?"

"That Xie Lao Er not only transferred the craftsmen with long-term contracts from the Xie family to Jixia Manor, but he also drove out more than half of the other craftsmen in the family beforehand."

Shen Yuanzhu asked in surprise, "He did it on purpose?"

Luo shook her head: "I don't know either. Maybe it was intentional. Anyway, he had already made connections with the owner of Jixia Manor. Maybe he had been secretly doing something wrong."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhu burst out laughing.

"However, Miss, the manager of Jixia Manor is no good person. If Xie Lao Er cooperates with him, he's likely to suffer a setback."

"yes."

Shen Yuanzhu said, "Just you wait and see. Based on my understanding of that unlucky thing, once those craftsmen arrive at Jixia Manor, Xie Chengzhi will no longer be laughing."

While Shen Yuanzhu was still talking with Luo Shi, Xiao Zhi entered the room, saying that Cai Huan, Xie Xuchuan's attendant, was requesting an audience.

"A rainbow ring?"

Luo asked, "What is she doing here?"

Xiaozhi shook her head: "Just say you want to see Miss."

"See me? What brings you here?"

Xiao Zhi said, "She didn't say. Does Miss want to see her?"

"Let her in."

Caihuan had been taking care of Xie Xuchuan for a long time, and Shen Yuanzhu was quite familiar with her as well.

He had previously traveled to Suzhou Prefecture with her and Xie Xuchuan.

But now that we meet again, everything has changed.

Upon entering Qianxiang Courtyard, Caihuan couldn't help but feel sorry for Shen Yuanzhu.

"I've seen Caihuan before..."

Upon entering the house, she intended to bow, but the words caught in her throat as she hesitated to address him.

Calling her "Second Young Mistress" is definitely not appropriate.

"Why are you here? It's been years since we last met, but Sister Caihuan hasn't changed at all."

Shen Yuanzhu interrupted her and led the person to her side.

Her gentleness and consideration only made Caihuan feel more distressed.

"Yes, it's been a long time."

Seeing her embarrassed expression, Shen Yuanzhu knew that nothing good was coming and did not say anything more.

After a long silence, Caihuan said, "To be honest, it's like this..."

"As you know, something has happened at home recently. Second Master is acting recklessly, selling off or dismissing the artisans and embroiderers in the weaving and dyeing workshop."

“The young master was busy all night yesterday, and didn’t return until dawn, but…”

For some unknown reason, Caihuan looked ashen-faced and turned her head slightly.

"When the eldest young master learned that the family had suffered a disaster, he wanted to take out some money to see if he could help the third master redeem the indentures of several important stewards and Master Song."

"But Jixia Manor offered an exorbitant price, so it won't be available for the time being..."

Caihuan stammered and changed the subject, never getting to the point.

Shen Yuanzhu, losing patience, said, "Sister Caihuan, please just say what you need to say. We are quite familiar with each other, and there is no one else in this room."

"You don't need to feel uncomfortable speaking up. Even if there are any difficulties, I won't tell anyone."

If we let her keep stammering like this, who knows how much time will be wasted.

After a long silence, Caihuan said, "This wasn't the young master's idea, it was the young mistress... The young master couldn't persuade her otherwise, so..."

Shen Yuanzhu lost her patience: "Just tell me, what is it?"

Caihuan lowered her head, her voice growing weaker: "It's like this, some time ago the eldest young master borrowed some money from Xie... Xie Qi. Now that the Xie family is in trouble, the eldest young mistress's idea is... could... could you wait until Xie... Young Master Xie has some money to spare before returning the money... could you return the money first?"