Chapter 226

Shen Rang looked at Yun Xi, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes: "Jewelry is nothing compared to antique ornaments, which are quite interesting. I'll show you around in the future."

"Really?" Yunxi's eyes lit up, but quickly dimmed again. "But I don't have any money..."

As she spoke, she glanced at Madam Yun.

Madam Yun's back molars are also in danger.

This man really is from the countryside; he's so adept at freeloading!

But in front of Shen Rang, Madam Yun could only force a smile: "...I'll give you an extra five hundred taels every month."

"Five hundred taels?" Yunxi was somewhat disappointed by such a large sum. "Never mind, maybe it's enough. I can save it up for two months. If it really doesn't work, Your Highness, you'll lend it to me, right? I can give you an IOU."

Meeting Yunxi's gaze, Shen Rang's lips twitched slightly before he said, "Okay, but since it's an IOU, there needs to be something as collateral."

"Pawned items? I have nothing of value on me. But even if I were to use items from the Yun family as collateral, Madam wouldn't say anything, would she?"

"...One thousand taels."

Yunxi knew when to stop: "Thank you, Madam."

Madam Yun's heart was bleeding profusely.

A full four thousand taels!

It's not a one-time payment that's the end of it; it has to be paid every month!

Meanwhile, Yunxi leaned back, nestling right into Chen Rang's arms: "Your Highness, I feel so dizzy..."

"In that case, I won't bother you any longer. Farewell."

"...I won't see you out." Those two short words carried a chilling undertone that anyone could sense.

Watching the two walk away, Yun Wan was the first to come to her senses, and sighed, "Mother, do you know what kind of hardship I endured in the Marquis's mansion?"

Madam Yun closed her eyes briefly, her chest heaving violently a few times.

Her mind was currently preoccupied with the prospect of making a fortune, and she couldn't care less about Yun Wan's grievances.

If the Yun family could afford three thousand taels a month if they gritted their teeth, then four thousand taels would be a real struggle.

After much deliberation, Madam Yun could only look at Yun Wan: "Wanwan, that girl comes from the countryside and is so ignorant. Four thousand taels of silver a month is really not a small amount. Even our Yun family may find it difficult to afford it."

"What Mother means is..."

"Since you and your sister are both in the Marquis's residence, why don't you ask your sister for money if you have any expenses in the future?"

Yun Wan's face stiffened.

Why would someone like her, the mistress of a noble household, go and get money from a concubine?

It sounds ridiculous!

Madam Yun's face also flushed slightly: "Wanwan, you are sisters after all!"

Hearing this, what else could Yun Wan do but force a forced smile and say, "Mother is right."

Seeing that Madam Yun's gaze had fallen on her waist, Yun Wan gritted her teeth and tore off the token: "In that case, there's no use for me keeping the token. I should return it to Mother."

Since Madam Yun has already said she won't let her withdraw any more money, there's no point in keeping the token with her. It's better to return it to Madam Yun in person, so that Madam Yun will remember her kindness more.

Madam Yun sighed, "I'm so sorry to have wronged you."

Despite this, it didn't stop her from accepting the token.

Yun Wan smiled, a faint metallic taste rising in her throat.

——

Meanwhile, the two boarded the carriage, and Yunxi laughed so hard she almost fell over.

Shen Rang looked at her, and the corners of his lips unconsciously curled up: "Why don't we go to HSBC Bank now and withdraw the thousand taels of silver?"

Yunxi nodded subconsciously, then realized, "Zirong, don't you think I'm mercenary?"

Someone of Shen Rang's noble birth should be the least interested in money, but just now, every move and word she made was for money.

"I still feel it's not enough."

The damage the Yun family inflicted on Yun Xi, with a monthly allowance of four thousand taels, can only be described as barely passing.