A trace of surprise appeared on Lord Feng's face.
He never imagined that Wei Maolin's question about whether he had any extra money was related to his family's location in Beiguan City.
"Brother, I..."
In the Feng family team, the only remaining brother of the same generation as Lord Feng, Master Feng Si, was stopped by Lord Feng with a look as soon as he opened his mouth.
Finally, he politely bowed to the yamen runner who was leading the way and said, "Thank you for leading the way for us, sir."
Lord Feng was as tactful as usual. Seeing that the other party had already pulled the yamen runner to start a conversation, Wei Maolin said something and continued walking back.
Compared to the Feng family, which only had 70% of the people left when they first came, the Bai family was still relatively complete. Apart from the eldest and fourth Miss Bai, the only missing member was a nanny who took care of the eldest Miss Bai's daughter Tongtong.
"Madam Bai." Wei Maolin stepped forward.
Old Madam Bai seemed to be in good spirits, but a closer look revealed that she had lost a lot of weight compared to over a month ago, and her cheeks, which had originally been plump, were now a little sunken.
Seeing Wei Maolin appear, his eyes lit up slightly, "Master Wei, how are you?"
There were also officers escorting exiled prisoners and runners sent by the City Affairs Office around. It was not the time to reminisce about the past, so Wei Maolin did not mention the matter of Miss Bai Da and Miss Bai Si for the time being. He just repeated what he had said to Lord Feng before.
"Five taels of silver for a year's lease?"
Madam Bai hesitated for only a moment before nodding her head: "I want to rent a house like this."
This place must be rented, otherwise it would be too inconvenient for their family, including the elderly, children, women and children, to live in the government office.
However, if you take out the money too easily all at once, it might make people think that you have enough money and bring unnecessary trouble.
After a brief thought, Madam Bai continued, "But I don't have much money on hand. I wonder if you can ask the officials in the City Affairs Office to be flexible and allow me to pay a quarter or half a year's rent first, and then slowly pay the rest in two months?"
"The old lady just had to make it clear when she signed the lease agreement with the City Affairs Office. It's only for one or two months, so I don't think it should be a big problem." Wei Maolin also knew that was just what Old Lady Bai said. If the Bai family didn't have enough money, they could just take out thirty or fifty taels, and there wouldn't be any problem.
After all, a lean camel is bigger than a horse, and a broken boat still has three nails.
Even the Feng family, who came from humble origins, could still hide things in their hands, not to mention the Bai family, whose foundation was much deeper than that of the Feng family.
Wei Maolin unfolded the blueprint and marked the houses in the southern half of the city, which belonged to the City Affairs Office. He then said cryptically, "The houses near the city gate are good. They are not too far away and convenient for going out. We will choose this place for our family."
Old Madam Bai nodded thoughtfully.
For such transactions involving five or ten taels of silver, Gong Xishan did not need to be personally involved. After listening to Wei Maolin's report on the situations of the Feng and Bai families, he casually found a minor official to go and establish a contract with the Bai family.
In the evening, Wei Maolin was off duty. Soon after returning to his courtyard in Jingping Lane next to the city gate, he heard Manager Wang say that someone was looking for him outside.
The people who came were Old Madam Bai and Nanny Liu, who had always been serving her.
Seeing the fatigue in Madam Bai's eyes, Wei Maolin said, "After days of running around, I finally stopped. You can just rest at home and ask someone to call me. Why did you come all the way here in person?"
"Master Wei has helped us a lot. I am too embarrassed to wait for you to come visit me at home."
As soon as Wei Maolin hinted at her to choose a house near the city gate and winked at her, Old Lady Bai knew that Wei Maolin must have something to say to her alone.
"The house we chose is at the end of Jingping Lane, three doors away from Lord Wei's house."
After briefly explaining his family's resettlement situation, he asked, "I wonder if Lord Wei has anything else to tell me?"
"There is indeed one thing." Wei Maolin's face became serious.
"My wife and daughter are in Huangzhou, and they met the fourth Miss Bai."
"What?" Mrs. Bai's eyes suddenly lit up and her body shook uncontrollably.
Madam Liu quickly supported her arm, grabbed her palm and pinched her twice, "Madam, take a deep breath and don't get excited."
Old Madam Bai followed what Nanny Liu said, took two deep breaths, and forced herself to calm down. Only then did she feel that the sudden dizziness she had just felt better.
But how could she not be excited?
There’s a chance that her lost Azhi will be found again!
"How is Ahzhi? Why did she end up in Huangzhou?" Old Madam Bai asked anxiously.
Wei Maolin pointed to the main hall and said, "Old Madam, please sit down and talk. The situation is a bit complicated. Don't be anxious after listening to it."
Madam Bai's heart skipped a beat and she closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she had regained her former determination. She followed Wei Maolin into the hall, sat down, and said solemnly, "Master Wei, please go ahead."
"Both Miss Bai Si and Miss Bai Da were previously in the hands of a group of people, and were later robbed by criminals. Miss Bai Da was abducted. Miss Bai Si suffered a head injury and is still unconscious."
Old Madam Bai sat upright, her body trembling slightly, but her face showed no emotion at all.
Seeing this, Wei Maolin hurriedly continued, "Miss Bai Si is now with my wife and daughter, and will arrive at Beiguan soon."
"We have already found some clues about Miss Bai's whereabouts. She is most likely taken to the Northern Barbarians. But there is still a short time left, so there is still a chance to find her."
If possible, Wei Maolin was unwilling to tell such a heavy matter to the elderly Madam Bai.
But the pillar of the Bai family is obviously Old Madam Bai. Many things must be told to her so that she can make the decision.
Right now, finding Miss Bai is undoubtedly the most important thing.
Although the Bai family has fallen on destitution, they still have some old friends in the army. According to what Wei Maolin has learned in recent days, there is a guerrilla general and two garrisons in the army stationed in the north. They were from the same army as General Bai and they have had many exchanges with each other.
If Madam Bai knew about Miss Bai's situation this morning, maybe things could turn around.
"Master Wei, thank you for telling me this."
"I am even more grateful to Madam Wei and Miss Wei for saving my Ah Zhi."
As Old Madam Bai spoke, she stood up, bowed toward Wei Maolin, and gave a long salute.
Wei Maolin quickly stood up and went forward to help the man up, "Don't be so polite, old lady. It's just a small favor for us."
The Bai family has contributed a lot to Dayong. As citizens of Dayong and part of the people protected by General Bai, what they have done is really nothing.
But Mrs. Bai insisted on completing the week.
Nowadays, there are very few people who can remember the Bai family’s contributions.
Not to mention, if they hadn’t received the advice from the eldest daughter of the Wei family on the way to exile, they might not have been able to reach the North Gate in one piece.
…
Just as Wei Maolin was talking to Old Madam Bai.
Wei Yunlan was sitting in a carriage, guarding the fork in the road not far from Zhaojia Village, waiting for Liu Qingxue and others to come out of the village.
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