Chapter 140 Borrowing Money
Zhao Mei? Oh right, how could she forget?
"The girls' school is currently closed. Go and find out where Zhao Mei lives. We'll go there immediately."
Last time, she said that her family had lost their status as imperial merchants and that she wanted to return to her hometown of Qinghe. Xiao Yuxuan persuaded her to stay. Fortunately, the Zhao family stayed in the capital at that time. Otherwise, it would have been really difficult for Xiao Yuxuan to find a merchant willing to lend her money now.
The Zhao family.
Zhao Mei knelt down, wearing a face towel, looking at the thin-faced woman sleeping soundly on the bed separated from her by a gauze curtain. She wiped away the tears in her eyes again and again.
“Miss, the kitchen has just made some red date and milk porridge. Please eat some. If Madam wakes up and sees you not eating or drinking, she will surely be heartbroken.”
The maidservant tried to persuade her gently, but Zhao Mei ignored her and remained in the same position.
"girl……"
The maid was about to offer further advice when her gaze was suddenly drawn to the little maid outside the door. She quickly walked over, listened, and her eyes widened in surprise.
The girl's classmates from the girls' school have arrived?
The mistress is currently ill, and the young lady is the only female member of the household. Naturally, it is the young lady who should go and entertain her, but she is heartbroken...
"Miss, someone has come to say that a Miss Xiao has come to visit, claiming to be your classmate at the girls' school. Would you like to meet her?"
As soon as the maid finished speaking, the girl, who had been preoccupied with her grief, brightened up, and her sorrowful expression dissipated somewhat.
"Is that Sister Xiao?"
She turned to look at her mother on the bed and pursed her lips.
Father and elder brother have already offered a reward of ten thousand gold pieces in the market, but they still couldn't buy a prescription for the plague. Sister Xiao, as the daughter of the Minister's family, might have some way.
Besides, she had heard about what Xiao had been doing in the capital these past few days. If her father and elder brother hadn't stopped her from going out, she would definitely have gone to help Sister Xiao.
"Sister Xiao is the classmate who advised us not to go back to Qinghe before. Her father is Minister Xiao of the Ministry of Personnel. Mother Chen, please take good care of Mother. I'll be right back."
Mother Chen was worried that her daughter was not well-liked by the noble ladies at the girls' school and that she might have ill intentions. However, upon hearing about Xiao Yuxuan's background, her doubts subsided somewhat. It turned out that she was the intelligent and kind-hearted girl.
"Young lady, would you like to redo your makeup and change your clothes? You look rather unwelcoming to your guests."
She looked at Zhao Mei, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying, and gently offered her advice.
Zhao Mei looked at her disheveled and disheveled appearance in the bronze mirror and finally nodded.
Xiao Yuxuan waited in the front hall for a while, but Zhao Mei still hadn't arrived. Instead, a tall, handsome young man strode in from the main gate of the Zhao residence.
As he walked, he turned his head to ask his attendant what was going on. The attendant shook his head, and he looked disappointed, his deep brows becoming even more solemn.
Upon approaching and seeing the pampered guest in the front hall, there was no time to avoid her.
Who is that?
The servant slapped his forehead, realizing he had been so focused on the bounty that he had forgotten a young lady was waiting for him in the front hall.
"It is Miss Xiao, who was a classmate of the young lady at the girls' school."
It would be too impolite to leave now, so he went into the flower hall and smiled as he bowed to the young girl who had already stood up.
“My name is Zhao Yinchen, and I am Mei Niang’s elder brother. I was unaware that Miss Xiao was here. I had no intention of offending you and hope that you will forgive me.”
Xiao Yuxuan found it strange that when Brother Zhao Mei came in just now, he had a calm and serious expression, as if he had something on his mind. But now he was so smooth and worldly-wise, always smiling at people.
She had never dealt with businessmen in person before; this was her first time.
“Young Master Zhao, you are too kind. It was I who presumptuously disturbed your household. Please do not take offense.”
Zhao Yinchen then turned his gaze to the little girl's face. But when he saw her face clearly, even he, who prided himself on his extensive knowledge, was taken aback.
She looked about the same age as Mei Niang, around fourteen or fifteen years old, yet she already possessed a captivating beauty.
He couldn't help but think of his younger sister, who, compared to him, could only be described as pretty and cute. A peaceful and smooth life for her in the future was more important than anything else.
Such beauty, if born into an ordinary family, would likely bring misfortune.
However, seeing her clear eyes, he figured she wasn't a person with deep thoughts, and his smile became more sincere.
"Meiniang must be on her way. If Miss Xiao doesn't mind, please try the fragrant tea we brought from Qinghe. This tea is only available in Ruixian County, Qinghe, and is a rare delicacy."
Just then, the maid brought over the tea that had already been poured and respectfully placed it beside Xiao Yuxuan.
Before she even reached for the cup, she could already smell a warm and pleasant fragrance. The tea lived up to its name; it truly deserved to be called "Fragrant Tip."
The tea soup is emerald green, clear and bright. After taking a sip, it is refreshing and sweet. It is indeed a good tea.
She had heard of the fame of Qinghe Xiangjian tea in her previous life, but this tea was a tribute item, and it could not be bought by ordinary merchants unless it was bestowed by the emperor.
Looking at the teacup again, it was a warm, emerald green all over, with walls as thin as paper, yet it was much cooler than the tea.
As if noticing the surprise in Xiao Yuxuan's eyes, Zhao Yinchen smiled and explained:
"The beauty of this cup lies in its double-layered hollow walls, so even when filled with boiling hot tea, the tea drinker will not feel the heat. Moreover, its small and exquisite shape made it very popular among empresses and princesses in the past."
Xiao Yuxuan understood, and felt more certain about the purpose of her trip.
It seems that even if the Zhao family is not an imperial merchant, at least they still have the foundation to do business. Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, not to mention that the Zhao family is only just beginning to decline.
If one could exchange the title of "Imperial Merchant" for tangible benefits... I imagine the Eldest Princess and the Crown Prince would be willing to help with this.
She put down her teacup and said seriously:
"To be honest, Young Master Zhao, I was instructed by Her Highness the Eldest Princess to assist the Imperial Medical Academy and the Prefect of the Capital in dealing with the epidemic in the capital. I have come today to ask for the Zhao family's assistance."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yinchen's heart leaped into his throat.
The young girl's expression was far too serious. Business people usually only reveal a fraction of their true feelings when they meet someone, and it's rare to see someone like her who shows all their intentions right away.
The Imperial Medical Academy and the court have things to do; what help can the Zhao family offer? Do we even need to guess?
Oh no, they've come to ask for money.
Zhao Yinchen glanced to the side and looked back the way they came. Why hadn't Mei Niang arrived yet?
"Young Master Zhao?"
Seeing his expression, Xiao Yuxuan hesitated.
She hadn't even asked for money yet, so why was the other person's gaze already shifting?
Is the Zhao family unwilling to help?
Zhao Yinchen made a fist and pressed it to his lips, coughing lightly, trying to elicit sympathy:
“Miss Xiao, let me be frank with you. As you know, since our Zhao family lost access to the palace's supplies and procurement, our business has plummeted. Our monthly revenue is less than half of what it used to be. We're barely making ends meet, cutting back on everything, and our income is insufficient to cover our expenses…”
"Big brother? How come I didn't know our family was in such dire straits?"
Zhao Mei's voice came from outside. She looked at her older brother with a puzzled expression and asked inquiring questions.
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