Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Aunt Gu came here today to ask for the change of the five hundred taels that Wen Shuse had given her that day. She got back four hundred and eighty taels and an IOU for twenty taels with a blood-red fingerprint on it.
After expressing her gratitude, Aunt Gu left a few handkerchiefs she had embroidered to Wen Shuse as a thank-you gift, then said goodbye and returned to the yard.
It was March, the sun was shining brightly in the sky and the weather was just right. Xie Shao turned around and looked at the girl next to him.
She was wearing a crabapple-colored long skirt and a goose yellow wide-sleeved, double-breasted shawl shirt. Large green leaves were cast on her head, and spots of light and shadow were gently moved by the wind to the side of her face, but the wind moved her and she remained motionless.
Therefore, the person who gave money to Aunt Gu's cousin was not the eldest lady of the Xie family, but Wen Er, and the amount was not five hundred taels, but only twenty taels.
When Aunt Gu was around, Wen Shuse still had a smile on his face. But when she left, he followed the irrelevant agreement and pretended he hadn't seen that person. He turned around and told Xiangyun and Aunt Qing to clean up the wooden table and round stools.
Xie Shao lowered his eyes and took a quick look. On the table were all kinds of snacks and refreshments.
Rice cakes from Bailou, beauty-enhancing scented tea from Zuixianglou, the tribute peaches that he had just had delivered to the mansion yesterday, two plates of salted beans, and an incense burner at his feet, using incense slices to cure meningitis.
The level of extravagance is no less than his own.
The Xie family had been in turmoil these past few days because of her uninvited visit, and in order to appease the old ancestor, he racked his brains and tried hard to create the illusion that he was happy and content.
She lived a leisurely and comfortable life.
Before I knew it, the girl had already walked into the house, lifting her skirt.
Xie Shao turned back to the west wing and was about to take a nap when Xie Jie, the second son of the first house, suddenly came to visit. After entering the room, he sat in the armchair opposite him and chatted with him about the Spring Festival that would be held in a few days. They talked about horses and saddles for a long time, but they didn't get to the point. Xie Shao was very sleepy and didn't want to wait with him, so he asked directly, "How much do you want?"
After sending the second young master away, Xie Shao slept peacefully. In the evening, Uncle An came to his door with a pile of account books, "The second young master said that the young master promised him 600 taels of silver. Is that true?"
Xie Shao was wearing a thin long gown and looked sleepy. He stood up and sat on the futon in front of the low table. He poured a cup of tea and said, "Here."
"Third Master is so powerful, thank you Third Master."
The mynah bird in the main house was brought to him by Wen Shuse after the west wing was cleaned up. It imitated everything he heard, showing how much flattery the beast had heard.
Uncle An was about to burst into tears, "Sir, the master and the second lady just arrived in Yangzhou. If they knew when they came back..."
"What will happen?" Xie Shao said in a lazy tone, "Back then, when he was Xie Pushe, he resigned from his post and returned to his hometown with his family. What he wanted was not the happiness of family life at the moment. Happiness alone is not as good as happiness shared with others. A little money can make the whole government happy, so why not do it?"
"Sir, if you continue like this, you have never considered your future..."
Xie Shao sneered and looked up at Uncle An, "I am just a playboy, what future do I have? My parents have created a mountain of gold and silver, and my greatest future in this life is to spend money."
Uncle An refused to give up, "Money is something outside of our body, and it will eventually be spent."
“You can’t spend it all.”
"It can all be spent." Uncle An spoke excitedly and loudly.
Xie Shao: ...
Xie Shao knew that he came prepared today and would not give up until he achieved his goal, so he had to retreat, "Okay, put the account book here, let me take a look."
Uncle An presented the account book and bowed again, "Please take a look at it, sir."
—
As the lights came on, Xie Shao looked at the pile of account books in front of him and called Nanny Fang to the west wing, "Where is Wen Er?"
"Third grandma just went to bed."
Xie Shao turned his head to look at the hourglass. It was just past dusk. He asked again, "Is she free?"
Nanny Fang thought to herself that she was really busy.
"Every morning, Third Grandma would go to Xijin Pavilion and walk around twice, then go back to her room to rest for a while and take a nap. When she woke up, she would take her food and get on the boat. She would stay on the boat for a while and then row to the Half Moon Bridge. In the peony field opposite the Half Moon Bridge, Third Grandma had a swing added. She would swing on it for half an hour and then go to the pavilion to bask in the afternoon sun. Third Grandma liked to go to the waterside pavilion in the south. She would usually have lunch in the waterside pavilion before returning to the courtyard. She also specially invited a painter to come to her house, and her daily routine would be painted. Every two days, someone would send it to Old Madam Wen."
Wen Shuse’s dream of returning home last time ended in vain.
He originally wanted to take Xie Shao back home with him, but after being turned away, he no longer had any hope. The next day, he packed his things and planned to go back to the Wen family alone. However, before he could even leave, he was stopped by the old lady.
Mrs. Xie's original words, "A marriage was arranged by mistake. The groom is not the groom, and the bride is not the bride. With this mess, both families are too embarrassed to see anyone. They are pretending to be stupid and waiting for the other party to come first. In order to appease me, Xian Wei insisted that the second lady Wen was his favorite. It sounds mysterious, but what if it is true? I let the second lady go back. According to the mind of the old fox of the Wen family, can the second lady come back? She is the only granddaughter in front of the old man Wen. She knows that the plan will not work. I guess she is looking forward to her return. Once she returns to the Wen family, she may not even care about her reputation and face. She may even give up her life and hide her. By then, won't my Xie family marry her for nothing?"
"Serve her well and satisfy her needs, but she cannot go back to the Wen family."
Wen Shuse couldn't go back, and learned from Qiuying that the old lady had indeed fallen ill. He was anxious, so he invited a painter to his house to record his happy days in portraits and showed them to the old lady Wen.
It was indeed fulfilling, but to Xie Shao, it seemed like doing nothing.
The next morning, Wen Shuse woke up and opened the curtains. Xie Shao came in from under the beaded curtain in the inner room. "Wen Er, pack up and come out for a moment. I have something to tell you."
The two had not spoken to each other for nearly ten days. Wen Shuse was living a happy and comfortable life. When he was suddenly visited early in the morning, he had a premonition that something big was going to happen. He was on guard and did not dare to delay. He quickly washed, dressed, and went out. Xie Shao was already sitting in front of the tea table by the window in the outer room.
Wen Shuse twisted the light pink scarf around her arm and stepped forward to ask politely, "What's the matter, Third Young Master?"
Since she turned her head and left him with a cold shoulder yesterday, Xie Shao knew that she was still resentful about what happened last time.
Afterwards, he found out why she came and wanted to go back to her parents' home. But he never liked dealing with these trivial matters, and he was powerless and could not help.
Without asking about her attitude, Xie Shao asked her to sit opposite him and asked, "Can you manage the accounts?"
Wen Shu was stunned.
"The Wen family is a famous scholarly family in Fengcheng, Zhongzhou. They will definitely not neglect the education of their daughters. It goes without saying that they are good at music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and managing the family property is no problem." He glanced at the stunned young lady opposite him and frowned slightly, "Has Madam Wen ever asked you to teach her?"
Sure enough, it’s a big deal.
Wen Shuse was shocked. They had already agreed to live together, so why did they have to inspect the goods afterwards? She wanted to argue with him, but she would never admit that she was ill-mannered, so she replied, "Please come in."
"Will it?"
What did he mean? If she said "please come", wouldn't that mean she would? He looked down on her and suspected that she was lying. Wen Shu looked impatient, "Of course I will. What's the matter, Third Young Master?"
"That's good." Xie Shao placed the pile of account books that Uncle An gave him last night in front of her, unopened, and said, "From today on, you will be in charge of the accounts of the mansion."
Wen Shuse's eyes widened.
Xiangyun and Aunt Qing standing by also took a deep breath.
Wen Shuse didn't react, "What did the Third Young Master say?"
Xie Shao added, "You take care of the accounts."
Is this a desperate attempt to seek medical help? She still knows her own worth, and she doesn't take on jobs that are beyond her capabilities. Wen Shuse politely refused, "For such an important job, Third Young Master should think carefully..."
"You occupy my house, eat my food, use my things, so you have to do something." Xie Shao was determined that she was the best candidate to succeed him. "As for Aunt Gu's cousin, I think you are not as useless as the rumors say. Since you have the reputation of the eldest lady, you can be influenced by her, and you, Wen Ercha, are not much worse."
Xiangyun pinched her own hands tightly, and together with Aunt Qing, they tensed their spines and clenched their teeth, fearing that their teeth would be loosened and some unnecessary sound would be emitted.
After he put on this compliment, Wen Shuse couldn't tell whether he was mocking or praising him. After a pause, he asked, "How does the Third Young Master want me to manage him?"
"It's up to you. Just check the accounts with Uncle An in the accounting office every month."
Wen Shuse probed, "Then my expenses..."
"random."
It was really a great event. After living in the yard for more than ten days, she saw Xie San's financial resources. He was truly the richest man in Fengcheng.
Asking her to manage the accounts means that she will have the final say over these financial matters from now on.
Her heart suddenly started beating wildly, but no matter how excited she was, she couldn't let him see it. She lowered her head, bit her lip and thought for a while, then said reluctantly, "Okay, I'll try." Then she leaned over to look at the man opposite her and bargained with him, "Accounting is not an easy job. I'm afraid I'll be busy in the future. Counting the days, I've been in the Xie family for twelve days and haven't returned yet..."
As long as she is willing to share his burden, other things can be discussed. Xie Shao agreed to her request, "I will wait for you at the door at the end of the morning hour tomorrow."
After the deal was settled, Xie Shao went back and immediately asked Min Zhang to hand over the warehouse key to Wen Shuse.
After breakfast, the master and his servants went to the storehouse and came back dumbfounded. When they opened the account book and saw the long list of shocking numbers, Wen Shuse was still stunned and sighed, "How should we spend it?"
Knowing what kind of person her master was, Aunt Qing quickly helped her close the account book, "Madam, keep this silver with you, it won't bite, let's take our time..."
—
The only trouble that held him back was gone, and Xie Shao felt relieved. When he met Uncle An again on his way out, he waved his hand and said, "Go find Third Grandma. She will be in charge of the accounts from now on."
Today, several people agreed to go to Pei Qing's house for a drink, and Xie Shao went straight to Pei's house.
The head of the Pei family went to the Eastern Capital a few years ago. He is now serving as the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple. He left this mansion in Fengcheng, where Pei Qing is the only one living. There is no elder to suppress them in the mansion, so the young people can live as they please. Although Pei Qing has a dignified face that makes the young lady tremble when she sees him, he decorated the house in a poetic and picturesque way. Over the years, it has become a gathering place for several people.
In the past, there was only one gatekeeper outside the mansion.
When he dismounted today, he saw two guards standing upright on both sides of the mansion gate. Xie Shao was just wondering when Pei Qing came out and called him in, "Brother Xie."
Before he could ask, Pei Qing led him to the corridor, winked at the front hall, and lowered his voice, "He suddenly came back an incense stick ago, without any prior information."
Xie Shao looked inside and saw that the doors of the front hall were wide open and the roller blinds on all four sides were drawn. A man in his forties was sitting in front of the tea table. He was Pei Qing's father, Pei Yuanqiu, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple in Dongdu.
Since they had met, Xie Shao stepped forward to greet him, "Uncle Pei."
"Oh, this is Xian Wei, right?" Lord Pei looked at Xie Shao, his eyes lit up, and he said warmly, "It's been many years since we last met, and you have become even more handsome."
"Uncle, you are too kind."
"When you left Dongdu, you were only twelve years old. In the blink of an eye, you've already gotten married. I heard that you married a woman from the Wen family?"
"Yes, the second lady of the Wen family."
"Very good, the Wen family made some money in Fuzhou."
"Father wants to reminisce with Brother Xie, so let's make an appointment another day. He is my guest today." Pei Qing interrupted and said, "Father is busy first." He pulled Xie Shao to the backyard.
Cui Nian and Zhou Kuang have already arrived in the backyard. Pei Mansion is also a house with five entrances and five exits. The front yard and the back yard are separated, and no noise from both sides can be heard. Everyone is busy with their own things.
After a few drinks, Xie Shao went to the bathroom next door. When he came out, he saw Pei Yuanqiu standing on the bluestone slab in the hall with his hands folded in his sleeves and his back to him.
Obviously waiting for him.
Xie Shao paused, remained silent for a moment, then smiled and greeted, "Uncle."
Pei Yuanqiu saw him coming, turned around and walked forward, continuing the greetings just now, "How are you, Mr. Xie?"
Xie Shao replied, "All good."
Pei Yuanqiu glanced at him and suddenly asked, "Why, have you never thought about returning to Dongdu?"
Xie Shao shook his head. "The folk custom in Dafeng is to return to one's roots. Moreover, Fengcheng is a place with beautiful scenery. Those who have settled here would not be willing to move again."
Pei Yuanqiu tilted his head and smiled, "This is probably what your father meant. You know the unfilial son in front of me. He has had many ideas since he was a child. At first, I wanted to tie him to my side just like your father, but what happened later? The relationship between father and son plummeted, and then I realized that my children and grandchildren have their own ideas, and parents cannot interfere."
Xie Shao listened quietly without saying a word.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Pei Yuanqiu pointed out, "Master Xie still doesn't agree with you going to Dongdu?"
Xie Shao said that his uncle had misunderstood, "I share the same interests with my father, and I also like the beautiful scenery of Fengcheng."
"I don't think so." Pei Yuanqiu turned his head and looked up at the sky. "When you were twelve years old, you stood in front of the dragon and tiger wall in the Imperial Examination Hall and said, 'The mountains and rivers of the world still depend on young men.' Now the officials in the court still talk about it with endless praise."
"It's just my ignorant and frivolous words due to my youth. I'm sorry to make you laugh, uncle."
"What do you mean by young?" Pei Yuanqiu seemed to be amused by him. "You want to call yourself old? Where do you put your father and me?"
He sighed and continued, "Everything in the world depends on fate. People with a mission will find it more difficult to avoid it. Do you know how Wang Pushe, who served for only a few days, died after Mr. Xie?"
"Wang Pushe was killed because he had been robbed of his money and concubines before, and the other party was just afraid. My Xie family has no power or influence, and we have no grudges or hatred."
"Who said that? Isn't there a Prince Jing in Fengcheng?"
—
Pei Qing didn't see anyone in the backyard. After looking around, he saw Xie Shao and his father coming out. His face suddenly changed.
When sending Xie Shao out, Pei Qing leaned over to whisper in his ear, "This person is very scheming and has already joined the Right Prime Minister's sect. No matter what I say to you today, remember to be careful."
Xie Shao smiled and patted his shoulder, "I know."
"I was rude today. I will come to your house tomorrow to make amends."
Xie Shao took the reins from Min Zhang and climbed onto the horse, "I'm afraid I won't be free tomorrow."
"You have an appointment?"
"Go back home."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com