"Miss, someone from Caiyixuan and Zhenbao Pavilion has come to collect the debt."
When Qin Wanrou went in to report to her mother, she was worrying about the account book in her hand. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it was a bolt from the blue for her to hear the news.
"Why is there another person here to collect the debt? I'm afraid they're trying to blackmail us. Go, call the housekeeper."
I went to receive instructions from my mother, and the housekeeper came soon.
The housekeeper limped in and said with a bow, "Miss, how are you?"
Qin Wanrou couldn't pretend anymore and said angrily, "Twelve companies came to collect their debts at the end of this month. They were selling flowers, vegetables, fruits, wood seeds, pens, inkstones, and now two more have come. What the hell is going on?"
The old housekeeper said slowly, "Everything in the General's Mansion, from the smallest blades of grass and trees to the smallest needles and threads, is an expense. There are a total of twenty-three merchants supplying the General's Mansion. Some settle accounts at the beginning of the month, some at the end of the month, and the larger shops settle accounts annually."
Qin Wanrou was overwhelmed by what she heard. She originally thought that the expenses of the mansion were just to give everyone a monthly allowance and buy some clothes and jewelry, but she didn't expect that there were so many places to spend money.
Some time ago, in order to please Nie's mother and get the servants in the mansion to remember her kindness, she had spent more than half of the one hundred taels in her hand. Now she only had about forty taels left, and it was impossible to handle so many merchants.
But now that Caiyixuan and Zhenbaoge have come to her door, she can't refuse to pay the debt and can only pay the money.
Caiyixuan was fine; seven or eight taels was enough. But Zhenbao Pavilion, because she had previously customized several sets of jewelry for Nie Shuangling, required more than twenty taels, which almost made her vomit blood.
After paying off the two families, she counted the money she had and realized that what she had left was only enough to cover her debts. There was nothing left at all. But Nie's mother's birthday was in half a month. If she couldn't celebrate it with brilliance, not only would she lose her power as the housekeeper, she would also be branded as unfilial and ridiculed.
Qin Wanrou gritted her teeth and looked through her dressing box. If there was no other way, she would have to sell all these things.
She had only been managing the accounts for less than a month when she had to sell her jewelry. If she continued like this, all the money she had saved would be lost.
Just as she was thinking about what to do, someone outside came to say that the general had returned. She quickly put away the account book, touched up her makeup in front of the mirror, and then went out to greet him.
"General, you're back."
Qin Wanrou was about to bow, but Nie You held her back. "I've already told you that we don't need to bow when it's just the two of us. Tell me whether you should be punished or not."
Qin Wanrou was very shy, "My husband, how are you going to punish me?"
Nie You led her to the bed and said, "Come here, I'll tell you everything."
"Oh, it's so itchy, hahaha..."
The two of them had a fight on the bed, and Qin Wanrou leaned on Nie You's chest, thinking about how to tell him about the lack of money at home.
However, before she could speak, Nie You sighed, "Rou'er, I'm so grateful to God for sending you to me."
Qin Wanrou was stunned and said in a soft voice, "My husband, what are you talking about? Meeting you is Rouer's greatest blessing."
Nie You raised himself up slightly and touched Qin Wanrou's bare back, saying, "You are gentle and kind, and you manage the household in perfect order. If I had met you earlier, I would have married you in a formal ceremony and made you my legal wife."
"I am very content to serve the general. Even if I have to be a concubine for the rest of my life and be ridiculed by others, I will be willing to do so." Qin Wanrou said affectionately.
Nie You was moved. "Rou'er, I will never let you down. I have already decided that after Mother's birthday banquet, I will take you as my concubine. I cannot ask you to wait any longer."
Qin Wanrou was overjoyed, but her face still showed a worried look. "My sister has never liked me. She won't agree."
"What does it matter whether she agrees or not? In this general's mansion, if I say I want to marry you, no one can stop me."
Qin Wanrou leaned on Nie You's chest and said with emotion, "Thank you, my husband."
Nie You reached under the quilt and said, "Thank you, I have to take some practical action."
"Husband~"
Qin Wanrou was half-hearted in agreeing to Cheng Huan's request, but she had her own plans in mind.
Since Nie You intends to make her his concubine, the issue of money can be put on hold for now, at least until she marries into the general's mansion.
Although Qin Wanrou had made up her mind, as more and more merchants came to collect debts, even pawning her jewelry would not be enough to make up for the loss.
At the critical moment, Xiang Ma offered an idea. Her son knew a moneylender. Although the interest rate was high, the government was only temporarily in trouble and the debt could be repaid as soon as the general's salary arrived. Besides, Nie You was a general, so even if he really had to pay it back later, those people wouldn't have the courage to come to him.
Qin Wanrou was moved. She would soon be promoted to a concubine, and she really couldn't make any mistakes at this critical juncture.
"Later, take the family seal and go borrow one thousand taels of silver. Do it quietly and don't let anyone see you."
"Hey, don't worry, girl."
With this money, Qin Wanrou thrived. Even Nie's mother remarked at the family dinner that the dishes were more abundant than before and the servants were more diligent.
Qin Wanrou was very proud. She poured a bowl of bird's nest porridge for Mother Nie and placed it beside her. She smiled and said, "This is the general's salary. Wanrou is just taking care of it on his behalf. I have to thank you, the general."
Mother Nie glanced at Yu Man, who was as quiet as a chicken, and said meaningfully, "That's it. My son's salary is a full 180 taels. He has to live so poorly. If he were truly frugal, it would be fine, but he has no money left. I don't know if he's really a poor manager or if he's just hiding it."
"Yes, Grandma, ever since I became the housekeeper, Shuangling has a lot of beautiful clothes and jewelry. They are so envious of me."
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