Chapter 108 Extravagant Spending: A True Young Master of a Prestigious Family
For the sake of the King of Qin, Lu Lingyue was even willing to cooperate with the Zhengqing. Does he love the King of Qin that much?
“What Lu Shifu said makes sense. What do you gentlemen think?” Yang Lingyi’s gaze swept across the room.
"The young man thinks this is a very good suggestion," someone agreed.
“What Lu Shifu said is true, it is indeed feasible.”
Many husbands and sons nodded in agreement, and the matter of donating silver was successfully finalized.
"However, we must be cautious about this matter of money." Yang Lingyi looked at the people below her and smiled.
"To ensure that every penny of your money is used effectively, all money inflows and outflows are recorded by this eunuch from the palace beside me. Every purchase is documented with receipts, and all accounts are copied multiple times."
"One copy was posted by the Prince's residence; one copy was presented to the Empress Dowager so that she would know the intentions of us men; and the other copy was sent to the front lines with the supplies to be posted so that every soldier would know the care that the men of the capital have for them."
Yang Lingyi spoke slowly, and her final words not only dispelled the doubts of everyone present but also made some of her husbands show signs of interest.
Some people, upon hearing about the donation of silver, dared not offend the Prince of Qin due to Yang Lingyi's status as a minister. They outwardly expressed no objection, but inwardly they were somewhat unwilling.
But hearing these words now feels different.
Displaying the list of donors would not only demonstrate one's kindness and earn a good reputation for one's family, but also provide a great opportunity to gain favor with the King of Qin and the Empress Dowager.
Some of the husbands exchanged glances, each making their own plans.
Yang Lingyi then invoked the title of the eldest prince.
"Yesterday I spoke to my father about the hardships faced by the soldiers on the border. Upon hearing this, my father was deeply moved. He specially ordered the eunuch in charge to send ten thousand taels of silver and instructed me to handle this matter properly."
"Today I will donate eight thousand taels of silver, along with this ruby ruyi bracelet and other items, to wish the soldiers on the frontier a safe return."
Yang Lingyi took the lead in speaking, slightly turning her head to nod to her father-in-law behind her.
The father-in-law presented a sandalwood tray covered with brocade, upon which lay several pieces of shimmering jewelry. Each piece was priceless, clearly part of Yang Lingyi's dowry.
“Lord Wang, my wife is also leading troops on the frontier and knows the hardships the soldiers face. Your compassion for the soldiers has deeply moved us. We should follow your example and do our best.” Ma Meng’s husband immediately stood up to show his support.
“I am willing to donate two thousand taels of silver as a token of my loyalty to my wife.”
The number that Ma Fulang announced surprised everyone present.
Ma Meng was a military general who rose through the ranks through merit, not from a high-ranking family, and his family fortune was not particularly substantial. For Ma Fulang to donate two thousand taels of silver was tantamount to emptying most of Ma Jiedushi's savings.
This made some husbands who originally only wanted to donate a hundred taels of silver feel ashamed to speak up.
Yang Lingyi was also somewhat surprised upon hearing this, but he thought of the relationship between Ma Meng and Yuan Yan and guessed that Ma Meng was using this method to curry favor with the Prince of Qin's mansion and repay the kindness of Yuan Yan's help last time. He understood and secretly made a note of it.
"Ma Fulang is a man of great integrity," Yang Lingyi praised.
"However, my husbands need not feel pressured. No matter how much you donate, it is all a token of your goodwill. Just do what you can according to the circumstances of each household."
Upon hearing this, many husbands breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'll offer five hundred taels."
“I will donate one thousand taels of silver on behalf of the Earl’s family.”
Then, quite a few more people spoke up.
Among the various voices, a melodious voice stood out clearly, attracting everyone's attention.
"I am willing to contribute three thousand taels to do my part for His Highness the Prince of Qin and the soldiers on the border."
Zheng Fu's words drew the attention of the male relatives.
Three thousand taels of silver is no small sum. Many male relatives were astonished that an unmarried man would donate so much silver at once, causing the scene to fall silent for a moment.
Three thousand taels?
Even Zheng Fu's cousin was shocked when he heard the number and immediately tried to tug at Zheng Fu's sleeve.
“Brother Fu, our Zheng family has already contributed money. You, an unmarried man, do not need to donate again.”
“Besides, three thousand taels is too much. Where did you get so much money all of a sudden? Did you include the string of precious pearls that your second aunt gave you for your birthday…” the cousin asked Zheng Fu in a low voice.
“Brother, don’t worry about it. The three thousand taels I donated are my private funds and have nothing to do with the clan. I just wanted to do my part.” Zheng Fu pressed down his cousin’s hand and shook his head.
"The King of Qin and his soldiers fought against the Liang bandits on the border, risking their lives to protect the people of Huang Kingdom. They are worthy of our respect. What is three thousand taels of silver to me now? My mother won't blame me if she finds out."
Despite the stares of the many men present, Zheng Fu spoke in a low voice, not changing her mind despite her cousin's persuasion.
Upon hearing his words, Yang Lingyi's eyes flashed with surprise and approval.
Unexpectedly, the Zheng family produced such a sensible and magnanimous young man.
"Which son of the Zheng family are you?" Yang Lingyi asked him.
"My son, Zheng Fu, is the second son of the second branch of the Zheng family." Zheng Fu appeared respectful and polite in response to Yang Lingyi's question, but his heart was beating slightly faster inside.
The King of Qin asked him privately whether his name would ever reach the King of Qin's ears.
Even if His Highness only heard about him as a member of the Zheng family, he would be content.
"As expected of a young master of the Zheng family of Xingyang, you are deeply righteous and have the country at heart. Your kindness today is a timely help for His Highness and the soldiers in the Northwest. On behalf of His Highness and the soldiers, I thank Young Master Zheng for his righteous act. The Zheng family's character is truly admirable."
Yang Lingyi nodded slightly, praising Zheng for raising such a fine son as Zheng Fu.
"You flatter me, Your Excellency. I dare not accept such praise," Zheng Fu replied politely, but his heart couldn't help but drift to Yuan Yan because of Yang Lingyi's words.
Yang Lingyi smiled faintly and whispered a few words to her father-in-law beside her, so that he could remember Zheng Fu's name.
With Zheng Fu setting such a precedent, other male relatives, whether out of face or genuine concern, also increased their donations accordingly.
When the banquet ended and Yang Lingyi had the silver counted, he discovered that the final amount was actually more than he and Lu Lingyue had anticipated.
"Zhengqing, how's the bill for the banquet coming along? If it's not enough, we can find a way to make up for it with my son's money." Lu Lingyue came to the main courtyard to inquire not long after the banquet ended.
He also donated a lot of silver at this banquet, bringing out almost all the valuable items that the Lu family had given as dowry, without holding back.
Furthermore, unlike Yang Lingyi, Lu Lingyue has essentially severed ties with her maternal family and has lost all support. The only way Lu Lingyue can find a solution is to ask her old clan brothers and close friends for help.
Yang Lingyi put down the list in her hand and looked up at him: "No need. This money, plus what Shen Shuqing raised, should be enough."
"Lu Shifu's idea is indeed excellent. You deserve a lot of credit for raising the silver so quickly this time."
Yang Lingyi felt a little relieved when she realized that Yuan Yan's problem could be solved, and she softened her tone when speaking to Lu Lingyue, which was a rare occurrence.
"It would be good if we could raise enough money. You flatter me, Your Excellency." Lu Lingyue lowered her eyes and gave a distant bow.
"Although the idea came from me, the guests only donated money because of the Minister and the Prince of Qin's residence. I am not worthy of the Minister's praise."
Lu Lingyue didn't care about any merit. Hearing that the money was enough, he finally felt relieved. He had nothing to say to Yang Lingyi and didn't want to delay her from doing her work, so he gave a few polite words and then took his leave.
After Lu Lingyue left, Yang Lingyi immediately gave orders to her servants.
"Someone, go and summon Shen Shuqing."
He wanted to exchange the silver for military supplies as quickly as possible and deliver them to Sister Yan.
...
Meanwhile, not long after Lu Lingyue left the main courtyard, she received an invitation from Cui Minglan.
Inside the private room, the incense burner on the table emitted wisps of smoke.
The male servants waited outside, while only Lu Lingyue and Cui Minglan sat facing each other.
"Minglan, what do you want to see me about?" Lu Lingyue asked her old friend after taking a seat.
Cui Minglan smiled faintly and said, "What? We've been friends for many years. Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?"
“Lingyue, you’ve hardly ever been out since you got married. We haven’t heard from you much, and Wang Ming and I miss you a lot.”
Cui Minglan's tone was filled with concern, "I wonder how the Prince of Qin treats you? How are you doing in the Prince's residence?"
"Her Highness treats me very well and is considerate of me in many ways," Lu Lingyue said. He only said this much before drifting off into thought.
The money has been raised, but it is unknown whether the process of exchanging grain with Yang Lingyi and his men is going smoothly, and how long it will take to deliver this batch of supplies to Yuan Yan's army.
I just hope I can make it in time and that nothing goes wrong.
"Look at you, you can't even think about going somewhere else while you're out having a cup of tea with me. You react like this the moment the King of Qin is mentioned, are you that attached to her?"
Cui Minglan noticed this and interrupted Lu Lingyue's reverie, saying with a hint of helplessness.
"I'm sorry, Minglan. Your Highness has been leading troops in the field and I haven't had a proper rest. I've been a bit absent-minded these past few days." Lu Lingyue snapped out of her reverie, seemingly only just realizing her absent-mindedness, and apologized to Cui Minglan.
Cui Minglan scrutinized his expression and shook her head. "I don't quite understand you. Since you and the Prince of Qin were so deeply in love, why did you listen to your family's arrangements and marry the Prince of Qi?"
“If it weren’t for that incident, you would be a minister of the King of Qin now, and you wouldn’t be subservient to the Yang family.”
Cui Minglan's words perfectly captured the feelings that everyone would have upon meeting Lu Lingyue.
Lu Lingyue was exceptionally talented and beautiful, standing out among the young masters of noble families. Everyone predicted that she would one day marry into a prestigious family and become its principal wife, with a future of limitless potential.
Who would have thought that due to the Lu family's insatiable greed, Lu Lingyue became a lowly servant in the Qin Prince's mansion, even estranged from his former friends. If it weren't for the banquet held at the Qin Prince's mansion this time, who knows when she would have seen him again, truly pitiful indeed.
"Who knows? I'm the one who made the mistake. I didn't cherish His Highness's feelings for me back then... Maybe even Heaven couldn't bear to see it anymore, which is why I ended up like this." Lu Lingyue spoke her heart.
His undisguised regret surprised Cui Minglan. Was this still the aloof and arrogant young master from a prestigious family that he knew?
"Lingyue, don't blame yourself too much."
Cui Minglan didn't know how to comfort Lu Lingyue, so she could only say, "The names of your mother and father are greater than the heavens. Even if you really didn't want to remarry back then, you probably couldn't resist."
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