"How...how did you know I was here?"
The woman lowered her head, her hands nervously clutching the handkerchief in her palms.
"I was passing by when I saw Master Ma's carriage. Knowing that you were having a meal here, I inquired and came here."
Ma Xiuyuan gripped his sleeves and said, "Xiaoyu, don't call me that. Just call me Xiuyuan. Be the same as before and don't be so distant with me."
The woman raised her eyes, which were glistening with tears. The name "Xiuyuan" lingered on her tongue for a moment, but she ultimately didn't say it: "I..."
"Did you need something from me?" Matthew asked tentatively.
"I'm sorry." The woman apologized before explaining why she came, "I was really desperate, so I had no choice but to swallow my pride and beg Master Ma."
Upon hearing her words, Ma Xiuyuan seemed to show a hint of disappointment on his face: "If you need any help, just ask. If it's something I can do, I will definitely do my best..."
“My husband has fallen seriously ill and needs money to save his life. We have pawned all the valuables in the house, but it is still not enough. Today I was on my way to Ziqian’s house, but I happened to pass by here and met Master Ma. I thought I would ask him first if he could lend me some money. If he refuses, I will borrow Yanggaoli from Ziqian’s house.”
"Yang Gaoli?!" Matthew Yuan's eyes widened upon hearing this term. "You're going to borrow Yang Gaoli? Aren't you afraid of going bankrupt? Do you think you can borrow that stuff? Can you even pay it back?"
(Ziqianjia: refers to people who lend money at high interest rates.)
The Records of the Grand Historian, Biographies of Merchants: "When the war broke out between the seven kingdoms of Wu and Chu, the marquises and lords in Chang'an went to join the army and brought money with them. The families of the money lenders thought that since the marquises' fiefdoms were in Guandong, and the outcome of Guandong was still uncertain, none of them were willing to lend money."
In Qian Qianyi's "Epitaph for Mr. Wang," it is written: "After the death of his wife, his livelihood declined further, so he relied on his son Qian's family for support, repaying them with double the interest."
Lamb's profit: a form of usury.
The History of Yuan states: "For officials and commoners who borrow Uyghur gold to repay the government, the interest is doubled annually, and is called lamb interest."
Guan Hanqing's "Saving the Fallen Woman": "The honest man's honesty has led to his idleness, and he buys things to make a little profit."
The annualized interest rate of Yanggaoli is 100%, compounded annually.
When Xiaoyu heard him say that, she lowered her head even further.
He could only mumble, "I don't know... I really have no way..."
Matthew breathed a sigh of relief and asked softly, "How much do you need to borrow?"
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyu's eyes lit up with hope: "One hundred taels. My husband's illness requires him to go to the capital to see a famous doctor. The travel expenses, plus the rent for the house and food, I estimate it will cost this much. If I don't spend it all, I will pay you back as soon as I get back. As for the rest, I will pay you back slowly."
Without hesitation, Matthew silently took out two silver notes from his pocket, took two steps forward, and stuffed them into her hand.
"Here are two hundred taels. You can use them as you like. There's no need to rush to pay me back." He paused, then added, "Eat something good. Don't be too hard on yourself. Look at you, you've lost weight."
Xiaoyu held the silver note, her head bowed.
Plop, plop—
A few new water stains appeared on the sleeve.
"Once my husband recovers, I will definitely come with him to express my deepest gratitude for your kindness."
After seeing Xiaoyu off, Matthew sat absentmindedly at the table, his eyes glazed over.
He Youyou laughed and said, "Master Ma has connections in the capital, yet you don't offer to help them out. I think you don't want their husbands to be well, but do you have feelings for them?"
Ma Xiuyuan's thoughts were exposed by her, but he sighed sadly: "She keeps calling me her husband, but where is there any place for me in her heart?"
"Even if you don't have any, as a friend, it's only right to help her find a place to live in the capital. She's a frail woman; how can you bear to let her struggle all by herself?"
"I can't bear it, but I have no choice."
Why?
Matthew Yuan forced a smile, but couldn't manage a genuine one: "Her husband is incredibly old-fashioned, always spouting platitudes about propriety and morality. If he knew I was involved and had dealings with Xiaoyu, he'd definitely suspect something was going on between us, which would put Xiaoyu in a difficult position. It's simpler to just give her money and avoid any entanglements."
He Youyou laughed even more freely: "You understand her husband's character so well, and you still say you've let go?"
Matthew smiled wryly and remained silent.
After this incident, seeing that Ma Xiuyuan's mind wasn't on the meal, He Youyou made an excuse that she had something to do at home and hurriedly ended the meal.
We rode back in Matthew Yuan's car.
He Youyou got off the car at the alley entrance, waved goodbye to him, and returned to her He residence.
When Butler Qian saw He Youyou return, he hurriedly came to greet her.
"Mistress".
"What's up?"
"The guard overheard someone in the neighborhood spreading rumors about the mistress of the house today. I'm worried the rumors will spread and damage her reputation. Should we... send someone to give her a warning?"
"Oh, who's so bored?" He Youyou asked in surprise.
"An old woman at the entrance of the alley, surnamed Guo, is known as Aunt Guo."
Suddenly, the image of that woman appeared in He Youyou's mind: "Was she in her forties or fifties? Wearing a crimson padded jacket, the one picking vegetables at the alley entrance at midday?"
Butler Qian nodded: "Exactly."
He Youyou responded with an "oh".
It was her.
This auntie seems to have too much free time.
For these poor and powerless families, both intimidation with force and suppression with power are effective.
However, it's too simplistic and crude, lacking in technical sophistication.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.
“Old Qian, don’t warn her yet. Send someone skilled in tracking and concealment to follow her for a few days, listen to what she usually talks to people, and write it all down for me.”
Although the housekeeper was puzzled, he had no choice but to obey the order.
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