Chapter 26 Get lost, go find whoever you want.
Chen Chu chewed two peanut candies before shaking her head: "I haven't decided yet, let's take it one step at a time."
Aunt Qiao's personal maid rushed in from outside.
"Young master, you should go and see. All the housekeepers are gathered in Aunt Qiao's courtyard."
Shen Chu's face darkened, and she quickly stood up.
Aunt Qiao was surrounded by the head maids and was rubbing her temples with a headache.
"Madam, the manor is holding a banquet for the eldest young master tomorrow, and the money for buying vegetables and meat has not yet been withdrawn."
"We haven't prepared any wine for tomorrow yet. The Marquis said he would prepare the finest Autumn Dew White wine, which would cost a total of four hundred taels of silver."
"We don't have enough dishes at home, so we need to buy more. I've calculated that it will probably cost about one hundred taels of silver."
Aunt Qiao hesitated for a moment, but still took out two silver notes from her body.
The women in charge immediately smiled with delight.
The head woman was Chen's confidante, Wang Mama, the steward of the inner courtyard.
She stepped forward, but before her hand could even touch the silver note, a slender, fair hand reached out from the side and took the silver note from Aunt Qiao's hand.
"Achu, what brings you here?"
Aunt Qiao was very surprised to see Chen Chu.
Shen Chu simply put the silver notes into her bosom, raised an eyebrow and snorted, "If I hadn't come, you would have spent money to support irrelevant people again."
Aunt Qiao looked embarrassed.
Madam Wang frowned. "Young Master, what you're saying makes no sense. Tomorrow's banquet is arranged by the Marquis for you. Isn't it only natural for Aunt Qiao to pay for it?"
Shen Chu gave her a cold glance. "Has Father already separated me from the family?"
Mrs. Wang pursed her lips and said, "Of course not."
"Since there is no money, the banquet should naturally be paid for from the public funds. Why are you asking my aunt for money?"
I had no idea that my aunt had the right to manage household affairs.
Pointing to a stack of nameplates and account books beside her, Wang Mama said matter-of-factly, “Both the old lady and the madam are bedridden and unable to manage the household affairs. The madam has ordered Aunt Qiao to temporarily take charge of the household for a few days.”
Since Aunt Qiao is in charge of the household affairs, we servants should naturally come to Aunt Qiao to ask for money.
Sick? Shen Chu sneered. The timing of your illness is perfect.
She kicked Wang Mama to the ground, saying, "You old scoundrel, do you think my aunt has never managed a household? Since you're going to let my aunt manage the household, then don't just send the tally and account books, send the silver along with them."
Wang's mother was in so much pain that she was sweating profusely, and she looked completely wronged.
"It's not that Madam doesn't want to send money, it's just that there's no money left in the house, and Madam has no other choice."
Her eyes darted around as she looked at Aunt Qiao.
“Aunt, this is the first public appearance of the eldest young master before he enters officialdom. You don’t want him to embarrass himself, do you?”
If the Marquis's banquet is poorly organized, it will be our Marquis who loses face.
You should think about the eldest son and the Marquis. It's just a matter of spending some money, but it will save face for both of them. It's a win-win situation.
Aunt Qiao hesitated for a moment, then reached out and tugged at Chen Chu's sleeve.
"Ah Chu, how about..."
Shen Chu frowned, then suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear, Auntie, are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so pale?"
Aunt Qiao looked bewildered. She had just eaten a scallion chicken and felt perfectly fine.
Taking advantage of her height, Shen Chu secretly pressed her pressure point to put her to sleep.
Aunt Qiao collapsed softly into her arms.
"Auntie has fainted! Quick, Hongxiu, get a doctor right away!"
Shen Chu picked up Aunt Qiao and carried her straight into the house.
Hongxiu threw the cards and ledgers into Wang Mama's arms.
"What bad luck, my aunt is also sick. Take your cards and account books and go find whoever you want. Get out."
Madam Wang shrank back; she had personally witnessed Hongxiu pinning all the guards to the ground that day.
She didn't dare to argue, picked up the cards and ledger, and slunk away.
In the main courtyard, Madam Chen, with a handkerchief tied around her forehead, coughed occasionally and looked at Marquis Changning with an apologetic expression.
"I am ill at an inopportune time, and I apologize to the Marquis. I have already sent someone to deliver the insignia and account books to Aunt Qiao. Please let Aunt Qiao manage the household for a few days."
“But…” Madam Chen sighed, looking troubled, “After the eldest young master’s outburst a few days ago, the accountant really can’t come up with any money. I’m afraid the banquet tomorrow will be… alas.”
Marquis Changning recalled Shen Chu's outburst in the kitchen that day, and a hint of displeasure appeared on his face.
"If you're not feeling well, just rest. You can leave this to Aunt Qiao; she has the money."
A smile appeared in Madam Chen's eyes. "I'm overthinking it. Since this banquet is specially held for the eldest son, Aunt Qiao will certainly put her heart into it."
As soon as she finished speaking, Wang's mother rushed into the house, knelt down, and began to cry.
"My lord, my lady, you must do justice for me!"
Seeing her disheveled appearance, Chen asked hurriedly, "What happened?"
Madam Wang covered her face and wept, "The eldest son said that the madam deliberately only sent the tokens and account books, and not the silver, in order to make things difficult for Aunt Qiao."
Marquis Changning's expression darkened slightly.
Mrs. Wang glanced at it and continued to embellish the story.
"The eldest young master and Consort Qiao refused to accept the identification tokens and account books. They not only beat the servants, but also said...and also said..."
Marquis Changning asked angrily, "What else is there to say?"
"The eldest young master also said that even if Aunt Qiao's money was used to feed dogs, she would not use it to support unrelated people."
He even said that he would soon be a fifth-rank official, while the Marquis had only been a fourth-rank official for so many years in the court.
He'll soon surpass the Marquis; from now on, everyone in the manor should listen to him and serve him carefully.
This was simply touching the sore spot of the Marquis of Changning.
Snap!
Marquis Changning slammed his hand heavily on the small table. “You unfilial son, this whole mansion is full of his relatives. Where is there anyone who doesn’t want to be involved?”
"Where is Aunt Qiao? Hasn't she been keeping an eye on the eldest son?"
Wang's mother rolled her eyes, but didn't mention that Aunt Qiao wanted to give money.
"Aunt Qiao said that what the eldest young master said makes sense."
"hateful!"
Marquis Changning angrily turned and left.
Through the window, Chen saw him leave the courtyard and head straight for Aunt Qiao's courtyard, a smug smile appearing on her lips.
"Aunt Wang, are you alright?"
Madam Wang rubbed her stomach as she got up. "I'm fine. Madam's feigning illness was a brilliant move. If that bitch Qiao still doesn't hand over the money, the Marquis will definitely be angry with them."
Madam Chen smiled grimly, "That little bastard stole the show at the Princess's flower-viewing banquet and even mocked my Yan'er. How could I let him get away with it?"
She even wants to spend my dowry money on a banquet for him? Bah!
"Just wait and see, Madam. As long as the Marquis gets angry, Madam Qiao will definitely be as obedient as before, handing over silver to feed and entertain us."
The master and servant exchanged a glance and couldn't help but reveal smug smiles.
On the other side, Aunt Qiao slowly woke up and looked at Chen Chu by the bedside with a puzzled expression.
"How could I have suddenly fainted?"
Shen Chu said without changing her expression, "Auntie has probably caught a cold. Are you feeling a little dizzy?"
"Huh? I do feel dizzy. I guess I kicked off the covers last night."
Aunt Qiao sat up and took Chen Chu's hand to discuss the matter.
“Ah Chu, it’s just a little money. If it can make you and the Marquis look good, I’m willing to pay.”
Shen Chu frowned. "But I don't want to. The Chen family is clearly bullying you. Can't you see that?"
Aunt Qiao didn't take it to heart. "I can see that, but this banquet is very important to you. You can always earn more money if you lose it."
Problems that can be solved with money are not really problems, and we can use this opportunity to change the Marquis's impression of us.
Five days have passed since you caused such a scene in the kitchen, and the Marquis hasn't even come to my courtyard.
Aunt Qiao was heartbroken.
Shen Chu raised an eyebrow. "Is it possible that he's not coming to your courtyard because you haven't returned the shop?"
"Impossible, the Marquis is not that kind of person."
Aunt Qiao insisted with certainty on her theory that love conquers all.
It was at this moment that Marquis Changning stormed in, furious.
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