Chapter 251 Zhao Houjing's Strangeness
Qiu Nian and Qiu Fang had indeed done quite well in business over the years, especially with Zhao Lingmeng as their backer. No one dared to resort to unfair means to suppress them. Now, any new ideas or products Zhao Lingmeng had were handed over to these two people to manage. Zhao Lingmeng didn't have to worry about anything anymore.
However, because Qiu Nian and Qiu Fang were semi-detached from the mansion, they had no idea what Zhao Lingmeng was doing. The less they knew, the safer they were.
After dinner, Zhao Lingmeng personally selected four jade pendants of similar quality from the gifts bestowed by the Emperor today. They were all rare and gave one to each of Zhao Houjing and the other three, as a way to celebrate together.
"Mom, why do you always like to give us jade pendants? I have so many jade pendants now, and I have several pieces of this quality, but I can't wear them outside."
As soon as Zhao Houjing said this, the other three people present quickly put the jade pendants in their hands into their arms. Who would dislike too much of a good thing? The three of them looked at Zhao Houjing as if he were a fool.
Even Yang Chengchen carefully kept it. This kind of thing was only available in the emperor's grandfather's private treasury, and even he hadn't had it before. It was only after coming to his aunt that he got it. This piece was the third piece his aunt gave him.
It’s not that the eldest prince lacks grace, but the emperor rarely rewards his sons with such things. Even if he does, the eldest prince will keep such things for himself to show off, and it will never be the turn of him, the second son, who is still a child.
He had seen his older brother have one before, and he was so careful to protect it! He wouldn't even let him touch it, but now he has one too! And he has more than his older brother.
When he first came to his aunt's house, he was embarrassed to take her things. Later, he realized that his aunt gave them to him because she loved him as a younger generation. He could only remember his aunt's kindness in his heart and promised to be filial to her in the future.
"Why can't I wear it outside? I never said you can't wear it outside. If you don't want it, you can give it back to me." Zhao Lingmeng didn't care at all. Although it was the property of several children, she had given it to them and let them do whatever they wanted with it.
When Zhao Houjing heard his mother say this, he immediately stopped being stubborn and put the bracelet in his arms. "Mom, this kind of bracelet is a gift from the emperor. If it gets bumped while I wear it, I'll be so heartbroken I won't be able to sleep all night."
Zhao Lingmeng rolled her eyes speechlessly. Logically speaking, Zhao Houjing had lived a good life since childhood, but now he suddenly felt so distressed. Zhao Lingmeng had to be suspicious! "Mom thought you were too picky about having too many good things!"
"That's not the case. I'm just a little short of money lately. Mom, can you give me another hundred taels of silver?" Zhao Houjing had no choice. Although he had a lot of good things in his hands over the years, there was really nothing that could be converted into cash.
Zhao Houjing's words surprised not only Zhao Lingmeng but the other three children as well. They only had 20 taels of allowance each month, which they couldn't even spend. They were all wondering where their eldest brother/cousin's money had gone.
Although Zhao Lingmeng was surprised, he looked at Zhao Houjing calmly, "Oh? Have you run out of pocket money?"
"Well, I bought two books that interested me this month, and that's it."
Zhao Houming had been thinking about this for a thousand times. He was always with his elder brother, and he was the only one who knew that his elder brother hadn't added any new books.
"Oh, then what do you want this hundred taels for?" Zhao Lingmeng didn't say whether to give it or not.
Zhao Houjing thought his mother was willing to give it to him because she asked this, so he smiled more and said, "I want to buy a few more."
"Oh, then you can wait until next month to get your monthly allowance!" Zhao Lingmeng didn't believe in this purpose, and even if it was true, she would not indulge Zhao Houjing's behavior. 20 taels a month was already a lot.
Seeing that his mother rejected his request, Zhao Houjing was very anxious: "Mom, why not? You don't need this little money."
"I don't mind, it's mine! This is your own hobby, so of course you're responsible for it. Okay, all four of you go down and rest!"
When Yang Chengchen saw his aunt saying goodbye, he immediately stood up and saluted. He mainly wanted to go back and show off his jade pendant: "Aunt, I want to go back to stay tonight, so I'll leave now."
Zhao Lingmeng nodded and reminded them worriedly, "Bring enough people with you and be careful on the road."
"Don't worry, auntie. I know what's going on." Yang Chengchen said as he hurriedly left with his men. He was really anxious to go back and show off. He might even be able to catch up with his father and brother having dinner at his mother's house.
When Zhao Houjing saw Yang Chengchen leave and his two younger brothers bowed and took their leave, he originally wanted to try again, but when he saw the look in his mother's eyes, he knew there was no hope, so he could only bow and leave.
Zhao Lingmeng waited until the children had left before ordering, "Chunshui, go check where Jing'er's money went. The sooner the better."
"I obey your command!" Chunshui also knew the seriousness of the matter and immediately went down to get busy.
Zhao Houjing finally came out of Zhao Lingmeng's room and saw his two younger brothers walking side by side in front of him. He immediately trotted over and said, "Second brother, third brother, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Brother, if you don't tell me what you need the money for, I won't lend it to you. It's even more impossible to give it to you for free. Besides, I've been going in and out with you these days, and I know you haven't bought any new books. I didn't expose you in front of mother because I was giving you face. If mother pursues the matter later, I will be punished."
Although Zhao Houming had a good relationship with his elder brother, he had always been clear-headed in this regard. He was also afraid that someone would mislead his brother.
"What are you two thinking about?" Zhao Houjing said this, looked at the people around them and saw that they were quite far away from them, then said in a low voice: "That person is sick and needs three hundred taels. I'm still one hundred taels short."
"Who?" Zhao Houming didn't react for a moment.
Zhao Houyang reacted and said directly: "I don't have any money. Even if I did, I wouldn't lend it to you. I want to save the money and wait for that person to die. Then I'll go to the restaurant and have a big meal to celebrate."
"Third brother, forget it. You haven't seen it either. I don't blame you." Zhao Houjing turned his gaze to Zhao Houming again.
If Zhao Houming still doesn't know who his elder brother is talking about, he has eaten in vain for so many years.
"Third brother, second brother will go with you when the time comes." This is Zhao Houming's position.
"Second brother, that is after all..."
"No, he is not. My last name is Zhao. Big brother, you take care of yourself!" After Zhao Houming said this, he directly pulled Zhao Houyang away. He really didn't understand what was going on in this big brother's mind.
Zhao Houjing watched the two brothers leave and sighed. He looked at the moon in the sky and whispered, "I did my best."
Zhao Houjing muttered to himself, then went back to rest. He planned to find someone to burn all the silver the man had the next day. He was powerless to do anything else. Just think of it as buying peace of mind!
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