Chapter 5 Stockpiling
Chu Yunqing's eyes lit up. "That headpiece costs a total of 8,888 taels. My sister-in-law has already paid a deposit of 888 taels, and we still need 8,000 taels."
Chu Yian: ...
He suspected he had heard wrongly.
"How much did you say?"
Chu Yunqing repeated it again, and Chu Yian's face instantly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. "What kind of headwear is so expensive?"
His monthly salary was less than a hundred taels, and he had fought on the battlefield for three years but still failed to save eight thousand taels. How could she dare to spend eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight taels to buy a set of headwear?
Not to mention that he can't afford it, even if he can afford it, he won't spend the money!
Jiang was also reluctant to let her son spend the money, "The headdress was made by Lu, so it's natural that she should pay for it."
Chu Yunqing glanced at Chu Yian, "But sister-in-law is still angry now."
This is also the reason why Jiang is in trouble.
She had already decided to give Lu Zhiran the cold shoulder for a while so that she would know her own worth and it would be easier for her to control her in the future.
But who would have thought that such a thing would happen in just one day.
Chu Yian's face turned grim, and he said decisively: "Retreat!"
Chu Yunqing raised his voice, "No!"
Chu Yian's face darkened. "What kind of headgear can't you wear? Why do you have to buy something so expensive?"
Chu Yunqing was stubborn and said, "My sister-in-law bought it for me. Why should I refuse it?"
Seeing the two about to quarrel, Jiang spoke up in time, "Yian, this headdress cannot be returned. You and Zhao are both highly sought-after meritorious officials now, and everyone is eyeing the Marquisate. If we return the headdress at this time, the Marquisate will lose face, and we cannot afford to lose face."
Chu Yian's expression froze for a moment, and he was speechless in rebuttal.
After a while, he said, "Mr. Zhong..."
He had barely begun when Jiang sighed repeatedly, "There are hundreds of people in the Marquis's mansion who need to feed. Your father's monthly salary is so meager, and the monthly fief from the court isn't enough either. We can only rely on subsidies from the shops and farms. It's not time to collect the debts yet, and the Marquis's mansion is truly struggling."
Chu Yian couldn't believe that the Marquis' Mansion was so poor.
Jiang said slowly, "Yian, go to Yusheng Residence in person and invite Lu over. You are her heaven, if you bow down to her and show some mercy, her anger will naturally subside."
Chu Yunqing also looked at Chu Yian with anticipation.
Chu Yian only felt humiliated and ashamed.
"She's so petty and doesn't have the magnanimity of a lady from an aristocratic family. If I invite her so eagerly, won't that only encourage her to act lawless and disregard Shuning?"
When she heard the name Zhao Shuning, a hint of hidden disgust flashed in Jiang's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
"Mrs. Lu was indeed too petty this time, but it also shows that she cares about you as her husband. She waited for you for three years, and you returned with a woman. How could she accept this? How many three years can a woman afford to waste? It's normal for her to have a little temper. If you coax her, she'll calm down."
Chu Yunqing quickly agreed, "Yes, sister-in-law misses her brother every day. Maybe she has already regretted it and is just waiting for you to give her a way out."
Chu Yian pursed his lips, his twisted self-esteem was soothed, and the resistance in his heart eased a little.
After Jiang's patient persuasion, Chu Yian finally agreed to go.
Considering her deep love for me, I will give her this respect.
Chu Yian adjusted his mood and went to Yushengju.
But unexpectedly, he came back empty-handed, as Lu Zhiran had already left.
She and Manager Shi made an appointment to meet at Shufangzhai.
Shufangzhai is a teahouse, a place where scholars often go to drink tea and discuss philosophy. It is also one of Lu Zhiran's properties, but the Marquis's Mansion is unaware of it.
Shi Qizhou is in his early forties, tall and strong with a dark face. At first glance, he looks a little honest, but there is a shrewdness in his eyes.
In his previous life, he had always been Lu Zhiran's most loyal and capable right-hand man, and a trustworthy elder.
Lu Zhiran showed a familiar smile on his face, "Uncle Shi."
Shi Qizhou stood up immediately, "Miss."
He said bluntly, "Miss, let me say one more thing. Chu Yian is ungrateful and not a good match."
It was obvious that he already knew that Chu Yian promoted his concubine and asked for an imperial decree for her.
When Lu Zhiran heard this, a warm feeling rose in her heart.
In her previous life, he had advised her to recognize the people around her, but she was stubborn and refused to change her ways, thus failing him.
"Don't worry, Uncle Shi, I'm ready for a divorce."
After hearing this, Shi Qizhou finally felt relieved.
"That's great, miss, it's great that you can figure it out!"
He also thought that the eldest daughter would be unwilling to divorce, after all, this was the marriage arranged for her by his wife before her death.
"Someone has arrived from the palace earlier. The Emperor has summoned you to the palace for an audience in three days. The eldest lady has done something to save the world, and it will no longer be possible for the Marquisate to marry into the family."
Lu Zhiran nodded.
But she didn't come to see Uncle Shi today because of Chu Yian's matter.
"Uncle Shi, I have an important matter for you to handle."
Shi Qizhou hurriedly said, "Miss, please give your orders."
Lu Zhiran: "Uncle Shi, I need you to help me buy a large amount of cotton and charcoal, but don't buy it in the name of the trading company, just do it in secret."
Shi Qizhou pondered for a moment. "This year's celestial phenomena are indeed bizarre. Not only is Xiping suffering from a severe drought, but the capital is also experiencing persistent high temperatures, causing many civilians to die from the heat. As the saying goes, a year of severe drought will inevitably be followed by a cold winter. It's certainly feasible for Miss to stockpile cotton and charcoal, but I wonder how much Miss wants to stockpile."
"The more the better." Lu Zhiran said solemnly, "Uncle Shi, first count all the cash in my account. Apart from the necessary expenses for the past two months, use the rest to buy cotton and charcoal."
Shi Qizhou was shocked. He knew very well how much silver Lu Zhiran had.
Now we have to buy all the cotton and charcoal...
It is already mid-October, but the weather is still hot and warm. If this year is a warm winter, all the eldest lady's belongings will be in vain.
Seeing his hesitation, Lu Zhiran was firm, "Uncle Shi, just listen to me."
Although it is still warm in autumn now, in less than a month, the weather will take a sharp turn for the worse, getting colder day by day, and there will be heavy snow. Da Qi will experience the coldest and longest winter in a hundred years.
Not to mention ordinary people, even noble families could not buy cotton clothes and charcoal if they had money.
This is an opportunity.
Since God has given her a new life, she will not miss any opportunity!
Shi Qizhou originally wanted to advise her to be more cautious, but when he saw the determination in her eyes, which showed a certainty of victory, the usually cautious Shi Qizhou inexplicably felt convinced.
He gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I'll listen to you, Miss."
Lu Zhiran reminded him again, "Hurry up and finish this within a month."
Shi Qizhou is a man of quick and decisive nature. Since he accepted the task, he did not delay for a moment and immediately started to make arrangements.
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