Тhеsе dауs, Wu Baоzhаng wаs hаving а rather difficult timе.
Аlthough Chеng Chi had intrоduсеd sеvеrаl major tеa merchants, they соuld give fаcе оnсе or twiсе, but thеу сouldn’t kеep giving faсе and nеglecting business еvery timе. After thе Nеw Yеаr, thе аdvаntage in рurсhasе рriсes disаpреared. Аs а newlу openеd shop, theу hаdn’t mаde еfforts to retаin сustоmers during реаk timеs. Оnсe thе fаvorаble рrices wеre gоnе, businеss graduаllу dесlined.
Cheng Wеn was so anxious thаt blisters formed аt the cоrners оf his mоuth. Tо make matters worse, Madam Wen had sent someone from Jinling, first to urge Cheng Nuo and Wu Baozhang to return, and second to say that the household had many mouths to feed and expenses to cover. Last year, the earnings from the estate had all been brought by Cheng Wen to the capital, and now there was no surplus silver left at home. She demanded that he send money back for household expenses.
Wu Baozhang actually wanted to return.
No matter how flawed her maternal home was, it was still familiar. In the capital, she was merely the wife of a merchant family. Wherever she went, she had to rely on the reputation of the Cheng family from Xinglin Alley. Unlike in Jinling, where as soon as her sedan chair appeared on the street, people knew who she was, and the respect she deserved and envious glances would naturally follow. There was no need for her to make any effort to explain herself. When everything required her to speak up, there was nothing left worth respecting.
This was the only advantage she had gained by marrying into the Cheng family.
If even this advantage disappeared, she might as well have married an ordinary scholar—at least that would have been better than Cheng Nuo, who was useless both in his studies and as a person, nothing more than a flashy but hollow showpiece.
Thinking of this, her mood grew even worse.
Somehow, Cheng Lu managed to find her.
She had originally intended to ignore him, but when he pitifully brought up their past relationship, mentioning the year she had sneaked out of her home to go on a spring outing with him and had given him a pouch, and how he had taken the opportunity to secretly keep one of her handkerchiefs, she felt that Cheng Lu, who had abandoned his own mother in times of trouble, likely no longer had those items. Yet, recalling the flickering look in his eyes as he spoke, she didn’t dare to confront him. Instead, she put on a tearful and sympathetic act, gave him twenty taels of silver, and said it was the private savings she had managed to accumulate since coming to the capital and managing the household. She told him to find a place to stay first and come back to her if he encountered any difficulties in the future.
After Cheng Lu left, Wu Baozhang nearly vomited.
How could she have ever been attracted to such a person!
He actually used a woman’s money, living off her.
She had to find a way to return to Jinling.
Her father was still serving as an official in Jinling. Although her stepmother had given birth to a son, her father had managed to secure a position for her elder brother in the Inspection Bureau. Even if Cheng Lu dared to return to Jinling, she had ways to inform the Cheng family of his whereabouts and deal with him herself.
As Wu Baozhang pondered this, she cursed Madam Wen vehemently in her heart.
No wonder she had been fighting with the other woman for most of her life. Despite being the legitimate wife through a proper marriage and having such favorable circumstances, she still couldn’t win. Now that Father-in-law had no money, she insisted, regardless of the situation, that he send money back. Meanwhile, the other woman cleverly and thoughtfully sent a trusted steward with two thousand taels in banknotes.Father-in-law's eyes turned red when he received the silver note. Originally, he had discussed with Cheng Nuo about letting them return to Jinling first, but now he immediately changed his mind. Not only did he want Cheng Nuo to continue helping in the shop, but he also decided to take over a teahouse next to the shop. Selling tea in the teahouse, he planned to find a way to run both businesses.
Wu Baozhang sat on the large kang by the window, lost in thought.
It was impossible for Madam Wen to summon her back now. Perhaps she could use Madam Wen’s illness as an excuse to return and attend to her? As for Father-in-law… she might as well hint to him that if she returned, he could bring that woman outside to the capital… He would surely be delighted.
But when it came time to divide the family property after Father-in-law’s death, they would definitely suffer losses. However, given Father-in-law’s nature, by the time he died, he might have already squandered most of the family fortune, leaving only debts and no assets. But what if Father-in-law actually managed to make the business thrive?
Wu Baozhang hesitated again.
Just as she couldn’t make up her mind, Cheng Nuo walked in.
The maidservant hurried forward to help him change his clothes.
Compared to when they were in Nine Prosperities Lane in Jinling, he had grown taller and sturdier, and his movements now carried a steadiness that replaced some of his former frivolity.
Seeing Wu Baozhang lost in thought, he said, "I heard Fourth Aunt has given birth. Aunt Chi will send someone to Luoyang in a few days to deliver gifts for the baby’s hundredth-day celebration. Have you prepared yours? We can entrust Aunt Chi to deliver it together then!"
That way, they wouldn’t have to send someone separately.
Nowadays, the family wasn’t like when they were in Nine Prosperities Lane, where silver could be spent freely.
Only after engaging in business did he realize how difficult money was to earn.
Only after engaging in business did he realize how formidable Li Jing was.
As for Cheng Jia, they naturally needed to visit and persuade her more often.
Then there were Apricot Grove Lane and Chaoyang Gate… They hadn’t had much contact with Cheng Jing’s branch at Apricot Grove Lane, but Cheng Xu had grown up with him. However, every time he went to visit Cheng Xu, he was always studying. It was said he would take the imperial examination next session, and Aunt Jing was counting on Cheng Xu to bring home the top scholar title. How could he keep bothering him? Chaoyang Gate was different. Old Madam Guo lived there, acknowledged Father as her nephew, and had little to do in the inner quarters. Whether it was noble families or official households in the capital, she could visit and speak with them. If they sought her help with family matters, she would likely be willing to listen and lend a hand when she had nothing else to do.
That was why Father had them send gifts to Cheng Jia through Uncle Chi’s family.
Thinking of this, Cheng Nuo instructed Wu Baozhang, "You’re about the same age as Aunt Chi. When you visit, make sure to chat with her properly. Our family only has these few relatives, and only these households are worth visiting. You should drop by often when you have nothing to do—even among relatives, frequent visits keep the bonds warm."
Wu Baozhang was infuriated upon hearing this.
Expect her to flatter Zhou Shaojin?!
In her dreams!
She sneered inwardly and said, "Can’t I socialize with First Madam Xu instead? Uncle Jing is still a Grand Secretary!"
Her implication was clear: if they wanted to curry favor, they might as well aim for Cheng Jing, the Grand Secretary.
"Suit yourself!" Cheng Nuo and Wu Baozhang had never seen eye to eye, and he had little patience to argue with her. "As long as you think Uncle Jing will speak up for us when the time comes."
Wu Baozhang’s face flushed red with anger.
She knew it—Cheng Nuo was a man without a shred of responsibility.When asking for help, shouldn't one consider the relative status between parties?
They've now abandoned their scholarly identities to engage in merchant affairs, yet still expect Cheng Jing to assist them. Moreover, this assistance would mostly involve business matters—has Cheng Nuo lost his mind!
Wu Baozhang inwardly scorned Cheng Nuo while feeling somewhat unsettled.
That Min Jia woman had too many schemes and was difficult to deal with.
She had never intended to associate with Min Jia, let alone seek help from Apricot Grove Lane.
In contrast, Zhou Shaojin was much easier to get along with...
Wu Baozhang pondered this as her personal maid quietly entered the room. Seeing Cheng Nuo nearby, the maid stood in a corner.
Understanding the situation, Wu Baozhang ignored Cheng Nuo, who was changing clothes, and left the side chamber.
The maid followed her out and whispered, "Madam, that Dong Lichun has come looking for you again."
Wu Baozhang nearly tore her handkerchief in frustration.
She had just given him money five days ago. Why was he back so soon?
Her voice strained, she whispered, "Tell him to come tomorrow morning. The young master has already returned home, and the master will be back soon too. It wouldn't be good if they encountered him."
The maid acknowledged and left.
※
At Chaoyang Gate, Zhou Shaojin was joyfully preparing gifts for Cheng Jia's son's hundred-day celebration.
Just as in her previous life, Cheng Jia had given birth to a son.
If Cheng Jia lived well and safely, would she be happy and fulfilled as before?
Old Madam Guo teased her, "You seem even happier than if you'd had the child yourself!"
Zhou Shaojin giggled. "People say luck is contagious. Since they're all doing well, any gloominess I might have will surely lift too. How could I not be happy?"
"Very well then!" Old Madam Guo laughed. "Take this pair of longevity locks and give them to the child, saying they're from me."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.
Nanny Shang's figure briefly appeared at the doorway.
Zhou Shaojin calmly chatted with Old Madam Guo for a while longer before leaving Tingxiang Courtyard.
Nanny Shang waited for her on the path outside Tingxiang Courtyard.
"Huaishan says that Cheng Lu has gone to see Madam Nuo again," she whispered. "He asked me to inquire whether we should continue pursuing Cheng Lu."
Zhou Shaojin's intention was for Huaishan to have people follow Cheng Lu, occasionally stealing his belongings or startling him with pursuits to keep him constantly on edge and with nowhere to hide. This would make him disturb Wu Baozhang every few days, giving both of them something to worry about instead of meddling in others' affairs.
However, hadn't Cheng Lu just found Wu Baozhang a couple of days ago? Why was he seeking her out again?
Nanny Shang smiled. "This wasn't forced by us—he came on his own. Probably thinks that madam's money comes easily? I heard he recently rented a nice house near Vermilion Bird Street, bought a servant boy, and socializes with scholars. That must require considerable funds, right?"
Great concealment lies in court, minor concealment in the marketplace.
Did Cheng Lu think living in a better area would help him avoid the Cheng family's search?
Zhou Shaojin thought this was exactly the kind of thing Cheng Lu would do.
"Then let him be," she told Nanny Shang with a smile. "Just make sure he doesn't disappear from sight or have so much free time that he constantly thinks about causing trouble for us."
Nanny Shang smiled understandingly and withdrew.
※
After sending Cheng Lu away, Wu Baozhang's tightly clenched fists remained unrelaxed.
Who did Cheng Lu think she was?He opened his mouth and asked to borrow two hundred taels of silver from her.
She had silver, but it was hard-earned and saved up by her, not like Zhou Shaojin, who simply took it from her father's hands.
Although Wu Baozhang inwardly scorned Cheng Lu as a man who lived off women, she never imagined he would actually stoop to doing so.
She thought his coming to her for money was a case of a hero being brought low by a lack of funds.
But she never expected Cheng Lu to come to her again so soon, and to ask for two hundred taels of silver right off the bat!
How had he become like this?
Wouldn’t that truly make him a scoundrel?
What about the teachings of the sages he had studied?
What about his integrity?
What about the spirited confidence in his speech?
Wu Baozhang couldn’t hide her disappointment as she sat down in the armchair.
Today, he asked her for two hundred taels because he was short on living expenses. What about tomorrow? The day after?
Wu Baozhang felt as if she had fallen into a muddy swamp—even if she could climb out, her feet would be dirty...
※
Sisters, today’s extra update.
The update will still be around ten o’clock in the evening! O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Please vote with pink tickets...
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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