Last time when she and her second sister-in-law went up the mountain to worship Buddha, their carriage and the Jiang family’s carriage ended up facing each other on the narrow mountain road. According to etiquette, the Lu family’s carriage should have backed up, so her sister-in-law ordered the coachman to reverse.
After they had backed up some distance, just before the Jiang family’s carriage departed, a man inside lifted the curtain and said, “Thank you, miss.” Only then did she realize that the person sitting in the opposite carriage was actually the young marquis. From that moment on, she fell into lovesickness.
“You silly girl, all you think about is men! Don’t aim too high. That Jiang Xu is a hostage—who knows if he might lose his life someday.” Lady Chen chided, tapping her daughter’s forehead with a hint of exasperation.
“Mother!” Lu Wanrou pouted. “How could that be? The Liaoyuan Marquis’s household is at the peak of its power. His Majesty still relies on them for the southern campaign!”
“Well, it would be wonderful if you could marry into the marquis’s household,” Lady Chen calculated in her mind. “But the things at Brocade Pavilion are too expensive—casually costing several thousand taels. If you can’t marry into the marquis’s household, we’d suffer a huge loss!”
“Mother! Hurry and make Second Sister-in-law fill the hole at Brocade Pavilion. Otherwise, Shopkeeper Wen won’t let me buy on credit anymore.” Lu Wanrou shook her mother’s elbow. “Mother, wouldn’t it be better if you managed the accounts yourself? Why should we have to put up with Lady Fang’s attitude!”
On her way back to the estate earlier, she had detoured to Brocade Pavilion wanting to buy a few pearl hair ornaments. To her surprise, Shopkeeper Wen said the Lu family had outstanding credit—a total debt of five thousand taels—and refused to let her buy on credit again.
“Don’t suggest such a foolish idea! I’m getting old and can’t be bothered with managing accounts.” Others might not know the mess of the Jiang family’s accounts, but Lady Chen understood all too well. Even if offered to her, she wouldn’t take it.
Lu Changqing’s father used to consume ginseng costing a thousand taels per root. Long before Fang Qianxue married into the family, the Lu household was already buried in debt. The eldest son, Lu Changli, was also a libertine, frequently splurging thousands in pleasure quarters and brothels. The only reason the Lu family had managed to maintain appearances all these years was entirely due to Fang Qianxue using her own dowry and subsidies from her natal family.
“But I really want to buy that pearl hairpin!”
Lady Chen gently tapped the lid of her teacup, a smug smile curling at the corner of her mouth. “Regarding Brocade Pavilion, I’ll mention it to your sister-in-law when she arrives later. I’ll just have her take out the money.”
If Fang Qianxue hadn’t married into their Lu family, that money would have long been confiscated.
Hmph, the Fang family’s money was rightfully theirs to take!
As the mother and daughter were talking, they heard the curtain at the entrance rustle.
Fang Qianxue entered with her maid, sweeping a glance over the two in the room. “You asked for me, Mother? Wanrou is here too.”
“Qianxue, I was just about to discuss something with you,” Lady Chen looked Fang Qianxue up and down, a faint surprise flickering in her eyes. “The Empress Dowager has already issued an edict, ordering Miaoyan to enter the palace for the Flower Festival.”
After Madam Xu entered the household, Fang Qianxue not only didn’t appear dispirited but instead looked radiant with vitality. Compared to that sickly Xu Miaoyan… tsk tsk, one resembled a luxurious peony in full bloom, the other a frost-bitten little cabbage.
“Mother should discuss this matter with Madam Xu.” Fang Qianxue sat down on the soft couch opposite Lady Chen, impatiently swinging her crossed leg.
She was busy!
Tomorrow was Yuan’er and Yao’er’s third birthday. Lu Changqing, currently lost in Xu Miaoyan’s tender embrace, said he couldn’t be bothered to arrange anything, offering only the excuse “no money” when asked.
Fang Qianxue would never let her own children suffer. Not only would she hold the celebration, but she also intended to use this birthday banquet to re-enter the circle of noble ladies in the capital.
“You also know Madam Xu doesn’t have many decent outfits, so I took the liberty of buying her a few pieces. After all, if she dressed shabbily when entering the palace, it would reflect poorly on our Lu family.” Lady Chen took a sip of tea. “Go settle the bill at Brocade Pavilion. It’s not much—just five thousand taels.”
“Five thousand taels is no small sum,” Fang Qianxue glanced at Lu Wanrou beside her. “It seems Mother didn’t just buy clothes for Madam Xu but also quite a few for Sister.”
“Just a few incidental purchases,” Lady Chen patted Lu Wanrou’s hand reassuringly. “Just go and settle it. I’ll put in a good word for you in front of Changqing.”
“A good word? Haven’t I filled enough holes for the Lu family over the years?” Fang Qianxue took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on the elderly woman across from her. “All the clothes Yuan’er, Yao’er, and I own combined don’t amount to five thousand taels, yet Mother says it’s ‘not much.’ If it’s so trivial, why don’t you fill this hole yourself?”
“Your clothes are cheap because you don’t deserve better!” Lu Wanrou abruptly stood up, sneering. “The two children are so young—a few rags to wrap them in are enough. What need do they have for fine clothes?”
“Enough, enough,” Lady Chen pulled Lu Wanrou back down. “Qianxue, I know you’re upset, but think about it: Miaoyan is the Silkworm Tending Official. If Wanrou dresses up nicely, she might marry into a marquis’ household someday. As for you… what use would Brocade Pavilion clothes be? Changqing wouldn’t spare you a second glance anyway.”