Chunlan Xiu asked with concern, “Qingfeng, how much money have you actually borrowed from outside?”
Han Qingfeng truthfully told her that he had borrowed a total of six thousand taels in usury loans from outside.
Han Lingyue couldn’t help but scream, “Father, you borrowed six thousand taels of silver? What did you borrow so much money for?”
Han Qingfeng couldn’t answer that question.
In any case, he was now indeed in debt. If he couldn’t repay this money, he could imagine the consequences.
With a worried expression, Han Qingfeng turned his gaze to his mother, Madam Jin.
The old lady knew what her son meant by looking at her.
She had some private savings, which others didn’t know about, but her son was aware.
However, the old lady didn’t want to help her son repay his debt either.
She waved her hands repeatedly, “Don’t look at me. It’s not easy for an old woman like me to save up some money for my old age.”
“You’re already married, and your children are so grown up. If you have a problem, go discuss it with your wife.”
Han Qingfeng was full of difficulty: “Mother, you know Song Yao has no money right now.”
“If I ask her, she definitely won’t be able to help at all. Why don’t you help me out for now?”
“Help me get over this hurdle first. Once I’m through, I’ll definitely repay you double what I owe.”
Madam Jin: “How can I help you? You’re a married man with a family and career. Expecting an old woman like me to help you repay your debts?”
“No, no! My son, it’s not that your mother doesn’t want to help you!”
“That little money I have was saved up coin by coin. Would you have the heart to touch your mother’s burial money?”
“You should still go discuss the debt repayment with your wife.”
After saying this, Madam Jin wanted to send a maid to invite Song Yao over.
There was no need for her to send anyone—Song Yao had already arrived with Hong Yu.
Entering the room, Song Yao asked with great confusion: “Why are there so many debt collectors at the door? Which one of you borrowed money from outside?”
The old lady hurriedly stepped forward: “Second daughter-in-law, it was your husband who borrowed money outside!”
“You’d better quickly help your husband repay this debt. Otherwise, if word gets out, it will be your face as the Head Mistress of the Household that’s lost.”
Song Yao secretly sneered in her heart.
Han Qingfeng was the one who borrowed the money, yet it would be the daughter-in-law who loses face?
The old lady’s words were purely trying to fool her as if she were an idiot.
Song Yao pretended to be confused while understanding perfectly, “The Marquis… owes money outside?”
Song Yao looked into Han Qingfeng’s eyes, “Marquis, what did you borrow money for? Why didn’t I, your wife, know about it?”
Han Qingfeng hemmed and hawed, unable to answer.
He cleared his throat twice and said shamelessly, “Madam, I borrowed the money because I had an urgent need. Do you think you could help me first…”
Song Yao said with great difficulty: “Marquis, the household is already so poor we can barely keep the pot boiling. Nowadays, we can only eat cabbage and tofu at every meal. It’s not like you don’t know.”
“If I had money, I wouldn’t make you eat those things. Don’t ask me about repaying the debt. I’d love to help but I can’t.”
Just as Song Yao finished speaking, another maid came running to report: “It’s terrible! The creditors have barged in! Madam, Marquis, what should we do?”
Not a single person among the Marquis Manor’s group made a sound.
Song Yao knew they were all waiting for her.
Song Yao straightened her clothes and turned toward the door, “I’ll go see what’s going on!”
As she left, Song Yao called out to Han Qingfeng, “Marquis, the debt is yours. Come with me.”
Han Qingfeng wanted to play the turtle and hide in its shell. “I’m not going. You’re the one in charge of our household. You handle them as you see fit.”
Song Yao chuckled. “You want me to handle the creditors? Did you borrow the money, or did I?”
“If you don’t want to go, fine. I won’t go either. Hong Yu, let’s go back.”
The whole room grew anxious.
Han Qingfeng quickly said, “No, no, don’t go back. I’ll go with you! I’ll go with you right now!”
Han Qingfeng had no choice but to follow Song Yao to face the group of creditors.
Once Han Qingfeng left, the old lady and the others followed as well.
The creditors who had stormed into the Marquis Manor had already gathered in the main courtyard.
As they walked into the yard, they came face-to-face with the group demanding repayment.
The creditors saw the Marquise, the Marquis of Yunzhou, and the few people following the couple.
Upon seeing the ones responsible, the creditors immediately began shouting loudly, “Repay the money! Hurry up and repay the money!”
Song Yao quickly scanned the group—there were about seven or eight of them.
She waved her hand at them and said, “Shopkeepers, what is this all about…”
Song Yao had been in the business world for years, and most of the visitors were also businesspeople. Businesspeople inevitably interacted with one another.
So, whether they met frequently or not, they were somewhat familiar with each other.
Naturally, these people also recognized Song Yao, the mistress of the Marquis Manor.
The leader, a slightly plump middle-aged man, bowed to Song Yao. “Madam Han, we’ve come to your esteemed residence today to collect our debts. If it’s convenient, could you settle the accounts for us?”
Song Yao looked puzzled. “Who borrowed money from you, Shopkeeper Wang? I don’t recall borrowing from you or anyone else recently.”
Shopkeeper Wang pointed unceremoniously at Han Qingfeng. “It was your Marquis. He borrowed money from me in your name. Here is the IOU. Please take a look, Madam.”
Taking the IOU and reading it clearly, Song Yao glanced at Han Qingfeng, who was standing slightly behind her.
She said, “Not only did you borrow money from Shopkeeper Wang, but you also borrowed it in my name? What did you spend all this money on?”
Being questioned so directly in front of so many people by Song Yao left Han Qingfeng thoroughly embarrassed.
Before he could answer, Shopkeeper Wang spoke again. “Your Marquis promised to repay me in three months. The deadline has passed, and it’s been overdue for quite some time now. Please, Madam, repay me the principal with interest.”
“Madam, like you, I am also in business. The difficulties of businesspeople may not be understood by others, but you should know them well.”
“If such a large sum of money remains unpaid, I too will face cash flow problems. Madam, please settle the account for me.”
The others chimed in, “Yes, yes, Shopkeeper Wang speaks for all of us. Please settle our accounts, Madam.”
Song Yao returned the IOU to Shopkeeper Wang.
Then she spread her hands and said, “Shopkeeper Wang, you may not know this, but I’ve been facing difficulties lately.”
“Almost every shop under my name is suffering severe losses. I’m struggling to keep my own affairs in order and truly have no money to repay you.”
After saying this, Song Yao turned to Han Qingfeng again. “Marquis, the debt is yours. Tell us, what did you borrow the money for?”
Han Qingfeng couldn’t tell Song Yao what he had used the money for.
He only said, “Madam, you must have some private savings, right? Could you please repay the debt for me first?”
Song Yao massaged her temples. “Marquis, do I really have to use my own savings to ensure you have meat to eat?”
“You’ve seen the state of the household. If I had spare money, I would have already used my savings to cover the losses in my shops.”
Song Yao adopted an indignant posture. “Exactly how much debt have you borrowed in total?”
Before Han Qingfeng could speak, Wang Zhanggui said, “The Marquis borrowed one thousand taels from me.”
Others immediately presented their loan agreements.
“And me, your Marquis took eight hundred taels from me…”
“Six hundred taels here…”
“One thousand taels…”
“…”
After everyone reported their amounts, Song Yao quickly calculated that Han Qingfeng had borrowed a total of six thousand taels of silver.