Chapter 708: Chapter 670: Stepping In to Right a Wrong (Part 1)
The couple quarreled for a long time, and finally, Second Langâs wife suggested that instead of investing in the Xie Familyâs shares, it would be better to invest in Wen Wanâs fabric shop, which, although it started later than the Xie Familyâs restaurant, has considerable profits.
After discussions, the family finished breakfast and started packing their things. Song Erlang went out to hire a carriage.
Their home was simple, with not many items, and since Wen Wan had sent a message saying that there were already furnishings at the other place, they only needed to bring the essentials.
Therefore, they didnât have to transport goods, just each carrying a bundle on their shoulders, with Song Qi holding Song Duobao. The family of four headed to the Song Mansion.
Wen Wan was in the Warm Pavilion with Yun Cai and the others discussing the arrangements for Song Jiaoâs wedding feast, when the gatekeeper woman reported that the second masterâs family had arrived.
Wen Wan acknowledged with a slight nod and was about to send someone to greet them when Second Langâs wife pushed through the curtain, her face flushed from the early spring cold wind, followed by Song Qi and Song Duobao, the siblings.
This was the inner courtyard, so Song Erlang couldnât conveniently enter and was taken to the old masterâs side.
Wen Wan greeted them with a smile, "Second Sister-in-law, Qi Qi, Duobao, please come and sit down."
Second Langâs wife smiled awkwardly and led her children to sit on the warm kang.
Linglong brought over a tea tray with steaming hot tea. Song Jiao quickly got up to help her place it on the kang table near Second Langâs wife.
Having not seen each other for a while, Song Jiaoâs skin had become even fairer, with rosy cheeks and calm eyes, her every move exuding the demeanor and etiquette of a lady from a prominent family. Second Langâs wife couldnât help but sigh, "Third Sister-in-law is really capable. I remember when our Da Ya was dark and ugly, and the red on her cheeks didnât wash away all year round. Living by your side for just a few years, sheâs turned into a young miss. If this were on the street, someone might mistake me for one of her old nursemaids."
Just after saying this, Song Jiao and Song Qi couldnât help but laugh, and the other maids in the room laughed even more heartily.
Wen Wan was a bit speechless, "Even if you want to compliment me, Second Sister-in-law, you donât have to ruin your daughterâs reputation, right? What do you mean dark and ugly, Jiaojiaoâs features are quite regular. If she didnât have that foundation, she wouldnât look so good even if she lived by my side for dozens of years."
Wen Wan rarely praised people, so when Second Langâs wife heard this, she felt immensely proud, straightening her back even more.
Wen Wan asked, "Whereâs Second Brother?"
"He went directly to Rongâan Hall," Second Langâs wife replied, "I thought I should come to check on you first, so I came to Qingteng Residence. Also, I have something to ask you."
"Whatâs the matter?"
Second Langâs wife hesitated for a long time before saying, "The Ning Familyâs residence, it must have cost quite a bit?"
Wen Wan didnât mention the amount, afraid to scare Second Langâs wife, only saying, "Why did you think to ask this?"
"I was thinking, we donât have a regular income, and when it comes to buying a residence, we really canât spare extra money to support you. We can only try not to be a burden to you, so... I wanted to ask you, how much silver should our familyâs monthly expenses contribute to the public fund?"
Wen Wan was stunned, not expecting Second Langâs wife to open with this.
Actually, last night she was also struggling with whether to let Second House share meals here or set an amount for them to contribute monthly to the public fund.
If she let them share meals, the Song Mansion could certainly afford a few idle people, but she was afraid of spoiling Second House, like how they were spoiled back in the village, resulting in them always having the upper hand. Now that they had been set right, she couldnât just watch them go astray again.
But if they were to contribute to the public fund, how they did it would be a problem.
After thinking it over, Wen Wan said, "Letâs do it this way. You stay for a month first, and I will re-calculate the various expenses, and then give you an amount."
Second Langâs wife breathed a sigh of relief and then said, "Thereâs something else."
"Go ahead."
"Didnât Sister-in-law have a fabric shop? We still have some savings in hand. Can we invest in your shop for some shares and get some dividends at the end of the year?"
Wen Wan asked, "How much to invest?"
Second Langâs wife said, "O-one hundred taels."
One hundred taels was not a small amount, but in fact, Wen Wan didnât lack this turnover fund. However, since Second House had brought it up, directly refusing seemed a bit unkind, so she responded, "Alright, Iâll calculate your share at that time, and youâll receive every bit of your dividends at the end of the year without a single coin missing."
Hearing this, Wen Wan somewhat guessed that their family was short on money and said, "I do have something I would like to ask of Second Sister-in-law."
Upon hearing that Wen Wan had a request, Second Langâs wife sat up straighter, "Third Sister-in-law, just say the word. If I can help, I will."
Wen Wan said, "We have several manors, and two years ago, there was a drought, resulting in poor harvests. I discussed with Third Son to halve the rent, but unexpectedly, our good intentions bred a pack of ingrates. The following year, all the other manors paid the rent and end-of-year tributes in full, except for one, which refused and only paid half. Iâm young, and facing a group of fierce peasant women, I canât hit or scold them, so I thought that perhaps only Second Sister-in-lawâs eloquence could handle them. If you can help me collect the arrears of two yearsâ rent from that manor, the manor will be yours in the future."
"Really?" Second Langâs wife was full of excitement.
"Of course."
Second Langâs wife was overjoyed, expressing her gratitude profusely.
Wen Wan didnât know how she did it, but within a few days, the two years of rent arrears from Little Li Village were all collected to the exact coin.
Wen Wan accepted the silver and, in surprise, honored her promise by transferring Little Li Village under Song Erlangâs name.
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With Song Jiaoâs wedding approaching, the Song Mansion began preparations. The wedding dress sent by the embroidery workshop didnât quite fit, so Wen Wan accompanied Song Jiao to get it altered. Just as the two arrived outside the workshop, they encountered a disheveled little beggar. The beggar rushed out from the street and took advantage of Wen Wanâs inattention to grab her waist pouch.
Just as the hand stretched out, it was caught firmly by an arm that suddenly appeared.
"Where did this young scoundrel come from, daring to commit such theft in broad daylight? Are you tired of living?"
Upon hearing this, Wen Wan turned, only to see a 30-something woman, dressed in a neat and tight dark purple riding outfit. She didnât wear makeup, but her skin was firm, without sagging, and her eyes had no fine lines. She possessed a pair of beautiful phoenix eyes, looking heroic. At that moment, she had a mocking smile on her lips, showing a freedom and boldness rare for ordinary women.
Wen Wan looked at her, momentarily lost in thought.
The woman had a strong grip, and the little beggar couldnât take it, crying out in pain, "Madam, please be merciful. Spare me just this once. I wonât dare again."
The woman sneered, "Looking at you, you seem like a repeat offender. Without sending you to the officials to be beaten, you wonât know repentance."
Hearing the mention of the officials, the little beggar turned pale, his teeth chattering, "Iâm only here because my old mother is seriously ill, and Iâve been seeking treatment and medicine everywhere, but without money, I canât afford it. No one is willing to help me, so Iâve resorted to thievery. But I havenât taken anything just now."
This reasoning seemed very familiar to Wen Wan, and with just a brief thought, she remembered having heard it before, involving a story between Ah Gui at their mansion and Xu Jia.
At the time, Ah Gui had stolen the most valuable Blood Jade Pendant from Xu Jia. However, that kid Ah Gui was somewhat conscientious and, after many years, still held onto the pendant, intending to return it to the original owner.
But regarding this little beggarâs story, Wen Wan didnât know if it was true.
The crowd was getting larger, and some began pointing at Wen Wan and the purple-clad woman, saying, "Look at your attire, you must come from a wealthy family. That child is so pitiful. Why not just give him a few pieces of silver to get his mother some treatment?"
"Exactly, since you are so well-off, what harm is there in using a little money to help his sick mother?"
The woman sneered, "I didnât know that stealing someone elseâs money could be so justifiable. If you all are so kind-hearted, why not dip into your own pockets to help him out, so his motherâs illness can be treated?"