Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 547 Jia She Sells Jia Yingchun
When Lin Dao returned from his trip, he saw the house decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers as soon as he entered.

He thought to himself, given the current state of the Jia family.

They're not exactly overwhelmed, but they're definitely in a bind.

Why make such a fuss?
On the way to the side room, I happened to see Yuanyang and asked her a question out of curiosity.

"Is there some joyous occasion at your residence?"

Yuanyang's expression was very strange, a classic case of wanting to say something but holding back.

It's not the shy kind, but the kind where you don't know how to say it.

This subtle change in expression immediately piqued Lin Dao's interest.

He skillfully took out a silver note and handed it over.

"Tell me."

Looking at the silver notes in front of her, Yuanyang was both amused and exasperated.

She really wanted to say, 'Young master, I'm really not that kind of person!'

There's definitely some love of money, after all, there aren't many people like Da Bao Lian who treat money like dirt.

But she, Qiao Yuanyang, is not someone who can be bought with money.

The pimples on her pretty face twitched, and Yuanyang, with her head down, reached out and took the silver note.

"So that you may know, young master."

"There is joyous occasion at your residence!"

"My lord~"

"The master..."

Seeing that she was hesitant to speak, Lin Dao immediately asked, "Has your master taken another concubine?"

"Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss about taking a concubine?"

Whether a concubine is a good one or a maidservant, a concubine is ultimately just a concubine.

When they entered, a sedan chair was simply carried in through a side gate; there was no way it would have been as lively as it is now.

"No."

Yuanyang took a deep breath and said, "It was the master who betrothed the second young lady to the eldest master of the Xue family."

Master Jia She.

The second young lady is Jia Yingchun, the daughter of Jia She.

The eldest son of the Xue family, Xue Pan.

Even with Lin Dao's composed nature, he was taken aback upon hearing this.

Wasn't Jia Yingchun sold to Zhongshan Wolf? How could she be Xue Pan?

Perhaps feeling ashamed, Yuanyang quickly offered an explanation.

"The imperial court and the palace are pressing us urgently, demanding the return of the silver used to redeem the estate within a specified period."

"Since the master couldn't afford it, he discussed it with Aunt Xue and agreed to give ten thousand taels of silver as a betrothal gift, thus betrothing the second young lady to Master Xue."

After saying that, he turned and ran.

Unexpectedly, Lin Dao reached out and grabbed her wrist.

The mandarin ducks felt a sudden shiver run through them.

"Wait a minute."

"I need to ask one more question about the fifty-tael silver note."

Lin Dao asked again, "Your ancestor just watched like that?"

"Even our ancestors couldn't do anything about it." The mandarin ducks, whose wrists were being held, blushed, and even their pimples seemed to turn red.

"We simply don't have any money left."

Previously, the purchase of the Jia family's estate outside the pass cost over ten thousand taels of silver.

There is no doubt that this amount of money exceeds the actual value of these estates.

The reason for the large sum was that the emperor wanted to use a large sum of money to reward the Jia family for their service.

Now that we've completely fallen out, we can't afford to lose even a single thing!
Apart from a portion being used to build the Grand View Garden, the majority of this money had already been divided up among everyone involved.

Now, to make up for this deficit, Jia She has already spent most of the more than 20,000 taels of silver he received.

The remaining amount, plus the sum swindled from Madam Xing and the three thousand taels of silver extorted from Grandmother Jia, still leaves a shortfall of tens of thousands of taels.

He was reluctant to sell his beloved antique fans, calligraphy and paintings, and other precious items at a low price.

It just so happened that Xue Pan's matter came up, which gave Aunt Xue a hint.

Aunt Xue caught her immediately.

For the Xue family at this time, Xue Pan had been deposed, and the only chance to maintain the family business was to help him get married and adopt a son.

Marrying a wife is not the same as taking a concubine.

For men, concubines only need to be beautiful.

When it comes to marriage, the first rule is that the families should be of similar social standing.

If you randomly choose a small, insignificant family, not only will they look down on you, but they will also give your clansmen an excuse to pounce on you, tear you apart, and devour your family property.

Although Jia Yingchun was born out of wedlock, she was still a young lady of the Rongguo Mansion.

Her status was high enough, even considered an honor for the Xue family.

Moreover, with the marriage alliance with the Rongguo Mansion, even if the other branches of the Xue family wanted to take action, they wouldn't dare.

For Aunt Xue, ten thousand taels of silver was no big deal at this time.

Having understood all this, Lin Dao nodded and asked again.

"This time, with the Rongguo Mansion all contributing, is your ancestor going to take the lion's share?"

Previously, Grandmother Jia herself insisted on being a fence-sitter, which led to all these subsequent events.

Now that the matter has come to this, she naturally has to take responsibility.

"exactly."

Yuanyang sighed, "Our ancestors have even brought out their most precious secrets."

"We also gave some subsidies to each household."

"Even with this, there's still a deficit. As for the master's affairs, all we can do is sigh."

Lin Dao smiled and said, "Your family can't possibly be so poor that you can't even come up with a few hundred thousand taels of silver, can you?"

Yuanyang shook her head. "The imperial court has set a repayment deadline. In such a short time, even if we wanted to sell our belongings, the capital city is only so big."

The Rongguo Mansion's wealth was naturally more than just a few hundred thousand taels.

The problem is, assets are assets, and cash is cash.

Just like fixed assets and working capital in the modern world.

Cash is king.

Moreover, each branch of the family has its own agenda, and it's impossible for them to sacrifice their own family to save the household.

As for Yuanyang's statement that the capital city is only so big, she wasn't referring to the city's area, but rather that the antique-selling business is actually quite small.

Those who need to know about the Jia family know about it.

If you're selling at this point and can get half the original price, then you're a true friend who's been through thick and thin with you.

Those who can offer one-tenth of the price are those who still have a conscience.

Don't think it's impossible; in fact, this is exactly what happens when fixed assets are sold off at a bargain price.

Actually, it's already quite good if we can sell some silver.

The most terrifying thing is that they directly arrest people and rob them, resulting in both loss of life and money.

It's unclear whether the silver notes had any effect. Yuanyang simply let loose and said, "Our ancestor really spent a fortune, tens of thousands of taels of silver."

"He looks gloomy all day long, and he doesn't even play cards anymore."

"We simply can't manage the affairs of the master."

"I see." Lin Dao nodded. "I understand."

It is clear that because of her opportunistic behavior, Grandmother Jia has gradually lost control of the Rongguo Mansion.

Jia Yingchun was nothing more than a sacrifice.

Lin Dao let go of her hand and turned to leave.

The mandarin ducks, on the other hand, were somewhat stunned.

She thought~
Only after Lin Dao's figure disappeared did he come back to his senses.

Looking at the silver note in her hand, she bit her lower lip and carefully put it away, then lifted the hem of her skirt and ran back.

'The King of Qin selects his consorts~'

'Lin Ruhai returns to Beijing~'

'Internal strife within the Jia family~'

This is no longer the Dream of the Red Chamber I know.

'But that's alright, no matter how things change, the essence remains the same.'

"You can't overcome skill with brute force; you can't escape my grasp!"

Back in his room, Lin Dao planned to contact Lin Meimei and invite her to see the Sixi Troupe's grand opera, Dingjun Mountain.

Ultimately, in this world, the only one who could capture Lin Dao's attention and focus was Lin Meimei.

Unsurprisingly, someone was waiting at the door again.

"Miss Ping'er, is there something you need from me?"

Upon seeing Lin Dao appear, Ping'er also had a strange expression.

He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to greet him, "Young Master Lin."

"My second grandma~"

Lin Dao waited for a while, but heard nothing more.

Out of curiosity, I asked, "What happened to your second grandma?"

Ping'er looked embarrassed, her cheeks flushed.

With her head bowed and clutching her sleeve, she said, "My second mistress invites Young Master Lin to the banquet."

The sound was very soft, like the buzzing of a mosquito.

If Lin Dao hadn't had such good hearing, he really wouldn't have been able to hear it clearly.

"Don't go."

Lin Dao simply shook his head, "I have other things to do, I can't attend the banquet."

After saying that, he ignored it, went inside, closed the door, and contacted Lin Daiyu.

The walkie-talkies were usually kept by Zijuan.

I felt the vibration and knew who it was without even having to answer it.

Taking a breath, Zijuan composed herself and stepped forward.

"Girl~"

"The steward Master Lin sent last time said he brought back a batch of manuscripts and asked you, young lady, to organize them."

Lin Daiyu, who was comforting Jia Yingchun with her sisters, blinked and realized what was happening.

She really wanted to go out for a secret rendezvous with Lin Dao.

But here, my second sister~
"I'm fine."

Jia Yingchun, whose phoenix eyes were already red and swollen, forced a smile and shook her head, "Sister, you just go ahead and do your work."

Lin Daiyu was a soft-hearted person.

Jia Yingchun forced a smile, which made her decide to stay and comfort her.

She said to Zijuan, "Father will be in Beijing for a while, so there's no rush to organize the manuscript."

With a blink, Zijuan understood.

This means not going.

It's rare to see someone like this; in the past, whenever Young Master Lin summoned him, he almost never missed a call.

"Yes."

Zijuan bowed and stepped back, turning to go to a secluded place to respond to Lin Dao, when she heard Lin Daiyu's words of comfort.

"Good sister, please don't cry anymore."

"It's not worth ruining your health by crying over such a despicable person."

"Perhaps, after some time, that despicable scoundrel will die on his own."

Zijuan shuddered.

It's truly unimaginable that my young lady would say such things.

Young Master Lin, how exactly did you teach Miss?
Lin Dao didn't pay any attention to Zijuan's response.

Anyway, he doesn't like watching operas, so it doesn't matter if Lin Daiyu is too busy to go.

This afternoon, which had originally been reserved for Lin Daiyu, was now empty.

With nothing to do, I was actually quite bored.

After thinking for a moment, he got up, opened the door, and went out, only to find Ping'er still standing in the courtyard.

"Young Master Lin."

Ping'er, looking slightly anxious, stepped forward and bowed, "My second mistress sincerely invites Young Master Lin to the banquet."

Jia She raised enough money to cover the cost of the dispute by selling his daughters, and even made a profit.

However, Wang Xifeng's deficit was even greater, and apart from the three thousand taels given to her by Grandmother Jia, she had no other way out.

Jia Lian was always out late and back early, living a carefree and unrestrained life outside, and he didn't care about her at all.

For Wang Xifeng, the only thing that could save her at this moment was Lin Dao, her only lifeline.

"Ok."

"After all, it was my sister-in-law who invited me~"

"Lead the way."

Ping'er was taken aback.

You said you had something to do, but once you went inside and came out, you were done with your business?

Surely she didn't go to change clothes?
Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian's courtyard was right next to Yi Garden.

Construction work at Yi Garden had been suspended at this time because they could no longer afford it.

For the Jia family, returning the money used to redeem the estate was just the beginning.

The completion of the Grand View Garden on schedule is another major hurdle.

If it is not completed before the Virtuous Consort's visit to her family, then it is a crime of deceiving the emperor!
The Rongguo Mansion's suffering will continue from beginning to end.

Upon entering the main room, Lin Dao's eyes lit up.

Wearing a lake-green long dress with a thin veil tied around her shoulders, and with exquisite makeup, Wang Xifeng was truly a sight to behold.

The environment, the atmosphere, the attire~
Lin Dao felt a strange sense of familiarity.

Throughout the myriad realms, he is frequently invited to meals by beautiful women in various ways.
However, he usually ends up having to provide the main meal.
(End of this chapter)