Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 71 Preparing to go to Beijing
"It's not a matter of gratitude."

Hearing this ambiguous remark, Gu Pan felt angry. She glanced at the Chen family steward and said indifferently, "It's just some old grievances. And even these old grievances weren't brought up by our Gu family."

“Since it is Mr. Chen’s own debt to be repaid, the Gu family has no reason not to accept it. As for how the Chen family raised the money, it has little to do with our Gu family.”

Miss Gu's face also turned cold: "Master Chen is an official of the imperial court, while our Gu family is just a merchant family. Even if there are accounts to be made, if Master Chen does not want to pay them back, there is not much that the Gu family can do."

She said coldly, "Please go back and tell Master Chen, or the young mistress of the Chen family, if they don't want to pay it back, just give me a note and I will pass it on to my father."

After being rebuked several times, the steward looked up at Gu Pan, then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Miss Gu, rest assured, my master said that he will sell everything he owns to pay off the Gu family's debts."

After saying that, he turned and strode away.

He hadn't taken more than a few steps when Xiaoyue, standing behind her young mistress, glared angrily at the back of the Chen family steward, gritting her teeth in fury: "These Chen family members are far too arrogant. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were creditors!"

She glared at her young mistress and said angrily, "No wonder the young master couldn't stay in their house; the whole family is like this!"

Gu Pan's face was expressionless. She was lost in thought for a moment before she spoke, "Go and find Da Lang. I have something to discuss with him."

Xiaoyue looked at the gold and asked, "Should we have someone put these in the warehouse?"

Gu Pan thought for a moment and shook her head slightly: "Let's talk about it after Da Lang arrives."

Xiaoyue smiled at Miss Gu and said, "Now, you're quite comfortable calling me 'Miss'."

Miss Gu glared at her, and Xiaoyue quickly left the Gu family and ran to Niluo Lane to find Chen Qing.

When Xiaoyue arrived at Nilu Lane, she saw Chen Qing talking to the manager of Deqing Bookstore. She went up to him and called out, "Young Master." Chen Qing exchanged a few words with the manager and then walked towards her, smiling as he asked, "Xiaoyue, what brings you here?"

Xiaoyue glanced at the bookstore manager, somewhat curious: "Isn't that Manager He from the bookstore? What does he want with you, young master?"

"Many guests have come to the bookstore."

Chen Qing coughed and said, "They couldn't handle it, so they came to me."

"guest?"

Xiaoyue blinked and looked at Chen Qing.

Chen Qing said with a smile, "Those who came to buy my storybooks said they wanted me to write the complete version for them, and they offered a high price."

Chen Qing did not use his real name when writing this martial arts novel, but rather a pen name. Prince Zhou was able to find him through Magistrate Hong, but others did not have this connection and could only go to Deqing Bookstore to negotiate with them.

During this period, the number of people visiting Deqing Bookstore was endless, including several booksellers from Yingtian.

There is no doubt that they all saw the enormous potential of this kind of martial arts fiction.

Xiaoyue asked curiously, "How much?"

Chen Qing held up one finger.

"One thousand taels."

This is already the price of a bestseller, which can be described as astronomical for readers who write vernacular stories in this era.

Xiaoyue looked at Chen Qing and said with a smile, "I knew you were capable, young master. You've earned so much money in such a short time."

"One thousand taels is enough to buy a house in Huzhou City, isn't it?"

Chen Qing didn't reply, but just smiled and asked, "You came all this way to see me, is there something you need?"

"Oh yes."

Xiaoyue then remembered the important matter. She tugged at Chen Qing's sleeve and said, "The Chen family has sent people, and they are very irritating. Miss wants to invite Young Master over to discuss this."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing didn't delay and quickly arrived at the Gu family compound with Xiao Yue. After entering the main hall of the Gu family and seeing several boxes of gleaming gold, Chen Qing looked up at Gu Pan and said with a smile, "I thought I had made quite a bit of money these past few days, but I didn't expect that compared to Pan'er, I'm still far behind."

Gu Pan was pouring tea for Chen Qing when she heard this. She looked up at Chen Qing, then at the boxes of gold, and shook her head.

"They came to collect the money in the door, acting like they were demanding repayment. I don't know where they got their confidence from."

Hearing this, Chen Qing knew that Gu Pan was also somewhat annoyed with the Chen family. He took the tea Gu Pan offered, took a sip, put it back on the table, then coughed lightly with his hands behind his back. He changed his tone, shaking his head, and said, "A mere merchant family, it's their good fortune that they could help me. Now they dare to be ungrateful and demand old debts. Once these debts are settled, and I've secured my position as a high-ranking official in the capital, I'll make them pay sooner or later!"

Seeing Chen Qing shaking his head, Miss Gu knew he was imitating his father's speech. She found it amusing, covered her mouth and chuckled twice, which improved her mood somewhat.

But soon, she sighed softly: "I'm afraid the Chen family really thinks that way."

Chen Qing looked at the money and then at Gu Pan, stroking his chin as he said, "My father might think that way, but he wouldn't do something as undignified as making someone give him attitude."

"Most likely, that woman who's still in charge in Huzhou is feeling uneasy about giving away so much real money all at once."

Gu Pan nodded silently and said, "That's right. The steward of the Chen family said that this money was raised by the Chen family by selling their property."

She looked at Chen Qing and continued, "That Madam Li, for the sake of the Chen family's property, first plotted to drive Dalang out of the house, and later she even came to Deqing herself."

"Right now, the Chen family is selling off their assets, which, in her eyes, is probably no different from cutting her flesh with a knife."

"They might actually send someone over, all in a foul tone."

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's even better that she feels sorry for me; it's like I've gotten my revenge."

Miss Gu nodded and said, "This money came from the sale of the Chen family's property. It should have been your property, Eldest Brother. Now it has been returned. Otherwise, you can have it."

She looked at Chen Qing and continued, "Or, why not just submit to Deqing Bookstore?"

Chen Qing shook his head and said seriously, "This is the Gu family's money, it has nothing to do with me. Pan'er can just put it in the Gu family's storeroom, there's no need to be polite."

Gu Pan looked at Chen Qing, hesitating to speak.

Chen Qing seemed to have guessed her thoughts. After hesitating for a moment, he said seriously, "The previous marriage agreement was indeed related to this money, but after that incident, it has nothing to do with this money anymore."

"Pan'er, don't overthink it."

Chen Qing said calmly, "I will handle this matter as soon as possible."

Gu Pan nodded and asked, "Has that Young Master Jiang come looking for Da Lang these past few days?"

"He was sent back to Yingtian this morning."

Chen Qing lowered his head and took a sip of tea before saying, "I talked to him about some business, which is related to Deqing Bookstore. We co-founded this bookstore, and I still want to let you know."

He sat down and briefly told Miss Gu about some of the "deals" he had with the chubby boy and that Commander Shen. After he finished speaking, Chen Qing said, "Initially, I didn't do this to make a lot of money. The income in Yingtian is not small, but it's not much either. Giving it to those two people in exchange for some goodwill is worth it, I think."

"Moreover, that prince has already told me that when he goes to the capital in a few months, he will detour to Daoqing and take me with him."

"If Uncle Gu says everything is going well in the capital, I'll bring Pan'er along too."

Chen Qing said solemnly, "The future of this trip to the capital is uncertain and the dangers are unpredictable. However, if we go to the capital with this nobleman, although the future is still uncertain, the dangers will be much less."

Upon hearing this, Gu Pan was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but smile: "Yingtian's income is at most a few hundred taels of silver. We've already made a huge profit by being able to negotiate this deal with them, Dalang."

She looked at Chen Qing and couldn't help but say, "When we deliver the manuscript to them, it would be worthwhile to also send them some money."

Chen Qing shook his head.

"Giving money directly is going too far."

He looked at Gu Pan and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I'll handle the contact with them. Pan'er, during this time, you'll take care of the Gu family's business, and secondly..."

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then said seriously, "We can begin preparing for our trip to the capital."

"it is good."

Miss Gu looked at Chen Qing.

"Whatever needs to be prepared, Dalang will tell me one by one."

(End of this chapter)