The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

"Even if we don't have the silver, we still have to scrape together these five hundred taels." Luo Daocheng pointed to the ground and said decisively, then turned and went back to his residence.

"No, Father, the manor doesn't even have enough cash for daily expenses." Luo Haitang pressed on, knowing she couldn't possibly use her dowry to make up for it.

"Whose fault is that? Wasn't it your mother's momentary lapse of judgment? I still have my monthly allowance, don't I?" Luo Daocheng stopped and asked in return.

"Father, this month's thirty taels of silver is not enough to cover the household expenses. The rent from the estates and shops will not come in until next month."

Luo Haitang felt that her father's mind was entirely on Luo Qingyan, and he didn't care about the well-being of the household at all. He really just fawned over whoever was good to him.

In the past, when Luo Qingyan was not as good as her, her father would praise her for being intelligent, beautiful and generous. But today, when he looks at her, his eyes are full of disdain.

If her mother were here, she would never have allowed Luo Qingyan to take away the five hundred taels of jewelry.

Today, she secretly went to the pleasure boat to see her mother, who was dressed as a servant and sweeping the floor. She had lost a lot of weight and was not recognized at first glance.

The man deliberately broke a teacup and made his mother clean it up. When his mother argued with him, the broom hit his leg, and he fell to the ground and then lost consciousness.

My mother has never suffered any injustice before, and besides, she did nothing wrong. What's wrong with arguing a few words? She was just unlucky to run into someone as fragile as a baby.

Luo Haitang could only lament her bad luck. Seeing that her father had already gone far away, she was filled with disappointment. She counted the money in her hand and decided that even if she was in debt, she could not touch her dowry.

Crows cawed around the tree, making Luo Haitang feel even more lonely. She suddenly missed Shen Nanxun. It had been so long since she had seen him. She thought she should take some time to give him the calligraphy and painting that Yanyue Tower had specially bought for him.

One painting cost her 1,500 taels of silver.

Shen Nanxun will definitely like it.

Sigh, isn't she clear about Shen Nanxun's feelings? Shen Nanxun just won't come to propose marriage.

I'm so distressed.

Meanwhile, Luo Qingyan sat in the carriage and said, "Granny, this gold headdress is quite substantial, but the style is too old-fashioned and not suitable for wearing. Why not exchange it for silver and save it?"

"As you wish, young lady," Liu Mama said with a smile. With Madam Sun not at home, Luo Daocheng was wary of the Duke's mansion, so he not only dared not mention the ten thousand taels, but also readily paid five hundred taels.

Even the softest persimmon has its day.

With money in hand, the girl's life would be easier from now on.

As soon as Luo Qingyan returned to Kangning Pavilion, she saw Pei Shiyuan with a cold face.

"Aunt Luo, the young master woke up from his afternoon nap and couldn't find you." Yuan Qing came over with a cup of tea.

"Ahem, I wasn't looking for you." Pei Shiyuan turned his wheelchair around and went back into the house. Yuan Qing gave him a wink and placed the tea in Luo Qingyan's hand.

Luo Qingyan followed him into the house, and Pei Shiyuan suddenly lost his temper.

"Your Highness, have some tea."

"Have you read the book?" Pei Shiyuan asked coldly, without taking the teacup.

"I didn't bring it." Luo Qingyan was puzzled. Usually, she would finish reading at the Duke's Mansion in the morning and then come to Kangning Pavilion. She didn't read in the afternoon.

"I brought it for you." Pei Shiyuan took a book from the top of a stack of books and handed it to Luo Qingyan.

Luo Qingyan looked down and saw that he really had it. Pei Shiyuan was truly a diligent person.

Setting down her teacup and wiping her hands, Luo Qingyan respectfully accepted the book.

"Sit there." Pei Shiyuan gestured for her to sit at the small table to his right.

Luo Qingyan only reads for an hour a day. How long will it take for her to finish learning? Even if he dies, she won't finish learning and will still be running around everywhere.

Luo Qingyan was reading a book while Pei Shiyuan sat beside her, drinking tea and watching her.

"You managed to swindle five hundred taels?"

After a long pause, Pei Shiyuan suddenly spoke.

Luo Qingyan put down her book and saw that Pei Shiyuan's expression had softened considerably. She then revealed her little tiger teeth and smiled sweetly. Of course, she was happy to receive five hundred taels of silver: "Young Master, I didn't really cheat you. According to the dowry calculation, it's almost the same amount as Luo Haitang's. It's quite fair."

"Since they won't prepare a dowry for me, I can only try to find a way to get it. Your Highness, you are so rich and powerful, please don't laugh at us commoners."

"No one's laughing at you, go make plum and almond cakes." A hint of joy flashed in Pei Shiyuan's cool eyes. The little girl was quite clever, using him to control the Luo family.

Watching Luo Qingyan's smug back, Pei Shiyuan felt the irritability he felt after waking up from his nap completely disappear. He wondered why he was so grumpy in the morning.

Seeing that the hostile atmosphere inside the house had dissipated, Yuan Qing, who was guarding the door, breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Aunt Luo would have to step in again.

"Aunt Luo, your spicy stir-fried beef is delicious."

Yuan Qing quickly followed, hoping to build a good relationship with Aunt Luo so that it would be easier for him to serve the young master in the future.

"Here's some crispy beef patties, have a taste."

"Thank you, Aunt Luo." Yuan Qing picked up a piece, took a bite, and felt the crispness and rich beef flavor fill her nostrils and chest. It was so delicious! "I'll have another piece!"

"I've made a lot." Luo Qingyan took out a large food box containing ten pieces: "Yuanqing, please take this to the young man who helped me, and also give him this twenty taels of silver to thank him for me."

The pleasure boat provoked Sun's anger, and she tripped and fell, probably in quite a bit of pain. She should thank the boatman.

"No need, Aunt Luo, we are all the young master's people, please help yourself." Yuan Qing was still chewing with his mouth full when he suddenly felt a chill behind him. Pei Shiyuan was staring at him coldly.

Realizing he had misspoke, Yuan Qing grabbed the food box and ran off, saying, "Aunt Luo, I'm going right now."

"You can use my people," Pei Shiyuan said abruptly.

Luo Qingyan forced an awkward smile: "This is just this once, there won't be a next time."

Pei Shiyuan's people are all carefully selected and specially trained; how could she dare to use them on a whim?

The plum and almond cake and the herbal soup were already on the table.

Pei Shiyuan rolled over in his wheelchair and slowly began to eat; he was no longer so resistant to taking medicine.

After taking their medicine and catching their breath, they boarded the carriage to return to the Duke's mansion.

Inside the carriage.

"Your Highness, once Kangning Pavilion opens, you won't need to travel so far every day to come with me."

Luo Qingyan felt sorry for Pei Shiyuan, who dragged his sick body to accompany her to Kangning Pavilion every day, and had to bring his official business over to handle it. She really felt bad about it.

"You're learning too slowly. If I don't keep an eye on things, how long can Kangning Pavilion stay open?" Pei Shiyuan gave Luo Qingyan a cold look. The little girl was too self-important. Keeping Kangning Pavilion running was no easy task.

Luo Qingyan's pupils suddenly dilated. Did he think she was stupid? She worked odd jobs at the clinic and learned things very quickly. Every doctor praised her for being smart. But with Pei Shiyuan, she was a slow learner and even looked down on him.

We asked him not to come, also for his health's sake.

"Your Highness, you are right to reprimand me." Luo Qingyan gritted her teeth and tried to be respectful, ignoring Pei Shiyuan's illness and showing him no politeness.

Luo Qingyan turned her face away and remained silent the whole way.

As soon as they got off the carriage, the old lady sent someone to tell them to come to Yi'an Residence, saying that dinner would be served there.

"Brother Yuan, you're back?"

Pei Shiyuan and his group heard Cui Rou's joyful voice from outside the courtyard gate.

Luo Qingyan felt the air suddenly become quiet and stole a glance at Pei Shiyuan.