The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 370 The warmth and warmth of human relationships
Xue Ke was startled and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "No, no, even though our family is struggling financially, we don't have to pawn this treasure of ours for money."

As her cousin, Xue Ke naturally knew the special meaning of this golden locket to Baochai. It was not just a talisman, but also related to her lifelong affairs. How could he pawn it for money?

Xue Baochai said calmly, "What a great treasure it is. It's just a piece of gold with two auspicious words engraved on it. It's just a thing outside of one's body. Now it's used in an emergency, and it's just making the best use of it. Brother Tad, take it quickly."

Xue Ke still shook his head again and again: "It's really unnecessary. There are still three pounds of nails in the broken boat. We have a lot of valuable things at home. We can find other things. There is really no need to pawn this golden locket of elder sister."

Xue Baochai frowned and said, "There are indeed many valuable things in the house, but most of them are large and inconvenient to carry. It is difficult to estimate the value of antiques and calligraphy and paintings. And my longevity lock is made of pure gold, which is hard currency. Even the most shrewd court official would not be able to bargain for it. It is more appropriate to pawn it.

Moreover, the doctor's consultation fee is not cheap, and the medicine he uses is even more expensive. In addition, there is a whole family to support every day. I am afraid that I will not be able to support them for long if I pawn this. It is just a temporary emergency measure.

This pawn is so heavy to wear, I have long given up wanting it, now it is better to pawn it, brother Tad, stop being so fussy, take it quickly, not only the doctor is waiting for the consultation fee, but also my brother is in a hurry to use the medicine."

Xue Ke had no choice but to take the golden lock and said with red eyes: "Big sister, I am really sorry for you. Let's just deal with it for now. I will definitely find a way to redeem it later."

Xue Baochai sighed, "It doesn't matter whether I redeem it or not. The right thing to do is to pawn it as much silver as possible."

Xue Ke nodded, wrapped the gold lock in a handkerchief, and put it solemnly in his arms, fearing that it would be damaged by bumps.

Seeing Xue Ke turn and leave, Xue Baochai couldn't help but sigh, feeling a little bitter in her heart. Her family used to run a pawnshop, but she never expected that one day they would have to rely on pawning items to make a living. What happens in the world is unpredictable!

Although the Xue family had millions of dollars in wealth, they only had a few hundred thousand or eighty thousand taels of idle funds, and the rest were fixed assets such as properties, houses and fields. In order to save Xue Pan, they first gave Jia Yucun three hundred gold coins, and then were extorted by Lei Zhengfa for eighty thousand taels of silver. The family's treasury had been emptied, and all the properties under their name were seized. Now they can't even take out money for daily expenses.

When she thought about the dozens of people in her family who needed food and clothing, and the shop owner and his clerks who needed to be paid, Xue Baochai felt under tremendous pressure and was anxious. However, she did not plan to ask Jia Huan for help again. In her opinion, it was already not easy for Jia Huan to rescue her eldest brother, so how could she trouble him again? Moreover, Lei Zhengfa had already given face to Brother Huan once, and it was obviously impossible for him to give face a second time.

As for Xue Ke, he took Baochai's gold locket to the pawnshop and exchanged it for two hundred and fifty taels of silver. Only then did he pay for the consultation and medicine. Then he took the medicine and the remaining silver and returned home dejectedly.

However, just as Xue Ke returned to the gate of Xue Mansion and stepped into the gate, he heard someone calling him from behind: "Second Master, Second Master, wait a minute!"

Xue Ke turned around and saw that it was the owner of his own pawnshop. He immediately felt flustered. The pawnshop had been sealed off by the Embroidered Uniform Guards recently and could not open for business. It was also the day to pay wages. The owner and several employees had come to his house to ask for payment twice, but he had always avoided them with the excuse of being too busy. Now he was caught. How could he not be embarrassed?

At this time, the pawnshop owner had already run up to him, panting, and said with a smile, "Master Ke has been very busy lately. I have come here several times, and now I finally see you."

Xue Ke said awkwardly, "My family encountered an unexpected change, and I was busy running around all day, so I didn't have time to deal with many things. But don't worry, Manager Guo, the wages will be paid soon..."

Shopkeeper Guo interrupted with a smile, "There's no rush for wages. We've been your old boss for decades, how can you still refuse to pay us? I'm here to announce good news."

"Good news? What good news?" Xue Ke said in astonishment.

Shopkeeper Guo said with great joy: "Not long ago, the Jinyiwei withdrew, and our pawnshop was unsealed, so we can open for business as usual."

Xue Ke was overjoyed and blurted out, "Really?"

Manager Guo said with a smile, "How can I say such a thing nonsense? Hey, it turns out that Master Ke didn't know either? Not only has the pawnshop been unsealed, but I heard from the Jinyiwei who withdrew that all other properties under the name of our Xue family have been unsealed."

Xue Ke was surprised and happy, and immediately thought of Jia Huan. He thought Jia Huan only persuaded Lei Zhengfa to release his eldest brother Xue Pan. Now it seems that Jia Huan not only rescued his eldest brother, but also asked Lei Zhengfa to unblock all the industries under the name of Xue family. Wow, Brother Huan is really capable.

"Well, of course I knew that, but I didn't expect the Royal Guards to withdraw so quickly. It seems like they must have received an order from above."

Although Xue Ke was timid and mediocre, after experiencing this incident, he had learned a lot about the ups and downs of life and had become more mature. So he deliberately gave an ambiguous answer so that the people below would guess that the Xue family had a strong background and had settled all the troubles.

Sure enough, when Manager Guo heard this, his eyes lit up immediately and he said with a smile, "I told you so. Our Xue family has our uncle who is the Minister of War and our aunt who is the father-in-law of the emperor. How could we fail? Even the Jinyiwei would have to think twice. So, not only did they release the master, but they also unsealed our Xue family's assets."

While the two were talking, they saw a group of people rushing over here. They were all the key managers of the businesses under the name of Xue family. They all came to report the good news. They said that the Jinyiwei had withdrawn and the stores they managed had resumed normal business.

Xue Ke was overjoyed and led these people into the mansion, and hurriedly informed Aunt Xue and Baochai. Aunt Xue and Baochai were naturally surprised when they learned that all the properties under the Xue family's name were unsealed. The whole mansion was jubilant, sweeping away the gloom of the past few days.

Just after the shopkeepers had left, another group of people arrived. They were either relatives of the Xue family, or noble families that had friendships with the Xue family, or business partners. They all came with gifts to congratulate the family, and the atmosphere was as lively as New Year's Day.

The Xue family had no choice but to entertain the guests and were busy until the evening, when they finally sent all the guests away.

Xue Ke couldn't help but sigh, "During this period, our doorstep was deserted. It was pitifully deserted. The people who came to our door were all creditors or people asking for wages. Now they are all carrying gifts and congratulating us with smiles. It's really a bit hard to get used to it."

Xue Baochai said calmly, "Everyone is happy to add icing on the cake, but there are very few people who help others in times of need. A few days ago, our family's property was seized by the Jinyiwei. They just thought that the Xue family was finished, so they naturally wanted to avoid us. Let alone those who owe us money, how could we not come to collect the debt when we owe them money?"

Aunt Xue also sighed, "The world is fickle, that's just how it is, and we can't blame others, but because of this, Huan Ge'er is even more precious. He really helped us a lot this time."

Xue Baoqin smiled and said, "Brother Huan is really patient. He not only persuaded Lei Zhengfa to release my brother, but also asked him to unblock our family's assets, but he didn't say a word."

Aunt Xue said happily: "Amitabha, otherwise how can we say that Huan Ge'er is a man who can do great things? I guess in his eyes, this is just a small matter, so he didn't mention it. But not long ago, Huan Ge'er saved our lives, and now he has helped us so much. This kindness is so great, I don't know how to repay him."

Xue Baoqin rolled her eyes and smiled, covering her mouth with her hands: "Actually, it's easy for me to repay you... hehe." Then she looked at her sister Baochai.

Baochai's face flushed immediately, she rolled her eyes at Baoqin and said, "You crazy girl, just go crazy. Mother, don't listen to her nonsense. You've been busy all day and you're tired. Go and have a rest for a while."

Aunt Xue nodded uncomfortably and said, "I am indeed a little tired. I will go take a nap first. By the way, I wonder if Huan'er has woken up yet. If he has, please greet him first. Also, tell the kitchen to prepare some wine and food. We must thank Huan'er tonight."

Xue Ke nodded and said, "Of course. I'll give the order right away." Then he left happily.

Baoqin smiled and said, "It's getting dark, I think Brother Huan will wake up soon, why don't you go check on him?"

Xue Baochai's cheeks flushed even more when she heard this. She was indeed worried about this matter, but Baoqin had mentioned it first, so she didn't know how to go for the moment.

Xue Baoqin was considerate. She took Baochai's hand and said with a playful smile, "Don't worry, sister. Let's go and see if Brother Huan has woken up."

In front of the quirky Xiaomei Xue, even Baochai was controlled for a moment and she just wanted to tear her little mouth apart.

When the sisters Chai and Qin arrived outside the guest room, Xiangling was still waiting outside and she quickly stood up to greet them.

Baoqin glanced into the quiet room and asked, "Is Third Master Huan still not awake?"

Xiangling shook her head and said, "Probably not yet!"

Baoqin stuck out her tongue and said, "He's really good at sleeping. It's been half a day. Sister, let's go in and take a look."

Baochai hurriedly pulled him back and said, "Forget it. Let him sleep until he wakes up naturally. Taking exams for nine days and nine nights in a row must be very exhausting."

Xue Baoqin said in a somewhat bored tone: "Okay."

The two girls were about to turn around and leave when they heard a slight noise in the room, followed by the sound of someone getting out of bed and putting on slippers.

Xue Baoqin smiled and said, "Now that you're awake, you can't blame me this time!"

As they were talking, a sleepy boy appeared at the door of the room and stretched his body. The setting sun was shining obliquely, and the afterglow just covered the boy in the warm sunshine, making his lips and teeth look even redder and smoother like jade.

For a moment, the master and servant in the courtyard were all a little dazed.

(End of this chapter)