Taohuaxi

Chapter 8 Begging for mercy for the Cheng family

He was still the same person who healed my feet without any explanation when we first met.

I only care about what I think is good for me.

But regardless of my thoughts.

When I was young, my mother once said: If the two ends of a word are even, the scale will not hurt anyone.

For me, being in debt to others is a burden.

I stood up and returned the banknote to him: "Master Qin, what are you doing? What have I done with your money for no reason?"

Seeing how determined I was, he fell silent and looked toward the door, as if waiting for something.

In this room, none of the debt collectors refused to leave and stayed in the hall.

I gritted my teeth and quietly told Wu Bi to pawn the pearls.

Wu Bi hesitated and said: "Second Young Madam, if you give this treasure to the eldest young master to pay off his romantic debt, and let the old lady know about it, your condition will be even worse..."

"I know. With these people blocking the door, no business can be done in the shop. Go and secure them first to solve this urgent problem. In a few days, we will think of ways to press for payment."

Just as he was talking, two people walked in from outside. Shopkeeper Wu hurriedly greeted them, cupping his hands and saying, "Shopkeeper Qian, Shopkeeper Sun."

He turned around and said to me: "Second Young Madam, these are the shopkeepers of the two trading houses in Taixing."

I nod.

I just mentioned that the payment from Taixing cannot be collected, what are they going to do now?

The two people looked at me and then at Qin Mingxu standing next to me.

I don't know if it was my misunderstanding, but I saw some fear, some hatred, and some helplessness in their eyes looking at Qin Mingxu.

They slowly took out the banknotes from their sleeves and said, "Shopkeeper Wu, this is the payment for today's several trucks. Please count it."

Shopkeeper Wu was overjoyed and took it. After ordering it, he said: "It's not bad at all. Thank you both."

They clasped their fists and said, "The money and goods have been paid. Farewell."

Shopkeeper Wu sent them straight out of the door and came back to reconcile and settle the accounts with the debt collectors.

Those people are gone.

The shop is quiet.

It's still raining outside.

Winter rain in the south is very different from that in the north.

Like smoke flying across the desert, the dew seems to be desolate.

The grass is dark.

The two plum trees outside the door bowed their heads implicitly.

I wondered in my heart, the attitude of Taixing merchants would not change so quickly for no reason, someone must have done something.

Thinking of the way they looked at Qin Mingxu, I asked, "Is it you?"

He smiled: "I don't understand what you are talking about."

"What method did you use?"

He lowered his head and touched his nose: "Anyway, I'm not a good person. You don't need to know."

After that, Gu asked him: "Last time when I was in Dongchang Mansion, I heard that Miss Zhu's family is the best at painting. Miss, can you give me a painting?"

I laughed angrily at him.

How can anyone say with confidence that he is not a good person?
"I've told you many times not to call me miss."

He ignored it.

Just refused to change his mind.

After checking the account books with Wu Bi, I got up and walked out.

Qin Mingxu said: "Miss, I want you to draw a peony painting. My mother has always wanted to go to Luoyang City to see peonies. She has never had time. It is her birthday in the second half of the month. I want to show my filial piety."

I stopped.

After listening to Qin Mingxu's words, it reminded me of my mother.

In the bustling world, my mother will never be seen.

When she was terminally ill, she still held my hand and said to me: "Sang Yu, my son, my mother was born in a wealthy family. She was rich for most of her life and never suffered any suffering. She has a destiny in life and death. My mother has nothing to complain about. I'm just worried about my son. Your father has no idea. If your mother is here, you will be better off. But if your mother is gone, what will you do..."

The days that followed confirmed what my mother said.Every time I think of her, I feel endless longing and desolation.

I said to Qin Mingxu: "Pick it up in seven days."

He pursed his lips and said, "Okay."

An hour after Qin Mingxu left, Wu Bi asked people from the merchant gang in Yangzhou City what happened today.

Qin Mingxu ordered people to kidnap the families of the two merchants in Taixing and force them to pay back the money.

Thinking about it, he made two preparations before rushing to the shop.

One, it is to help me collect money; two, it is to send a bank note.

Foolproof.

"Young master Qin's actions are really very dark." Wu Bi sighed: "If the second master were here and had a scholarly air, he would definitely not be willing to do these things."

As the saying goes, kindness does not control soldiers, and righteousness does not control wealth.

Thinking back to that day on the boat, Qin Mingxu's servant colluded with the bandits.

The "Tian Sheng Lou" business name spread all over the world, and the Qin family's business was so huge.As the head of the family and the eldest son of the Qin family, Qin Mingxu must not be a vegetarian.

As for Cheng Huaishi, he had the ideal of a scholar.

Wu Bi told me a long time ago that Cheng Huaishi followed his grandfather's ambition and was only thinking about the scientific examination.Business is just about maintaining stability.They are two completely different people.

It's just that I owe Qin Mingxu again.

When it got dark, the rain finally stopped.

The bluestone road was wet, just like waking up after a nap.

At a loss where I am.

The eldest young lady urged her several times.The old lady of Beiyuan also sent her maid to ask.I took Xiaoyin to the small kitchen to make cakes from my hometown, carefully put them in a food box, and then got up and got ready to go.

Whether it's for the eldest young master or Cheng Huaishi, I have to go find Feng Gao.

Lotus put a white cloak on me.

Winter nights are chilly.

Everyone in Dongchang was placed in the government office.

I took Hehua to look for it.

Those little eunuchs saw how Feng Gao treated me differently today in the Cheng Mansion, so they were extra polite.

He guided me all the way to a small courtyard.

The little eunuch took me to Baoxia and said: "Mrs. Cheng, Eunuch Feng is talking to the prefect Liu. Please wait a moment. When he is done with his work, he will come to see you. Eunuch Feng has specially ordered that others come and disappear." You must see me when you come."

I motioned to Hehua to take out a silver ingot and handed it to him.

"Thank you for your hard work, please take a cup of tea."

The little eunuch took it: "Mrs. Cheng is really polite."

"Should." I smiled.

After the young eunuch retired, I sat in Baoxia, wondering what Feng Gao and Magistrate Liu would say.

I quietly walked to the inner window.

There was a "dong dong" sound of kowtow coming from inside.

"The lower official's dog's eyes cannot see Mount Tai, and he deserves to die. Eunuch Feng, your Excellency, you don't care about the faults of small people. Please say a few nice words in front of His Majesty. This matter is like a gust of wind, blowing, and it will be over. Once upon a time, I gave it to Cao Cao As a factory owner, I will give you the even number from my lower official position... We will share our wealth..."

Feng Gao's voice was still gentle.

"Mr. Liu, please be careful what you say. Who is 'we' to you? Talk to us nicely and don't try to flirt with us."

"The lower official made a mistake and the lower official slapped his mouth."

He really slapped himself.

Feng Gao said: "Mr. Liu, it is human nature to offer incense and worship Buddha. What I am afraid of is worshiping in the wrong temple. Do you think so?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I am short-sighted."

"His Majesty was furious when he saw the petition. Feng was working for His Majesty, so naturally he only had His Majesty in his heart. If he didn't find out for Your Majesty, he would be indebted to the Emperor. Mr. Cao Chang had committed a crime. Today's Dongchang is no longer the same. It was the Dongchang yesterday. What does the things he did together with you have to do with Feng? "

Magistrate Liu had a cry in his words: "The Xunliangdao case involves dozens of court officials in Jianghuai. You can't reverse the case..."

"You are all dead, what does it have to do with me?"

Feng Gao's voice was as cold as the winter rain.

"Feng likes to see human blood the most. Human blood is much prettier than flowers."

After a long while, Magistrate Liu said: "Eunuch Feng was also involved..."

"Ok?"

There was a biting chill in Feng Gao's smile.

He grabbed Magistrate Liu by the collar and said, "If you continue to be so ignorant, you won't be able to hear the rooster crow tomorrow. Mr. Cao Chang's method of torturing people in the past is slightly better than that of Feng."

Magistrate Liu's teeth chattered: "Why do you want to redress the grievances of a dead grain dealer? Don't you like money?"

"Of course I like money. But His Majesty's trust is more important. Feng has been clean for 15 years, starting from giving water to Mr. Cao Chang's feet and getting mixed up now. There is no right or wrong in Feng's eyes, only severity." Feng Gao said.

"Xiaguan...Xiaguan...Xiaguan will go and get you foot-washing water right away..."

Footsteps went out.

I quickly retreated to Baoxia.

Mr. Liu left tremblingly.

I stood up and walked forward. Feng Gao saw me and came out to greet me.

His dark eyes shrank, and a smile appeared on his extremely beautiful face.

"Sister is here?"

"I..." I pointed to the food box: "I made Dongchang Mansion cakes for you."

When he heard this, he was very happy. He took the food box, took out one, and started eating. Halfway through, he narrowed his eyes childishly.

"It has been 15 years since I left Dongchang Mansion, and I have almost forgotten the taste of my hometown."

Looking at him like this, he seemed to be completely different from the person who just said those vicious words.

"Are you also from Dongchang Mansion?"

He lowered his head: "Yes... no, no... he was sold into the palace, so he is naturally a member of the palace."

After a moment, he raised his head and looked at me with his narrow phoenix eyes: "Sister, come here, what's the matter?"

"I, I want to beg you, let the Cheng family go..."

This was the first time in my life that I had to ask for help, and it was like walking on a knife's edge.

He pinched the cake and took another bite. After a while, he said, "Sister, why don't you just leave the Cheng family?"

(End of this chapter)