As dusk faded and night fell, the motorcades traveling to and from the capital all lit up night lights.
The long procession was connected in series along the official road, and the night lights along the way were like reflections of sparks in the sky, or like fire dragons lit at the end of heaven and earth.
The light is dimmed, but under the pure night sky, the dim city also looks cleaner.
On a certain car in the long line of lights, a corner of a cleaner face was revealed, with clear eyes paying attention to the capital that was about to arrive ahead.
"When I came here last year, I didn't think it was that nice here. Why do you feel so friendly after seeing it today?"
"Last year, it was the first time for everyone to come here. It happened to be a snowy day that had never happened in a century. After two months in the capital, we only saw the sun for two or three days. How could we have the chance to see the true face of the capital?"
Inside the carriage, Qin Huairou opened the curtain on the other side and whispered back.
Liu Ruyan put down the curtain, rubbed her hands, and breathed into her palms: "Huh...it's a bit colder after all."
Xia Shang sat between the two women, reached out and grabbed Ru Yan's cold hand, and pressed it hard on his thigh.
Liu Ruyan glanced at Xia Shang, with a gentle smile on her lips.
Recalling the scene when they reunited a second ago, Xia Shang was not as excited as he had imagined. What he felt more deeply was a sense of stability.
All the doubts and worries in my mind disappeared the moment they met.
With this stability from the other person in my heart, it seems that all peace of mind is not so important, and it seems that all troubles and dangers will be easily solved.
Ruo Chujian, who was sitting across from her in the same car, kept her eyes on Xia Shang. From the flashing eyes, she could feel that she was not as stable as Xia Shang's heart. On the contrary, she was more excited, but in this car with people
In front of the situation, we can only restrain ourselves first.
Yazhi and Li Xiaoxian were leaning on the car, feeling groggy, as if they couldn't bear the bumps along the way, and looked very bad.
This car was followed by another car, Xiaoyue and her two children were sleeping in it, and the two cars behind were followed by several little maids and young and strong servants of the family.
The entire team did not have many supplies and traveled lightly. They were in a hurry all the way, so they went much faster than Xia Shang expected.
"I said goodbye to Yuzhou last time. I don't know what will happen after the disaster relief." Xia Shang spoke, first breaking the silence in the car.
Qin Huairou played with the Buddhist beads in her hand and looked at Liu Ruyan: "Tell my husband."
Liu Ruyan took out the small hand held by her husband and put her backhand on his big hand: "The disaster relief cost the family 170,000 taels of silver, supplies, rice grains, etc., with a total value of about 340,000 taels. I borrowed money through various connections along the way.
I bought some supplies, but they haven’t paid them back yet. Our income is not very good now, and our wine supply is almost saturated. After all, the price is a bit expensive, and wealthy people rarely buy it again after trying it.”
"Now the whole family is in debt? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Xia Shang frowned.
Liu Ruyan sighed and looked helpless: "The disaster was also serious at the beginning. In order to stabilize the refugees, I wrote IOUs to large households in various places, saying that I would pay back as much as I borrowed. I didn't have enough rice and food, so I could use money to pay for it. Unexpectedly
Last year, one stone of grain cost 60 taels. This year, one stone of grain has increased by 30%. Now there is a food shortage all over the country. The grain we borrowed cannot be paid at all, so we can only use money to pay for it. But this year, when the grain price rises, our family's
There is just a big hole in the warehouse, and we can only fill it slowly."
Xia Shang smiled: "I thought I was quite rich, but after all this trouble I'm still in debt! So, how much money do we still lack?"
"Two hundred and forty thousand taels of silver."
"...So many!" Xia Shang was startled.
Liu Ruyan became more and more guilty and lowered her head: "I haven't met the deadline I promised, so I can only promise to add some profits to the original foundation."
Qin Huairou rolled her eyes at her: "I said at the beginning that I would leave some surplus for the family, but Liu Yatou didn't listen. She said that after considering our family's income and time, we could pay it back within the promised time. I didn't expect that this year
It’s hard to sell wine at home, and the price of food has gone up, so a small pinprick has been blown into a big hole.”
"Ms. sir... it's my fault..." Liu Ruyan was depressed and took her hand back, lowering her head, feeling extremely pitiful.
"The disaster was also an emergency at the beginning. If Ruyan hadn't made a prompt decision, the situation might not have stabilized so quickly. This is not a bad thing, it should be a credit."
Liu Ruyan didn't answer, and her mood didn't improve.
"Okay..." Qin Huairou put the prayer beads in her hand back on her sleeve, "The debt situation is only temporary. The settlement date promised to each merchant is already enough grace. If the current situation continues, it will be enough to repay. It's just that
It will take a little longer.”
"It stands to reason that we raise food for
If they provide disaster relief, it is considered a good deed. Even if it is not enough, why can't those big households be counted in the name of disaster relief? Just treat them as donating money and food. I will go to the court to tell them and ask the court to give them some recognition. Those money
Just don’t pay it back.”
"This..." Qin Huairou choked at Xia Shang's words, and thought to herself, didn't these words make it clear that the gangster takes advantage of the gangster?
Liu Ruyan was not as thick-skinned as Xia Shang, so she said implicitly: "Isn't this bad? It will be difficult for anyone to dare to associate with our family in the future."
"What's wrong with this? Isn't life just for fame and fortune? Since you can't give them any benefit, just give them a name. Many people can't even ask for awards from the court. This matter is settled like this. I will follow you another day.
Let the officials of the imperial court ask for an imperial edict for our family."
The three awake women in the car all had strange expressions. They probably had never done such immoral things many times in their lives, and they were feeling the condemnation of justice in their hearts at this moment.
But they all also know that after their men make a decision, it will be difficult to change it.
The family talked intermittently, and before they knew it, they had entered the capital city, and after a while they arrived at the Xia Mansion opposite the Prince's Mansion.
Yunu got the news early that the courtyard was going to be used again, so she asked someone to come over and clean it thoroughly. The Xia Mansion number at the door was polished and a lantern was hung in front of the door, just waiting for the owner of the house to come back.
After arriving home, it was past midnight and the two children were already fast asleep. Xia Shang had no chance to talk to them.
However, Xiaoyue has grown more and more mature after a year. She has thrown away the baby clothes she used to wear, and the lines on her body are getting softer and softer, and the undulations are getting bigger and bigger. What is even more surprising is her height. In one year, she has become more and more mature.
He actually dared to be on the same level as Qin Huairou.
Seeing Xiaoyue helping her make the bed in her room as usual, Xia Shang standing at the door almost didn't dare to recognize her.
"Ms. sir, come to the hall for a moment." Huairou behind him patted Xia Shang gently, and then said to Xiaoyue on the opposite side, "Xiaoyue, go and see how the water in the kitchen is boiling? The servant who came with you has never done this before.
Son, I don’t know the appropriate temperature for you sisters, you should pay more attention.”
Xiaoyue didn't look back and answered neatly: "I know."
Xia Shang was still looking at the people inside. Huairou asked in a low voice: "Mr. Sir, are you still looking?"
Xia Shang blushed and coughed dryly in response: "Ahem... um... Xiaoyue has grown up, and I still thought she should get close to me."