Chapter 83: The Engagement Is Set

Han Rou looked somewhat troubled as she faced Lady Jiang of the Marquis' household.

She sighed—after all, they were close friends—and was about to speak when Shen Qingyun entered with her maid.

“Mother, I heard Lady Jiang is visiting, so I came to see as well. Oh, what’s happened here?” Shen Qingyun wore a puzzled expression, her gaze falling on Lady Jiang, who was wiping away tears.

In both past and present lives, Shen Qingyun had never seen Lady Jiang so haggard. In her previous life, with the dowry Shen Qingyun provided, Lady Jiang and Jiang Miaodan lived in luxury, adorned in gold and silver day after day. When Jiang Lin entered the Ministry of Works and his official rank rose, their days grew even more prosperous; they traveled surrounded by a retinue of maids and servants, displaying the grandeur of a noble household to perfection.

Even during their meetings at the Marquis’ residence in this life, Lady Jiang had always been radiant, cheerfully greeting guests and graciously accepting compliments from other ladies—utterly pleased with herself.

But now, her face was marked with illness; even makeup could not conceal the darkness under her eyes, and the wrinkles on her face seemed deeper, making her look three to five years older.

Shen Qingyun remembered the humiliation Lady Jiang had inflicted upon her in their past life, and a trace of delight flickered in her heart. Yet her expression remained full of concern: “Mother, perhaps I’ve come at a bad time. Why don’t you continue your conversation?”

Lady Jiang, despite a hint of embarrassment, hurriedly spoke up, “Qingyun, actually, it’s fortuitous you’re here. I do need your help. I hear you’re in charge of household affairs now—how grown up you are, able to ease your mother’s burdens. I have come today to... to borrow a little silver.”

As expected, she was here to ask for money again.

When Pearl heard Lady Jiang say this, her eyes showed clear contempt.

What on earth was wrong with the Jiang family, always seeking to drain the Duke’s household?

Shen Qingyun covered her mouth with her handkerchief, feigning shock as if she’d misheard: “What’s happened? Has something occurred at the Marquis’ residence?”

At the mention of this matter—though she had already complained to Han Rou—Lady Jiang’s anger surged anew: “Qingyun, forgive me for speaking frankly. The root of this issue lies with your eldest sister.”

She had only begun to explain, but was already breathless, so she took a sip of tea before continuing: “Shen Sisi wanted to buy jewelry, but an unpleasant incident occurred at the shop. Your cousin Jiang Lin, trying to protect her, broke the jewelry. He couldn’t produce enough cash on the spot and was too embarrassed to ask for it back at home, so he went to a small moneylender to borrow the amount.”

Han Rou sighed, “That moneylender charges compound interest. Within a few days, they already owe several hundred more taels. Lin’er really didn’t think it through.”

Lady Jiang’s tears began to fall again: “Lin’er is thin-skinned and innocent, never considering so many things. This time he truly acted foolishly, though I don’t blame him. But the debt must be settled quickly, or what will we do?”

This was truly an unexpected stroke of luck.

She called it a small moneylender, but it was likely one of those usurers, with terrifyingly high interest. If the debt wasn’t repaid on time, the debt collectors would surely cause a scandal at the Marquis’ residence, ruining their reputation.

More importantly, losing face was a minor issue; if word got out that Jiang Lin had borrowed from a usurer—a violation of the law—he could be dismissed and investigated.

Who would have thought Jiang Lin could be so foolish as to corner himself?

Suppressing her urge to laugh, Shen Qingyun furrowed her brows with concern: “How much silver does Lady Jiang need?”

Seeing Shen Qingyun so agreeable, Lady Jiang managed a more genuine smile: “Not much, just a thousand taels will suffice.”

What a line—not much, but why not provide it yourself?

Shen Qingyun looked troubled: “Lady, you know how difficult it is to manage household accounts. We’re about to pay the servants’ monthly wages, so there’s no way to produce such a large sum of ready silver. Besides, a thousand taels is no small amount.”

Even Han Rou frowned at the mention of a thousand taels.

Lady Jiang’s confidence faltered, but she patiently pleaded: “How could you not have the funds? The Duke’s household isn’t like the Marquis’. Any decent shop brings in several hundred taels a month, doesn’t it? Qingyun, you wouldn’t refuse to help your cousin, would you? You wouldn’t let him default, surely?”

Han Rou’s expression clearly softened. Raised in the inner chambers, pampered since childhood, she had never lacked for silver, and so had developed a generous nature, always indifferent to money. She had allowed the Duke’s household to bleed for years.

“Qingyun, just allocate a thousand taels from the accounts for now. If it’s truly inconvenient, you may take from my private treasury.”

Shen Qingyun knew now was not the time to argue with Han Rou, so she addressed Lady Jiang: “Of course, you may borrow the money, but Lady Jiang must understand that every transaction must be recorded. Please write a promissory note.”

Lady Jiang’s face stiffened: “Surely that’s unnecessary? It feels so impersonal. Besides, we would never fail to repay.”

Shen Qingyun spoke before Han Rou could respond: “Lady, I trust you, but it’s simply a matter of bookkeeping. I’m sure you understand. Yicui, fetch paper and ink. By the way, Lady Jiang, when do you plan to repay this sum?”

Lady Jiang hesitated: “Once Lin’er receives his salary, we’ll return it.”

Shen Qingyun scoffed inwardly. With Jiang Lin’s meager salary, the Marquis’ household wouldn’t be able to repay in a lifetime.

She sighed, thinking for a moment: “There is actually another way. You needn’t write a promissory note; we can simply provide the funds for the Marquis’ household’s emergency.”

“What way?” Lady Jiang asked quickly.

“Well, since Jiang Lin and my eldest sister are betrothed, we’ll be family soon, and this affair was caused by my sister. It would be unreasonable to keep accounts so strictly—it isn’t very considerate.”

Lady Jiang nodded, satisfied with Shen Qingyun’s words.

Shen Qingyun continued, “Previously, it was just a verbal agreement. Why not finalize the engagement in the next few days? The thousand taels can be deducted from the dowry or the bride price—either is acceptable.”

Han Rou, though she had not agreed to dissolve the marriage, felt uncomfortable at the mention of Shen Sisi’s name. Knowing Jiang Lin borrowed money for Shen Sisi, her desire to help cooled considerably.

No wonder Qingyun refused to marry him—his judgment was woefully lacking.

With this thought, Han Rou agreed that settling the marriage quickly was a good idea, so she remained silent.

Lady Jiang, however, cried out in alarm: “How can that be!”

“Why not?” Shen Qingyun asked, perplexed. “Is the Marquis’ household not planning to marry my sister?”

Of course, in Lady Jiang’s heart, Shen Sisi was unworthy of her son. Even if she could not marry Shen Qingyun, she should at least wed a more influential lady from a noble family.

But now, as a supplicant, she dared not voice such thoughts.

“Naturally, we intend to.”

“In that case, let’s exchange birth records now. Lady, bring your son’s record, and I’ll fetch the silver.”