Chapter 48: Needs to Borrow a Hundred Taels of Silver

Tang Mi behaved so obediently that the Old Madam Tang nodded with satisfaction. “Then it’s settled. I’ll have someone write to Feng’er at the academy shortly.”

Tang Mi’s eyes flickered, and she quickly said, “Grandmother, Feng’er is about to take the imperial exams. Let’s not disturb him.”

She still didn’t know what they were planning, but she didn’t want to drag Feng’er into this mess.

The old madam frowned. “But it’s his father’s death anniversary.”

“The exam is more important. I’ll handle all the arrangements for the ritual. I believe father wouldn’t mind,” Tang Mi insisted firmly. She knew that if she held her ground, her grandmother would listen to her.

The old lady assumed Tang Mi was once again obsessed with Tang Feng’s success in the exams, and she felt a bit displeased.

Why was this girl repeating her old ways again?

Tang Song glanced at Tang Mi and spoke to mediate. “Grandmother, little sister is right. The exam takes priority. If third brother really does well, that would be a great blessing.”

Since Tang Song spoke up, the old lady’s expression softened. “Alright then.”

She came from a military family, and her son was a general. So she naturally valued martial ability over scholarly pursuits. But if Feng’er could make a name for himself through the exams, she would be pleased nonetheless.

“Your father’s memorial can’t be delayed. I’ve already had someone choose an auspicious day. We’ll leave for Qingma Temple in two days. We’ll bathe and fast for seven days, then hold a proper ceremony for your uncle.”

Seeing that Tang Song even had the date prepared, the old lady nodded approvingly. “Then I’ll leave your uncle’s memorial arrangements to you.”

The old master in the family didn’t handle such matters, and the eldest son was utterly useless. The old lady could only rely on this eldest grandson.

“Don’t worry, Grandmother,” Tang Song quickly replied.

Qin-shi (Madam Qin) then began discussing Tang Ying’s marriage arrangements with the old lady. Since Tang Mi wasn’t suited to hear such matters, she excused herself.

As soon as Tang Mi returned to Qingmi Courtyard, Ban Xia hurried over to meet her.

Tang Mi signaled with her eyes, and the two quickly went inside.

“Miss, I’ve been mingling with the servants from Ziying Courtyard these past couple of days. I heard that Miss Ying’s maid Yiyun is very close to Cao Ji. The two of them seem to be… having an affair.” As Ban Xia spoke these shameful words, her face flushed red.

Tang Mi’s brows furrowed. She recalled that in her past life, this Yiyun indeed ended up marrying the steward’s younger son, Cao Ji. At the time, Cao Ji was already married. In order to marry Yiyun, he not only divorced his wife but also secretly killed their two children. Eventually, his ex-wife hanged herself. Meanwhile, these two shameless people embezzled silver from the Tang household and lived happily.

Yiyun having an affair with Cao Ji was probably no secret, and it might have even been instigated by Tang Ying. That woman was capable of anything.

So this alone wouldn’t be enough to get leverage over Yiyun.

“I also heard something else, about Qianliu.” Seeing Tang Mi’s troubled expression, Ban Xia hurried to add.

Tang Mi looked up at her. Ban Xia whispered, “They say Qianliu seems to be having some trouble lately and is borrowing silver everywhere.”

Tang Mi raised an eyebrow, recalling Qianliu’s eventual fate.

Compared to Yiyun, Qianliu had a far more tragic end. She first became Ye Junyu’s concubine, then was passed around by Tang Ying. However, through her, Tang Ying and Ye Junyu did gather a lot of intelligence. Yet despite her usefulness, Qianliu ended up being tortured to death by a wealthy merchant.

Qianliu lacking silver? Tang Mi thought back carefully to what had happened in her past life around this time.

Back then, she stayed locked in her room every day, detached from everything. But she vaguely remembered hearing from Fu Ling and Ban Xia that Qianliu had stabbed the steward. It was Tang Ying who later cleaned up the mess.

As for what exactly had happened, she had never cared.

“Do you have any close ties with any low-ranking maids or old servant women in Ziying Courtyard?” Tang Mi asked Ban Xia.

Ban Xia quickly replied, “There’s a young maid named Magpie. I once helped her with something in the main kitchen. Most of the news I hear comes from her.”

Tang Mi nodded. “Then give her some silver and have her secretly keep an eye on Qianliu. If anything happens, she’s to report to you immediately.”

“Yes, Miss.” Ban Xia took some silver and left.

Ziying Courtyard.

Tang Ying was lying on a chaise lounge, waiting for news from Qin-shi.

Yiyun was massaging her feet, while Qianliu was kneading her shoulders.

“Ouch!” Qianliu, distracted, accidentally pressed too hard, causing Tang Ying to cry out.

Startled, Qianliu immediately knelt. “Forgive me, Miss. I didn’t mean it.”

Tang Ying glanced at her. “What’s wrong with you these past few days? You seem so distracted.”

Qianliu hesitated for a moment but finally spoke. “Miss, I… I wanted to borrow some silver from you.”

“Borrow silver?” Tang Ying raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Why do you need silver?”

Tears welled up in Qianliu’s eyes. She choked out, “My father is a hopeless gambler. He lost all our money and even sold my younger sister to a brothel. I want to borrow some silver to redeem her.”

“Redeeming someone from a brothel isn’t cheap, is it?” Tang Ying frowned, clearly reluctant.

Qianliu lowered her eyes. “They said… they want a hundred taels of silver.”

“A hundred taels?!” Before Tang Ying could react, Yiyun had already exclaimed.

Tang Ying shot her a glare, and Yiyun stammered, “A hundred taels is just too much…”

Tang Ying’s eyes softened slightly as she looked at Qianliu and sighed. “A hundred taels is truly a lot. It’s not that I won’t lend it to you, but you know how much I spend. I haven’t saved anything. I really can’t help you.”

Qianliu’s eyes instantly dimmed. She knew full well that Miss did have a hundred taels. But she was just a maid, and repaying such a sum could take years. Miss didn’t want to risk it.

Still, she desperately needed the silver. Her sister Xuer was already over ten, almost twelve. She feared the madam at the brothel would force her into service any day now.

Just then, Qin-shi entered, seeing Qianliu kneeling on the floor. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Tang Ying quickly waved her hand at Qianliu and Yiyun. “You two may leave.”

“Yes,” Yiyun responded and left.

Qianliu could only follow her out.

Once they were gone, Tang Ying eagerly asked, “So? Did it work?”

“It did,” Qin-shi replied excitedly and relayed the details.

Outside the room, Yiyun leaned toward Qianliu and explained, “Don’t blame Miss. She really doesn’t have the money.”

“I understand,” Qianliu said quietly, head bowed.

Yiyun’s eyes flickered, and she suddenly leaned closer. “But if you really need to borrow money, you might try the steward.”

“The steward?” Qianliu frowned.

“Don’t let his looks fool you. He’s quite wealthy,” Yiyun said, giving Qianliu a meaningful look filled with calculation.

Thinking of the steward’s lecherous glances, Qianliu felt anxious. But when she thought of her sister, her gaze hardened with determination.