Chapter 448: 448: Wei Qingwan has a Dispute with the Yun Family_1
Xiu Fengyuan was astounded and didn’t know how to respond.
Wei Yichen continued, “Brother Xiu, notionally, worldly matters are complicated. To protect the ones you love and to punish the ones you hate, you must acquire corresponding abilities. The imperial examinations only happen once every three years. If you miss it, you would have to wait for another three years. It would be unwise to miss out on such a great opportunity short sightedly.”
After hearing Wei Yichen’s remarks, Xiu Fengyuan suddenly realized that he may have been too impulsive.
“I understand now, Brother Yichen. I did not consider these things thoughtfully, thank you for your guidance.”
Xiu Fengyuan holds his hands in front as a gesture of respect and expresses his gratitude to Wei Yichen.
After that, he took his leave from Duke Residence, returned to his temporary residence in the Capital City, and immersed himself in his studies to prepare for the exam.
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Wei Ruo was going through the accounts in her room as the preparation for the launch of Daiyue Residence was ongoing with much work yet to be done.
The cost of raw materials, labor cost, sales strategy; everything needed careful consideration.
“Miss, we have received a letter from Tongde Hall.” Xiumei walked in and brought news from outside.
“What does it say?”
“The last two batches of medicinal herbs have been sold out, especially the skin-care ointment. It was a hit among the ladies of prestigious families and is now high in demand.”
“That’s good.”
“Besides, the scar removal ointment that you have consigned at Tongde Hall has caught the attention of many but so far, no one has made a purchase.”
“Hmm, I see.”
As expected. She intentionally kept the price of the ointment exorbitantly high, not with the intention of selling it.
“Miss, I heard that Second Miss has been getting close with Second Madam lately. Do you think Second Madam would lend her the money to buy the ointment?” Xiumei asked.
Second Madam, from the Bai family, came from a merchant family. Her grandfather was once the richest man in the region. Even though her family’s fortune later declined, and since her father was the second son, he only inherited 20% of her grandfather’s wealth, they were still much wealthier than average families.
So, even though the Duke residence was in financial straits, Second Madam Bai was wealthy, thanks to her hefty dowry.
Throughout these years, Wei Mingyong suffered numerous business failures and accumulated significant losses, with Bai secretly covering most of the losses with her own dowry.
If Wei Qingwan genuinely wanted to buy the ointment that Wei Ruo had put up for sale at Tongde Hall, she would have to seek help from Bai.
“If she can’t borrow the money, then she would have to endure the agony of seeing the ointment in front of her, yet not being able to afford it. This would feel even worse than not having the ointment in the first place. And if she could successfully borrow the money and really decides to spend a fortune on the ointment, then I would make a profit of two thousand taels from a single ointment box, even just the thought of it make me ecstatic!”
In conclusion, regardless of whether Wei Qingwan buys it or not, Wei Ruo is content.
After hearing Wei Ruo’s response, Xiumei nodded repeatedly and then took out a letter from her bosom, “Yes, Miss, this is a letter for you from Miss Xie.”
Wei Ruo immediately took it and began to read it.
“Miss, what did Miss Xie mention?”
“Yingying has mentioned in the letter that she will be visiting me in a few days.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“Yes, prepare some delicacies by then.” Wei Ruo was also looking forward to reunite with Xie Ying.
While Wei Ruo was talking to Xiumei, Cuiping came over with a message from Madam Yun.
“Miss, Madam Yun has sent me to summon you.”
“Alright, I understand.”
Wei Ruo didn’t know why Madam Yun called her over, but she knew she had to go.
Wei Ruo followed Cuiping to Anxin Pavilion, Madam Yun’s residence in the Duke Residence.
The room was a bit smaller than Grand Madam’s Shou’an Hall but was still quite spacious compared to their residence at the Taizhou prefecture.
Upon entering the room, Wei Ruo saw Wei Qingwan, who was bowing her head and biting her lower lip, wearing an expression that didn’t seem too pleasant.
As soon as Madam Yun saw Wei Ruo, “Ruo, have a look at these, these are the dowries I prepared for you.”
Two newly made mahogany lacquer boxes, about a foot long and half a foot wide, were placed on the table to Madam Yun’s right.
Wei Ruo came over to Madam Yun and saw silver ingots, some jewelry, and deeds of house and land placed inside both boxes
The items in both boxes seem to be roughly the same.
Madam Yun said, “There isn’t much, but I have tried to give you girls the best I have.”
Wei Ruo remained silent, unsure whether to accept these items or not.
Given her personality, Wei Ruo would rather not accept these items from Madam Yun. But at the same moment, the memories of the original owner surfaced in her mind.
The original owner had suffered for more than ten years without receiving any attention or love from Madam Yun, so accepting these items seemed somewhat reasonable. It would be better than letting Madam Yun give everything to Wei Qingwan.
Just as Wei Ruo was pondering, Wei Qingwan spoke up, “Mother, why won’t you agree when Second Aunt is willing to help me?”
“Wanwan, you’re being confused. Two thousand taels of silver, is buying a box of ointment worth that much money?” Madam Yun earnestly questioned.
It appeared that before Wei Ruo arrived, Wei Qingwan and Madam Yun were discussing this topic, and the conversation wasn’t progressing smoothly.
“Why isn’t it worth it? If I were to marry into an ordinary family, then it wouldn’t matter. But now, I am to be the consort of Prince Yu. If there is a scar on my back, how am I to gain favor or survive in the Prince’s Mansion?” Wei Qingwan asked tearfully.
Madam Yun was emotionally torn. After that incident in the family, her husband almost beat Wanwan to death. Leaving her alive was an act of mercy; they didn’t have the luxury to worry whether the punishment would leave a scar or not.
But who could have imagined that this scar would become a major issues since Wanwan became the consort of Prince Yu.
No doubt the scar is a problem, but then the ointment itself is too expensive! Initially, they were reluctantly purchasing it for hundred taels, and now, for two thousand taels, it was akin to daylight robbery!
Wei Qingwan continued, “I am not asking mother to pay for it, since Second Aunt is willing to lend me the money, why are you hesitating?”
Madam Yun sighed, “Your Second Aunt is willing to lend you the money, but she wants you to sign a promissory note. How are you going to repay her in the future?”
Wei Qingwan responded, “I will find a way! At worst, I will sell my dowry to repay her!”
“You do not understand your Second Aunt and her husband; they are driven by personal gains. Borrowing such a large sum of money from her could stir trouble for you!” Madam Yun cautioned.
“Mother, I have difficulties, Second Aunt is willing to help me, even if she has a merchant’s mind and wants to gain some benefits from me, isn’t better than ignoring my desperate situation?” Wei Qingwan questioned.