Read Novel Full CHAPTER 57 PART2
CHAPTER 57 PART2
Madam She’s smile faltered for an instant, but she quickly forced it back, bowing respectfully. “Father, Mother, husband went today to the city guild. The guild reports that bandits have caused unrest in Youzhou, driving many refugees into the capital. They propose each household contribute silver for relief.”
“Just now, husband sent word, asking me to come and inquire whether Father wishes our family to contribute as well.”
It was indeed a worthy cause. Old Master Yin nodded, instructing, “Nanny Liao, bring out fifty thousand taels in notes.”
Nanny Liao was about to obey when Xiao Yanfei spoke first: “Ten thousand will suffice.”
At once, every gaze turned toward her—including Madam She’s. Her eyes widened slightly, and the handkerchief in her grasp tightened.
Xiao Yanfei only smiled sweetly. “Grandfather, you’ve only just arrived in the capital. Most of the merchants here stand under the protection of powerful patrons or noble families…”
“It would be best if you didn’t draw attention this time.”
“Instead, why not quietly provide food and grain to the disaster victims later in private?”
Old Master Yin was a shrewd man. He naturally understood that many so-called charitable donations were not about doing good, but about building a reputation.
There was no need for him to seek the limelight.
He stroked his goatee, then changed his mind: “Make it ten thousand taels.”
After a pause, he added a few more words: “Give it to the chief steward.”
Nanny Liao bowed in acknowledgment, while Madam She’s face darkened further, her posture stiffening.
Xiao Yanfei gracefully lifted her teacup, casting a sidelong glance at Madam She as she sipped calmly.
Madam She was nearly squirming in her seat, just about to excuse herself, when her eyes accidentally fell on the indigo-covered ledger resting on the side table beside Xiao Yanfei.
That was…
Her heart gave a violent tremor. She couldn’t help but take half a step toward it, then quickly drew back as though realizing something.
Forcing a smile, she smoothed her sleeve and said, “Father, are you teaching niece to manage the accounts?”
“I still remember when elder sister was young—she was remarkable. If there was even the slightest error in the ledgers, she could spot it at a glance. Everyone in the clan praised her, saying she was just like Father in his youth, a born business genius.” Madam She laid on the flattery, her manner all polished charm.
Xiao Yanfei set down her cup, looked at Madam She with a faint smile, then casually adjusted her sleeve. Under Madam She’s near-frantic gaze, she slowly and unhurriedly picked up the ledger.
“…” Madam She felt her breath catch in her chest, her eyes darting with unease, yet she dared not say anything in front of the elder Yins.
No one here paid her the slightest attention anyway. One by one, they acted as though she didn’t exist.
When Nanny Liao disappeared through another doorway to fetch the silver notes, Madam She’s expression shifted several times in rapid succession.
At last, she couldn’t stay any longer. With a dry smile, she said, “Father, Mother, elder sister, I’ll take my leave.”
She slipped away awkwardly. No one bothered to stop her.
Leaving the main courtyard, Madam She hurried straight back to her own quarters, her heart in turmoil.
As soon as she entered, Yin Huan—who was supposed to still be at the merchant guild—rushed toward her, eyes burning. “The silver—where is it?”
Her lips pressed together, dry and tight. “Only ten thousand taels.”
Yin Huan frowned, but before he could speak, Madam She added in a low voice, “And… the old master had the chief steward handle it.”
“What?!” Yin Huan’s face drained of color in an instant.
That meant Madam She hadn’t gotten a single coin!
He nearly exploded in curses, but his rising anger was quickly smothered by a surge of panic. He muttered irritably, “If we can’t come up with the fifty thousand taels, that man might tell the old master… tell…”
As he spoke, his hand instinctively brushed the cuff of his right sleeve, fingers grazing the letter hidden inside.
That morning, on his way out, a ragged little beggar had shoved an envelope into his hands. It was addressed in bold letters: To Yin Huan, Personal and Confidential. Clearly, it had been meant for him.
When he opened it, he discovered it was a blackmail letter. The writer claimed to know that he had secretly embezzled five hundred thousand taels from the maritime trade funds. If he didn’t pay fifty thousand taels as hush money, the truth would be revealed to Old Master Yin.
“We can’t let him find out…” Yin Huan muttered, his heart sinking like a stone, his mind in chaos.
How had things come to this?
If the old man had died back in Linqing, this entire fortune would already be his. Fifty thousand taels would’ve been nothing—barely a drop in the bucket.
If Yin Wan hadn’t insisted on staying at home, he would’ve already found another chance to strike, instead of being pushed to the edge of a cliff like this…
Yin Huan was certain: if the old master learned about his embezzlement, with his ruthlessness, he would seize on the excuse to drive him out.
The thought made Yin Huan grit his teeth in fury. “It’s all that old man’s fault!”
The old wretch sat on such immense wealth, yet treated his adopted son so stingily. If he hadn’t been desperate, Yin Huan would never have touched those maritime funds.
Restlessly, he paced the room twice before his gaze snapped toward Madam She. “What about your dowry?”
“Dowry?” Madam She’s eye twitched violently, her voice dropping to a whisper. “What dowry do I have…”
When she had married him, Yin Huan hadn’t yet been adopted. She had come from a modest family; her dowry was no more than five hundred taels. It was only over the past decade that she had managed to set aside a little.
But even if she surrendered every bit of it, it wouldn’t be enough to cover even a fraction of fifty thousand.
Yin Huan paced again, then suddenly stopped, clenching his teeth hard. “Then sell the estate and farmland we still have.”
Those were the properties Old Master had gifted them as a welcome present when they were newly adopted into the family.
Madam She felt as though her heart were being cut open, her breath coming shallow. Those were the finest farmlands—priceless, not easily bought even if someone had the money.
“Hurry!” Yin Huan thrust out his hand at her. “Bring me the deeds!”
No matter how unwilling she was, Madam She could only unlock the chest where the land deeds were stored. Yin Huan snatched them up and left in a rush.
He had planned to go outside the capital, to quietly find a broker to sell the estates and farmland. But when he reached the city gates, he found the guards doubled, the Golden Guards now stationed alongside the usual watch, inspecting everyone with unusual severity.
Leaving the city wasn’t the problem. Returning would be.
Making inquiries, Yin Huan learned the truth: because of bandit unrest in Youzhou, more and more refugees had fled to the capital. The emperor, fearing instability near the capital, had ordered the Golden Guards to strictly enforce inspections at all four city gates, barring further entry of refugees.
But even with heavy patrols at the gates, the streets around the capital were already thick with displaced people, loitering with nowhere to go…
Seeing the ragged refugees outside the city walls, Yin Huan lost his nerve. In the end, he didn’t dare leave the city and instead gritted his teeth and ordered the driver to head east.
Only now, paying closer attention, did he realize how much the capital had changed. Along the streets, beggars had multiplied—some sitting with empty bowls, some offering to sell themselves, others clinging pitifully to passersby, and even a few snatching bundles before fleeing down the alleys.
In just a few days, the once-thriving capital had grown desolate and uneasy.
Two more days passed. Families near the city gates began setting up stalls to distribute porridge.
Even the young princess came bustling into the Yin household. “Yanyan! The head monk at Huangjue Temple is planning to provide rice and medicine for the refugees outside the city. I want to donate some silver—will you come with me?”
It was a good cause. Xiao Yanfei agreed without hesitation. “Of course!”
“Then let’s go now.” True to her fiery nature, Princess Ningshu tugged her onto the carriage at once, and the two set off for Huangjue Temple.
The carriage sped through the streets. The city was quieter than usual—gone were the cries of peddlers and hawkers, replaced by the sight of more beggars in tattered rags, their faces grimy and hollow.
Princess Ningshu, having been cooped up in the prince’s residence for days by the princess consort, was nearly crawling out of her skin. At last free, her little mouth chattered like a sparrow’s:
“Yanyan, I’ll tell you—I had originally planned to donate to Yongfu Temple instead.”
“The monks at Huangjue Temple act all high and mighty. They’re not nearly as straightforward as the ones at Yongfu.”
“But my mother forbade it!”
“She said, no matter how pitiful the refugees are, they’re dangerous too. She told me to remember—a gentleman never stands under a crumbling wall.”
“So… Huangjue Temple it is.” Princess Ningshu sighed dramatically.
“Good girl.” Xiao Yanfei reached out to ruffle the princess’s fluffy hair, the way one might pet little Xiao Ye’s kitten. She couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve only been to Huangjue Temple once, and never really looked around. Show me around later, will you?”
The princess consort wasn’t wrong. The danger of desperate refugees was deeply etched into the original host’s memories, and Xiao Yanfei would not forget the warning.
Princess Ningshu’s spirits lifted at once. She beamed. “Have you ever been to Juxiu Hill in the back of the temple?”
“It’s an artificial rockery built by craftsmen from Jiangnan when the temple was first founded. The stacking technique is exquisite—one of Huangjue Temple’s marvels. From the top, you can look down on the entire temple and even the whole street. I used to go there often with Luanfei and the others…”
At the mention of Xiao Luanfei, her smile faltered, a shadow crossing her face. She abruptly changed the subject. “Yanyan, have you seen Luanfei lately?”
“No.” Xiao Yanfei shook her head, smiling lightly.
Since Luanfei had hurriedly left the Yin residence that day, she hadn’t come again. Xiao Yanfei hadn’t seen her since.
Princess Ningshu pouted. “Two days ago, she and Liu Chaoyun rallied a group of noble ladies in the capital to donate money. I heard they plan to set up porridge stalls in the city…”
Her small hands twisted her handkerchief, her voice thick with frustration and a touch of grievance, eyes growing hot. “That idea was mine! I suggested it to the empress—but she flatly refused me.”
“And now, in a blink, Liu Chaoyun is parading around, sending out invitations to all the noblewomen, collecting funds in my place!”
“She even pointedly left me out. I only found out from my mother.”
The little princess’s lips trembled as she spoke, her indignation turning to wounded resentment.
Seeing her pout, Xiao Yanfei stroked her head again, eyes crinkling. “Don’t be upset, don’t be upset. We don’t need to play with them.”
“Exactly!” The princess lifted her chin proudly. Even if she was going to donate, she would give her silver to Huangjue Temple—not to Liu Chaoyun.
Xiao Yanfei smiled serenely, her mind clear as glass: Liu Chaoyun and Xiao Luanfei’s ostentatious charity drive must have had the empress’s tacit approval.
In fact, it was probably the princess’s own suggestion that had inspired the empress to seize such a perfect opportunity—
—to polish the tarnished reputation of the Liu family with borrowed virtue.
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