Tomorrow will be the 30th New Year's Eve. Today, the Jin House will give out the reward money, and the monthly payment in the first month will also be distributed in advance.
Lu Fei waited to receive the silver, but she didn't look happy, she looked a little sad.
In the small study, Fu Ming sorted out some notes he had written over the past few months. The original incense burner was replaced with a larger one, steamed with a piece of ice, and the steam was coming out to prevent the room from being too dry.
He vaguely heard a few maids outside muttering something, in a slightly annoyed tone. He called Lu Fei and Xian Lan and asked, "Tomorrow is the New Year's Eve, and I just received the money, why do they all seem so angry that they want to smoke?"
Qianlan replied: "Master, half of the duck flew to the mouth."
"How do you say that? The money is running out?"
Lu Fei said: "How much is the reward, we are the first year to receive it, and we don't know, but according to other people in the house, it is indeed a lot less. The monthly payment is also reduced by half."
"Did you tell you why?"
Lu Fei said: "It is said that this year's ice disaster in Tanzhou, the seventh princess hosted a snow and plum search at the princess's mansion, and invited a group of ladies and ladies to come to persuade everyone to donate money and materials. She was not included in the invitation, but the Miss Zhou family took her with her. After she came back, Miss Lelan, the master who had been invited seriously, didn't say anything, but Concubine Wang hurriedly sent a lot of money and money to the seventh princess. Clothes." Lu Fei still has a younger brother and an older sister who is leaving the pavilion. She has always been economical, but now she has gone to so many incomes for no reason, and she feels unhappy and speaks more impulsive than before.
Qian Lan was even quicker to say: "Concubine Wang wants to gain face in front of the princess and take out her own money, who cares about her. But she actually hit the head of our servants, looting clothes and money. , In this year, it's too frustrating to wear warm clothes and eat enough!"
Fu Ming asked again, "Does the old lady know about this?"
Lu Fei replied: "I didn't know if I knew it before, but half a day has passed, and by this time, it must have been known."
Fu Ming said: "Then let's see what the old lady has to say."
As expected, the old lady didn't find out about it until nearly noon. She called Concubine Wang in a bad tone and asked bluntly, "I'll leave this family affairs to you for the time being. You'd better take the money from the government. Buy yourself face, deduct others, what do you say!"
Concubine Wang hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed to admit her mistake. After kowtowing her forehead red, she raised her head to defend herself and said: "Old lady is very important, how can Ningxue let it go? It's just the princess banquet that day, Miss Zhou must take me there, old lady. You understand, the princess has already spoken, how can she shirk it? Besides, the seventh princess is the emperor's favorite daughter. If we can do some credit in front of her, it will be beneficial to the family. Enduowei has always been young, why have you ever treated him harshly? In the past, the food was delicious and the food was served on the ground. The master had few servants, and there was not much work. The monthly money was very rich. Give me some silver clothes. Compared with the people in Tanzhou who were affected by the disaster, the guys and girls in the house are a hundred times better. I don’t know which one who is still dissatisfied is chewing on the tongue in front of the old lady, making the old lady misunderstand and making you angry. ."
Qing Wu, who was beside the old lady, heard the words, her face flushed red, and she couldn't help but interject: "Aunt Wang, you are such a good person who sacrifices her private life for the public. In this way, we are stingy!"
Aunt Wang smiled apologetically: "I still have a few new jackets that I haven't worn. We have the same figure, so give it to the girl!"
Before Qingwu could answer, the old lady rubbed her brows and said, "No matter what your purpose is, if you did it wrong, you did it wrong. Make up for the money you deducted and the things you should reward. Let everyone have a good time. Have a good year!"
Concubine Wang didn't get a good face, and she was said a few more words, but she was still secretly glad that she planned to kill this matter first, but the old lady didn't make it difficult for her even though she was angry. for the benefit. She secretly thought to herself that the women in this mansion did not know what was going on outside, and did not know the righteousness. When Master came back, she would have her own explanation.
The house was noisy for a long time, but gradually subsided in the afternoon. The servants who have been compensated still put forth their energy to prepare the venues and items needed for New Year's Eve sacrifices, family feasts and vigils.
Fu Ming carried the gift box that Xiang Lan helped to arrange, and with Lu Fei paid half of the silver money that was distributed in the morning, and went out to the Salesian Bureau.
"Brother Ming, it's too late this year!" Sun Zangyong was very happy when he saw him, regardless of the sequence or seniority, he embraced his shoulders and welcomed people into the room.
Fu Ming explained: "There are some things at home today."
"Can it be resolved?"
"Well, it's over."
Sun Zang fanned the fire, poured a glass of lamb wine and Fu Ming from the warm jug, and said, "In previous years, on this day, you, me, and Brother Fang, the three of you have to drink to the fullest. Not this year."
Fu Ming asked, "Uncle Fang went to Tanzhou?" He took the wine and took a sip, showing a happy expression.
Sun Zangyong replied, "That's right, because of the ice disaster in Tanzhou, there must be a lot of sick old and weak women and children, so Brother Fang went to Tanzhou to practice medicine!"
Fu Ming said: "Uncle Fang's doctor is benevolent, and he hangs the pot to help the world. If I can get out, I will definitely follow him and help."
"Haha!" Sun Zang laughed loudly and said again, "Brother Fang said when he left, that it's a pity that you are imprisoned in the Gonghou's mansion, or else you will be forced to do coolies!"
Fu Ming remembered Jin Yi's exhortation when he left, "It's really impossible to escape. When Uncle Fang returns, we'll take care of him."
The two of them poured and drank, and chatted for half an hour about the current situation in the Salesian Bureau in the aroma of warm wine. Fu Ming saw that it was getting dark and left.
Just after returning to the mansion, a visitor came to visit. It is Jin who is a good friend Fan Zhi, and now he is an official in the court, serving in the Ministry of Households. Fu Ming is the only male family member in the mansion who can entertain foreign guests, so he received Fan Zhi as the male host.
The two exchanged names, and after a few polite words, Fu Ming asked, "Brother Wen Su is here at this time, is there something important?"
Although Fan Zhi had a look of embarrassment on his face, his words were smooth and steady: "To tell the truth, Brother Yu is taking the liberty of visiting this time, and I really have an unkind request."
Fu Ming said with a slight smile, "Brother Wen Su is my husband's best friend, but it's okay to talk about it."
Hearing this, Fan Zhi calmed down and said frankly: "Brother Yu was entrusted by the imperial court and ordered a batch of goods in Yuezhou, which is a national gift to be sent to Xixia during the Spring Festival. When heading north, because Tanzhou was frozen, the carriage was in the mountains. The car accidentally overturned on the road, and the goods were lost in half, and it was still too late to repurchase in time."
At this point, Fu Ming already knew something. The New Year is approaching, and all the yamen are on vacation. If this matter is to follow the formal procedures, it will inevitably delay time. Fan Zhi was born in a cold family. He was an honest and honest official. He had no money left in his family, and he had few rich friends.
So, Fu Ming also asked clearly, "How much money does Brother Wen Su need for emergency help?"
Fan Zhi didn't expect that he didn't need to finish his words, and he was secretly admiring, and he replied bluntly, "30,000 taels."
Fu Ming nodded, "Brother Fan Zhi, wait a moment, brother will go and get the money." Considering the large amount, he planned to pay Concubine Wang himself. So he instructed the servants to entertain Fan Zhi well, and he got up and left temporarily.
Concubine Wang was in the warehouse, and when she heard what Fu Ming said, she was shocked: "30,000 taels? With such a large amount, you can borrow it if you want?"
Fu Ming explained the situation in detail again, but Concubine Wang sneered: "Young master thinks that our family has a mountain of gold or a mountain of silver, such a large sum of money, if you are not here, can you borrow it at will? There are so many people in this mansion waiting to eat, what should I do with this relationship?"
Fu Ming said, "Brother Wen Su is not someone who borrows and does not return it."
Concubine Wang said, "This surnamed Fan hasn't had much contact with our grandfather in the past. He hasn't even sent half a rabbit to Jin's residence this year. How much friendship can he have?"
Fu Mingdao: "As a gentleman's friendship, the heart is not the matter. Brother Wen Su is upright and honest. He has the same temperament as our grandfather. We have known each other for many years."
"How did the son find out?"
"I heard you say a few words."
"Xu Shi's son remembered it wrong? Besides, if it's really honest and honest, why do you need so much money?"
"I have explained the situation to you. If you are forgetful, I will repeat it again."
"There's no need, but I've clearly stated the money. If it's only three hundred taels, then I'll give it to him as a favor. Thirty thousand taels? Don't borrow it."
Fu Ming dealt with him for a few more times, and Aunt Wang became more and more rude when she spoke, and even falsely accused Fu Ming of colluding with outsiders to defraud money. Quickly return to Fangmanting, and ask Lu Fei to withdraw her marriage money.
Lu Fei listened to Fu Ming explain the whole thing, saw Fu Ming's expression, gritted his teeth, took out the silver note from the box, and counted almost all of it to him.
Fu Ming got the money and hurried back to the banquet room. After calming down, he stepped into the room and handed the bank note to Fan Zhi.
Fan Zhi was about to set up a written receipt, and Fu Ming knew that he was acting in a style, so he did not make excuses and accepted the written receipt readily.
Fan Zhi patted Fu Ming on the shoulder: "Brother Jin is blessed."
Fu Ming smiled and said, "Brother Zhixian has something to do, so he won't leave any meals."
Fan Zhi really wanted to go tight, "That foolish brother has to leave first. When the matter is settled and the money is returned, I will be grateful."
Fu Ming sent it out of the house.
When Fu Ming returned to Fang Man Ting, Xian Lan was slightly annoyed: "Young Master, what do you want to do at the end of the year? Do you want to picture people? It's gone!"
Fu Ming laughed, "Okay, I know you are not happy. The predecessors said it well, I am born with talent, and I will come back when my daughter is gone."
"Then the predecessor who said this finally made a fortune?" Lu Fei asked.
Fu Ming was dumbfounded, "Well—this sage has lived on forever."
"Who is it? Can we recognize it?"
"The last name is Li and the name is white."
Qianlan smiled and said: "I know, the great poet who died in despair! Where is the money that has been scattered and returned, it is clear that the money is gone and then scattered!"
Fu Ming asked seriously, "Do you really think I'm doing something wrong?"
Lu Fei and Qianlan looked at each other, Lu Fei said, "Young Master has a steel scale in his heart. We are just short-sighted women. As long as the Young Master decides, we will support it. Complaining is only because I am worried that the Young Master will suffer."
Fu Mingfu smiled again, "Don't worry, people will come back soon; money will also come back."