They had no money to pay back, and they couldn't kick the debt collector out of the house. No matter how they thought, they couldn't come up with a solution that would satisfy both parties.
Suddenly, Nanny Sun's eyes lit up, and she turned to look at the old lady, then swallowed her words back.
"Just tell me what you want to say." The old lady saw that Nanny Sun was hesitant to speak.
Apart from Nanny Zhang, Nanny Sun had served her the longest. They stayed together all day, and the old lady knew Nanny Sun very well.
Speaking of Nanny Zhang, the old lady would think of her from time to time, and wondered how she was doing now.
After all, she had accompanied the old lady for so long. Now that Nanny Zhang is gone, it is impossible for the old lady to say that she didn't feel reluctant at all.
"I was thinking that there is no money in the mansion, but the second young lady must have some extra money. How about we ask the second young lady for help?" Nanny Sun said cautiously, fearing that she would anger the old lady.
She knew that the old lady was extremely annoyed with Ling Qingwan, and she had even fallen out with Ling Qingwan for power. Now if she were to ask Ling Qingwan to help with the debt collection, it would probably not be that easy.
At this time in Lan Garden, Ling Qingwan was sitting in the yard, reading a storybook leisurely.
The debt collector did not get an explanation and remained at the gate of Ling's mansion. With Qiao'er's vivid description, Ling Qingwan knew how lively the scene was even though she had not witnessed it with her own eyes.
Tokyo City is not a big city. If this matter is not handled well today, it will spread throughout the capital tomorrow.
By then, the Ling family’s reputation would be completely lost.
Ling Qingwan was calm and composed. She knew that the old lady came to her just to ask a question.
"Miss! Miss! The old lady is here."
Qiao'er was standing at the gate of the yard to take a walk. She saw the old lady's figure from a distance. She quickly turned around to tell Ling Qingwan, then stood behind Ling Qingwan.
The next moment, the old lady came in hurriedly.
"How come Grandma has time to come see me?"
Ling Qingwan raised her eyes, the corners of her mouth raised threateningly, and greeted the old lady.
Seeing Ling Qingwan's indifferent expression, the old lady became very angry.
"Don't you know that the door is full of people collecting debts?" The old lady questioned Ling Qingwan in a stern voice.
"I know." Ling Qingwan admitted frankly.
"Then how can you still sit still?" the old lady accused Ling Qingwan.
"What can I do if I don't sit down?" Ling Qingwan asked back.
The old lady was so funny that she couldn't help laughing.
"Grandma, it's a rare visit to Orchid Garden. I'm afraid you didn't come here just to criticize me, did you?"
Ling Qingwan went straight to the point.
In fact, she not only knew why the old lady came to see her, she had even anticipated that the old lady would come.
Therefore, when she saw the old lady, Ling Qingwan was not surprised at all.
"Since you asked, I'll be frank with you." The old lady looked up, still looking superior. "Since you have returned to the Ling Mansion and taken over the mansion, you should pay back the money that the Ling Mansion owes. The debt collectors are still harassing you at the door. You can't just ignore it and waste time like this, right?"
"It's true that I returned to the Ling Mansion, but I'm not the only one living in this mansion. I haven't spent a penny of the money you owe me, but you still want me to pay it back. This doesn't make sense, does it?" Ling Qingwan shrugged innocently.
"Besides, the power to manage the palace was originally given to you. When it was given to you, you and I both agreed, and the elders also testified. How come it's back, and only your consent is needed?"
Ling Qingwan's words were mixed with strong sarcasm.
When Madam Ling said this, she probably forgot that she was the one who forced the power to be given to Ling Qingwan. In this case, Ling Qingwan helped the old lady recall it.
"So, will you accept the power or not?" The old lady gritted her teeth and made the final bet.
Her only way out now lies entirely on Ling Qingwan.
"Answer it." Ling Qingwan answered decisively without any hesitation.
"That's it." The old lady gave Ling Qingwan a displeased look.
"But the money you owe them is signed in your own name on the documents. It was not borrowed in the name of the Ling family at all. Even if they sue the Ling family in the government, you are still the one who has to pay back the debt." Ling Qingwan blinked, looking very innocent.
"Ling Qingwan!" The old lady was so angry that she gasped. "How are you talking to me? I am your elder after all. You have been in the countryside for ten years, but that is no reason for you to disobey the rules and disrespect your elders!"
Although Old Madam Ling was aggressive, she looked like a clown in Ling Qingwan's eyes.
She stood up slowly and brushed off the fallen leaves on her clothes.
"Then how should I talk to you? You wanted to take back the household expenses, and I gave them to you. As a result, you left a lot of debts, and then you turned around and gave the power back to me. During this period, my mother and I have been staying in the general's mansion, and Lanyuan's daily expenses have never used a penny of your money. Now you are taking all your debts on me. Is this the rule you are talking about?"
"If that's the case, then I won't abide by this rule."
Ling Qingwan was firm in her attitude and did not give the old lady any room to refute.
Besides, the old lady was not in the right to begin with. Although she acted righteous in front of Ling Qingwan, she knew it very well in her heart.
If Ling Qingwan really gritted her teeth and refused to intervene, the old lady would be unable to do anything to her.
"Then what do you want in exchange for helping this matter and paying back the money?"
After a long time, the old lady finally lowered her attitude and asked Ling Qingwan.
But she was begging in her words, but on the surface she still looked very arrogant.
"That's easy. It doesn't make sense for you to ask me to give it to you for free. But if you want to borrow from me, as your granddaughter and a member of the Ling family, I would be willing to do so." Ling Qingwan took the opportunity to ask the old lady to borrow money from her.
The old lady thought she had misheard and it took her a long time to react.
"I'm your grandmother, and you want me to borrow money from you?"
"I've just explained the reason. You forced me to take charge, so I don't have to. I didn't spend a penny of the money you owed me. It's not my place to get involved in this matter. But since you're desperate and have no choice but to come to me, I'd seem cold-blooded if I didn't. Lending you the money not only helps you out of your urgent need, but I don't lose anything. It's the best of both worlds, don't you think?"
Ling Qingwan seemed to be unable to see the anger on the old lady's face. She smiled and looked very gentle.
Now the Ling family has lost its credibility in the capital, and the old lady has no other place to borrow money except from her. So no matter how unwilling the old lady is to accept Ling Qingwan's request, she has to agree.
"Lend it, I'll lend it to you." The old lady turned her head away, unwilling to look at Ling Qingwan.
"Okay." Ling Qingwan nodded with a smile.
Then she asked Qiao'er to get pen, ink, paper and inkstone.
"Please write an IOU stating when and how you will repay and what the interest rate is." Ling Qingwan explained to the old lady.
"Do I need to write a promissory note?" The old lady found it unbelievable and her eyes widened.