"What are your thoughts?" Xiao Jin asked.
"Huanyue and I thought that the antiques in the east side room and the smaller room were quite valuable, and the list indicated their market prices..." Since Xiao Jin gave the order, Zisu had been paying close attention and had some initial ideas. She was just waiting for Xiao Jin's approval before she could take action.
To everyone's surprise, Xiao Jin shook his head.
“Antiques are valuable, but not practical!” Xiao Jin said gently. “If we are short of money for a while, we can only pawn the antiques! But that would expose us!”
"This..." Zisu lowered her head shyly, realizing that she hadn't considered things carefully!
Xiao Jin didn't blame her; her voice remained clear and gentle. "I think it's better to use gold and silver. Although they're not as valuable as antiques, they don't have any markings. If we need them urgently, we can have them melted down and recast! We won't have to worry about being discovered!"
"Yes, Miss!" Zisu and Huanyue replied in unison. Xiao Jin's composure and calmness these past few days had inspired them.
By this time, they had completely trusted all the decisions Xiao Jin had made.
Xiao Jin smiled and told them to go about their business, while she sat in a chair, lost in thought.
No matter how much money they have, it's all dead. They can only sit and wait until it's all gone... Xiao Jin frowned. What way is there to make money?
In this era, young girls like her shouldn't go out easily! Is the only way to use this money to lend it out? But without reliable help, she'd be in deep trouble if something went wrong!
"Miss, what did you say?" Zisu, who was sweeping dust nearby, heard Xiao Jin muttering to herself and asked curiously.
Xiao Jin snapped out of her daze, glanced at Zisu, and smiled, "It's nothing, I'll go check on Ye'er!"
Xiao Ye was arranged to practice calligraphy in a temporarily partitioned study, which allowed Xiao Jin to escape and talk to Zisu and Huanyue.
Huan Yue, who had been busy behind Xiao Jin, overheard a few of Xiao Jin's words. It wasn't that there was no way...
Watching Xiao Jin's departing figure, she slightly parted her lips, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Let's finish dealing with Madam's matter first, and then discuss it with Miss!
********************
When Xiao Jin entered, Xiao Ye was diligently practicing calligraphy. Xiao Jin stood quietly outside the door, without making a sound.
"Ye'er." Xiao Jin smiled and spoke only after Xiao Ye finished tracing a page.
Upon seeing his older sister enter, Xiao Ye quickly put down his pen, jumped off the chair with a joyful gait, and threw himself into his sister's arms, crying out, "Sister!"
Xiao Jin smiled and patted his head, "Ye'er, have you finished your homework today?"
"It's done!" Xiao Ye took Xiao Jin's hand and walked to the desk, pointing out the calligraphy copybook he had copied to Xiao Jin.
Although his brushwork was still lacking and the characters were loosely structured, it was clear that Xiao Ye had put his heart into it! When Xiao Jin saw him looking up at her with his small face full of expectation, her heart softened even more.
"Ye'er wrote well!" Xiao Jin didn't hold back her praise. As expected, Xiao Ye's face immediately lit up with a smile. Infected by him, Xiao Jin also smiled. Children need praise and encouragement to build their confidence! Besides, she had come to realize that Xiao Ye was timid and cowardly.
He was probably influenced by his mother and sister.
Thinking of this, Xiao Jin's smile faded. She couldn't help but sigh. Perhaps Xiao Ye was the most innocent victim!
"Sister..." Seeing that his sister looked unwell, Xiao Ye timidly reached out to tug at Xiao Jin's sleeve, his large, grape-like eyes filled with unease.
Seeing Xiao Ye's reaction, Xiao Jin cursed herself inwardly and quickly put on a smiling face again. They say children are the most sensitive; perhaps she hadn't even realized her own emotions, but Xiao Ye had already figured them out!
As expected, taking care of a child is not an easy task... Xiao Jin smiled bitterly to herself, but on the surface, she smiled and hugged Xiao Ye in her arms, sat down on the chair, and then held his little hand that was holding the pen.
"Ye'er, look, shouldn't you press your pen a little harder here..."
*****************
Qing Tong Courtyard.
"Where did such rumors come from!" Aunt Chen scoffed at Zhou Mama's words, saying disdainfully, "Would the master stay with that village woman for three years? Unless the sun rises in the west!"
“You’re right!” Zhou’s mother said with a smile. “You are the master’s most beloved bedmate, so naturally you know him best.”
Clearly, Aunt Chen was pleased with Zhou's mother's flattery; a fleeting look crossed her face, but it quickly turned grim again. "I'm afraid the person spreading this rumor has ulterior motives!"
The scholar's residence was just a three-courtyard complex. Although it was later expanded, it was still only a small area, so it wouldn't be difficult to find out about it.
The person she thought of was Aunt Xu.
But what good would doing this do for Aunt Xu?
"Alright, let's put this matter aside for now." Aunt Chen remembered something else, "...How's the thing I asked you to do?"
"Don't worry, that little girl Xiao Jin is nothing but a coward!" Madam Chen's face showed disdain. "She acted tough in front of me that day, who knows who instigated her! Several things have gone missing from the main room these past few days, and she hasn't dared to utter a sound!"
After listening to Zhou's mother's words, Aunt Chen nodded, her expression gradually calming down. She scoffed, "She's just a country bumpkin, what kind of moral character could she possibly have?"
Mrs. Zhou smiled obsequiously, "That's exactly right. Taking care of her is just a matter of you flicking your nails! It's just that Madam Lu, who serves Madam Luo, isn't exactly an easy person to deal with..."
Aunt Chen frowned, a hint of hatred flashing in her eyes. Mama Lu was a family member of a disgraced official whom Madam Luo had bought a couple of years prior. She was quite knowledgeable and utterly loyal to Madam Luo and her son.
"Have you found out exactly why she left for the countryside when Mrs. Luo was seriously ill?"
Madam Zhou nodded and said, "She found out that her daughter had been sold into a brothel and asked Madam Luo for help. You know, Madam Luo doesn't have any authority in the mansion!" As she said this, her smugness was evident on her face, and Aunt Chen also showed a smug smile.
"After all, we were mistress and servant! But in just a few days, her daughter was going to be sold for her virginity! Luo secretly gave her two antiques to pawn so that she could raise enough money for her journey."
Aunt Chen was finally relieved.
"I thought Luo had left herself a trick before she died, but I don't think she was that cunning!" Aunt Chen curled her lip, her face full of contempt. "So cowardly and stupid, no wonder Master didn't like her!"
"How many people in the world can match your wisdom and resourcefulness?" Madam Zhou flattered from the side, and said with a smile, "With the birth of the Second Master and the Third Miss, your promotion to the official position is just around the corner!"