Volume One, Chapter 13: The Shameless Pair

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Within the Xiao residence, the women were all thrilled by the new dye Xiao Yichen had developed. The way they looked at him had changed as well.

Those who had once considered Xiao Yichen a good-for-nothing were especially filled with remorse, resolving to treat him twice as well from then on.

They had married into the Xiao family. In life they were members of the Xiao family, and in death they would belong to it still. Their entire lives were bound to the clan.

If the Xiao family prospered, so did they; if the Xiao family suffered, so did they.

Now, the Tenth Young Master had invented a faster spinning machine and loom, and had even improved the dyes. These women could finally see a glimmer of hope. Perhaps the Xiao family might rise again after all.

Just then, Liu Jine spoke.

“Qingqing, if these two machines are to be manufactured on a large scale, how much will they cost?”

Mo Qingqing pondered for a moment.

“These new machines are rather complicated to produce, and some of the components require extreme precision. Large-scale production will require quite a number of craftsmen.”

“If they are unfamiliar with the work, the production time will be extended. Conservatively speaking, the spinning machine will cost at least eighty taels, while the loom is somewhat more complicated and will cost no less than one hundred taels.”

The women all drew in a sharp breath.

The two machines alone would cost one hundred and eighty taels?

That was no small sum. It would be enough to feed an ordinary family for more than half a year.

The women fell silent. Such a high cost was more than some of them could bear.

The Dowager Lady said, “I still have some gold and silver jewelry. Jine, take it and exchange it for money.”

“Mother, how could I? Those were all bought by Father—”

“There is no need to say more. People are living things, while objects are dead. I am old now and have no use for that jewelry. Sell it and turn it into money.”

Hearing this, Liu Jine could no longer insist.

“My jewelry is of no use to me either. Sell mine as well.”

“And mine. I have wanted to sell it for ages.”

“I have always found this jewelry a nuisance. Selling it will only make things easier.”

“…”

One woman after another offered to contribute, smiles on their faces, though reluctance still lingered in their eyes.

The jewelry had all been bought for them by their husbands. Although those men were gone, the jewelry served as a reminder of them.

Once it was sold, even that remembrance would be gone.

“You all…”

Liu Jine looked at the women, her eyes growing slightly red.

Xiao Yichen coughed. “There is no need to make this so sentimental. None of you will sell your jewelry. The Chu family still owes me one hundred thousand taels in betrothal gifts, and that should be enough. If it is not, I will find another way.”

“In any case, keep your jewelry safe. With me here, the Xiao family will not collapse.”

This time, the women did not mock him for making empty boasts.

…

Night fell.

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Outside the Han residence, two graceful figures crouched furtively against the base of the wall.

“Wanying, sneaking in like this doesn’t seem right. Perhaps we should come to pay our respects tomorrow morning.”

Su Lingxue lowered her voice, feeling that such behavior was beneath her status.

After fleeing home with her maid, she had first gone to stay at Luo Wanying’s house. When the three women had left the Xiao residence, they had agreed to return together five days later.

Today was the final day, but neither woman had heard from Han Ziyun. After sending someone to inquire, they learned that Han Ziyun had been placed under house arrest.

Luo Wanying had therefore suggested climbing over the wall that night.

Hearing Su Lingxue, she whispered, “Sister Lingxue, you ran away from home too. You should know that paying a visit to the Han residence will accomplish nothing. Go in first and ask Sister Ziyun what she wants to do.”

“If she is willing, bring her out. If not, the two of us will go to the Xiao residence ourselves.”

Su Lingxue hesitated for a moment, then finally agreed.

She drew a deep breath, leaped upward, and vaulted over the wall.

In the rear courtyard of the Han residence, Han Ziyun was still awake. She sat gazing absently at a portrait she had drawn of the Eighth Young Master, Xiao.

“Eighth Young Master…”

Han Ziyun reached out and touched the portrait, murmuring softly. Tears fell from her eyes, dampening the paper.

Just then, the door creaked open.

“Who is it?”

“Don’t be nervous. It’s me.”

“Sister Lingxue, what brings you here?”

Han Ziyun wiped away her tears, her face full of surprise.

“You broke your promise, so I came to see you.” Su Lingxue sat down.

“I didn’t want to.”

“I came to ask whether you still want to go to the Xiao residence with us. If you do, I will take you away.”

“I do.”

Han Ziyun picked up a brush and began writing on a sheet of paper. When she finished, she asked, “Can I bring Fragrant Peach with me?”

Su Lingxue nodded.

Outside the Han residence, Han Ziyun met Luo Wanying, who had been waiting for them.

The three women exchanged smiles and set off toward the Xiao residence.

…

The Chu residence.

Chu Aoshuang was locked in Fu Chenxing’s embrace, and the two of them were kissing passionately.

They did not part until they were nearly out of breath.

Chu Aoshuang’s face was flushed, her hair slightly disheveled. She glared at Fu Chenxing with feigned annoyance.

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“You’re not sleeping at this hour. Why have you come to see me?”

Fu Chenxing held her close. “Of course because I missed you, Aoshuang. Why don’t we spend the night together…”

“No.”

“We’ll be married in just a few days. Why insist on this?” Fu Chenxing frowned slightly.

Their passionate kiss had already stirred his desire, and he wanted to consummate the marriage with Chu Aoshuang immediately.

Chu Aoshuang lowered her voice. “We will consummate the marriage after the wedding. I ask that you respect me, my lord.”

Hearing this, Fu Chenxing could not bring himself to pressure her further.

“My lord, about the one hundred thousand taels in betrothal gifts…”

“Don’t worry. I have nearly gathered the full amount.”

“I knew you were capable, my lord.”

Leaning against Fu Chenxing’s chest, Chu Aoshuang finally let go of the worry weighing on her heart. Once the one hundred thousand taels were returned, the Chu family would no longer be guilty of defying the imperial decree.

A flicker of pain crossed Fu Chenxing’s face. The one hundred thousand taels had been scraped together only after his family had exhausted nearly all its savings.

“Did you know that the Xiao family’s Brocade Pavilion has closed?” Chu Aoshuang asked, lifting her head.

Fu Chenxing lightly tapped her lips with a finger and said smugly, “Of course I know. That was my doing. The dye workers from his shop are all working at your Silk Garment Workshop now, aren’t they?”

Chu Aoshuang sat upright, her face lighting up with delight.

“My lord, so it was you! I was wondering why the Xiao family’s workers had suddenly come to us. You’re wonderful. Now let’s see what those Xiao family villains can do.”

Chu Aoshuang had always been deeply resentful toward the Xiao family.

If Xiao Yichen had not come demanding money, the Chu family would still have been living comfortably. Now they had to tighten their belts.

Whenever she thought of the Xiao family, her teeth clenched with hatred.

More than anyone, she longed to see the Xiao family ruined, because then she could prove that her choice had been the right one.

With the Brocade Pavilion gone, the Xiao family had lost its source of income. Chu Aoshuang imagined them selling off their property to survive, perhaps even begging in the streets, and she could not help laughing.

But soon she remembered the one hundred thousand taels in betrothal gifts.

If the Xiao family received that money, wouldn’t their situation improve again?

No. She absolutely could not allow the Xiao family to recover.

“My lord, I have an idea. Do you think it will work?”

With that, she leaned close and whispered several words into Fu Chenxing’s ear.

When he heard her plan, delight flashed across his face. He kissed her cheek.

“Aoshuang, you truly are an invaluable wife. We’ll do exactly as you say.”

The corners of Chu Aoshuang’s delicate lips curved upward.

Xiao Yichen, you good-for-nothing. You showed me no mercy, so do not blame me for showing you none in return!