Chapter 708: Chapter 670: Stepping In to Right a Wrong (Part 1)

The couple quarreled for a long time, and finally, Second Lang’s wife suggested that instead of investing in the Xie Family’s shares, it would be better to invest in Wen Wan’s fabric shop, which, although it started later than the Xie Family’s restaurant, has considerable profits.

After discussions, the family finished breakfast and started packing their things. Song Erlang went out to hire a carriage.

Their home was simple, with not many items, and since Wen Wan had sent a message saying that there were already furnishings at the other place, they only needed to bring the essentials.

Therefore, they didn’t have to transport goods, just each carrying a bundle on their shoulders, with Song Qi holding Song Duobao. The family of four headed to the Song Mansion.

Wen Wan was in the Warm Pavilion with Yun Cai and the others discussing the arrangements for Song Jiao’s wedding feast, when the gatekeeper woman reported that the second master’s family had arrived.

Wen Wan acknowledged with a slight nod and was about to send someone to greet them when Second Lang’s wife pushed through the curtain, her face flushed from the early spring cold wind, followed by Song Qi and Song Duobao, the siblings.

This was the inner courtyard, so Song Erlang couldn’t conveniently enter and was taken to the old master’s side.

Wen Wan greeted them with a smile, "Second Sister-in-law, Qi Qi, Duobao, please come and sit down."

Second Lang’s wife smiled awkwardly and led her children to sit on the warm kang.

Linglong brought over a tea tray with steaming hot tea. Song Jiao quickly got up to help her place it on the kang table near Second Lang’s wife.

Having not seen each other for a while, Song Jiao’s skin had become even fairer, with rosy cheeks and calm eyes, her every move exuding the demeanor and etiquette of a lady from a prominent family. Second Lang’s wife couldn’t help but sigh, "Third Sister-in-law is really capable. I remember when our Da Ya was dark and ugly, and the red on her cheeks didn’t wash away all year round. Living by your side for just a few years, she’s turned into a young miss. If this were on the street, someone might mistake me for one of her old nursemaids."

Just after saying this, Song Jiao and Song Qi couldn’t help but laugh, and the other maids in the room laughed even more heartily.

Wen Wan was a bit speechless, "Even if you want to compliment me, Second Sister-in-law, you don’t have to ruin your daughter’s reputation, right? What do you mean dark and ugly, Jiaojiao’s features are quite regular. If she didn’t have that foundation, she wouldn’t look so good even if she lived by my side for dozens of years."

Wen Wan rarely praised people, so when Second Lang’s wife heard this, she felt immensely proud, straightening her back even more.

Wen Wan asked, "Where’s Second Brother?"

"He went directly to Rong’an Hall," Second Lang’s wife replied, "I thought I should come to check on you first, so I came to Qingteng Residence. Also, I have something to ask you."

"What’s the matter?"

Second Lang’s wife hesitated for a long time before saying, "The Ning Family’s residence, it must have cost quite a bit?"

Wen Wan didn’t mention the amount, afraid to scare Second Lang’s wife, only saying, "Why did you think to ask this?"

"I was thinking, we don’t have a regular income, and when it comes to buying a residence, we really can’t spare extra money to support you. We can only try not to be a burden to you, so... I wanted to ask you, how much silver should our family’s monthly expenses contribute to the public fund?"

Wen Wan was stunned, not expecting Second Lang’s wife to open with this.

Actually, last night she was also struggling with whether to let Second House share meals here or set an amount for them to contribute monthly to the public fund.

If she let them share meals, the Song Mansion could certainly afford a few idle people, but she was afraid of spoiling Second House, like how they were spoiled back in the village, resulting in them always having the upper hand. Now that they had been set right, she couldn’t just watch them go astray again.

But if they were to contribute to the public fund, how they did it would be a problem.

After thinking it over, Wen Wan said, "Let’s do it this way. You stay for a month first, and I will re-calculate the various expenses, and then give you an amount."

Second Lang’s wife breathed a sigh of relief and then said, "There’s something else."

"Go ahead."

"Didn’t Sister-in-law have a fabric shop? We still have some savings in hand. Can we invest in your shop for some shares and get some dividends at the end of the year?"

Wen Wan asked, "How much to invest?"

Second Lang’s wife said, "O-one hundred taels."

One hundred taels was not a small amount, but in fact, Wen Wan didn’t lack this turnover fund. However, since Second House had brought it up, directly refusing seemed a bit unkind, so she responded, "Alright, I’ll calculate your share at that time, and you’ll receive every bit of your dividends at the end of the year without a single coin missing."

Hearing this, Wen Wan somewhat guessed that their family was short on money and said, "I do have something I would like to ask of Second Sister-in-law."

Upon hearing that Wen Wan had a request, Second Lang’s wife sat up straighter, "Third Sister-in-law, just say the word. If I can help, I will."

Wen Wan said, "We have several manors, and two years ago, there was a drought, resulting in poor harvests. I discussed with Third Son to halve the rent, but unexpectedly, our good intentions bred a pack of ingrates. The following year, all the other manors paid the rent and end-of-year tributes in full, except for one, which refused and only paid half. I’m young, and facing a group of fierce peasant women, I can’t hit or scold them, so I thought that perhaps only Second Sister-in-law’s eloquence could handle them. If you can help me collect the arrears of two years’ rent from that manor, the manor will be yours in the future."

"Really?" Second Lang’s wife was full of excitement.

"Of course."

Second Lang’s wife was overjoyed, expressing her gratitude profusely.

Wen Wan didn’t know how she did it, but within a few days, the two years of rent arrears from Little Li Village were all collected to the exact coin.

Wen Wan accepted the silver and, in surprise, honored her promise by transferring Little Li Village under Song Erlang’s name.

——

With Song Jiao’s wedding approaching, the Song Mansion began preparations. The wedding dress sent by the embroidery workshop didn’t quite fit, so Wen Wan accompanied Song Jiao to get it altered. Just as the two arrived outside the workshop, they encountered a disheveled little beggar. The beggar rushed out from the street and took advantage of Wen Wan’s inattention to grab her waist pouch.

Just as the hand stretched out, it was caught firmly by an arm that suddenly appeared.

"Where did this young scoundrel come from, daring to commit such theft in broad daylight? Are you tired of living?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Wan turned, only to see a 30-something woman, dressed in a neat and tight dark purple riding outfit. She didn’t wear makeup, but her skin was firm, without sagging, and her eyes had no fine lines. She possessed a pair of beautiful phoenix eyes, looking heroic. At that moment, she had a mocking smile on her lips, showing a freedom and boldness rare for ordinary women.

Wen Wan looked at her, momentarily lost in thought.

The woman had a strong grip, and the little beggar couldn’t take it, crying out in pain, "Madam, please be merciful. Spare me just this once. I won’t dare again."

The woman sneered, "Looking at you, you seem like a repeat offender. Without sending you to the officials to be beaten, you won’t know repentance."

Hearing the mention of the officials, the little beggar turned pale, his teeth chattering, "I’m only here because my old mother is seriously ill, and I’ve been seeking treatment and medicine everywhere, but without money, I can’t afford it. No one is willing to help me, so I’ve resorted to thievery. But I haven’t taken anything just now."

This reasoning seemed very familiar to Wen Wan, and with just a brief thought, she remembered having heard it before, involving a story between Ah Gui at their mansion and Xu Jia.

At the time, Ah Gui had stolen the most valuable Blood Jade Pendant from Xu Jia. However, that kid Ah Gui was somewhat conscientious and, after many years, still held onto the pendant, intending to return it to the original owner.

But regarding this little beggar’s story, Wen Wan didn’t know if it was true.

The crowd was getting larger, and some began pointing at Wen Wan and the purple-clad woman, saying, "Look at your attire, you must come from a wealthy family. That child is so pitiful. Why not just give him a few pieces of silver to get his mother some treatment?"

"Exactly, since you are so well-off, what harm is there in using a little money to help his sick mother?"

The woman sneered, "I didn’t know that stealing someone else’s money could be so justifiable. If you all are so kind-hearted, why not dip into your own pockets to help him out, so his mother’s illness can be treated?"