readytorunbook Chapter 385 The Gambling House People Come to the Door
Chapter 385 The Gambling House People Come to the Door
Wen Zijing shook her head slightly, "Yes, if it weren't for Miss Bai and Miss Xia Chan, Zijing..."
The rest was left unsaid, but everyone knew that if He Lingfei succeeded that day, it would be the end for them.
"Young Master Wen has already become a scholar at such a young age; Qingyu is truly impressed."
Bai Qingyu changed the subject and sat closer to him. At that moment, his personal servant brought over the things.
"Young Master Wen, this is a set of four treasures that my elder brother acquired by chance while traveling; it's a fine item."
"It's just an ornament here; it would be most suitable to give it to Young Master Wen."
He took the things from the servant's hands and then presented them to Wen Zijin with both hands.
How could Wen Zijin accept gifts from the host after visiting their home?
Just as he shook his head and was about to speak, Bai Qingyu stood up and stuffed the things into his arms.
"Young Master Wen, there's no need to be so polite. It's a gift, so be it."
Wen Zijin was speechless, and Bai Qinghuan also tried to persuade him to accept it.
"Then I'd rather obey than be respectful."
Wen Zijin smiled slightly and hugged the things to her chest with great care.
Aside from Yan Che, this was the first time anyone had given him something since he came to the prefectural city.
The group chatted happily, but since Wu Yazi was going to test Wen Zijin after watching the play, he didn't stay any longer.
Bai Qingyu was a little reluctant to leave even though he couldn't get a meal, and watched Wen Zijin's carriage drive far away.
"Sister, this Young Master Wen is really something."
"He is humble, approachable, and far better than other scholars who constantly spout classical phrases."
"Well-educated and good-looking..."
He was boasting to himself, still clutching the gift Wen Zijin had given him in return.
Bai Qinghuan also gained a new understanding of Wen Zijin, and thought to herself that it was fortunate that she and Xia Chan had returned to the inn that day.
Such a talented person is bound to achieve great things in the future, and it seems that He Lingfei also recognized this.
In short, from all perspectives, she can't possibly suffer a loss.
Wen Luozhi had already arranged accommodations for the master and apprentice, and had also hired several people to be in charge of security.
She also happened to meet a young page who knew martial arts, and spent some money to fire his employer and bring him back.
Don't underestimate him just because he's small; his kung fu skills are amazing, and he can easily handle two or three people.
At this moment, Jue Ming was quietly sitting next to Wen Zi Jin, listening attentively to the master and disciple discussing their studies.
Wen Zijin, worried that he might get bored, even gave him a notebook to flip through.
While Wen Zijin was answering questions, he would quietly read outside. Wu Yazi would even give him some pointers, all of which he never expected.
Before, when he served as a page to those rich young masters, he only helped them grind ink and collect paper. It was impossible for him to need their guidance if he wanted to read books.
"Cassia tora"
Wen Luozhi called out softly from a short distance away and then waved to him.
Jue Ming tiptoed over, afraid of disturbing Wen Zijin inside.
"Does Miss need to see Jue Ming about something?"
Jue Ming stood next to Wen Luozhi with a stern face, only a head shorter than her.
Wen Luozhi placed a simple money bag into his hand and whispered, "This is your first month's wages. I heard your mother still needs medicine, so use it first."
Jue Ming stared at her in astonishment, clearly not knowing how she knew.
Two years ago, his mother started to fall ill, so he had no choice but to stop studying and become a pageboy for others, otherwise he wouldn't know where the money for medicine would come from.
But that's just a drop in the bucket. To put it bluntly, how much money can you make doing odd jobs for those scholars?
He also had to go to the bookstore to copy books whenever he had free time in order to barely afford the medicine.
His mother's condition worsened a couple of days ago, and he had already spent all the money he had saved. He was still wondering what to do.
He pursed his lips, and Wen Luozhi patted his shoulder. "You should go home first today and take your mother to see a doctor."
After she finished speaking and turned around, she seemed to remember something and turned back, pointing towards the study with a smile, saying, "You can read any of the books in the study. If you don't understand something, just ask; no one will scold you."
In the past, Wen Zijin would bury herself in her books, but now that there's another person around, she can talk to them when she's bored, and the two of them can also discuss academic matters. It seems like it's not bad.
Jue Ming bowed respectfully and saw her off. After she left, he opened the money bag and was taken aback when he saw the silver inside.
This is far more than a month's worth of money; just looking at it, you can tell it's much more.
Wen Luozhi also prepared a room for him to rest. After entering the room, he took out paper and ink and carefully wrote down how much extra silver he had, thinking that he would deduct it from his monthly salary in the future.
The He family's courtyard had been ransacked by debt collectors from the gambling den.
Two men held He's head down on the table, while the gambling den owner pulled out one of his hands and moved a kitchen knife across the back of his hand.
"Old He! I kindly lent you money, why don't you intend to pay it back?"
"If you don't return my four hundred taels of silver, I'll have no choice but to cut off your hands and feet."
The cold touch made He's father shiver, but he still managed to say through trembling lips, "Sir, I... I only owe you two hundred taels. You must have a bad memory."
The gambling den owner raised an eyebrow and immediately slapped the man's face with a cleaver:
"It's clearly written on this IOU that the debt will double for every day of delay. You must have seen it."
With a wave of his hand, someone immediately brought over the IOU and read it to them.
Mother He's face turned green. She wrapped He Lingfei up tightly and shielded her behind her, saying, "You have no regard for the law! I'm going to report you to the authorities!"
As soon as she said that, the casino owner burst into laughter:
"You dare to go to the authorities and sue me? Did your little girl pay back the money when she tried to seduce that young scholar? I really don't believe it."
He slammed the kitchen knife down on the table, scaring Mr. He so much that he almost wet his pants.
"I'll sit here and wait for you to go and call the officials."
"It's all written down in black and white, so if you try to renege on your debt, you'll have to pay me back even more."
The gambling den owner sat cross-legged on the chair that was less badly damaged, with his underlings serving him tea and water, acting like a complete lord.
Furious and helpless, Mother He was told by the gambling den owner, who pointed to He Lingfei behind her, "If you can't pay back the money and refuse to chop off your hands and feet, that's fine too."
"Give me your little girl. I'll send her to the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion to make some money after I'm done playing with her."
"I'll come back when I've earned enough money."
Upon hearing this, Father He struggled violently, "No, sir! Absolutely not! We'll return the money, please give us a few more days!"
He Lingfei trembled under the covers, and her mother leaned in to shield her completely, gently patting the blanket to comfort her.
"The money will be sent to you tomorrow."
She said coldly, and the gambling den owner raised an eyebrow and waved to his henchmen, "Let's go."
As he reached the door, he turned back, grinning smugly, "If you don't pay it back tomorrow, it'll be eight hundred taels!"
He pointed behind He's mother, and he didn't need to say anything more about what he meant.
After everyone left, He Lingfei crawled out from under the covers, her teeth chattering as she spoke, "Mother, are you going to sell the yard? Where will we live if we sell it?"
Mr. He came over, wanting to ask as well, but Mrs. He looked so unwell that he didn't dare to say a word and could only silently listen from the corner.