Chapter 403: Collecting Debts

Chapter 403: Collecting Debts

"I wasn’t asking you, I was asking Cheng Qi," Lu Lingyun looked at Cheng Qi again, "Cheng Qi, do you really want to marry her?"

Cheng Qi was deeply conflicted at this moment.

It was nothing like the assertiveness he displayed with his sister.

As her elder brother, he naturally had the final say when dealing with his sister, and marrying Qin Shao Jing would not harm Cheng Hui in the slightest, so how could she interfere?

But Lu Lingyun.

He owed her too many favors and kindness.

He always had to pay extra attention to her words and think them over.

Betraying a benefactor isn’t so simple; it’s very tormenting to the heart!

He himself was reluctant!

He pondered so long that Qin Shao Jing grew impatient and was on the verge of losing her temper. Cheng Qi spoke solemnly, "Sister-in-law, I know you’ve misunderstood Shao Jing in many ways..."

"Enough, I’m not here to hear this," Lu Lingyun interrupted him.

"No, I must tell you, Shao Jing isn’t the person you think she is," Cheng Qi insisted on speaking, and he was going to give a long speech, "And we truly don’t intend to take your position. I can assure you, after I am adopted and inherit the Marquis's Mansion, it will still be dominated by your and Yunshuo’s line, and when Bingan grows up, I will give the marquisate to him! I swear it here!"

Hearing him go on like this, Lu Lingyun couldn’t help but laugh.

His lengthy explanations were merely attempts to soothe his guilt.

Moreover, he was trying to deceive everyone with his solemn vows.

But didn’t he realize? His words could only fool himself—no one else!

Even Qin Shao Jing beside him, hearing his earnest words, couldn’t hide the mockery in her eyes.

"Cheng Qi, if you insist on marrying her, then go ahead," Lu Lingyun said.

Cheng Qi could tell from her tone that she didn’t believe him at all. "Sister-in-law! We really want to help you, for the good of the Marquis's Mansion..."

"Enough, go back. I wish you well," Lu Lingyun said.

"Sister-in-law…"

Then Qin Shao Jing said lazily, "Alright, Brother Cheng Qi, let’s go."

She pulled Cheng Qi, and he let her lead him away. As they passed Lu Lingyun, he tried to speak his mind again, but meeting her cold and disappointed eyes, he clenched his fist and sighed.

Once they were gone, Shuang Hong approached her. "Young mistress, what’s the plan now? Should we leak the news?"

Lu Lingyun thought for a moment. "First, head to the General’s Mansion to collect a debt."

When Qin Shao Jing and Cheng Qi returned to the General’s Mansion, not long after, someone came to the door.

"General, the manager of Xike Lai is here to collect the debt, saying to settle the account for the things previously sent to our mansion."

Hearing this, Cheng Qi was stunned.

Qin Shaojing frowned and asked, "What account?"

"It covers all the decorations, screens, and curtains throughout the General's residence. They were all delivered from their place."

"What is this Xike Lai place? Why are all the items purchased from there?" Qin Shaojing was displeased.

Cheng Qi then spoke up, "It's my sister-in-law's shop."

Hearing that it was Lu Lingyun's shop, Qin Shaojing was first stunned, then sneered, "How petty! Charging for these things!"

In her heart, she thought Lu Lingyun only had this small way to vent her anger, which was truly laughable.

"Let them in," Cheng Qi instructed.

"Yes."

Moments later, Dong Sheng entered, holding the bill. "General Cheng, here's the invoice. Please review it."

"No need, just collect the amount from our treasury."

Dong Sheng cleared his throat, "Alright, the total comes to two thousand two hundred and fifty-three taels. Since we know each other, my boss told me to round it down to two thousand two hundred and fifty taels."

"What!" Qin Shaojing's eyes widened at the bill of over two thousand taels. "What kind of trash costs two thousand taels!"

"Madam, here's the invoice. Feel free to scrutinize it. The items delivered to you are the best from our inventory. For example, this huanghuali root-carved tea table is made from the finest Qiongzhou huanghuali, a rare and valuable wood. A piece of huanghuali as thick as your arm is priceless! Our items are all of the highest quality!" Dong Sheng said with a smile.

The items they provided were good, but not that expensive!

Market prices, selling prices, and purchase prices can all vary.

They quoted Cheng Qi at the peak market price!

Everything was quoted at the premium market rate. The total purchase price of the items initially provided to Cheng Qi was only a few hundred taels, and they could sell for just over a thousand taels.

But they overcharged him, exploiting the situation!

Remember, Lu Lingyun purchased a grand mansion in the city's east for Lu Kuan for just three thousand taels!

"Why are your items so overpriced!" Qin Shaojing checked the list. "We don't need them, take everything back!"

After she spoke, Cheng Qi said, "Proceed to the treasury and collect the silver."

"Thank you, sir! May you advance in position and prosper!" Dong Sheng said flatteringly, then left with the bill to collect the silver.

Lu Lingyun had anticipated that Cheng Qi would not have the dignity to bargain with her at this time, let alone take the items away. She seized this chance to turn a significant profit.

Her things were not for ungrateful people!

She was just collecting some interest first, making a profit from him!

After Dong Sheng went to collect the silver, Qin Shaojing, who had been taken advantage of, was furious. She was no longer the lady of the Duke's residence, and Cheng Qi didn't have much wealth! How could they afford such expenses!

Moreover, what kind of junk were these?

"Cheng Qi, you've been taken advantage of! These junks are not worth over two thousand taels!"

"Enough," Cheng Qi dismissed the matter.

Seeing him like this, Qin Shaojing was dissatisfied and snorted, "From today on, I will manage the household finances! You are not allowed to spend money recklessly!"

All these things were used to accuse Cheng Qi of reckless spending. Hearing this, Cheng Qi felt a bit annoyed, but he didn't argue at the time. He simply said, "Of course, it makes sense for you to handle the household finances."

"You're just too easygoing, so soft-hearted that people take advantage of you," Qin Shaojing continued to nag, not letting him off the hook. "That Lu Lingyun is really shameless, daring to send such shoddy items and still come to collect payment! The items are so poor and have been around for so long. I think she deliberately set up you and your sister, having long had her eyes on the money in your family's treasury!"

Listening to Qin Shaojing's incessant complaints, Cheng Qi felt extremely uncomfortable. He couldn't help but say, "Shao Jing, sister-in-law is not that kind of person. She said before that these items were gifts for us."

"She said they were gifts, yet she came to collect payment? She's truly cunning!"

"Shao Jing, it's because we did something that disappointed her..."

"Enough! You're still being tricked like this and still think she's a good person. You're really foolish and don't even realize it!"

Hearing Qin Shaojing's harsh words, Cheng Qi felt for the first time that her perfect image was starting to fall apart.