Chapter 480

Chapter 486: Gathering (Part 2)

After returning from Gongxian Hutong, Elevenniang rested at home for a day. Starting from the fourth day of the new year, she followed Marquis Xu to make New Year's calls. First, they went to Old Marquis Sun’s residence at Hongdeng Hutong, then to Prince Shun’s mansion, followed by Princess Fucheng’s estate, Yongchang Marquis’ estate, Duke Dingguo’s estate, and Wang Li’s residence… Except for the visit to Yongchang Marquis’ estate, where the marquis pulled Marquis Xu into his study for a long conversation that lasted the entire morning, the other visits were brief—just greetings and a meal before returning home.

Next was Young Master Jin’s hundredth-day ceremony. After that, Lady Zhou, Madam Huang, Nanny Lin, and others came to pay their New Year respects. Elevenniang hosted a banquet in the inner courtyard for the ladies, while Marquis Xu entertained his colleagues, former subordinates, and friends in the outer courtyard. Those who brought their families along were received in the inner courtyard. This busy schedule continued until after the Lantern Festival, and only then did things finally settle down. The estate then began preparing the spring wardrobe.

Elevenniang and Zhenjie often discussed styles for the spring clothes, occasionally inviting Mistress Jian into the estate for consultations. Xiu Lian and Yu Mei sometimes ran back and forth between the sewing rooms four or five times a day to relay messages or summon people. Inspired by them, the main courtyard suddenly became lively, with clever maids and older women putting extra effort into their attire—embroidering patterns on collars or tying red hair ribbons… As the wind lost its chill and clothing grew lighter, the main courtyard began to buzz with leisurely prosperity.

It was during this time that Amber became pregnant.

“I was just getting worried,” Elevenniang said with a smile. “If there hadn’t been any news soon, I would’ve asked about it!”

Binju, who had brought her son Chang’an to pay respects to Elevenniang, laughed. “I thought you’d be busy during the New Year, so I didn’t come earlier. But as soon as I arrived, I heard this wonderful news.”

Elevenniang smiled and gently stroked Chang’an, who was sitting obediently on his mother’s lap eating a pastry, then instructed Qiuyu, “Ask Nanny Gu to bring Young Master Six for Binju to see.”

Binju hurriedly declined the honor, but Qiuyu, knowing Binju held a special place in Elevenniang’s heart, went to fetch Nanny Gu with a smile.

“Young Master Six is truly beautiful,” Binju praised as she carefully held him in her arms.

“When he was first born, everyone said he looked red and resembled the marquis, but I couldn’t see it,” Elevenniang said with a laugh. “Now that he’s grown a bit and his complexion has lightened, I can see he really does have quite refined features.”

Binju couldn’t help but burst into laughter—startling Young Master Jin awake.

His big round eyes opened wide, looking around curiously.

Binju quickly and skillfully tended to his needs.

“At first, he just ate and slept, and I worried whether he could see or hear properly,” Elevenniang said as Nanny Gu took Young Master Jin away to nurse. “But now, he wakes up and refuses to sleep, or only naps briefly. According to Nanny Tian, children his age should sleep at least eleven hours a day. I don’t know where he gets all this energy.”

“What matters most for a child isn’t whether they’re plump or thin, but whether they have energy,” Binju said, more experienced in such matters. “Energetic children are quick-witted and clever… Young Master Six will surely grow up very intelligent.”

As the two chatted, a young maid hurried to Auntie Wen’s quarters.

“Auntie, Auntie, Binju is here!”

Auntie Wen perked up at the news and rewarded the maid with a few coins before murmuring to herself, “First Amber gets pregnant, and now Binju comes to pay respects to the madam… Her mood must be quite good!” A determined look flashed across her brow. “There’s no better opportunity than this! Today it is!” She stood up. “Dong Hong, fetch a gold hairpin from my dressing case. We’re going to see the madam.”

Dong Hong obeyed at once.

When Auntie Wen arrived at the main house, Elevenniang and Binju were sitting—one on the heated brick bed and the other beside it—playing with Young Master Jin.

“Ah!” Auntie Wen said with a smile. “What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to see Binju, wife of Wan Daxian, here. It’s been a while—how have you been?” She then glanced at Chang’an, who was sitting beside Elevenniang. “Is this Chang’an? My, how he’s grown!” She stepped forward and took the boy’s hand. “Let me see who he resembles.” After a careful look, she smiled at Binju. “I think he looks just like you!”

“Auntie Wen!” Binju quickly stepped forward to greet her. “Everyone says he takes after me!”

“A son who resembles his mother will never want for food,” Auntie Wen said, then immediately realized her blunder—Young Master Jin resembled Marquis Xu.

She swiftly changed the subject. “I came in a hurry and didn’t expect you to be here.” She removed the gold hairpin from her hair. “As we’re still in the New Year season, take this as a gift.”

Binju was taken aback and glanced at Elevenniang for guidance.

Ever since Marquis Xu had spoken privately with Auntie Wen on the first day of the year, though he had not met with her alone again, Auntie Wen’s anxiety had only increased. Elevenniang had been keeping tabs on the situation and even sent someone to inquire about the purpose of the Second Lady’s visit to the Huang family that day. The report came back that the Second Lady had gone on the Dowager’s orders to deliver some food to Dowager Huang.

Now, at an unusual hour for a visit, Auntie Wen’s sudden appearance made Elevenniang suspect it was closely tied to the events of that day.

Elevenniang nodded slightly.

Binju smiled and accepted it, curtsying in thanks.

Lady Eleven instructed the maid to bring in a stool: "Sit down and talk!"

Lady Wen smiled and sat down, taking the tea offered by the maid, and said with a laugh, "Jin'er grows livelier every day!"

As she spoke, Jin'er kept staring at her.

Lady Eleven kissed Jin'er's cheek with a smile and handed him over to Gu Ma: "There's no wind today. Take Jin'er for a walk in the courtyard—if he sits too long, he’ll start fussing again."

Gu Ma nodded with a smile, carrying Jin'er out. Soon after, Qiuyu coaxed Chang'an out as well, leaving only Lady Eleven, Lady Wen, and Binju in the room, which suddenly felt much quieter.

Lady Eleven asked, "Lady Wen, is there something on your mind?"

Lady Wen glanced at Binju, then knelt before Lady Eleven: "My lady, I beg you to save me!"

Lady Eleven was inwardly startled and quickly helped Lady Wen up: "What’s happened? Why must you resort to this? Speak plainly!"

Binju quietly rose and exited, closing the door behind her.

Knowing Lady Eleven disliked people kneeling, Lady Wen stood up but tears streamed down her face.

"His Lordship has ordered me to sell off all my ventures by the 24th of the first month. Otherwise, he’ll do it himself." She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "I have over thirty staff who followed me from the Wen family. If the ventures are sold, who will support them? How will they make a living? How can I face them after all they’ve done for me?" Her sorrow deepened. "When I first invested in the Wen family’s business, His Lordship didn’t say a word. Later, after the Emperor ascended the throne, he said the Xu family had become relatives of the imperial house and it would harm our reputation to profit at commoners’ expense, so he told me to sever ties with the Wen family. I agreed without hesitation. But I’m still a Wen daughter—how could I cut ties completely? Besides, when we did business with the Wen family, it was only because of these staff who held the Wen stewards accountable for fair shares of the annual profits. After the split, the Wen family wouldn’t keep them. I had to start a shop of my own to support them. But now, His Lordship wants to sell even that... My lady, please speak to him for me! I won’t run the shop anymore. Let Qiu Hong’s father take it over. That way, the staff can keep working as before!"

If that’s the case, Lord Xu would indeed be in the wrong.

But would Lord Xu act so rashly?

And why, after all these years, would he suddenly forbid Lady Wen from doing business? Why raise this abruptly on New Year’s?

Lady Eleven found it strange.

After a moment’s thought, she sat beside Lady Wen: "Did you explain this to His Lordship?"

Lady Wen looked slightly uneasy and whispered, "His Lordship’s expression was forbidding, and I didn’t dare say much at the time. Later, the more I reflected, the more unjust it felt. But I feared angering him further, so I came to beg you..." Her voice trailed off.

Lady Eleven smiled gently. "His Lordship isn’t unreasonable. You might’ve voiced these worries to him directly. But since you’ve come to me, I have a few questions. I hope you’ll answer them honestly!" Without waiting for Lady Wen’s agreement, she continued, "You said you invested in the Wen family’s business. As a woman, how did that idea come about?"

Lady Wen was taken aback. "It was after I gave birth to Zhenjie. My father said, as a childless concubine lacks a dowry, I should invest in the family business. The profits would be managed by him, so I’d have a nest egg if anything happened."

Lady Eleven pressed further, "How much did you invest?"

Lady Wen hesitated. "I didn’t have much at the time—only the initial sum. Later, the family’s trade prospered, and I repaid the principal with the first year’s profits."

"And how much did you earn that year?"

Lady Wen fell silent.

Lady Eleven didn’t rush her, sipping her tea calmly.

After a long pause, Lady Wen whispered, "A million silver taels."

"A staggering amount!" Lady Eleven exclaimed. "Did His Lordship know? What did you do with the money? Was it stored or put back into trade with the Wen family?"

Lady Wen’s face clouded.

Lady Eleven said softly, "If you don’t clarify this, how can I make your case to His Lordship?"

Lady Wen took a breath. "His Lordship knew. Of the million silver taels, aside from my initial ten thousand taels, he claimed nine hundred seventy thousand taels."

A fictitious capital of ten thousand taels, yet a profit of one million taels.

Has money completely addled Lady Wen's brains!

"How many years was this business conducted?" Eleven Miss's expression turned serious. "And how much silver did the Marquis take away in total?"

Originally, it was to preserve the Marquis's dignity, but now that things have come to this, he shows no regard for her dignity at all. Moreover, since the words have already been spoken, she might as well let the lady know what happened back then!

With this thought, Lady Wen said, "The business lasted six years, and the Marquis took nearly seven million taels in total."