Chapter 79: Borrowing from All the Kids Across the Capital
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Lu Yuan Xiao began his venture by first visiting the wealthiest family in the area, the Lin family. Known for their immense wealth accumulated through various successful business enterprises, the Lins had risen from mere merchant status to seeking influence in political spheres. Their current ambition was to obtain the prestigious title of Royal Merchant, aiming to enhance their social standing, though this goal had eluded them despite their persistent efforts.
Meanwhile, such worldly concerns were far from the thoughts of the Lin family’s nine-year-old son, who had just commenced his formal education. When Lu Yuan Xiao arrived, the young Lin Yanyang greeted him at the door, his attention quickly captured by the doll Lu Yuan Xiao was holding. “Last time, Li Siqi mentioned you brought your sister to the academy. So it’s true! Let me see her,” he said with youthful enthusiasm.
Nearby, Lu Chao Chao, needing funds, flashed a broad, toothy grin. “Potty Yanyang…”
“She’s absolutely delightful, Lu Yuan Xiao. Your sister is truly charming,” Lin Yanyang replied, instantly taken by the little girl’s charm.
“That’s right, she’s like me,” boasted Lu Yuan Xiao proudly.
With a playful smirk, Lin Yanyang teased, “If she were like you, she wouldn’t be this good-looking.”
The two friends shared a moment of light-hearted teasing.
“My sister wants to borrow some money to start a business. Would you be interested in joining us?” Lu Yuan Xiao asked, his smile concealing a shrewd intention.
“Do business? On our own?” Lin Yanyang was taken aback by the proposal.
“Yes, I approached you first because you’re my friend, and not merely because of your wealth,” Lu Yuan Xiao clarified with a wink.
“We make fortunewa…” Lu Chao Chao interjected enthusiastically, her hands gesturing widely.
“Your sister wants to borrow money?” Lin Yanyang repeated, his surprise clear.
Lu Chao Chao nodded earnestly. “Potty, do you have any New Year’s money saved up?”
Lin Yanyang confirmed that he indeed had savings, which he had been accumulating over the years. He led Lu Yuan Xiao inside and discreetly asked a maid to guard the door. Retrieving a large box, significantly larger than the one Lu Chao Chao possessed, he opened it to reveal numerous banknotes.
“Money!” exclaimed Lu Chao Chao, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
Blushing slightly, Lin Yanyang confessed, “My father gives me quite a lot, and although I spend a fair amount, I still have six thousand taels left. I’ll lend all of it to you, Chao Chao!” He then handed over all the notes to the little girl.
Lu Yuan Xiao quickly took the money and departed with Chao Chao. As they were leaving, they encountered Uncle Lin arriving home, visibly intoxicated.
Lin Yanyang looked distressed. “My father has been coming home drunk recently. He has spent his life as a merchant and is now desperately trying to elevate our family’s status. It hasn’t been easy. He previously failed to buy an official title, and now he’s aiming for the Royal Merchant title, which is even more challenging.”
Struggling to stand, Uncle Lin was supported by Lin Yanyang’s mother, who was in tears over her husband’s deplorable state.
“Is this Yanyang’s classmate?” Uncle Lin managed to ask, his speech slurred.
“Yes, Father. This is my classmate, the noble son of Marquis Zhongyong, Lu Yuan Xiao, and this is his sister, Lu Chao Chao,” Lin Yanyang introduced, steadying his father.
Uncle Lin burped and muttered, “The first time coming to our house.”
While speaking, Uncle Lin staggered forward and pulled money from his pocket. “New Year, Happy New Year. First time meeting, a greeting gift. This child looks very nice.” He handed the silver notes to Lu Chao Chao, then his wife helped him away.
Lin Yanyang apologized, “My father isn’t just a rich man or a nouveau riche. He’s just drunk.”
However, Lu Chao Chao was thrilled. “I really like it! Wah, Uncle Lin is so nice! Who else gives out two thousand taels in a red envelope?!” She fantasized about visiting the richest families every New Year.
Lin Yanyang smiled awkwardly; his father had accidentally given out the wrong amount. Nevertheless, he walked Lu Yuan Xiao and his sister to the door as Lu Chao Chao clung to the doorframe, taking a deep sniff.
“What’s wrong?” her elder brother asked.
Clutching the doorframe for support, she inhaled deeply and declared, “The aura of wealth.”
Lin Yanyang chuckled as he watched them leave.
After they had gone, he sighed deeply.
“Royal Merchant, oh Royal Merchant, why can’t a noble help the Lin family once to attain that status?”
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan Xiao, carrying Chao Chao, visited several other distinguished families. They managed to borrow sums of money from the children of prominent families, including 2,630 taels from eight-year-old Li Siqi at the Protectorate Duke’s Mansion, 560 taels from a three-year-old at the Ministry of Rites Fang’s residence, and various other amounts from children at several high-ranking households.
With their collection now significantly heavier, Yuhua and Yuqin recorded several pages in their ledger.
“How much money now?” Lu Yuan Xiao asked, his expression weary from the day’s efforts.
They had successfully borrowed all the New Year’s money from the children of the entire capital!
Maid Yuqin, the eldest of the twin sisters, gulped hard before replying, “22,368 taels and eight copper coins.”
The largest contribution, 8,000 taels, had come from the Lin family.
Lu Yuan Xiao was stunned, instinctively covering his behind.
“Little Sister, when are we going to start the business?” he asked anxiously, fearing the consequences if their plan failed.
Lu Chao Chao handed all the silver notes to Yuqin: “Big Uncle, have Big Uncle, buy!” she whispered in Yuqin’s ear.
Yuqin, initially stunned, then nodded firmly.
“What are we buying? What exactly are we buying??” Lu Yuan Xiao asked, filled with curiosity.
[Hehe, Third Brother will know soon. I’ll definitely earn more than Second Brother…] Lu Chao Chao grinned mischievously.
That evening, back at the marquis’s mansion.
“Where have you two been all day? Not coming home all day, running around with your little sister. Look how tired Chao Chao is, she can’t even keep her eyes open,” Madam Xu chided.
Lu Yuan Xiao, nervously clutching his behind, refrained from speaking the full truth.
“Just, just walked around with some friends and went to their homes for New Year’s visits,” he stammered.
Of course, he couldn’t bring himself to admit that they had swindled some of their New Year’s money. If he did, he was certain his behind would suffer an endless barrage of spankings.
In reality, Lu Yuan Xiao needn’t have worried about any retribution aimed at his behind, as all the negative attention was instead converging on his father!
The next day, Lu Yuan Ze had spent a restless night trying to calm his nerves. By morning, he was just about managing to stabilize his emotions when he walked into the palace, ready to attend the court meeting alongside his colleagues. However, as soon as he entered the throne room, impeachment documents were thrust at him!
In the grand hall, those elderly founding officials of the kingdom, who typically remained distant from national affairs due to their age, collectively rose to impeach him! The unexpected confrontation completely unnerved him.
“Your Majesty, you must stand up for us! Marquis Zhongyong’s daughter has swindled all my grandson’s New Year’s money!”
“Your Majesty, Marquis Zhongyong’s daughter swindled New Year’s money!”
“Your Majesty, Marquis Zhongyong’s daughter swindled my grandson’s eight copper coins.”
“Your Majesty, Marquis Zhongyong has gone too far!!”
“And my granddaughter’s 800 taels.”
“And my…”
“And my…”
The entire court was on their knees, half of them claiming to be victims.
Lu Yuan Ze stood there, dumbfounded.
Who?
My one-year-old daughter swindled your family’s children’s New Year’s money??!
As he looked around at his colleagues prostrating themselves, Lu Yuan Ze felt his scalp prickle with disbelief.
Grinding his teeth, he wondered: Just how much did she borrow?!
Bruh
OMG xD