Chapter Fifty-Six: Collecting a Debt

Wen Jing glanced around her room. Judging by its elegance, much thought had once gone into its decoration. Madam Liu had always placed her high upon a pedestal, indulging her excessively since childhood. On the surface, it seemed she treated her with utmost affection, yet in truth, it was as though she wielded a gentle knife, slowly destroying the legitimate daughter of the Wen family. It was precisely because Wen Qiran saw how kindly she treated Wen Qiniang, and because she had borne him a son, Wen Shilang, that he elevated her to the position of principal wife. Otherwise, with Liu’s birth and family background, she would never have become the legitimate wife. At the time, she had even suffered much obstruction from Lady Wen’s natal family, the Chu clan, but Wen Qiran insisted time and again, and with Wen Qiniang speaking on Liu's behalf, the Chus finally relented.

The next morning, Wen Jing led Qingliu to pay her respects to Lady Wen.

“Oh? Qiniang is also coming to greet Mother today?” Fifth Miss Wen remarked with some surprise upon seeing Wen Jing.

“In the past, Mother excused me because of my poor health. Now that I’m recovering, I mustn’t neglect these proper courtesies,” Wen Jing replied with a gentle smile, though inwardly she thought that these ancient customs were truly troublesome—having to pay respects every morning left no chance for a lazy sleep.

“That’s true,” Fifth Miss Wen replied with a smile.

As they entered, they found Third Miss and Ninth Miss already waiting, and soon Eighth Miss hurried in as well.

The three of them saluted in unison. “Greetings to Mother.”

Lady Wen put down her bowl and smiled. “Sit, all of you.”

“Ninth Sister, that jade hairpin entwined with gold in your hair is truly lovely,” Fifth Miss Wen remarked, gazing at Ninth Miss Wen.

Ninth Miss Wen blushed shyly. “If you like it, Fifth Sister, I’ll give it to you.”

Fifth Miss Wen glanced at Lady Wen and smiled. “How could I accept? You’ve already given me many fine ornaments before.”

Wen Jing examined the hairpin. “The craftsmanship is exquisite. Did you buy it from one of the capital’s goldsmiths?”

Ninth Miss Wen replied, “No, it wasn’t bought in a gold shop. It was part of my mother’s dowry—a relic from the previous dynasty, I’m told.”

Lady Wen shot Ninth Miss a warning look, but Ninth Miss, pleased with herself, was oblivious.

“No wonder it’s so unique,” Wen Jing said with a slight curl of her lips. Behind her, Qingliu let out a barely perceptible snort.

“Your mother’s family is truly generous,” Fifth Miss Wen added.

Lady Wen breathed a sigh of relief. That hairpin had been forced upon her by Ninth Miss the previous night, and she hadn’t expected her to wear it so soon.

Suddenly, Nanny He entered and whispered urgently in Lady Wen’s ear, causing her expression to change dramatically.

“Outrageous!” Lady Wen slammed her teacup down on the table.

“Mother, what has happened?” Ninth Miss Wen hurried forward, alarmed by Lady Wen’s fury.

“Bring him in! I’ll confront him myself. I refuse to believe such a thing could happen in our household!” Lady Wen declared in a cold rage.

Nanny He answered and soon returned, bringing with her an elderly man dressed as a merchant.

“Lady Wen,” the old man greeted.

“Manager Xu, what urgent business brings you to my residence so early?” Lady Wen asked.

The old man looked distressed. “I’ve come only with the greatest reluctance, madam.”

“Speak freely, Manager Xu,” Lady Wen said, her lips curling into a faint smile.

Wen Jing took in his familiar face, etched with genuine worry and deeply furrowed with age—not the look of a man pretending.

Manager Xu produced a bundle of documents. “Lady Wen, these are promissory notes owed by your house to my shop. Please have a look.”

Nanny He took the documents and handed them to Lady Wen.

Lady Wen glanced through them, her face growing darker with each line.

“These notes are clearly fabricated. How could a young lady of our family do such a thing, bringing shame upon us? I’ll let it pass today, but if you come again to swindle us, I’ll have my husband bring charges against you.”

“Injustice, madam! Please look closely at the signatures and seals—they can’t be forged. Besides, Seventh Miss is here; I can confront her directly,” Manager Xu pleaded.

Wen Jing was taken aback. Were these all signed by her?

The other young ladies glanced at Wen Jing as well, disbelief in their eyes—except for Ninth Miss, who looked away.

“Qiniang, come here and see if these promissory notes were signed by you,” Lady Wen said.

“Yes, Mother,” Wen Jing replied and stepped forward to take the dozen or so notes. As expected, they were all signed and sealed by “Wen Qiniang.” Together, they amounted to several thousand taels, mostly for jewelry. Yet Wen Jing had few such ornaments herself. The notes listed things like phoenix hairpins and bracelets, none of which she had ever seen. Where had they gone?

Qingliu, sharp-eyed, tugged discreetly at Wen Jing’s sleeve. Wen Jing glanced at Ninth Miss and suddenly recalled that Ninth Miss had asked her for many pieces of jewelry in the past. So it was for these that the debts had been incurred. Well played, Ninth Miss—acquiring her own jewelry and leaving Wen Jing to pay the bills.

“They were indeed signed by me,” Wen Jing admitted truthfully.

A look of astonishment crossed Lady Wen’s face. “What? Qiniang, is your monthly allowance really not enough? It’s my fault, I should have given you more. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have had to do such a thing. If your mother knew of this in the afterlife, she would surely blame me for not taking proper care of you.”

She broke off, choking with emotion. Wen Jing seethed inwardly—this old woman always used her mother as a shield. How shameless, blaming her for a crime that was clearly her own daughter’s doing.

“Manager Xu, be at ease. The amount owed will be repaid in full tomorrow, not a single coin less,” Wen Jing said, turning to him.

Manager Xu’s face lit up with relief. “Thank you, Seventh Miss. I meant no trouble, but my shop is running at a loss and cannot go on. That’s why I had to come and ask for repayment.”

Lady Wen and Ninth Miss exchanged a glance—so much silver, to be paid tomorrow!

“Manager Xu, do you recognize the craftsmanship of this jade and gold hairpin?” Wen Jing suddenly asked, pointing to the antique hairpin Ninth Miss had worn.

Ninth Miss removed the hairpin and placed it in Wen Jing’s hand. Manager Xu took it and examined it closely.

“I saw this very piece once, long ago, when I was an apprentice at Xiangfu Gold Shop. It was the shop’s treasure,” he said, eyes shining with admiration.

Lady Wen’s face showed a trace of anxiety. Ninth Miss, delighted that the piece was recognized, looked smug.

“But if my memory serves, this was purchased by your mother, Madam Chu, when she was about fifteen or sixteen. Our manager said no one suited it better than she did, so—”

“Enough! Nanny He, see Manager Xu out,” Lady Wen interrupted, trembling as she rose and turned to leave the room.

Manager Xu, bewildered at his mistake, hurried after Nanny He.

Ninth Miss’s face burned with embarrassment. She had no idea the hairpin had originally belonged to Lady Wen; now she had made a complete fool of herself.

Wen Jing’s lips curled in amusement. If you’re going to be a thief, you’d best hide the spoils well.

(To be continued...)