Chapter 118: Chapter 118 Borrowing and Lending Money
In her panic, she suddenly recalled what her sister-in-law had said about the Zhengtong Bank offering loans.
Regardless of her current condition, she immediately gave orders.
"Quick, have someone go to the Wang Family and bring my sister-in-law here, telling her that I have urgent matters to discuss. Be swift! Understood?"
"Yes! I will handle it right away, my lady."
If not for her severe injury, she would have visited personally.
After a moment’s wait, her sister-in-law from the Wang Family hurried in.
With a face full of anxiety and confusion, she gasped upon seeing Second Madam Wang.
"Sister, what happened to you? How did you get so grievously injured!"
Wang had marks of beating all over her body, face, and head.
Especially the part of her scalp that had been torn, it was horrifyingly painful to look at.
"Sister-in-law, save me."
"What exactly happened? Speak quickly."
Who would dare possess such boldness, to lay such a harsh hand on a girl from the Wang Family, the Second Madam of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, leaving the Wang Family’s sister-in-law in disbelief.
"It’s all that wretched woman from the main house!"
"Mrs. Dong?"
"It’s her! She even went as far as to beat my Nanny Wang to death!"
"What!"
The Wang Family’s sister-in-law was utterly shocked, and even the accompanying matron and maids could not believe it.
"You’ve been sisters-in-law for over twenty years, always enduring her tolerance rather than forcing her limits. What on earth happened for her to dare treat you so ruthlessly!"
Seeing her family, Mrs. Wang cried in heart-wrenching sorrow.
Thus, her words were incoherent.
Shushui, standing by, gathered the crucial points and recounted them.
Upon hearing about the thirty thousand silver coins meant to be separated for the main house, the greed on the Wang Family’s sister-in-law’s face was unmistakable.
"Why? Those things weren’t forcibly taken by you; why are you the one forced to give them up in the end!"
"Sister-in-law is right, but that wretched woman disclosed everything to Father-in-law, hence..."
"The Prime Minister knows about these matters?"
The Wang Family’s sister-in-law couldn’t help but gulp and ask.
Since she married into the Wang Family, she often witnessed her sister-in-law’s generous lifestyle.
Although somewhat envious, given that wealth seemed attached to her, she also reaped considerable benefits.
The shops deceitfully acquired from Mrs. Dong had, by some means, been transferred under her name, now numbering three.
Each year, the profits of two or three thousand taels were readily accessible.
Though not as substantial as her sister-in-law’s share, it was nevertheless supplemental income.
Now the exposure made her somewhat uneasy.
"He knows, otherwise how could he force me to return them to the main house! The wretched woman had set a trap from the very beginning, waiting twenty years for me to step into it, with every account meticulously recorded! All handed over to Father-in-law."
"And the Prime Minister..."
The Wang Family’s sister-in-law feared many things, particularly having to return what they’d taken.
This was troublesome.
To return what they’d been occupying for so many years was akin to carving flesh from the bone.
"Now, Mother-in-law helped gather ten thousand, and I have another ten thousand, but there’s still a deficit of ten thousand. Sister-in-law, what should I do?"
"Ah, your Father-in-law is truly unfair, preference to the main house shouldn’t mean draining the second house’s blood. After so many years, those are practically bad debts, how can they expect clear repayment?"
The Wang Family’s sister-in-law’s words were as good as useless.
Asking her to return the belongings was pure daydreaming.
Mrs. Wang, being ill, somehow missed the underlying meaning in her words.
So, she continued to say.
"I remember Sister-in-law mentioning that Zhengtong Bank offers loans. If I go borrow, could I receive the money today?"
Hearing she wasn’t expected to repay with her own money, a burden lifted from the heart of the Wang Family’s sister-in-law.
She promptly began advising her.
"I have a distant relative working as the shopkeeper there, I could ask him to find a way for you. However, loans require collateral, do you have enough assets to pledge for ten thousand taels at once?"
Second Madam Wang gritted her teeth; despite the heartache, she had no choice but to proceed.
Thus, she asked Shushui to bring over a wooden box.
Without a second thought, she handed it to the Wang Family’s sister-in-law.
"Sister-in-law, inside are the deeds for the farmland and shops I’ve secretly accumulated over the years, amounting to about that much money. Please hold them for me, telling them I will personally redeem them in three months."
"Three months? Do you have other means of income?"
"It’s nearly July, by the end of August or early September, won’t the family be needing to settle the autumn accounts? By then, as I’ve always done, I can figure out ways to manage."
The Wang Family’s sister-in-law nodded, acknowledging it as a decent plan.
However, she doubted the autumn accounts from the Prime Minister’s household could cover such a sum.
But then she remembered that the second house had a daughter serving as an Imperial Consort in the palace; if funds truly fell short, she would certainly find a way.
Smiling, she then agreed and said.
"Rest assured, leave this matter to me; I will make sure to deliver the silver note before nightfall."
"I am grateful, Sister-in-law!"
Then she turned to Shushui and said.
"You go, accompany Sister-in-law to handle this. Remember to cover your face for me, and when it’s time to redeem it later, you will be the one responsible."
"Understood, my lady!"
If Nanny Wang were still around, assigning it to her would be most appropriate.
But now, amid little choice, Shushui, with her two cents’ worth of cleverness, was selected.
The Wang Family’s sister-in-law led her entourage, scurrying away.
Once outside, they headed south directly to the Zhengtong Bank.
Shortly after they left, the Dong Family’s carriage also arrived.
The ones getting off were the Eldest Master Dong, Second Young Master Dong, and Second Madam Dong.
None of their expressions were pleasant.
Especially Second Young Master Dong, whose heart sank upon hearing that his nephew had been struck on the head.
Being doctors, they can heal the sick and save lives.
But they also knew many conditions were incurable.
A person, once gone, was simply gone.
Poor Lin Muzhi, only thirteen, if he truly lost his life due to this accident, it would be a tragic loss of a talented young soul.
Housekeeper Lin, standing at the entrance with an anxious demeanor, rushed to greet them upon their arrival.
"Greetings to Eldest Master Dong, Second Young Master Dong, and Second Madam Dong."
"Housekeeper Lin, time is of the essence, lead us quickly to see Mu Zhi."
"Yes, yes! This way, please."
With that, they hastily headed towards the East Cross Courtyard.
Passing by Yuxin Hall, Housekeeper Lin led them around a detour.
Though the Dong Family people would eventually learn the truth, it was best not to let them witness the devastation at Yuxin Hall now as it might spark further trouble.
Though sympathetic to the main house, he was, after all, the housekeeper of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.