mtl008 Chapter 222 Pay Back the Money
Chapter 222 Pay Back the Money
"Why are we leaving the palace today?" In the carriage, Qiao Shinian looked at Wen Jiu in confusion. It was early in the morning, and she was still counting the things she wanted to take with her when Wen Jiu hurriedly pulled her out of the palace.
Wen Jiu said sternly, "Sister, don't forget, we haven't paid back Lu Ping yet. I'm afraid we won't have time to pay him back in two days, so you go pay him back today, and I'll make an appointment with the prince to start a gambling game."
"Gambling?" Qiao Shinian was puzzled. She thought about the account book that Wen Jiu gave her, and it didn't look like there was much money left.
In addition, Wen Jiu and her had discussed several important things that must be done when going to Xingzhou, which would cost a lot of money. Although Cao Jing had already established a foothold in the capital, the money she earned was just enough to cover her daily expenses in Xingzhou.
A school will definitely be built in Xingzhou, and there will definitely be more children to raise, plus educating these children will also be a considerable expense.
At that time, building a girls' school will be another considerable expense.
"Hmm~, I thought about it, this is the only way to make money quickly. After all, gamblers' money is the easiest to earn, they are generous and willing to accept defeat." Wen Jiu half-squinted his eyes, as if he had thought of something.
"We will set off in five days. We will meet at Tianxiang Tower later. I'll wait for you there." Wen Jiu added, "Sister, this time, we are really going to build our foundation. The future will definitely be good." Wen Jiu narrowed her eyes, as if she was thinking of the beautiful life in the future.
Qiao Shinian nodded, looked at Wen Jiu and asked with some concern: "What about your father..."
“Oh, we are both acting. I am playing a good son, and he is playing a man who knows nothing. He doesn’t know what I want, and he doesn’t know the purpose behind me.” Wen Jiu seemed to have unpleasant memories. “He has been looking for me to chat every day these days and to learn about the God Realm. I am about to vomit from pretending so much.”
Wen Jiu whispered in Qiao Shinian's ear: "You said I was leaving, but you didn't let me go out and have fun. You insisted on dragging me to listen to the world he couldn't touch every day. I've had enough."
The carriage moved forward slowly, and when it arrived at the general's mansion, Qiao Shinian got off the carriage with the help of Yingzhu, holding the hot water bottle.
"Who are you? No outsiders are allowed to enter the general's mansion." Before she could get close, she was stopped by the gatekeeper.
Yingzhu took two steps forward and took out the visiting card: "We are old acquaintances of the general. Earlier today, Prince Yongle sent a visiting card on our behalf. Now we have come specially to pay our respects to General Lu."
The soldier looked at the post in his hand, then said "wait a moment" and ran quickly into the mansion.
After a while, a middle-aged man walked out quickly, and the moment he saw Qiao Shinian, he immediately said respectfully: "It turns out to be Miss Qiao, I am the steward of the general's mansion.
It's such a coincidence that the general went to the city defense camp early today and has not returned yet.
If the girl has any urgent matters, it is the same to tell the lady. "
Qiao Shinian was a little surprised, but still nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble the housekeeper to lead the way and introduce me."
The general's mansion is simply decorated, with few decorations in the front hall.
As soon as she sat down, the maid came over with tea.
After waiting for about ten minutes, she saw a woman wearing a bright red dress embroidered with peony patterns coming over, holding a boy of three or four years old in the hand.
"I'm sorry, Miss Qiao, my second son was crying, so I came late." The woman nodded slightly to Qiao Shinian, her manners dignified and graceful.
Qiao Shinian quickly stood up and replied, "No, it's me who came here suddenly to disturb the madam."
"Please sit down, young lady. I wonder what important matter you want to discuss with the general? The general has been busy with military affairs recently and often does not return home until late at night." Mrs. Lu looked at Qiao Shinian calmly.
She knew that Lu Ping had liked Qiao Shinian in the past and even wanted to marry her.
It's just that Qiao Shinian was wholeheartedly following the Thirteenth Prince, so he had no choice but to let it go.
Qiao Shinian turned her head and Yingzhu took out the banknote and handed it to her.
"When I was held hostage in the Kingdom of Zhou with Prince Yongle, General Lu generously lent us two thousand one hundred and twenty taels. I returned to Beijing a few days ago and was in a hurry, so I didn't think of it and only came back late today to return it." As he said this, Qiao Shinian handed the three thousand taels of silver note to Mrs. Lu.
Mrs. Lu was stunned. She took the money and looked at it: "Miss, it's too much."
"General Lu's move is like helping someone in need, I have no way to repay you." Seeing that Madam Lu was about to decline, Qiao Shinian said, "I am sorry to bother you by coming here today. I heard that the general has two children in recent years, and I have prepared some small gifts for the children. Please don't dislike them, Madam."
Yingzhu handed her two more purses.
Mrs. Lu took it and looked at it, and was even more surprised. They were two safety locks, and judging from the workmanship, they should have been made in the palace.
She recalled what the ladies said at the party, that Qiao Shinian was definitely not just Wen Jiuren's godsister.
There was something else in the look she gave Qiao Shinian.
"Miss Qiao!"
Just as Mrs. Lu accepted the safety lock given by Qiao Shinian and was about to speak, she heard a voice of suppressed joy.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"General Lu." Qiao Shinian looked at the person who came and was a little dazed for a moment.
Lu Ping is no longer as young as he was five years ago. He has grown a beard and has become much more mature.
Mrs. Lu was still upset about their acquaintance. She asked, "Why did the general return home in such a hurry?"
Lu Ping's gaze then shifted away from Qiao Shinian and looked at the child who was pulling at his robe.
"Why is Rong'er here too?"
"He was making a fuss and insisted on coming. So I brought him to meet the guests. Fortunately, he stopped making a fuss after he came, so we avoided a joke." Mrs. Lu smiled and touched the child's head.
Qiao Shinian looked away from Lu Ping and said with a smile, "General is so lucky to have such a beautiful wife and such a lovely child."
Lu Ping seemed a little embarrassed: "Uh..., yes."
Then he asked nervously, "Girl, why are you here to find me this time..."
"Repay the money. I am very grateful to the general for his generosity." Qiao Shinian said with a smile, "Thinking back to those days, Wen Jiu and I still owe the general two lives. If the general had not intervened, Wen Jiu and I would have died at the hands of the bandits. I just saw the general and it suddenly occurred to me that such a long time has passed."
"Ah? Oh, this is what I should do." Lu Ping felt a little embarrassed at this time. He raised his eyes to look at Qiao Shinian. Qiao Shinian looked the same as before, without any change in appearance.
"Wen Jiu and I will be leaving the capital soon." Qiao Shinian felt the atmosphere was a little awkward. She looked up at Madam Lu and said, "Now that I have paid back the money, I suddenly remembered the general's life-saving grace. I don't know how to repay him."
"Don't take it to heart, young lady. It's just a small favor." Lu Ping waved his hand quickly.
Madam Lu forced a smile and said, "Since the general is back, I will take Rong'er with me first."
"Don't!" Qiao Shinian hurriedly stopped her, "Madam, please don't misunderstand me. I just looked at the general for so long because he is still different from before, so I felt a little emotional when I saw his appearance. Now that I have done my work, it is time for me to leave."
Qiao Shinian had been trying to find a topic to clear up the misunderstanding, but unexpectedly, Mrs. Lu said she was leaving. If she left, the misunderstanding would probably never be resolved.
Madam Lu was stunned. She looked up at Qiao Shinian and saw her smiling awkwardly: "What are you talking about, young lady? You and my husband are old acquaintances. How dare I misunderstand you?"
"I'm glad there's no misunderstanding!" Qiao Shinian breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm leaving Beijing soon. General Lu is the savior of Wen Jiu and me. If you misunderstood, I won't have a chance to explain."
Mrs. Lu smiled. She knew that Lu Ping still had feelings for Qiao Shinian after meeting her, but it was a pity that she still didn't like him.
After leaving the general's mansion, Qiao Shi breathed a sigh of relief.