Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot Chapter 13 Someone Cares for Qianqian

Lu Lingxiao stord out of Haitang Courtyard, fuming, intent on confronting the Old Madam for answers.

But he paused, realizing that questioning his grandmother in anger over such matters would be a breach of filial piety.

Fortunately, so matters had already spread among the servants, and with a little attention, he could learn the details.

It turned out that when his grandfather was alive, he had lent out a considerable amount of usurious money. As a Military General, no one dared to default on his debts, and they had made significant profits in the earlier years.

His grandfather, emboldened by the profits, expanded the business further.

But usury was harmful, and when the Supre Emperor ascended the throne, his first decree was to outlaw usurious loans among the populace.

Many withdrew hastily at that ti, and his grandfather wanted to pull out too. However, he had already lent out too much, and his withdrawal ca too late, resulting in catastrophic losses.

To recover, his grandfather mortgaged the family estate, shops, and lands to the Money Shop, borrowing a large sum of silver to partner with others in salt transport.

But salt transport—was it sothing anyone could ddle with? Even royal relatives couldn't easily attempt such ventures.

Predictably, word leaked out.

Only in consideration of his great-grandfather's service to the Supre Emperor in aiding his rise to power did his grandfather retain his official position, escaping solely with a silver penalty.

But this rendered the Lu Family utterly buried in debt.

When Lu Lingxiao reached marriageable age, the Old Madam tried to arrange a suitable match for him in the Capital City, but upon hearing of the Lu Family's situation, no one dared send their daughters to marry into it.

It was only because the ng Family was far away in You State, unaware that the Lu Family was a hollow shell.

Thus, ng Qianqian hadn't lied—she had filled the void in the Lu Family's finances, paying off their external debts. Thanks to her dowry, the Lu Family had managed to maintain its facade of prosperity and dignity.

The servant sighed and remarked, "That's the story, Eldest Young Master. Truly, living off a wife's wealth isn't shaful; it's shaful when one eats it shalessly."

Lu Lingxiao's face hardened. "Why is your mouth so sharp today?"

The servant sheepishly fell silent.

"What's your na?"

Lu Lingxiao asked.

This man was sent by Steward Liu to serve him, but in just a few days, his nonstop chatter was driving him mad.

The servant replied, "Eldest Young Master, it's 'Shenyan.'"

Lu Lingxiao's face darkened further. "Now you're lecturing ? I asked what your na is!"

The servant replied indignantly, "It's Shenyan, sir! My na is Shenyan! Because I talk too much, and the big master gave that na to remind to watch my tongue!"

Lu Lingxiao sneered, "Well, I see this na hasn't done you much good!"

Shenyan hesitated, as though wanting to say more.

Lu Lingxiao snapped, "What is it now?"

Shenyan hesitantly replied, "Young Master, I have sothing to report."

Lu Lingxiao: "Out with it!"

Shenyan said, "The Old Madam has settled the paynt for the fabrics."

Lu Lingxiao's expression eased. "At least my great-grandmother cares for ."

Shenyan added, "They weren't bought for Miss Lin, though."

"Qianqian! Qianqian!"

ng Qianqian was calculating accounts when the Old Madam, full of energy, walked inside.

Though her mind seed muddled, under ng Qianqian's care over the years, her physical health had remarkably improved.

ng Qianqian put down her account book. "Great-Grandmother."

The Old Madam approached her and glanced at the account book in her hand. "What's this book about?"

ng Qianqian laughed softly. "It's not a storybook, it's an account ledger. I'll read you sothing new tomorrow instead."

The Old Madam nodded enthusiastically. "You better not forget!"

ng Qianqian smiled, "I won't."

The Old Madam grinned mischievously like a crafty child. "Hehehe~"

Ban Xia and Nanny Li laughed behind their sleeves, amused by the Old Madam.

The Old Madam, still grinning, said mysteriously, "Qianqian, guess what I bought for you!"

"Hmm..."

"Alright, alright, you'll never guess!"

She raised her hand grandly. "Bring it in!"

Two servants entered, arms full of shimring bolts of fabric.

Nanny Li's eyes widened in surprise. "Isn't this... Floating Light Brocade from the fabric shop?"

That was originally chosen by Miss Lin for the unborn child, though anyone could see she had picked it for herself instead.

Indeed, all of it was top-grade brocade.

Such costly material, worn, would make anyone remark that she was truly worthy of being the legitimate wife of the General of the Northern Frontier.

"Do you like it, Qianqian?"

The Old Madam tilted her head and asked.

Feeling a warmth in her heart, ng Qianqian nodded, "If it's from Great-Grandmother, Qianqian likes it all."

The Old Madam stood proudly, laughing like a mischievous old sprite. "Hohoho~"

ng Qianqian asked curiously, "Great-Grandmother, where did you get so much silver?"

Seven or eight hundred tales wasn't a small sum.

The Old Madam replied bluntly, "From my funeral fund."

ng Qianqian: "..."

Feng Courtyard.

Lu Lingxiao had dinner with Lin Wan'er.

"Apologies, Great-Grandmother bought the fabrics, I'll get you new ones next ti,"

he said to Lin Wan'er.

Lin Wan'er shook her head and signed in hand speech: Those fabrics were mostly chosen for the Eldest Young Madam; only one was truly ant for our child.

Lu Lingxiao, who had been feeling gratitude and guilt towards ng Qianqian for the years she supported the family, suddenly felt that compared to Wan'er, ng Qianqian still lacked understanding.

Sure, her financial support was comndable, but did she have to use it as leverage to act so high-handedly in the household?

Lu Lingxiao tenderly held Wan'er's hand. "You've been wronged. You always think of her, yet she only thinks of herself. If she had half your kindness, our ho wouldn't be in such discord."

Lin Wan'er signed: Eldest Young Madam is still young. General, please try to be more patient with her and do not get upset.

Lu Lingxiao furrowed his brow slightly. "I understand. I'll try my best to yield to her. You have enough trouble with pregnancy—get so rest. I've achieved significant rit this ti, and His Majesty will surely grant rewards. When they arrive, I'll take you shopping for new fabrics for both you and the child. Pick so more for yourself too."

Lin Wan'er leaned against him, tracing words on his palm softly: Serving by your side is already enough for . Wan'er asks for nothing else.

Lu Lingxiao embraced her shoulder. "Bringing you to the Capital wasn't to make you endure hardship. Except for the status of formal wife, all the affection, riches, and honor that others have, I will give to you as well."

Haitang Courtyard.

ng Qianqian spent the afternoon entertaining the Old Madam and continued working on the accounts into the evening.

The household accounts were divided into two categories: internal accounts for daily expenses and external accounts for profits and losses from estates and shops.

Judging by the accounts, none of the estates or shops turned a profit; in fact, they required substantial yearly investnts.

As for where this silver ca from—it was obvious enough.

ng Qianqian closed the ledger. "I wouldn't have thought that in just five years, most of my dowry has been spent."

Nanny Li groaned in pain. "Exactly, there's only about ten thousand tales left."

ng Qianqian pondered aloud, "These accounts are suspicious. I'll double-check them later to see what can be retrieved. But the priority now is transferring the remaining ten thousand tales sowhere safe."

This silver would be her lifeline in the future.

But how to transfer it, and where to send it?