Chapter 58: The Money Exchange

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In truth, Aunt Gu was merely acting as an enforcer, so Wen Jing did not wish to make things too difficult for her. She suspected that Aunt Gu had already suffered much indignity at the hands of other young ladies.

Once the door was closed, Qingliu spoke softly, “My lady, where do you plan to get that money?”

“Come with me to the Wonton Bank,” Wen Jing replied coolly.

Qingliu was taken aback; she had not expected Wen Jing to move so swiftly to access those funds. Back when Madam entrusted them, it was meant to be Wen Jing’s dowry. If Madam Liu found out, it would be disastrous.

“I have my own method. Three thousand taels is no small sum—even if I pawned everything I own, I could not raise that much silver. Rest assured, I will make sure she repays every coin. Besides, I want to see what Mother actually left for me,” Wen Jing glanced out the window. Though she had never met Lady Wen, the stories Qingliu had told left Wen Jing deeply respectful. She was curious to see what Lady Wen had left behind that Madam Liu had coveted for so many years; it would help her plan for the future.

Qingliu nodded earnestly and helped Wen Jing change into fresh attire, covering her with a veil. As they stepped outside the garden, they saw Aunt He approaching.

“Where is Seventh Lady headed?” Aunt He asked with a forced smile.

“To the market, to buy some things,” Wen Jing replied, casting her a quick glance.

Aunt He’s foxlike eyes twitched twice. “It’s rather unsettled outside lately. Seventh Lady would do well to stay in.”

“You are right, Aunt He,” Wen Jing said, then walked away with Qingliu.

Aunt He snorted. “Putting on airs as the legitimate daughter—her future depends on the mistress of the household. She’ll suffer soon enough.”

“My lady, it seems someone is following us,” Qingliu whispered.

“Don’t turn around. Let him follow,” Wen Jing replied.

“Yes,” Qingliu murmured.

The two boarded their carriage.

“I think it’s the boy Liu from the manor,” Qingliu said to Wen Jing.

The carriage stopped in front of the silk shop. Qingliu helped Wen Jing alight, and together they entered.

“He followed us,” Qingliu whispered.

At the entrance, a man with bean-sized eyes peered inside and quickly withdrew.

“Shopkeeper, that man at the door has been following us for some time. Could you let us leave through the back?” Qingliu whispered as she picked out fabrics.

The shopkeeper cast a suspicious glance toward the door and indeed saw a man peering in. The moment the shopkeeper looked back, the man shrank away.

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“Erzi, take these ladies to get their measurements,” the shopkeeper said loudly to a clerk.

Wen Jing and Qingliu followed the clerk out the back door and boarded another carriage.

“My lady, he didn’t follow us this time,” Qingliu smiled.

“That’s good,” Wen Jing replied.

The carriage halted, and they walked a short distance before reaching the entrance of Wonton Bank.

Before them stood a shabby bank; the sign was so weathered that the words “Wonton Bank” were barely legible. Wen Jing had expected a grand establishment, but the reality was far from it.

“Are you here to deposit money?” a clerk asked.

“Fetch your manager,” Qingliu said.

The clerk hesitated, then went inside. “Manager Hu, these ladies wish to see you.”

The curtain lifted, and out came an elderly man with graying beard, wearing spectacles.

Manager Hu looked at Wen Jing and Qingliu. “Please, come in.”

“Are you Hu Yuxian, manager of Wonton Bank?”

“I am his younger brother, Hu Yuhai. My brother passed away long ago,” Hu replied.

Qingliu nodded to Wen Jing.

Wen Jing took the ivory key Qingliu had given her from around her neck and handed it to Hu.

The moment Hu saw it, tears welled in his eyes. His hands trembled as he gripped the key, and he knelt, murmuring, “After more than ten years, I have waited daily to see this key again. At last, I have lived to see it return.”

Wen Jing stared at him in surprise. Had he mistaken her for someone else?

“You...you recognize me?”

Hu shook his head. “I have never met Seventh Lady, but I will never forget your mother. Lady Chu saved my entire family years ago; I could never repay such kindness.”

“Seventh Lady, please follow me,” Hu, realizing his emotional lapse, wiped his tears.

“Thank you, Manager Hu,” Wen Jing replied.

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“You resemble your mother sevenfold, though your brows carry a hint of masculine vigor absent from Lady Chu, and less gentleness,” Hu remarked.

Wen Jing curled her lips slightly; so Manager Hu was an old acquaintance of Lady Wen.

The three entered a room lined with many large cabinets, each thick with dust and fitted with a hidden mechanism.

“Seventh Lady, all you need do is insert the key. I will wait outside,” Hu said, exiting.

Wen Jing carefully inserted the key and turned it several times, hearing the springs click within.

The cabinet opened, revealing many compartments. Though dust covered the outside, the interior was spotless.

Wen Jing drew out a compartment and found it filled with gold leaves. She opened each compartment in turn, finding either gold or jade. The last compartment was very light; Wen Jing gently pulled it out.

Inside was a stack of land deeds and promissory notes. Unlike the tangible riches, these papers were of much greater value. Wen Jing paused, realizing she had never had a concept of wealth, yet could see that all these items together amounted to a fortune. No wonder Madam Wen had coveted them for so many years. She had probably never imagined Lady Wen would hide them in such an inconspicuous bank rather than at the Wen household.

Wen Jing took some gold ingots, gold leaves, and antique items, handing them to Qingliu, then carefully locked the cabinet again.

Manager Hu locked the door once Wen Jing emerged.

“Manager Hu, why has this bank fallen into such disrepair?” Wen Jing could not help but ask.

Hu sighed, “I am not skilled at business. Losses piled up year after year, and the bank declined. If your mother hadn’t left her things here, I would have closed long ago.”

Qingliu clicked her tongue; it was fortunate they had come early. Had they delayed a few more years, the Wonton Bank might have vanished, and they’d be left with nowhere to search.

“Thank you, Manager Hu, for keeping your promise. Otherwise, my mother’s keepsakes might have fallen into evil hands,” Wen Jing said sincerely.

“It was my duty. Seventh Lady need not worry. I will see you out,” Hu summoned the clerk.

“He is my grandson, Hu Yu. You may trust him.”

Hu Yu smiled warmly and brought out a donkey cart. Wen Jing thanked Manager Hu once more, and she and Qingliu boarded the cart. (To be continued...)