This scholar is a bit cruel

Chapter 233: Make you bankrupt!

That night, the wind was cold and windy.

There were people patrolling inside and outside the Lai's Winery, especially in front of and behind the wine warehouse, where warriors were personally guarding it, making it difficult for mosquitoes to get in.

Lai Qinglai, the owner of the winery, is also staying in a house inside the winery tonight.

Tomorrow is the day to deliver wine.

Because of the last incident, the winery still owed some debts. In order to brew this new batch of wine, he even mortgaged the winery, so naturally he couldn't make any more mistakes.

He even tasted the new wine himself until nightfall.

Lai Da also sent someone to take a jar back to taste it himself, fearing that there would be problems again.

But fortunately, everything went well.

As long as we can sell the new wine in the warehouse in the next few days to restore some of our reputation, we can wait until the New Year to have another big sale. By then, we can not only pay off our debts, but also make some extra money.

"Once the winery's business gets back on track, I'll sell it off at a high price and then go to Lin County..."

Lai Da came over yesterday and told him about this again.

They had been working on dealing with this winery some time ago, but who knew something like that would happen suddenly. If they were in a hurry to sell it now, they probably wouldn't get a good price, and it might even be insolvent. So Lai Da decided to sell two more batches first, make some money during the New Year, restore the winery's reputation, and then resell it.

"I don't know why uncle is in such a hurry to leave. Isn't it good here? With the Jia family's protection, Lin'an City is prosperous and money can be made easily. Isn't it better than Lin County?"

Lai Qinglai was drinking in the room, feeling confused and puzzled.

An old man sitting opposite said with a smile: "Qinglai, your uncle must see things further than you do. Just do as he says."

Lai Qinglai whispered, "Uncle Song, is the Jia family in trouble?"

The old man quickly said seriously: "Don't talk nonsense!"

Lai Qinglai smiled and said, "I am not talking nonsense. Everyone is saying that after the king left, Concubine Jia is not having an easy time in the palace. I heard that the queen has killed many people in the past few months, and many officials have been demoted and had their property confiscated... The two princes who were on good terms with the Jia family were also stripped of their titles, and the Xue family, who were closely related to the Jia family, were also disqualified from being imperial merchants... The historians were also reprimanded and punished..."

"Everyone is saying that the queen is now taking action against the four major families..."

The old man remained silent, picked up the wine glass, and drank it all. After a while, he looked at him and said, "These things have nothing to do with you and me, so don't talk about them in the future. Listen to your uncle, deal with these properties as soon as possible, and leave this place of trouble as soon as possible. Shang Rong is in Lin County, and that's where we belong."

Lai Qinglai said, "But Brother Rong is just a small county official there, how can he compare with the Jia family?"

The old man smiled faintly and said, "The county magistrate of a small county can sometimes be stronger than the big officials in Kyoto. Moreover, Shang Rong is there, he is more than just a small county magistrate, there are other powerful forces there, you will know when you go there."

While the two were talking, the barking of two big black dogs was suddenly heard outside.

The two of them looked stunned and immediately went out to check.

At this time, the guards standing guard in the corridor also tightened their knives at their waists and looked towards the yard vigilantly.

"what happened?"

Lai Qinglai asked.

A guard said respectfully: "It's just a wild cat. It just jumped onto the wall and has been driven away."

Lai Qing looked up at the courtyard wall and warned sternly, "Don't let anything in. Be careful tonight and don't make any mistakes!"

The guards agreed in unison.

Lai Qinglai looked around again before returning to the house with the old man.

At this moment, on the house above their heads, a shadow was driving a lot of powder, quietly drilling into it through the cracks in the tiles...

The night is cold and the north wind is howling.

If someone enters the wine warehouse and takes a closer look at this time, they will suddenly see a strange scene.

A thin silver needle was spinning on its own and piercing into the wax seal on top of a wine barrel. Then, some white powder quietly penetrated into the wine barrel.

Of course, the room was pitch black, so even if someone came in, they wouldn’t be able to see them without turning on a light or looking carefully.

One night passed quietly.

At daybreak, many carriages had already stopped at the gate of the winery.

Lai Qinglai took the key and opened the wine warehouse himself, then led people to move the wine.

As the sun rose, many horse-drawn carriages loaded with barrels of wine drove to various places in Lin'an City.

At night, every restaurant, brothel, and mansion opened the new wine and began to taste it themselves or to entertain guests.

That night, Luo Zijun did not go underground to practice, but had a good sleep at home.

After dawn.

He had breakfast, called Miss Bai San, and went to the Jia Mansion together.

After getting on the carriage, Bai Qingtong joked, "I haven't seen Sister Lin for a few days. Are you starting to miss her? A few days ago, she came to the lake to row a boat, and I couldn't take my eyes off her."

Luo Zijun said: "I saw them all, not just her."

Two days ago, Jia Tanchun brought several girls from the Jia family to play, and he was invited to go boating in the lake. He just whispered a few words with Lin Daiyu, and everyone teased and joked with him.

Bai Qingtong snorted, "Then tell me, brother-in-law, what did you secretly say to Miss Lin that day without our knowledge?"

Luo Zijun said, "I just asked a few questions about her recent situation and some things in the Jia Mansion."

Bai Qingtong looked unconvinced: "Why don't you ask Tanchun, Xichun, and Xiangyun?"

Luo Zijun explained, "The last time I went to Chu Jian's place, I heard Yingchun say that Miss Lin had been in poor health recently and often coughed up blood, so I showed some concern that day, gave her a prescription, and told her some things."

Hua'er at the side said with a smile: "If this is true, the son-in-law should explain openly, why did he do it behind others' back?"

Luo Zijun looked at her and said, "The prescription must not be known to others."

When Hua'er wanted to say something else, Bai Qingtong said quickly, "So that's how it is. It seems I misunderstood my brother-in-law."

Then he smiled and said, "I thought that my brother-in-law had other thoughts because Sister Lin was beautiful. If he had other thoughts, it doesn't matter. Just tell me the truth. I will help you secretly and won't tell my sister."

Luo Zijun rolled his eyes at her and said, "Stop fooling me. Which of the things I told you before did you not tell the young lady?"

Bai Qingtong smiled and said, "I only told Fanfen, but not my sister. My brother-in-law has already had his wedding night with Fanfen, so if she asks me, I naturally can't not tell her."

Luo Zijun asked: "Is there any difference?"

Bai Qingtong smiled and did not continue the topic. She suddenly asked, "By the way, brother-in-law, you suddenly asked our mansion and my second uncle's mansion to reserve so much wine a few days ago. What is it for?"

Luo Zijun asked, "Were they all delivered yesterday?"

Bai Qingtong said: "They have all been delivered. Daddy and Second Uncle drank them in the evening."

Luo Zijun's mouth twitched and he said, "Miss San, didn't you tell them that I asked them to buy it?"

Bai Qingtong said: "No, I said I decided to buy it myself, but I bought too much, and my father and second uncle asked about it. I said I would save it for the New Year."

While the two were talking, the carriage had already arrived at the Jia Mansion.

Soon, Jia Tanchun came out with her people to greet them. Luo Zijun and Bai Qingtong walked up the steps together, exchanged a few words with Jia Tanchun and the others, and then entered the house.

In the courtyard, Lai Da was directing the servants to move flower pots.

When Luo Zijun looked at him, he also looked over, then bowed his head and bowed with a smile on his face: "Miss Bai and Master Luo are here."

Luo Zijun said to Bai Qingtong who was standing beside her, "Miss San, go play with Miss Tanchun and the others in the back first. I'll come find you later."

Bai Qingtong didn't ask any more questions and just nodded.

Jia Tanchun glanced at him, then looked at Cui Mo who was standing beside her.

Cui Mo understood and stayed.

After everyone left, Luo Zijun walked to the side of Lai Da, watched the servants carrying flower pots, and said with a smile: "Every time I come to the mansion, I see Butler Lai busy. He is really hard-working."

Lai Da sighed and said, "As a servant, I should do these things. I am different from Master Luo. Master Luo looks like a man of wealth, but I look like a man of toil."

Luo Zijun said: "That's right, Steward Lai is quite self-aware."

Lai Da narrowed his eyes, shouted a few times at a servant in front of him, then turned his head, looked at him, and said with a smile on his face: "Mr. Luo's sister, are you okay?"

Luo Zijun looked calm and said, "Very good. How about Butler Lai's wine shop? I heard a few days ago that Butler Lai's wine shop brewed fake wine, which harmed many people and caused a lot of losses. He almost went bankrupt."

The muscles on Lai Da's face twitched a few times, and he smiled and said, "It's not like I'm bankrupt. I don't care much about that little money. It's just some pocket money. But Mr. Luo, I heard that you made a lot of money from selling books before, right?"

Luo Zijun smiled and said, "I haven't sold it for a long time. I'm a gigolo now, which is pretty good."

Lai Da smiled and said, "Mr. Luo is a free and easy person. It's really nice to eat soft rice. It's a pity that I don't have that kind of luck."

Luo Zijun said, "Butler Lai, you are joking. For someone to be a gigolo, first of all, you need to look good, and secondly, you need to look talented. To be honest, it's not that Butler Lai doesn't have the fate, it's just that it's impossible."

Lai Da's eyes showed a gloomy look. Just as he was about to speak, a servant suddenly ran in from the gate in a panic, saying as he ran: "Butler! Butler! It's bad, there's a problem with the wine in the winery again! The door has been blocked, many people are beating people up in the winery, and the manager is about to be beaten to death, go and have a look!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lai Da's face suddenly changed and he hurried away.

Luo Zijun hurriedly followed behind and said, "Butler Lai, what's going on? Your winery is brewing fake wine again? Will it kill people this time? Our Bai family bought a lot of it."

As soon as these words came out, Lai Da paused for a moment, then turned around and looked at him with red eyes.

Luo Zijun also stopped and spread his hands, saying, "We really bought a lot, ready to drink during the New Year and give to other relatives. We bought the wine because we trust your Lai's Winery. By the way, the third lady also gave a few barrels to the Prince of Lin'an and General Shangguan yesterday."

Lai Da's body swayed and he almost fell down.

He said nothing more, but ran hurriedly, and soon was out of the gate and got on the carriage.

Luo Zijun stood in the courtyard, watching him staggering onto the carriage and driving away. Fang turned around and smiled at Cui Mo who was looking at him not far away, saying, "Let's go to the backyard to find Sister Lin, oh no, go talk to some girls."

Cui Mo chuckled and said, "Mr. Luo almost let the cat out of the bag."

Luo Zijun was not embarrassed at all and was in a good mood. She asked about some recent events in the Jia Mansion, focusing on Jia Rong and Jia Zhen, and also Qingwen.

Cui Mo said, "I don't know how Qingwen offended Wang Shanbao's wife. She cursed her behind her back and went to the lady to complain. Qingwen was scolded by the lady and was so angry that she didn't eat for two days. She went to Wang Shanbao's wife and cursed her again... Then she fell ill. She has been lying in bed these days, not eating or drinking, and has lost a lot of weight..."

When Luo Zijun heard this, she immediately said, "Cui Mo, take me to Qingwen first."

Cui Mo was a little hesitant when he heard it: "Mr. Luo, this is not a good idea, right?"

How could she dare to bring a man to the place where the women in the mansion slept? She also didn't dare to offend Qingwen with her temper.

Luo Zijun said, "It's okay. You can take me there secretly. Qingwen won't be angry, and your mistress won't blame you. I can tell fortunes and treat illnesses. I'll go and see Qingwen."

Cui Mo hesitated again and said, "Well, since the young lady has already told me, I will try my best to agree to whatever Master Luo wants to do."

Then she whispered, "We can't let the master and the mistress know about this, otherwise I will be beaten to death and the young lady will be scolded."

Luo Zijun said: "You know, I know, heaven knows, earth knows, Qingwen knows."

Cui Mo chuckled and said, "I'm just afraid of meeting other people on the road."

Luo Zijun said: "Tell me the specific room, then you go find a way to lure the other maids away, and I will sneak in."

Cui Mo snorted, looked at him and said, "Then how is Mr. Luo going to thank this servant? This kind of thing is very dangerous."

Luo Zijun said: "I will tell your fortune for free later."

Cui Mo's eyes lit up: "Really."

Luo Zijun said: "Of course it is true. Scholars like me never lie."

Cui Mo then became happy.

The two walked one after the other through the garden and came to a courtyard at the back.

Cui Mo whispered the location to him, then walked in first and led away a few maids.

Luo Zijun now has a keen hearing. When he saw that everyone had left, he immediately went in quietly, crossed the corridor, and quickly entered the house.

There was a strong herbal smell in the room.

There was a figure lying on the bed in the room on the right. The quilt that was raised against her chest rose and fell slightly with her breathing, and a strand of black hair fell from the side of the pillow.

When Luo Zijun entered, the person on the bed just sighed softly and did not seem to be asleep.

She lay there with her eyes open. Her eyes, which used to be bright and lively, were now dull and lifeless. Her face, which used to be pretty and delicate, was now as pale as paper.

Luo Zijun came to the bedside and secretly rejoiced in her heart: Fortunately, I came today. If it was two days later, I am afraid that it would be just as written in the book, this stubborn girl would starve to death and die miserably.

"Qingwen..."

He came to the bed and called softly.

The girl, who was staring blankly with her eyes open, moved her gaze slightly, and became a little confused. After a few seconds of silence, she murmured softly, "It seems that I am indeed about to die... I actually had auditory hallucinations and heard Young Master Luo's voice..."

Then, two lines of tears suddenly flowed from the corners of her eyes: "Master Luo is so amazing, he calculated so accurately, and actually told me long ago that I might die like this... But, but I can't help it..."

Luo Zijun said: "I also told you that if something happens and you really can't stay here anymore, you can come find me."

Qingwen heard the voice again, was stunned for a moment, blinked her eyes, suddenly turned her head, looked towards the bed, and then her eyes gradually widened.

Luo Zijun quickly hushed and whispered, "Don't scream, don't be afraid, it's me, it's not a dream, and it's not a ghost."

Qingwen looked at him with wide eyes, was stunned for a few seconds, opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but didn't say it.

She suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly struggled to get up, quickly took the bellyband and other clothes on the stool at the head of the bed, and stuffed them into the quilt. Her face, which was originally as pale as paper, was suddenly full of blush. She looked at him shyly and nervously and said, "Luo...Mr. Luo, why...why are you here?"

Just as Luo Zijun was about to speak, Madam Wang's cold voice suddenly came from outside the door: "That shameless little bitch is still lying on the bed pretending to be dead? If you want to die, die outside! Don't dirty our house!"

As he spoke, a chaotic sound of footsteps entered the yard.

Qingwen's face turned pale immediately, and she said hurriedly: "Master Luo, quickly... quickly hide..."

Seeing that there was nowhere to hide, Luo Zijun had to duck under the bed.

As soon as they entered, the maids and nannies surrounded Mrs. Wang into the hall, then came over, kicked open the door, and rushed into the room aggressively.

(End of this chapter)