Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Ningrong Back Street, Liangshui Alley.

Since the Rongguo Mansion began constructing the Grand View Garden, all the servants' quarters in the area east of the northern and eastern courtyards were demolished, and many of the Rongguo Mansion's servants moved to the back streets. Liangshui Lane, in particular, became a major gathering place for the Rongguo Mansion's servants.

Wang Teng, one of Jia Lianyuan's former bodyguards, and his family also lived here.

Because Wang Teng died a glorious death and his family received a large sum of money as compensation from the government, even though Wang Teng was a servant, his wife, after discussing it with Wang Teng's father, decided to hold a grand celebration for him.

The so-called grand celebration could never compare to that of the patriarchs of prominent families.

In reality, for ordinary families, spending twenty taels of silver to hold a funeral, treat relatives and friends to a big meal, and hold a simple religious ceremony was considered quite respectable.

However, the Rongguo Mansion provided nearly five hundred taels of silver in compensation for Wang Teng's funeral. In addition, Wang Teng had previously served as Jia Lian's personal attendant and had earned some wealth for the family. Therefore, even if the entire Wang family had to spend one or two hundred taels of silver on Wang Teng's funeral, it wouldn't have been a problem.

With wealth comes confidence, so when the servants and attendants from both families came to pay their respects, they were all envious of the scale of the Wang family's funeral and the various expensive snacks and treats for the children on the table in the courtyard. They all sighed in their hearts, thinking that the young man from the Wang family had not died in vain!

After offering their condolences, a group of people went to find Wang Teng's father. After some casual conversation, they asked the Wang family for a loan of some money to tide them over...

Because they spoke sincerely, they claimed that their son was getting married and they were short of the dowry, or that their child's mother was seriously ill and they needed money for medicine. In short, their reasons for borrowing money were all very legitimate.

Old Wang was an honest and upright man who couldn't refuse. Besides, he knew that his family was indeed wealthier than others, so he thought it wouldn't hurt to lend them a few taels of silver. Therefore, he said, "After my son died, my daughter-in-law managed all the household affairs and the money was in her hands. I have to ask her first."

"Of course, of course..."

So Old Man Wang sent his grandson to invite his mother over.

People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds don't have many formalities. Even wives have to entertain guests and have no taboos.

Everyone thought they could borrow money since Old Man Wang had agreed, but it turned out that Wang's wife was a stubborn person.

Firstly, she had three children to raise herself, and secondly, she harbored resentment. These people had come to her door to borrow money right after her husband's death, clearly intending to bully her. Therefore, as soon as she entered the tea room, she made it clear that she had no intention of borrowing money.

Those people started to get anxious.

"Sister-in-law Wang, why do this? We've worked in the same household before, can't you help her out of consideration for our past relationship?"

Besides, Brother Wang is dead, and the Marquis bestowed so much silver upon you that you can't possibly use it all. Why don't you lend us a few taels of silver to use first? We'll pay you back when we're in a better position, so you won't lose out.”

Wang Teng's wife remained unmoved. After exchanging words a few times, she sneered, "What, do you want to bully us orphans and widows by taking advantage of your power?"

"Yesterday, the Marquis said in front of hundreds of people from both mansions that no one is allowed to bully us. You come here today to force me to lend you money. Aren't you afraid that if the Second Master finds out, he'll skin you alive?"

The expressions on those people's faces immediately changed.

To be honest, someone who covets others' compensation money and is willing to swallow their pride and go to their door to borrow money is certainly not a powerful figure in the household.

Which of the stewards and managers of the two mansions didn't have savings of hundreds of taels of silver over the years?

They came to borrow money for two reasons: first, they were envious; second, they saw that the Wang family had suddenly become rich and probably wouldn't dare offend them for a few taels of silver.

"Sister-in-law Wang, you're exaggerating. How could we dare to disobey the Marquis's wishes? It's just that we're really starving at home, and we have no other choice but to come and ask for your help. It's not like we won't pay you back in the future."

Even if you don't care about the monk, you should at least consider the Buddha. We all work in the same household, and we'll see each other many times in the future. Why is Sister-in-law Wang doing this to yourself?

These people used both soft and hard language, and even incited Old Man Wang to help, making it seem as if Wang Teng's wife was out of touch with reality and unreasonable.

Wang Teng's wife, however, was confident that these people would not dare to disobey Jia Lian's orders and was not afraid of them at all.

"I told you, if you come to pay respects to my husband, you are very welcome. But if you come to borrow money, you won't get a single penny."

"That compensation money was earned by my husband risking his life. I still have several children to support, and I still feel like I don't have enough money."

After saying this, Wang Teng's wife went out to attend to her business, but those people didn't leave. Instead, they kept urging her father-in-law to come and plead for leniency.

Just as she was getting annoyed, her eldest son came running up quickly, "Mom, Uncle Zhao and the others are here!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Teng's wife naturally knew who the Uncle Zhao her son was referring to was. Not to mention that her husband and Zhao Sheng had worked under Jia Lian for several years, it was Zhao Sheng who personally delivered her husband's urn this time.

Through today's events, she realized that although Jia Lian had spoken first, he was ultimately in a high position and would inevitably have blind spots.

Therefore, it is still necessary for Zhao Sheng and his group to keep a close watch on things in order to completely suppress those who covet her family's wealth.

So he immediately dropped everything else and personally received them.

Zhao Sheng and the others paid their respects before Wang Teng's coffin, and then said to Wang Teng's wife, "Sister-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. We have come on the orders of the Marquis."

"Lord Marquis?" Wang Teng's wife was taken aback.

Wang Teng's gaze, however, was already fixed on the few people who had come out to check the situation after hearing that he had arrived.

"Could you please identify who these people were who tried to forcibly borrow money from you before?"

As soon as Zhao Sheng said this, Wang Teng's wife understood that Zhao Sheng had come to help her family. Although she didn't know why Zhao Sheng knew that someone wanted to borrow money from her and why he brought so many people with him.

She hesitated, wondering whether she should take the opportunity to complain or show some leniency to those people.

After all, those people hadn't really done anything to her. If she complained, she would completely offend them.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry. The Marquis had already anticipated this kind of thing, so he ordered his servants to take good care of your family."

So, sister-in-law, just say, "I will handle them on behalf of the Marquis."

Upon hearing this, Wang Teng's wife disregarded everything else and pointed at the people trying to hide in the corridor, "He, he, he, and him, and oh yes, and Uncle Zhou's third son, the gatekeeper. They've been loitering at my house, trying to force me to lend them money!"

Zhao Sheng sneered and said to his servants, "What are you all standing there for? Take all these people outside! You two, go find Zhou Sanwa!"

Those who were identified by Wang Teng's wife, upon hearing that Zhao Sheng had come on Jia Lian's orders, dared not resist. They could only admit their mistakes and beg for mercy while surrendering.

Even Zhou Sanwa, who secretly hid in the ditch in the backyard of the Wang family when he sensed that things were not going well, was quickly found out.

After these people were escorted out, Zhao Sheng coldly glanced at the other people from the two prefectures around him, and then said loudly, "I don't care what you think, but let me tell you, the Marquis has already given orders that anyone who dares to disobey his repeated orders will be dealt with at his discretion, life or death!"

"Considering that this is their first offense and they haven't committed any serious crimes, each of them will receive forty strokes of the cane. If a similar incident occurs again, don't blame Zhao for showing no mercy."

As Zhao Sheng finished speaking, a series of cracking sounds rang out outside the white-draped Wang family gate, accompanied by violent screams, sending chills down the spines of all the servants from both mansions who had come to offer condolences and help.