Bright Moonlit Night

Tomorrow is the New Year's Eve, and today the Jin Mansion distributes reward money, and the monthly money in the first month is also distributed in advance.

Lu Fei waited to receive the money, but she didn't look happy, but looked a little sad.

Fu Ming sorted out some notes written over the past few months in the small study room. The original incense burner was replaced with a larger one, and a piece of ice was steamed, so that the water vapor was dense to prevent the room from being too dry.

He vaguely heard a few maids outside muttering something, their tone a little annoyed.He called Lu Fei and Jian Lan and asked: "Tomorrow is the Chinese New Year, and I just received the money, why do you all seem to be so angry?"

Fei Lan replied: "Master, half of the duck that reached its mouth flew away."

"What do you mean? Less money?"

Lu Fei said: "We didn't know how much the reward was in the first year, but I heard from other people in the mansion that it was indeed much less. The monthly allowance was also reduced by half."

"Have you been told why?"

Lufei said: "It is said that this year's ice disaster in Tanzhou, the Seventh Princess hosted a snow hunt in the Princess Mansion, invited a group of ladies and ladies to go, and persuaded everyone to donate money and materials. Aunt Wang in our mansion She was not included in the invitation, but Miss Zhou took her along. After returning, Miss Renlan, the master who had been formally invited, didn't say anything, but Aunt Wang hurriedly sent a lot of money and money to the Seventh Princess. Clothes." At Lu Fei's family, there is still a younger brother and an older sister who is waiting to leave the court. She has always been frugal, but now she has lost so much income for no reason, and she feels unhappy, and her words are more impulsive than before.

Xie Lan was even quicker to say: "Aunt Wang wants to save face in front of the princess and spend her own money, who cares about her. But she actually hit us servants with ideas, and she searched for clothes and money , this year, not warm enough to wear, not enough to eat, it's too annoying!"

Fu Ming asked again: "Does the old lady know about this?"

Lu Fei replied: "I didn't know if I knew it before, but after half a day, by now, I must have known it."

Fu Ming said: "Then let's see what the old lady has to say."

As expected, the old lady didn't know about this until near noon. She called Aunt Wang, her tone was not kind, and she asked bluntly: "I will leave this family affairs to you for the time being. You are better off, take the money from the house, Buying face for yourself and detaining others, what do you say!"

Aunt Wang hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed to admit her mistake. After her forehead was flushed, she raised her head to defend herself and said: "The old lady values ​​it, how dare Ningxue live up to it? It's just that Miss Zhou must take me to the princess banquet that day, old lady You are a sensible person, since the princess has already spoken, how can she shirk it? Besides, the seventh princess is the emperor's favorite daughter, if we can make some contributions to her, it will be beneficial to the family and not harmful. Our family treats the servants You have always been kind and generous, have you ever been mean and unkind? In the past, there were good food and good clothes for offerings, and the masters had few servants and many people, and there was not much work. The monthly money was very generous, and the masters would also Those who reward some silver clothes. Compared with the disaster-stricken people in Tanzhou, the men and girls in the mansion are a hundred times better. I don’t know who is not content to gossip in front of the old lady, making the old lady misunderstand and making you angry .”

Qingwu next to the old lady blushed when she heard the words, and couldn't help but interjected: "Aunt Wang, you are so good at giving up your own self for the sake of your public. In this way, we are being stingy!"

Aunt Wang apologized and said with a smile: "I still have a few new jackets that I haven't worn. We are similar in figure, so give them to the girl!"

Before Qingwu replied, the old lady frowned and said: "No matter what your purpose is for this matter, if you make a mistake, it is a mistake. Make up for the deducted money and the reward. Let everyone have a good time." Good year!"

Aunt Wang didn't get a good face, and she was said a few more words, but she was still secretly glad that she planned to kill this matter first, and the old lady didn't make things difficult for her even though she was angry. for the benefit.She thought to herself, the women in the mansion don't know the outside world, don't know the righteousness, when the master comes back, she will have her own explanation.

The mansion was noisy for half a day, and it gradually subsided in the afternoon.The servants who have been compensated are still working hard to prepare the venues and items needed for New Year's Eve sacrifices, family banquets and vigils.

Fu Ming took the gift box that Xiang Lan helped pack, and paid Lu Fei half of the money that was handed out in the morning, and left the house for the Salesian Bureau.

"Brother Ming, you came late this year!" Sun Zangyong was very happy to see him, regardless of his seniority, he put his arms around his shoulders and welcomed him into the house.

Fu Ming explained: "There are some things at home today."

"Can it be solved?"

"Well, it's over."

Sun Zangyong turned on the fire, poured a glass of lamb wine and Fu Ming from the warm jug, and said, "On this day in the past, you, me, and Brother Fang, all three of you will have a good time drinking. It won't happen this year."

Fu Ming asked: "Did Uncle Fang go to Tanzhou?" After taking the wine, he took a sip and showed a happy expression.

Sun Zangyong replied: "Exactly, the ice disaster in Tanzhou must have caused a lot of old and weak women and children to fall ill. Brother Fang went to Tanzhou to practice medicine!"

Fu Mingdao: "Uncle Fang is a benevolent doctor, and he hangs the pot to help the world. If I can escape, I will definitely go with him and help."

"Haha!" Sun Zangyong laughed loudly, and said again, "Brother Fang said before leaving, it's a pity that you were imprisoned in the Duke's Mansion, otherwise you would have to be dragged to work as a coolie!"

Fu Ming recalled Jin Yi's request before he left, "I really can't get away. When Uncle Fang comes back, we'll take care of him."

The two poured and drank, and chatted for half an hour about the current situation in the Salesian Bureau amidst the aroma of warm wine. Fu Ming saw that it was getting late, so he left.

Just after returning to the mansion, a visitor came to visit.It is Jin Yi's good friend Fan Zhi, who is now an official in the court and works in the household department.Fu Ming is currently the only male family member in the mansion who can entertain foreigners, so he received Fan Zhi as the male master.

The two exchanged names, and after a few polite words, Fu Ming asked: "Brother Wen Su is here at this time, is there something important?"

Although Fan Zhi looked embarrassed, his words were fluent and his tone was steady: "To tell the truth, brother Yu took the liberty to visit this time, and it is really a merciless request."

Fu Ming smiled slightly and said: "Brother Wen Su is my husband's best friend, if there is something to do, it's okay to say it."

Hearing this, Fan Zhi made up his mind, and said frankly: "Brother Yu was entrusted by the imperial court to order a batch of goods in Yuezhou. The car overturned accidentally on the road, and most of the goods were lost, and there was still time to buy them again in time."

Having said so far, Fu Ming already knew it well.The New Year's Eve has come, and all the yamen are on vacation. If this matter is to go through formal procedures, it will inevitably delay time.Fan Zhi came from a poor family, was a clean and honest official, had no money left in his family, and rarely had rich or noble acquaintances, so as a last resort, he asked the Jin Mansion.

Therefore, Fu Ming also asked clearly: "How much money does Brother Wen Su need for emergency?"

Fan Zhi didn't expect that he didn't need to say anything, he secretly admired in his heart, and replied bluntly: "3 taels."

Fu Ming nodded, "Brother Fan Zhi wait a moment, I'll go get the money now." Considering the large amount, he planned to pay Aunt Wang himself.So he ordered his servants to entertain Fan Zhi, while he got up and left temporarily.

Aunt Wang was in the warehouse. Hearing what Fu Ming said, she was shocked and said, "3 taels? Such a large amount, you can borrow it if you want?"

Fu Ming explained the situation in detail again, but Aunt Wang sneered and said, "Master, do you think our family has a mountain of gold or silver? With such a large amount of money, you can borrow it at will when the master is away? There are so many people in this house waiting to eat, what should we do with this human relationship?"

Fu Mingdao: "Brother Wen Su is not someone who borrows but does not repay."

Aunt Wang said: "This Fan surnamed didn't have much contact with our master in the past. This year, he didn't even send half a rabbit to Jin's residence. How much friendship can he have?"

Fu Mingdao: "A gentleman's friendship is not in the heart. Brother Wen Su is upright and honest. He has the same temperament as our master. We have known each other for many years."

"How did the son know?"

"I have heard a few words from my grandfather."

"Perhaps the young master misremembered? Besides, if you are really honest and honest, why do you need so much money?"

"I have explained the situation to you, if you forget, I will repeat it again."

"No need, but I'll tell you the money. If it's only 300 taels, then I'll give it to him as a favor. 3 taels? No borrowing."

Fu Ming dealt with him several times, and Aunt Wang became more impolite in her words, and even falsely accused Fu Ming of colluding with outsiders to defraud money. Fu Ming was angry and anxious, and had no choice but to leave.Quickly go back to Fangmanting, and ask Lu Fei to withdraw her dowry money.

Lu Fei listened to Fu Ming's explanation of the whole story, saw Fu Ming's expression, gritted her teeth, took out the bank notes from the box, and counted almost all of them to him.

Fu Ming got the money and hurried back to the banquet hall. After calming down, he walked into the hall and handed the bank note to Fan Zhi.

Fan Zhi wanted to make a written statement right now, and Fu Ming knew that he was acting in a proper way, so he accepted the written statement without making excuses.

Fan Zhi patted Fu Ming on the shoulder: "Blessed is Brother Jin."

Fu Ming said with a smile: "Brother knows that Brother Xian is busy with important affairs, so he won't leave any food."

Fan Zhi really had to hurry up, "Brother Yu will take his leave first. When the matter is settled and the money is returned, I will thank you very much."

Fu Ming sent it out of the mansion.

When Fu Ming returned to the Fangman Court again, Yan Lan was slightly annoyed: "My lord, what do you think you are planning this year? Looking for people? Let's stay in the empty court alone. Looking for money? Don't talk about getting money, the box is empty Already!"

Fu Ming laughed, "Okay, I know you are unhappy. The predecessors said it well, I am born with talents that will be useful, and I will come back after all the money is gone."

"Then the predecessor who said this finally made a fortune?" Lu Fei asked.

Fu Ming was dumbfounded, "Well—this sage has lived forever."

"Who is it? Can we recognize each other?"

"The last name is Li, and the first name is Bai, and the character is too white."

Xie Lan smiled and said: "I know, the great poet who died in despair! How can there be any money that comes back after it is gone, it is clear that it is the money that comes and then goes away!"

Fu Ming asked earnestly, "Do you really think that what I did was wrong?"

Lu Fei and Yan Lan looked at each other, and Lu Fei said: "Young Master has a steelyard in his heart, we are just short-sighted women, as long as the Young Master decides, we will support it. We complain only because we are worried about the son's loss."

Fu Mingfu smiled again, "Don't worry, the person will come back soon; the money will be returned as well."