20demayo Chapter 35 People from the Palace Have Arrived
Chapter 35 People from the Palace Have Arrived
"Well... there's also... in his excitement, my younger brother... took on the debt of 300,000 taels of silver that Lord Wei owed to the national treasury..."
When Yin'e said this, he spoke in a very low voice, like a child who had done something wrong confessing to an adult.
Yinzhi was holding a teacup to his lips when he heard this, and his hand suddenly froze.
He was stunned for a moment, then the mouthful of tea in his mouth felt like it had been pushed against something, and he choked on it and it went into his trachea.
"Pfft, cough cough cough!"
The teacup was slammed heavily onto the table, spilling tea.
Yinzhi turned to the side, supporting himself on the edge of the table with one hand and covering his mouth with the other, coughing violently until his face turned red.
"Myth brother! Myth brother, are you alright?" Yin'e quickly stepped forward and patted his back gently. "I didn't mean to scare you, please be gentle..."
Yinzhi coughed a few more times before finally recovering.
He turned his head and looked at Yin'e, his gaze filled with complex emotions.
There's helplessness, headaches, unspeakable frustration, and a weariness that makes you want to "give me a break."
"Three hundred thousand taels? You mean, you took on a debt of three hundred thousand taels for the Wei family?"
Yin'e nodded: "Eighth Brother, I was just angry at the time, and I said those words in a fit of anger."
You didn't see Fourth Brother's face. He was scolding someone's son in the funeral hall, like he was disciplining his grandson.
Lord Wei's body is barely cold, his coffin is still parked behind us, and he still dares to say such things in front of so many people. My brother simply can't bear to watch..."
He paused, then raised his voice a few decibels: "But don't worry, Eighth Brother! Since I said it, I will definitely do it."
At worst, we can sell the Tenth Prince's mansion, pawn all the calligraphy, paintings, porcelain, and goldware, and then wipe out all his remaining wealth.
Even if it means selling everything we own, my brother will definitely repay the 300,000 taels for Lord Wei!
These words were spoken with conviction and passion, and coupled with his "If I don't go to hell, who will?" expression, he truly had the spirit of a hero cutting off his own arm.
Yinzhi did not respond.
He knew perfectly well what Yin'e was planning.
They claimed they were paying off the Wei family's debts, but in reality, they were just passing the buck to themselves.
Where did you get the money to pay back 300,000, Tenth Brother? Your 200,000 was paid off by Ninth Brother. Do you think I don't know how much silver you have in your pocket?
In the end, won't they still need my help?
That sounds nice, like "selling everything" or "selling the Tenth Prince's Mansion," but is the Tenth Prince's Mansion something you can just sell whenever you want?
The prince's residence was bestowed by the emperor. Try selling it without an imperial edict.
But given the situation today, he couldn't just say, "Don't look for me."
That would be too damaging to our brotherhood, and it wouldn't sound good if word got out.
The tenth prince just stood up for the Wei family at the funeral, with all the officials watching. If you tell him now, "You have to clean up your own mess," wouldn't that make people gossip behind your back?
So Yinzhi simply nodded: "As long as you know what you're doing."
Yin'e sneered inwardly; the Eighth Prince was indeed a slippery character.
Such words are neither undignified nor do they absolve one of responsibility.
What does "You know what's going on" mean?
If you really don't want to get involved, you should say, "You're being too impulsive."
If you want to take charge, you should say, "I'll make up the difference."
Such ambiguous statements are as good as saying nothing at all.
But on his face, he put on a grateful expression: "Thank you for your understanding, Brother Ba. Then I won't bother you any longer. You rest, I'll go back now."
Yinzhi waved his hand: "Go. Go back and get some rest. You've been exhausted these past two days."
Yin'e stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Yin Si, and then strode out of the study.
Outside the mansion gate, the sedan chair was still parked in the same spot. Yin De was standing beside the sedan chair talking to the gatekeeper. When he saw Yin E come out, he hurriedly came to greet him.
"Tenth Master, are you done talking?"
"Hmm." Yin'e didn't say anything more, bent down and got into the sedan chair.
The moment the sedan curtain was lowered, all the expressions on his face seemed to have been wiped away with a rag, leaving it completely clean.
He achieved his goal of revealing the truth to Lao Ba.
First, let the Eighth Prince know that this was done by the Eighth Prince's faction.
Whether Lao Ba likes it or not, his actions at the funeral hall today are, in the eyes of outsiders, inseparable from the Eighth Prince Party.
Since we can't escape responsibility, let's take the initiative to admit it so that Lao Ba can be mentally prepared and not caught off guard.
Secondly, let Lao Ba know that he doesn't intend to ask anyone for help.
Although he said he would "sell everything he owns," what he really meant was, "I don't expect you to contribute any money, and you don't need to worry about me coming to you."
This way, Lao Ba's face was saved, and his excuses for shirking responsibility in the future were blocked.
You guys take the blame for me, I'll bear the good reputation myself.
As for the 300,000 taels, he had no intention of asking the Eighth Prince for it.
He was plotting against Emperor Kangxi, not against the Eighth Prince.
He doesn't care about the little silver that Lao Ba has.
The sedan chair swayed and wobbled as it made its way back.
With his eyes closed, Yin'e was already planning his next move.
"Tenth Master, we've arrived." Yin De's voice came from outside the sedan window.
Yin'e opened his eyes, lifted the curtain, and got out of the sedan chair.
The afternoon sun slanted in from the west, making the plaque of the Tenth Prince's Mansion gleam with golden light.
He had just stepped into the mansion and hadn't even had time to change his clothes when Yin De quickly followed him from behind.
"Tenth Master, good news." He leaned closer, his excitement impossible to hide.
"We have received news from the Ministry of Revenue that Ninth Master has repaid your debt of 200,000 taels."
The IOU was cancelled on the spot and has been removed from the records.
Yin'e paused, turned around, and looked at Yin De.
The weight that had been hanging over his heart for two or three days finally lifted completely.
Although Lao Jiu is cunning and full of bad intentions, he handled things decisively and efficiently this time, without any hesitation.
"Prepare something and send it to Ninth Master." He instructed as he walked towards the study. "It doesn't need to be too expensive, just a token of your appreciation."
By the way, ask if Ninth Master's illness is any better.
"Yes, sir." Yin De responded, and was about to turn around when Yin E called him back.
"There's one more thing."
"Go and find me a few people, preferably those who are skillful, obedient, and interested in new things."
Young people, don't be so cynical. Three or five will suffice; I need them.
"This servant will take care of it immediately." He nodded and readily agreed.
Yin'e returned to his study and changed into some dry clothes.
He sat down behind his desk and had just picked up the teapot when he heard footsteps outside the door.
"Tenth Master," Fuquan's voice came from outside the door, "Someone from the Fujin's side has come, saying they want to invite you over for tea!"
Yin'e paused slightly in the teapot he was holding, and raised an eyebrow.
Did Ulan offer him tea on her own initiative?
This is a very rare thing.
The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly.
He stood up, straightened his clothes, and looked at himself in the bronze mirror.
The person in the mirror looked to be in pretty good spirits. He cleared his throat to make himself look more energetic, and then strode toward the door.
Just as he reached the door of the study, Fuquan ran over again.
This time he ran even faster, staggered forward a couple of steps, and barely managed to steady himself.
"Tenth Prince! Tenth Prince!" His voice trembled. "People from the palace have arrived!"
Yin'e paused, his brows furrowing instantly.
"Who?"
"Eunuch Liang Jiugong! The Emperor's chief eunuch!" Fuquan gasped for breath. "He's already at the door, saying... saying the Emperor summons you! Enter the palace immediately!"