Lu Family

When Old Madam Lu saw that today’s fruit platter lacked her favorite banana pears, her face immediately darkened. “What’s this about? Why are there only these hard fruits?”

Banana pears were soft and sweet, and Old Madam Lu loved eating them. However, banana pears were difficult to preserve – with the slightest bump, the skin would turn black and look very unsightly, ruining their appearance. Moreover, the capital’s surrounding areas didn’t produce banana pears, so they had to be transported from distant places to the capital, making them very expensive.

Lu Changju beside her also pouted her red lips. “Why aren’t there any oranges I like to eat? Apples, hawthorns, pears… I’m tired of eating them – they don’t taste good.”

Oranges were southern fruits, and the oranges Lu Changju wanted weren’t ordinary oranges, but exceptionally sweet lake oranges. Because they were rare, not only were they expensive, but they would also be out of stock whenever the weather was bad.

Qin Feifei suppressed her anger and smiled. “Mother, little sister, business hasn’t been good these past two months. The household expenses have all been reduced by one grade. After some time, when business improves, these things will be available.”

Old Madam Lu’s expression was displeased. Her hand, adorned with several gold rings, pushed the fruit platter away. “Hasn’t business always been good? What’s going on?”

Those who don’t manage a household don’t know the cost of firewood and rice! Qin Feifei suppressed her anger and continued smiling. “Mother, please don’t worry. Business will definitely improve.”

Lu Changju pouted and said, “Sister-in-law, when your older sister was here, we could eat whatever we wanted. In winter, I never ran out of my favorite oranges.”

“Exactly, exactly! Eldest daughter-in-law, you should learn more from your older sister!”

Qin Feifei was so angry her stomach hurt, and she vented all her fury on Qin Shuying: Qin Shuying, you vile creature! If you hadn’t squeezed out the Lu family’s business, how would I suffer like this! Lu Changju had already mentioned Qin Yaoyao several times in front of her – what an ungrateful wretch!

Yet she smiled sweetly at Old Madam Lu. “Mother, you’re absolutely right.”

Old Madam Lu was a widow who had raised her sons. Her eldest son had good prospects, her second son was doing well in his studies and clearly had another bright future ahead – this made her arrogant. She wanted everything done with rules and procedures, and loved comparing herself to families with solid foundations.

But her rules were also selective.

For instance, her favorite rule to mention was maintaining appearances.

Old Madam Lu herself had two head maids, two second-class maids, two third-class maids, and two nannies. Lu Changju also followed the example of noble family daughters, having her own two head maids, two second-class maids, two third-class maids, and two nannies. Plus, the Lu Changxuan and Lu Changsong brothers each had two young servants, along with maids and others.

There were also gatekeepers, grooms, cooks, rough servants… The Lu family had only five masters but dozens of servants.

Supporting so many people, plus Old Madam Lu’s “particular” demands for food, clothing, and daily necessities, meant the Lu family had originally been destitute. Though Qin Yaoyao had managed painstakingly and exhausted herself, she had only managed to house the entire family in a four-courtyard compound, which couldn’t compare to the spaciousness and comfort of the Qin residence.

When Qin Feifei took over these past months, things were fine at first. Silver flowed continuously from the shops, and after giving dividends to Xu Shi, there was still over a thousand taels of pure profit monthly. Daily expenses posed no burden, and several hundred taels could still be saved.

This past month, with business obstructed, not only was there no income, but they also had to subsidize losses. Lu Changxuan’s year-end social obligations and gift-giving had sharply increased expenses. Qin Yaoyao had only managed to save some money in these past two years, but with such large daily expenses, the meager savings were quickly depleted.

Without economic income and with savings gradually decreasing, the Lu family in Qin Feifei’s hands had suddenly become an empty shell. No matter how she racked her brains, she couldn’t find a better solution.

Returning to her own Feiqiong Courtyard, Qin Feifei’s expression was gloomy. Nanny Wu naturally knew all this and quickly helped her rest on the imperial concubine’s couch, saying, “Madam, you’re still carrying a child in your belly. You mustn’t get angry – please rest.”

Nanny Wu had been Qin Feifei’s dowry maid from her first marriage and had followed her to the Lu family for the second time.

“It’s all that little wretch Qin Shuying who has caused me such suffering!”

Nanny Wu naturally agreed, then said, “Madam, the public treasury now has only five hundred taels of silver left. At this rate, next month’s expenses will still need to be reduced.”

Public treasury was public treasury, and personal funds were personal funds – naturally two different matters.

Qin Feifei said angrily, “That vile creature Qin Shuying won’t respond to either soft or hard approaches. This time, I’ll definitely make her pay!”

Nanny Wu continuously agreed: “Madam, Madam has Great Madam worrying about this. Madam should just rest well. In the current situation, since Madam’s health is precious, why not take this opportunity to…”

Qin Feifei said, “I know what Nanny means – let Old Madam manage the household first, and we’ll discuss it after I give birth. But Nanny, don’t forget – is Old Madam the type of person who would spit out meat that’s already in her mouth?”

“Madam, this servant was thoughtless.”

Qin Feifei suddenly smiled and said arrogantly, “Nanny needn’t worry. Old Madam still doesn’t spend even a hundred taels of silver per month – this is just a small matter. Rather than cutting expenses, it’s better to increase income. With silver in hand, what would a mere hundred taels matter? Hmph!”

As long as Qin Shuying fell for Mother’s scheme, Qin Shuying’s two hundred thousand taels would be within easy reach. Mother would naturally give her some, and the shops’ profits would naturally improve. That black sugar business would also be hers – who in the capital could compete? Wouldn’t money then flow in continuously?

Never mind Old Madam’s hundred taels per month – even two hundred taels would be manageable.

Nanny Wu’s eyes grew dark and murky: Miss was doing this – having harmed her own sister Qin Yaoyao, now she was going to target her cousin?

Suddenly, Qin Feifei laughed. “Fortunately, Old Madam only knows about chicken, duck, fish, and meat, and hasn’t demanded bird’s nest and shark fin yet. If she also learned from the ladies of ducal and marquis households who constantly require bird’s nest and ginseng, how could we afford it?”

Nanny Wu also snapped back to attention and played along: “Young Miss is the same – she loves gold, silver, and shiny silks most. If she liked jade, pearls, and Hangzhou silk, that would also be terrible.”

Qin Feifei was disdainful: “Small household, what does she know? If it weren’t for Second… if she hadn’t earned so much money, they wouldn’t have even seen gold bracelets, much less know what refined elegance means. With her head full of gold and silver, she looks like a nouveau riche at first glance, yet thinks herself so beautiful! Never mind, she’s also discussing marriage now. I think the Miao family is quite good – their business is large, Young Master Miao is also handsome, and if Changju marries there, she won’t suffer the slightest hardship. Nothing could be better.”

The disdain in her words was completely evident, and Nanny Wu continuously agreed.

Lu Changju would turn fifteen after New Year, and Old Madam Lu was looking for suitable matches for her. Lu Changxuan favored a scholar from a poor family, but Old Madam Lu disagreed.

Qin Feifei understood Old Madam Lu’s thoughts and secretly investigated several families, mostly wealthy ones – either merchants or legitimate sons from prominent households. Then she had people arrange for matchmakers from these families to sound them out. Indeed, Old Madam Lu was overjoyed and spoiled for choice.

However, these families all ultimately failed Lu Changxuan’s approval.

The Young Master Miao that Qin Feifei mentioned was the son of a merchant family. But this family had another advantage – Young Master Miao was currently studying diligently, working toward obtaining a scholar’s degree.