The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

Chengxi Jiangzhai

After wailing for a long time, Liu was exhausted and went to rest when she got back.

Xia Qiutang was still recovering from her injuries and didn't have time to care for her. It was mostly the nanny who would ask about her, and Xia Qiutang would check on her when she had the energy.

Unless it's a major issue, the housekeeper handles everything.

Therefore, the housekeeper wielded considerable power.

Therefore, the Jiang residence is now almost entirely under his control.

He was quite satisfied with this, even though the house was smaller and the owner no longer held a title.

But he still has power! And a lot of power at that.

Those slaves who didn't want to be sold, or who wanted to go to a better place, would come to curry favor with him, offering their monthly wages so he could arrange things.

Right now, the most comfortable family in the Jiang family is none other than his family.

That day, after the steward finished his business, he returned to his room and sat down when his wife brought him peanuts and poured him some wine.

This is his daily pleasure. He sees that even when people go out to haggle, they can't buy good vegetables, but he can ask his wife to buy some food for him to enjoy with his drinks.

Just as he was feeling smug, he heard his son crying and calling for his parents from afar.

"Father! Father! Help! Help!"

The housekeeper frowned and told his wife to go out and take a look.

His son has no other skills, but he eats and drinks a lot and has become quite fat. He often quarrels with his wife.

Unfortunately, he only had one son, and he couldn't bring himself to be ruthless, so things were delayed.

They used to think that since they were relying on the Marquis's mansion, they couldn't be poor. Now, although they are down on their luck, they can still afford to eat and drink.

Needless to say, his son could choose any of the many maids he had.

He actually thought Xiao Lan, who was by the lady's side, was quite nice.

Being close to the master means he can be of some help in the future.

I'll mention it to my wife when I have the chance.

Thinking this, her son was helped inside by his mother.

Seeing her son's unsteady steps and bruises all over his face, the housekeeper couldn't sit still any longer and hurriedly came over to help him to a chair on the side.

"What's wrong? What happened?!" The butler glared anxiously at his wife.

Madam Han: "How should I know!" After saying that, she looked down at her son, "You'er, what happened to you?"

The butler also looked at his son, who was still crying out in pain.

Fang You lowered his hand from his wound and looked at his father with a troubled expression.

"I...I..." Fang You steeled himself and knelt down on the ground.

"You'er, what are you doing?" Madam Han was very surprised and quickly went to pull him away.

The butler, however, had a bad feeling.

Han could not move Fang You and could only let him kneel.

Just as Ms. Han was about to ask her husband for help, she heard her son begin to speak.

Her son's words left her stunned.

All I heard was Fang's persuasion.

"Father, you must save me! I owe money to the gambling den, and they said if I don't pay within three days, they'll break both my legs! Father! I'm your only son! You must save me!"

The housekeeper and his wife were shocked. Although their son was a scoundrel, at most he would flirt with the maids in the mansion, and if he had money, he might go to brothels.

But gambling! He never gets involved in it!

At this point, the butler didn't bother to ask the reason, but instead asked him how much he owed.

The gambling dens in Kyoto are all backed by powerful figures, but as long as you pay back the money, there shouldn't be any major problems.

He had some savings, so filling a small hole wouldn't be a big problem.

Fang You stammered for a long time, wearing down his father's patience, before he finally spoke.

"Ten thousand taels..."

"How much???" the butler asked, his eyes wide.

Under the incredulous gazes of the couple, Fang You repeated, "Ten thousand taels..."

"I'll beat you to death!!!" The butler heard clearly and angrily searched everywhere for a suitable tool.

Han looked at her son, then at her husband, and was so anxious she didn't know what to do.

Seeing her husband bring a stick, Han stood in front of her son without thinking.

"Old Fang, we only have one son. What if we hurt him badly? Let's think of something..."

"What idea do you have?" The butler could no longer control his voice.

"Ten thousand! Not one hundred taels, one thousand taels, it's ten thousand! Where would we get ten thousand taels!"

The steward has worked hard to save money over the years, but his savings are only a few thousand taels. Where would he get so much money to pay off his debts?!

"Father! Father! You don't have any? The Marquis's mansion has been around for so many years, it should have some wealth by now! You've worked so hard for the Marquis's mansion for so many years, and I'm your only son! Don't they want to leave you any descendants?"

Fang You said it with a straight face.

He panicked when he learned that he owed so much money.

But the people at the gambling den said that the Marquis's mansion was rich, and as long as he returned and had his father handle it, he would definitely get the money, so he wasn't so panicked anymore.

If only he could persuade his father...

The steward understood his son's meaning perfectly well. Although he had embezzled a considerable amount of money, the Marquis's mansion was still his master's residence!

How could he open his mouth so wide!

This happened when both companies were down on their luck.

Seeing his father hesitate, Fang You continued to persevere.

“Father, the Marquis’s mansion used to be so glorious! We even received imperial rewards, so there must be many treasures. This ten thousand is nothing at all.”

Upon hearing this, the butler's eyes flashed. He was now managing most of the Jiang family's assets, and he knew exactly how much they amounted to.

But their private property...

The steward thought of Madam Xia Qiutang; her dowry hadn't been entirely confiscated, and moreover…

Everyone's food and daily necessities have been downgraded several levels, but the lady was not affected at all.

She has money!

After thinking for a while, the butler looked at his son on the ground and decided to give it a try.

Seeing his father leave, Fang You knew he was saved and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Han helped him up.

"Don't worry, your father will definitely be able to handle it."

……

Before it got dark, the steward went directly to Liu's courtyard.

Liu was eating bird's nest, and while eating, she kept complaining that the food sent from the kitchen was getting worse and worse.

When she saw the housekeeper arrive, she merely raised her eyes lazily.

The housekeeper recounted the recent situation, and Liu Shi seemed listless.

"You can handle these things yourself; you don't need to come and tell me specifically."

The butler readily agreed.

After waiting a while, the butler finally spoke slowly, explaining his purpose.

"Madam, my son has recently run into some trouble and needs money. Madam, could you... lend me some to tide me over?"

After the butler finished speaking, he lowered his head and waited for Liu's reply.

"Okay! You handle it."

Liu agreed quickly, and the steward was a little taken aback. After confirming, he hurriedly knelt down.

"Thank you... Madam, this servant will certainly keep a close eye on the Jiang family..."

"Alright, alright, go on!" Liu told him impatiently.

"Hey! Hey!" The butler left with a happy expression.

Even though the Jiang family is in such dire straits, they are still willing to help him. He won't take more than ten thousand yuan.

The Jiang family only has 20,000 yuan left in their accounts, which they need to keep for urgent use.

The steward took a few steps, but before he could even leave the courtyard, he remembered that he hadn't told Madam Liu about the young master, so he turned back.

As soon as I reached the door, I heard Liu Shi and the nanny talking inside.

"Madam, if you really intend to lend him money, you should at least ask how much it is!"

"Who said I wanted to borrow?! I'll find an excuse to get the money back tomorrow, just say I have no money! What does his son have to do with me? Why should I pay him? After working as a housekeeper for a few years, does he really think he's a human being?"

The butler stood at the door, motionless, with no expression on his face.

After a long while, he left the courtyard without saying a word.