A Tale of Golden Heiress: Lady Wanjin - Chapter 28

“Absolutely! Everyone here has eyes. When you, Wen Weiming, were seriously ill not long ago, we only came to collect the debt twice—that’s already more than enough kindness and consideration. Today, you can’t run away. You must repay the money!”

“That’s right, Shopkeeper Wen, give us a clear answer: will you repay the money or not? Hmph, if you don’t repay it today, don’t even think about leaving this courtyard!”

Wen Weiming, cornered, was carefully considering his response when he suddenly heard rapid footsteps behind him.

“We will repay it!”

A firm woman’s voice rang out. Everyone turned to look and saw Wen Wan, dressed in full wedding attire, walking gracefully toward them.

She wore a wide-sleeved, straight-collar shenyi in bright red, a lotus flower crown on her head, and elaborate bobbin hair ornaments fastened at her temples. A pure gold hairpin added a touch of meticulous elegance to her makeup, while a slanted crimson design on her forehead enhanced her allure.

What a handsome bride.

Zhao Heng’s eyes lit up slightly the moment he saw her.

Someone shouted, “The bride has come out!” and everyone scrambled to their feet, craning their necks to get a glimpse of the bride.

The red veil hadn’t been lifted, yet the bride had already come out to meet the guests. No one knew which rule of etiquette this followed.

But since Wen Wan was taking a husband into her family, it wasn’t exactly standard practice, and no one dared to question it outright.

The young woman walked swiftly, the jade pendants on her dress chiming with each step, yet she moved with steady composure.

“Repaying debts is a matter of course!”

“Today is a day of great celebration for the Wen family. Unless you esteemed shopkeepers had no other choice, you would never have chosen to confront our family at our wedding banquet.”

With these words, she successfully quelled the anger in the shopkeepers’ hearts.

The expressions of the dozen or so creditors immediately softened.

As Wen Wan had said, they were all neighbors who saw each other regularly. Who would willingly make trouble at someone’s wedding or funeral feast?

They were only afraid that Wen Weiming and Shi Jinquan were in cahoots—that after collecting the wedding gifts today, they would abscond tomorrow. Who would they then go to for repayment?

“You uncles and elders have already given our Wen family six months of grace. This act of kindness… my father and I have always remembered it. However, Shi Jinquan absconded with the account books, and I only learned of it yesterday. I am even more anxious and desperate about this than you are, esteemed shopkeepers.”

The young woman’s eyes were clear and bright, her voice calm and unhurried.

This demeanor made those who had initially come for a spectacle regard her with a bit more seriousness.

“But no matter what, Shi Jinquan was the accountant of our Wen family. Any actions he took in my father’s name are, regardless of any errors, the unquestionable responsibility of the Wen family!”

“This money—I will repay it!”

Wen Wan took a red silk-wrapped drumstick handed to her by Hongmei and struck it hard against the copper gong three times—BANG! BANG! BANG!—producing deafening sounds.

Then she flung it.

The drumstick landed heavily on the ground.

And struck hard in everyone’s hearts.

In that moment, the entire main hall fell silent.

The young woman’s voice rang out like a great bell.

“I ask everyone present to bear witness: within three days, anyone who has had business dealings with the Wen family—whether in the name of my father Wen Weiming, Shi Jinquan, or any shopkeeper under the Wen family—as long as you possess genuine proof… our Wen family will acknowledge the debt and repay it!”

Someone below shouted, “Well said!”

But Wen Weiming’s eyelids were twitching.

It seemed Wen Wan had known about the Shi Jinquan situation all along but hadn’t told him in advance.

Over the years, the Wen family’s business had grown large, dealing with at least one or two hundred merchants. Several managers under him had undoubtedly made debts in his name without his knowledge. Now that Shi Jinquan was gone, it had all become a mess of unverifiable accounts.

If they were all lumped onto the Wen family, how many Wen families would it take to pay them off?

Furthermore, with Shi Jinquan gone, what if there were those trying to fish in troubled waters, presenting forged documents with Shi Jinquan’s signature? Would those debts be honored or not?

Who knew how much money his subordinates had embezzled behind his back during the six months he was ill?!

Wen Weiming wanted to stop his daughter, but Wen Wan continued loudly, “As the accountant, Shi Jinquan absconded with the financial ledgers. I have already sent people to report to the authorities and issued widespread wanted notices. I believe he will be apprehended and brought to justice soon.”

“If anyone tries to take advantage of this chaos to deceive our Wen family, don’t blame me for being unforgiving if the truth comes out later!”

The stone in Wen Weiming’s heart finally settled.

Shopkeeper Zhu looked at Wen Weiming with a smiling expression. “Old Brother Wen, this daughter of yours… are her words effective?”

Since Wen Wan had already made the promise, Wen Weiming naturally wouldn’t undermine her. The debts couldn’t be avoided anyway, so might as well leave a reputation for “righteousness” to facilitate a comeback later.

Wen Weiming quickly clasped his hands in apology. “Repaying debts is only right. I was seriously ill for a period recently and inadvertently caused trouble for you all. Even if Wen Wan hadn’t said anything, I was planning to tally the accounts in the next few days and deliver the owed sums to you esteemed shopkeepers. I hope you can let bygones be bygones. The Wen family’s business will still rely on your support in the future.”

With the head of the Wen family giving his word, the creditor shopkeepers all praised him as “magnanimous.”

Wen Wan made a gesture of invitation. “Esteemed shopkeepers, please come inside to discuss.”

Old Master Wen patted Wen Wan’s shoulder and handed her the key to his chest. “You go and sort out the accounts. Zhao Heng and I will stay outside to host the guests. If there’s not enough silver, take it from the bottom drawer of the cabinet in my study.”

It was the wedding banquet. If none of the hosts were present, the guests would inevitably feel neglected.

Wen Wan nodded. “Private savings?”

Old Master Wen rolled his eyes. “Originally saved for your dowry.”

Alright.

So, it was her private money being used after all?!

Wen Wan glanced at Zhao Heng again, smiling wryly. “I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you today.”

Zhao Heng held her hand. “We are family, sharing both fortune and misfortune. How could it be a trouble? Wife, you charge ahead at the front; I’ll secure the rear.”

The Wen residence was full of people inside and out for the celebration. Only Old Master Wen’s courtyard had a little space. Wen Wan had people bring over more than ten chairs, and the group sat down in a circle.

Fortunately, Wen Wan had already made her grand promise, so these people weren’t worried about the Wen family going back on their word.

They had only heard that Wen Weiming’s eldest daughter was capable, but had never dealt with the young Mistress Wen before. They hadn’t expected her to seem even more decisive than Wen Weiming.

Just as everyone was wondering if the Wen family would now be led by the young Mistress Wen, Wen Wan, still in her red wedding dress, took a seat. “Esteemed shopkeepers, please be patient. I will first send someone to fetch the account books.”

Since it was settled, the shopkeepers naturally became a bit more patient.

After all, the Wen family was right here in front of them; they weren’t afraid of her playing tricks.

Hongmei brought Wen Wan’s reed pen, paper, and ink. Catching Wen Wan’s meaningful glance, she began making small talk with the shopkeepers to buy time for Wen Wan and Concubine Liu.

“Esteemed shopkeepers, you must be thirsty after your long journey. I’ll fetch some melon seeds and pastries for you. Please sit for a while; the account books will be here shortly. Thank you for your patience.”

One of them picked up the thread of conversation. “The Wen family… will the young Mistress Wen be in charge from now on?”

A woman leading the family… the Wen family might be in trouble…

Better go back and consider finding another winery to cooperate with.

Hongmei smiled. “Matters of the master’s family are not for a maid like me to discuss.”

While they talked, Wen Wan wasn’t idle. Shopkeeper Zhu from the grain store was owed the most and was therefore the most anxious. He couldn’t sit still, uninterested in the tea the maid served, and just paced back and forth in the room.

What is the young Mistress Wen busy with?

Shopkeeper Zhu couldn’t resist leaning forward for a look and happened to see Wen Wan writing and drawing.

(End of Chapter)