Lin Yuwei’s lips twitched twice. She was so disliked by her own parents that her life had truly hit rock bottom.
Despite bearing the title of Princess Consort, her days were more meager than those of an ordinary woman.
“Father, Mother, do you really have to be like this? I am your own flesh and blood. Is it that big of a deal just because I’m asking for money? I won’t come anymore if you’re going to be like this, and you’ll have your peace and quiet!”
She delivered her harsh words, then feigned a wounded expression, waiting for their plea. But this time, it was different from usual; not a single person spoke to beg her.
The couple sat there quietly, their faces impassive as they looked at Lin Yuwei, as if waiting for her to finish her act.
“Speak, what is it this time?”
Ultimately, she was still their own daughter, and Marquis Pingyang could not help but ask, though with a hint of reluctance.
“Aren’t you done with me? Why are you still asking?”
“Yuwei, stop being so willful. Quickly tell your father the truth. If you’ve encountered something, he can help you figure it out.”
Nudged by her mother, Lin Yuwei reluctantly said, “Is this my fault? It’s just that Prince Jing is so poor. I was planning to invest in Sister Fengjin’s shop, but I don’t have enough money right now. Sister Fengjin promised to give me a two-tenths share of the profits each month. You know how good Sister Fengjin’s shop’s business is.”
“If I invest and get a share, I won’t have to come back to you for money anymore. Originally, I thought that when I made money, I could give you some as a filial offering. Now, it seems difficult, as your daughter is useless.”
Lin Yuwei forced out a few tears, acting as pitiful as possible.
“Stop pretending. How can I not know your little tricks? Tell me, how much more do you need?”
Seeing her father soften, Lin Yuwei did not hesitate to ask for a sky-high amount: “Ten thousand taels!”
“Cough… cough…” Marquis Pingyang suddenly erupted into a fit of violent coughing.
“My lord, slow down.”
“Father, are you alright?”
Mother and daughter leaned forward, asking with concern.
“You truly have a nerve, asking for such a fortune! Ten thousand taels, why don’t you just go rob someone!”
Ten thousand taels, she actually dared to say it. Why didn’t she just go rob someone directly?
“Father, I’m investing. I’ll earn it back quickly. I’ll return this money along with what I’ve taken before.”
Seeing that her father remained unmoved, Lin Yuwei turned her attention to her mother: “Mother, please help me persuade Father.”
“My lord, I actually think this method is feasible. I’ve seen Miss Feng’s shop; it’s always packed with customers, and the business is truly excellent. If Yuwei invests and makes money, she won’t have to come to us for money every day. Why don’t we give her the money?”
Marquis Pingyang looked hesitant, his fingers tapping on the table as he pondered. Seeing this, Lin Yuwei went up and started to act spoiled: “Father, dear Father, I promise this is the last time. Please help me.”
After a long pause, Marquis Pingyang finally said with some helplessness, “If you keep swaying like that, my old bones will fall apart. We’ve agreed, this is the very last time.”
“Don’t worry, Father, this will definitely be the last time,” Lin Yuwei said with firm conviction.
“Go get the money from your mother,” Marquis Pingyang gave his assent. Lin Yuwei excitedly grabbed her mother and walked towards the back.
“Mother, hurry and get the money for me. I’m waiting to send it to Sister Fengjin.”
The sooner she invested, the sooner she could make money. Lin Yuwei eagerly urged her mother.
“You are such a little debt collector. Here are twenty thousand taels in total.”
Madame Pingyang handed a stack of bank notes to Lin Yuwei.
“Mother, I only need ten thousand taels. Why so much?”
Saying that, Lin Yuwei was about to count out the excess money to return it.
“Investing isn’t it? It requires twenty thousand taels. You only have about ten thousand taels left. If you invest all of it, you won’t have a single coin left in your accounts. What will you eat, what will you drink, and how will you support the whole family? Take this money.”
Madame Pingyang forcefully stuffed the full twenty thousand taels in bank notes into Lin Yuwei’s hands.
“Mother…”
Lin Yuwei’s nose suddenly felt sore, and her eyes welled up with tears. Indeed, her mother cared about her the most.
“You’re all grown up now, and you’re Prince Jing’s consort. Why are you still crying? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
“Here with Mother, I’m always a child.”
“You, quickly take the money and leave. Don’t be late and delay important matters.”
“Then I’ll be leaving. Mother, don’t worry, I’ll definitely be filial to you when I make money.”
“You should have a little grandson for me with Prince Jing soon, and I’ll be happy. It’s been so long since you married, and there’s been no movement at all. You need to work hard…”
Lin Yuwei sensed her mother was about to nag again, and she quickly interrupted her: “Mother, I understand what you mean, but I have something to do, so I’ll leave now. I’ll listen to your nagging next time.”
After saying that, Lin Yuwei did not dare to stop and quickly ran off.
…
“Finally caught up.” Lin Yuwei ran in, her breath ragged. She was exhausted. After rushing and hurrying, she had finally made it in time.
“It’s the same if you send it tomorrow. Why did you have to rush to send it today?” Feng Jin, being sharp, immediately guessed why Lin Yuwei had come.
Lin Yuwei smiled and said, “I just feel more at ease in my heart if I come earlier. Sister Feng Jin, please count, it’s a total of twenty thousand taels.”
“I’ll take the money. We’ll sign the agreement.”
Feng Jin took the bank notes and wrote out an investment profit-sharing agreement, handing it to Lin Yuwei: “Sign here.”
Lin Yuwei signed her name without hesitation. She trusted Feng Jin completely and had no doubts.
“With so much money, don’t you even read the contents of this agreement before signing? Aren’t you afraid I’ll cheat you?”
“I’m not afraid. Sister Feng Jin is so wealthy, why would she care about my little bit of money? Besides, I trust you, so why would I doubt you?”
Lin Yuwei handed the paper with her signature to Feng Jin: “It’s done.”
“Welcome to the fold. This agreement is in duplicate. Keep yours safe.”
Feng Jin was very meticulous. She handed the signed agreement to Cai Qing to keep.
“From now on, you are a shareholder of Yu Yan Fang. You need to understand all these products from Yu Yan Fang so you can introduce them to guests.”
“So many?” Lin Yuwei exclaimed in surprise. This room was filled with so many products, big and small.