Chapter 41: Winning People's Hearts

  Deng's expression became increasingly gloomy, and after a pause, he seemed hesitant, but still spoke the truth: "It would take 500 taels, which isn't something we can't afford at home. However, the eldest branch of the family refused to lend it, saying they had no money, and no matter how much my husband tried to persuade them, they wouldn't listen. My father-in-law is afraid that my husband will squander all the silver, so he doesn't care about this matter either, and has even asked my husband to go to the countryside in a few days to help him take care of some fields."

  "My mother's family was originally a humble household, and they couldn't help much. My husband has been worried for days, and that deal will be gone in a few days if we don't act quickly. So after thinking it over, I had no choice but to come ask for the mistress of the house's help, since the Han family still has some established rules. But I didn't expect the mistress of the house wouldn't look favorably on my husband either. My husband was really anxious, so in his haste, he forgot all about etiquette and turned around and left without a word. No matter how we called out to him, he couldn't be stopped. My husband didn't mean any harm, please forgive him, elder sister."

  After hearing all this, Han Jiangxue naturally understood everything. Without mentioning whether Han Qizheng had any real skills or not, it can be said that Deng had some wit. In one conversation, he not only explained the situation clearly but also expressed his helplessness without revealing any complaints or dissatisfaction.

  Five hundred taels is naturally a huge sum for an ordinary family, but for the hundred-year-old Han family, even if it's just a side branch, it's not too much. However, Han Qi was born out of wedlock and couldn't get along with his elders in the family, so he couldn't borrow money, which was normal. He thought that there was still this rule in the Han family that could help him show off his skills, but unexpectedly, he encountered Liu Shi, who had other intentions, and ended up hitting a wall again.

  For a moment, Han Jiang Xue's mind was racing quickly. If this Han Qi Zhen really had exceptional talent in business, then he would be a good candidate to help his brother. Putting him by his brother's side should be an excellent choice.

  Thinking of this, she said to Deng: "So that's it! I'll help you think of a way to deal with these 500 taels of silver. You go back and tell your husband to come see me directly in a couple of days."

  "Really... is that true, young lady?" Deng suddenly heard this and couldn't quite believe it, so she subconsciously asked back.

  Han Jiangxue smiled and nodded: "It should still be possible in a couple of days, I also need to make arrangements, so it will take some time."

  "Just in time! Thank you, young lady, thank you!" After Deng confirmed that it was true, she was overjoyed and kept thanking Han Jiangxue on behalf of her husband, feeling grateful beyond words.

  Han Jiangxue, seeing this, didn't stay any longer and led Zi Yue back to the house first. Deng Shi bowed again in gratitude towards Han Jiangxue's retreating figure before hurrying back to tell her husband the good news.

  On the way back to the mansion, Ziyue asked in puzzlement: "Eldest Miss, we have ready-made silver notes, if you want to help them, why must they come again another day?"

  Facing Zi Yue's questioning, Han Jiang Xue just smiled and didn't explain much, instead letting him prepare 500 taels of loose silver notes and cash for when Han Qi came the next morning.

  She now has ready-made silver tickets, but wants to make the weight of this favor a bit heavier. Casually throwing out 500 taels would make people think you're just being careless, and they won't take it too seriously, but making them understand that you've also put in a lot of thought, then the weight is completely different.

  Han Qizhen was indeed a talented and capable person in business, and such talents were rare among the younger generation of the Han family. Han Jiangxue would not sit idly by and let his sharp edge be suppressed. When the opportunity arose, he arranged for him to assist his older brother, and after being tempered, he would certainly be able to hold important positions.

  The future of the Han family will inevitably fall into the hands of the eldest brother, and of course, there will be a group of talented clan members helping him to support the entire Han family.

  Jian saw Han Jiangxue and didn't plan to say more, Zi Yue also stopped asking, and responded as instructed. Then she asked again if she needed to check whether Han Qizhen was generally trustworthy as Deng said.

  Zi Yue wasn't stupid either, knowing that Han Jiang Xue had lent a hand to help because he valued Han Qi's business talent. This was actually an early recruitment of talents for the young master, winning people over. So this was a big deal, and it was necessary to figure out what kind of abilities this person really had before proceeding. The silver was just a minor matter.

  Han Jiang shook his head and only said that it was unnecessary. Firstly, Deng's words were reasonable and there was no need to exaggerate, secondly, in the future, Han Qi's speed and way of returning the money could completely reveal his ability and character, so it was not necessary to make an extra move.

  On the third day, Han Qizhen indeed came early in the morning.

  That day, after returning home, his wife followed him into the house after a while and told him some uncertain news as soon as she entered the house, saying that she had met the eldest sister, and the eldest sister promised to help him and asked him to go again in two days.

  Han Qizhen was extremely suspicious of the notorious young lady's good intentions in his heart, and when he met her that day, he also transferred his anger towards Liu's attitude to the young lady who happened to be passing by, not knowing whether she wanted to take advantage of him.

  Although his wife repeatedly assured him that the eldest sister did not seem to be joking at all, and was not as bad as the rumors outside, but rather quite kind, this matter should not be fake. However, Han Qizhen still didn't hold too much hope for this matter.

  Now that things have come to this, he has no other choice but to try again, and with his wife's constant persuasion, he can only go back once more. And in his heart, the thoughts are complicated beyond measure, hoping that someone will really be able to help him, yet feeling that such a possibility is too low, and being tormented by it.

  After Daoming came in, someone soon invited him in and took him directly to the courtyard where Han Jiangxue lived.

  Zi Yue saw that this person had indeed come early, and after sending the servants away, he directly led Han Qi to prepare to enter the house to see the young lady. However, Han Qi was somewhat hesitant, saying that it was inconvenient for him to enter the young lady's boudoir, fearing that it would bring gossip to the young lady.

  "Big sister said, according to your generation, you are his cousin, and since you're both from the Han family, there's nothing inconvenient about it." Ziyue threw out this sentence before striding straight into the house, not even bothering to see if Han Qizheng was following.

  When he heard this, Han Qizhen was taken aback for a moment, but then saw Ziyue had already entered the house, so he didn't hesitate any longer and hastily followed her inside.

  The boudoir of the young lady of the Han family was not as luxurious as Han Qizhen had imagined, nor was it decorated with the usual feminine elegance. Except for some necessary furniture, everything else was nowhere to be seen. It gave off a sense of simplicity and neatness instead.

  When he saw her again, he found that the eldest sister was actually reading a book, and it was a historical classic that few women would read. Seeing him coming, she didn't put on any airs, and immediately put down the book, even smiling at him proactively, looking like she hadn't taken his rudeness to heart at all.

  Seeing this, Han Qizhen naturally hurried forward to pay his respects. Although in terms of seniority, he was indeed the older paternal cousin of Han Jiangxue, but as a distant relative like him, he didn't have the qualifications to act as an elder brother in front of the young mistress.

  "Uncle doesn't have to be so polite, please sit down." Han Jiangxue addressed him as uncle and also had someone offer a seat to Han Qizheng, but in his words and actions there was not the slightest hint of disdain.

  Han Qizhi seemed to be feeling a bit overwhelmed, although he had heard the maid mention his brother's name before, but hearing Han Jiangxue call him directly still made him feel a little flustered. He didn't dare sit down, and his heart felt increasingly uneasy, but on the surface, he maintained the composure he should have.

  PS: Recommended friend You Fei's new article, "The Usurper": A modern, ruthless and cunning policewoman travels back in time to the body of a poor and tragic younger sister in ancient times. She fights against her evil mother and mediocre sister, seeks out a powerful ally, and climbs up the ranks of wealth and nobility. As a result, the timid younger sister who had been hiding in her own body sees her bright future and comes back to reclaim it! She even finds a wise monk to scatter her soul and disperse her spirit!

  Damn it! When was she a bun!!!!!