Chapter 157 The Xue Family’s Loss

Outside, the rain was still falling. Ying’er called two maids in with food boxes.

Only Xue Baochai and Xiangling were in the living room.

Xue Baochai, who was sitting in the main seat, was holding an account book and flipping through it slowly, occasionally picking up a pen to write something on the book.

Xiangling was sitting on a stool beside him, embroidering.

Ying’er hesitated for a moment, but still walked over lightly: “Girl.”

Xue Baochai did not raise her head and continued to look through the account book. She just responded habitually, “Hmm.”

Ying’er: “Girl, it’s time for dinner.”

Xue Baochai picked up the pen again: “I know.”

Ying’er: “The doctor said that Master needs to stay in bed for a month. Madam has also developed some symptoms because of Master’s affairs, and Master Ke has gone to Shaanxi. If Miss gets sick too, it will be even more difficult.”

Xue Baochai looked at her, sighed, and then put down her pen: “Then let’s set the table.”

Ying’er smiled: “Yes. Let’s set the table.”

The two maids walked into the small dining room, placed a bowl of green glutinous rice, four home-cooked dishes, two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, and a bowl of clear soup on the small dining table, handed a pair of chopsticks to Xiangling who had followed them, and then left.

Xue Baochai sat down, took the chopsticks handed to her by Xiangling, and just after taking a small bite of rice, she suddenly remembered: “Has the Madam eaten yet?”

Ying’er: “This”

Xue Baochai put down her chopsticks and said, “Speak.”

Ying’er: “I heard from Sister Tongxi that Madam hasn’t had dinner yet.”

Xue Baochai: “What’s the matter? Is your uncle making trouble again?” As she said this, she stood up and was about to leave.

Ying’er hurriedly advised, “Miss, please eat first. Besides, the master should change the medicine now.” As she said that, she picked up the chopsticks and handed them to Xue Baochai.

Xue Baochai sighed, took the chopsticks, sat down again, and started eating.

At this moment, the door curtain was raised, and Ping’er came in. She bowed to Xue Baochai and said, “Why are you eating so late, young lady?”

Xue Baochai glanced at her and asked, “Is your grandmother back?”

Ping’er: “I heard that the old lady was ill, and everyone who could come back has returned.”

Xue Baochai then put down her chopsticks and said, “The house is in a mess, and I just took a breath. How is the old lady?”

Ping Erh replied, “Thank you for your concern, young lady. Our old lady is much better now. She just drank two mouthfuls of red rice porridge. By the way, our second master’s grandmother asked, how is Master Xue?”

Xue Baochai stood up and said, “I’ll tell you I’m sorry. Thank you for your concern. I’m feeling better now.”

Ying’er came over with a bowl of tea.

Xue Baochai sat down again: “Sit down and have a cup of tea.”

Ping Erh shook her head: “Thank you, young lady. I’ll pass on a few words for the Second Master and will be back immediately. Our eldest sister is making a fuss.”

Xue Baochai looked at him.

Ping’er: “Second Master said that the Infantry Yamen sent a message that when they searched the pawnshop, they made a list and registered it. They returned everything on the list. As for the things on the Xue family’s list, they don’t recognize them.”

Xue Baochai’s expression changed: “What did your Second Master say?”

Ping’er paused and said, “This is already the best result.”

Xue Baochai nodded, looked at the heavy rain outside the window, stood up and said, “It’s really hard for you to brave such heavy rain. Go back and say hello to your grandmother for me, and tell her that we will have a wine party to express our gratitude when brother can go out.”

Ping’er: “Yes. I won’t disturb you, young lady.” She bowed slightly, turned around and walked out.

Xue Baochai sat down, lost in thought.

Ying’er: “Girl, let’s eat.”

Xue Baochai sighed softly, “I won’t eat anymore.” Then she stood up and said, “Let’s go to the front yard.”

Ying Er glanced out the window and advised, “It’s raining so hard, girl, please take a sedan chair.”

Xue Baochai said to Xiangling, “Bring the oil coat here.”

Xiangling responded and took the oil coat from the hanger.
Xue Pan’s bedroom
Xue Pan lay prone on the bed, with whip marks on his back, buttocks and legs after taking off his clothes, and his face was covered with bruises.

A maid held a bowl of black ointment, and another maid applied the ointment to Xue Pan. Xue Pan moved a little, then gritted his teeth and uttered “Ouch”, and turned his head sharply: “Damn it, you want to hurt me to death!”

The maid who was applying medicine was frightened and pressed her palm directly on the whip marks, causing Xue Pan to scream in pain.

Aunt Xue’s anxious voice came from outside: “What’s wrong?”

“It’s okay, mom, don’t worry.” Xue Pan gritted his teeth and glared at the maid fiercely.

Aunt Xue choked up and said, “If you had listened to me and controlled your temper, you wouldn’t have suffered this. Fortunately, no bones were hurt. If you had been disabled, what would you have asked your sister and I to do?” Then she started crying again.

Xue Pan said irritably: “Forget it, forget it, forget it, it’s my fault, Mom, don’t mention it again.” Then he glared at the maid who was applying the medicine: “Is it done yet?”

The maid: “.Hurry, it will be done soon.”

Xue Pan: “Hurry up. Hey, be gentler.”

Suddenly, Xue Baochai’s voice was heard from the outside: “Why is Mom crying?”

When she saw Xue Baochai coming, Aunt Xue quickly wiped her tears with her handkerchief and said, “What are you doing here in such a heavy rain?”

Xue Baochai handed the oil coat to Ying’er and said, “Let me see if mother is okay, and also check on my brother.”

Xue Pan’s voice came from the bedroom: “Good sister, I’m fine. It’s a good thing that you’re here, go back with mom. Ah!”

Aunt Xue replied, “You go back first. I’ll talk to your brother for a few words and then I’ll go back.”

Xue Baochai paused and said, “I will go back with my mother.”

Aunt Xue: “What’s the matter?”

Xue Baochai nodded.

Aunt Xue suddenly thought, “Did the Infantry Office reply?”

“Miss Ping just came.” Xue Baochai sat next to Aunt Xue and repeated what Ping’er had said.

Aunt Xue was shocked: “What?! What should I do?”

“Son of a bitch!”

Xue Pan was furious and shouted, “I’m going to beat these sons of bitches to death and then sue them!”

Aunt Xue was anxious: “Damn you, you evil creature, you still think you haven’t made enough trouble!”

Xue Baochai: “Brother, don’t make mother angry. The Infantry Commander’s Office is under the Ministry of War. You want to sue the Ministry of War? That’s the place for reasoning! Besides, there is a prince involved behind this. No one will offend them for our family.”

“Are they going to get it for free to those bastards?” Xue Pan was very unwilling.

Xue Baochai sighed. Fortunately, the valuables pledged by the bank were sent to the Ministry of Revenue, otherwise the Xue family would have suffered even greater losses. Including the money that was swindled by Bai Hongzhi, the Xue family lost at least 50,000 taels of silver this time. Although the Xue family was not seriously injured, it was definitely not a loss that could be made up in a short period of time.

At this time, the two maids who applied medicine to Xue Pan came out.

Xue Baochai walked in with Aunt Xue, only to see Xue Pan, who was covered with a thin quilt, with his eyes as big as bells, leaning on the pillow and breathing heavily.

Aunt Xue sighed and said, “Well, let’s just consider it as a lesson learned.”

Xue Baochai nodded.

Xue Pan suddenly remembered: “Didn’t you tell the Li family about this? Why didn’t they help us?”

Aunt Xue also looked at Xue Baochai.

Xue Baochai was tired: “How do you want the Li family to help us? They don’t know what will happen. Besides, why should they help us?”

Xue Pan: “Li Hu can’t just take the 20% interest for nothing, right?!”

“Without the Li family’s connections, we can’t do business in Hetao.”

Xue Baochai glanced at him, and then said to Aunt Xue: “That’s it, don’t mention it anymore.” At this point, she was silent for a moment, “This is not entirely a bad thing, at least I have a reason to refuse my uncle.”

Aunt Xue’s eyes lit up. Wang Ziteng’s side was a bottomless pit.

Aunt Xue smiled again and said to Xue Pan, “You should rest early too.” Then she took Xue Baochai and walked out.

Xue Pan closed his eyes, and then opened them suddenly the next moment. At that moment, the scene of being beaten in the Infantry Yamen prison emerged in his mind. He gritted his teeth and said, “Just wait, Master Xue will not let you go!”

(End of this chapter)