395 Over Expenditure
Ever since she entered the capital more than a month ago, Liu Sanniang had never been idle.
She prepared to buy two bolts of cloth. When she was embroidering, it always made her feel at ease. Moreover, she was on her period now, so she had to do some embroidery to keep her mind calm.
General Black also wanted to go out for a walk, so Liu Sanniang and Chu Yan took the dog to the streets.
Seeing General Black on the street, the pedestrians would subconsciously keep a distance. However, attracted by such a big dog, they could not help but turn around to look at it.
In the capital, cloth was divided into many grades. Ordinary people bought cloth on the first floor. The cloth on the second floor was better, but it was also more expensive. As for special-grade cloth, it was left for the rich. Only they could afford it.
Liu Sanniang did not care much about this. Her favorite cloth was brocade. It was smoother and was best for making clothes in summer. Dresses made by it were cool and comfortable.
Summer was almost around the corner. Although she could buy ready-made clothes, she preferred to make them herself.
She looked at the man next to her. “Chu Yan, what color do you want?”
Chu Yan’s eyes were gentle. “Anything is fine.”
The two clothes she had made for him were very good.
Liu Sanniang chose three pieces with lake green, water blue, and wood ash colors and also bought some cotton.
The waiter beside her praised Liu Sanniang. “Miss, you have good taste.”
The waiter sincerely complimented her with a smile on his face. He felt that this girl was really beautiful and amiable. He couldn’t describe the feeling. Anyway, he was especially happy to be by her side.
Liu Sanniang smiled and went to pay the bill.
Yi Zilan had given her some banknotes to show his gratitude. She had sent some back and kept a few for herself. Wu Changxian had also given her a hundred taels, saying that he wanted to recruit her as the master at the Ministry of War.
Wei Shilai was still paying her ten taels a month, so Liu Sanniang was not short of money. She wasn’t in pursuit of a luxurious and wealthy life and did not need much money.
After shopping, Chu Yan took the items with one hand and held her palm with the other while Liu Sanniang held the leash.
A middle-aged man in blue hurriedly walked into the shop. The waiter greeted him. “Master, why are you here?”
Hu Futan said with a dark expression, “Go and tell the shopkeeper to bring me a banknote worth two hundred taels.”
The waiter nodded and quickly went upstairs.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the man.
Hu Futan’s eyes narrowed and he met Liu Sanniang’s gaze. He was stunned for a moment before looking away. When he looked back again, Liu Sanniang had already walked away with Chu Yan.
After taking a look at the man, Liu Sanniang turned around and left with Chu Yan. She asked him. “Do you want to eat fish tonight?”
Chu Yan nodded.
Anything was fine as long as he was with her.
Hu Futan was lost in thought when the waiter came down with the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper looked troubled. “Master, did something happen to you? You’ve already taken five hundred taels of silver these past few days. I don’t know how I should explain it to Madam.”
Hu Futan frowned. “Don’t tell Madam about this. I’ll tell her myself.”
The shopkeeper was in a difficult position, but in the end, he still handed the banknote to Hu Futan. After all, Hu Futan was the owner of the shop and the master of the Hu family. The Hu couple had been devoted to each other since their marriage, and Hu Futan had never taken in a concubine or had affairs outside. The shopkeeper thought that perhaps his friend was in dire need of money.
The shopkeeper was already used to it, but the money needed this time was a little too much.
Hu Futan did not want her wife to know, but her wife had instructed the shopkeeper to tell her at once if Hu Futan asked for more than two hundred taels of silver.
The Hu Family was a family of merchants, but when Hu Futuan became the head of the family, because of his incompetence in doing business, he almost made the Hu Family go bankrupt. Fortunately, Hu Futuan married a woman who had a good business mind.
The Jiang Family and the Hu Family were connected by marriage. Under the management of the Jiang Family’s daughter, Jiang Xiaoyan, the Hu Family’s business was improving day by day. At the thought of this, the shopkeeper decided to report it.
After some consideration, the shopkeeper called the waiter over.
“Go to the Hu Mansion and report to Madam that Master just took five hundred taels of silver.”
The waiter nodded, packed up, and left.
Hu Futan took the banknotes and went straight to a courtyard. He looked uneasy and knocked on the door. After the door opened, a middle-aged woman came out and smiled gently. “Brother Hu, you’re here.”
Hu Futan looked at the woman and could not help but feel a little nervous. He smiled and said, “Ru, this is two hundred taels of silver. Take it.”
Wang Ru took the banknote and smiled. “Brother Hu, come in and sit. I’m really grateful for your help.”
Hu Futan smiled but in front of Wang Ru, he always felt ill-at-ease.
Wang Ru seemed to have noticed it and reached out to pull him into the house. “Brother Hu, come in. I’ll make tea for you.”
Hu Futan looked at Wang Ru’s hand that was holding his wrist. He felt as if he was floating in the clouds. It was a strange feeling that was hard to describe. He smiled.
The courtyard was not big and was a little deserted.
Wang Ru held the kettle and made tea for Hu Futan. She smiled faintly and said indifferently, “Brother Hu, my hands are disfigured and will never be the way they were.”
Hu Futan’s eyes were filled with heartache. “Ru, you can treat me as your brother in the future. I’ll protect you.”
He always felt guilty and indebted towards Wang Ru.
There were tears in Wang Ru’s eyes as she said, “Yes, I can only treat you as my brother now. If we hadn’t separated back then, our child would already be at the age of marriage.”
The guilt in Hu Futan’s eyes deepened. “I’m sorry.”
Wang Ru waved her hand. “It’s all in the past. I’m already very happy that Brother Hu can visit me occasionally, but it’s better if you don’t come. You already have a wife. Don’t hurt her. I didn’t expect to meet you in the capital.”
Hu Futan waved his hand. “Don’t blame yourself. You know Jiang Xiaoyan’s personality. I’ll discuss this with her. You’re not in good health, and there’s no one to take care of you here. After I discuss it with her, I’ll bring you back to my mansion.”
Wang Ru pursed her lips and sobbed softly.
Hu Futan could not help but reach out and stroke Wang Ru’s head. “You’re already in your thirties, but you’re still like a little girl. You haven’t changed at all. You’re still the same as before.”