Madam Zhou would handle the sorting and organization of the purchases themselves, and Wufu saw an opportunity and pulled Xiao Hongyu outside to inquire.
After all, she was her Little Ears Reporting to the Gods.
"Tell me everything that has happened these days," Wufu instructed.
Ever since Wufu had told her to be more attentive to the household affairs in her absence, to take note of visitors and events and report back to her, Hongyu had been very observant. She began with news from outside: "Miss, Shopkeeper Lin from the Hundred Treasures Silver Building in town paid us a visit, but since you weren’t here, he left, but not without leaving a four-color gift."
Huh, Shopkeeper Lin came?
"Did Shopkeeper Lin leave any message?"
Hongyu nodded: "He said that when Miss returns, you should visit the town if you find the time."
Wufu touched her nose, knowing well why he had come; she had accepted his order and had yet to deliver the goods.
"The wife of the Big Uncle visited twice. The first time, I overheard that the Big Uncle Master was going to take the imperial examinations and thus they wanted to borrow silver," recalled Hongyu.
Wufu uttered an "oh," they’re trying for the exams again?
"I bet it’s Sun Shan causing trouble again," Wufu remarked with a sly look.
Hongyu rolled her eyes. Had Miss really been oblivious to the crux of the matter?
"Miss, she came to borrow silver."
"Oh? They still require silver to take the imperial examination?" Wufu was unclear about the specifics of the civil service examination of the era, never having studied these matters, she asked, "How much are they looking to borrow? Did my mother lend it to them?"
Hongyu scoffed, "They outright asked for fifty taels."
Wufu’s eyes widened, and she sarcastically quipped, "They really aren’t afraid of the wind being too strong."
"Do they think our family’s silver blows in with the wind? Not worried about it blowing so hard they bite their tongue?"
Hongyu pursed her lips, giggling. She knew the Miss would never disappoint her.
"Indeed. Mrs. Zhou didn’t lend the silver, but later she wrapped up a red envelope for the wife of the Big Uncle, saying it was to wish the Big Uncle Master good luck." Hongyu spoke, "Miss, Mrs. Zhou did it out of my sight, so I don’t know how much silver was inside?"
"Hmm, no matter. My mother doesn’t have much money on hand," said Wufu with a smile. "Even if she gave a red envelope, I suspect it was no more than a couple of Silver Shells."
Knowing Madam Zhou to be soft-hearted and easily swayed, Wufu didn’t let her manage the money; thus, her mother didn’t have much to her name.
"Even two Silver Shells, I feel, are not worth it," muttered Hongyu. "After the wife of the Big Uncle left, the Second Uncle’s Wife also came. Miss, I overheard the Second Uncle’s Wife saying that the Big Uncle Master seemed to have taken a lot of silver from Old Madam Zhou, supposedly emptying out the family’s coffers."
Only then did Wufu truly show surprise: "Really? That happened?"
Hongyu nodded, "I saw the Second Uncle’s Wife wiping tears."
Blushing, Hongyu said, "Afraid of being scolded by Mrs. Zhou for eavesdropping, I didn’t stay in place too long, so I didn’t catch much."
"That’s alright. You’re young, so from now on, if I haven’t sent you away, you just stay and attend to things," encouraged Wufu.
"Alright. I’ll listen to whatever the Miss says."
Wufu praised her, then took out the small silver bracelet from her sleeve and handed it to her: "Here, this is the gift I brought back for you this time."
"Miss, how could I accept this? It’s far too valuable!" exclaimed Hongyu with delight, receiving it. Her eyes then gleamed with joy at the sight of the exquisite design on the bracelet.
"Keep it. If you serve well in future, Miss won’t skimp on your jewelry," Wufu said as she tousled Hongyu’s coiffure. "Save it for yourself, for your future dowry."
"The Miss is good at making fun of people," blushed Hongyu, stomping her foot before scampering back inside.
Wufu chuckled to herself, then returned to what Hongyu had said before. For what reason would Zhou Xuennian strip the Zhou family’s assets bare?