Wang Xiaohong went to find Miss Feng so her elder brother could study with peace of mind.
Miss Feng did not know what to say to this silly girl. She did value her abilities, but with such a muddled head on her shoulders, how was she supposed to survive in the future?
She asked Wang Xiaohong how she intended to repay the five hundred taels.
Without even thinking, Wang Xiaohong said to deduct it from her wages.
Wang Zimian took the five hundred taels without so much as a word of thanks, tucked it into his robe as though it were his due, and hurried toward the Red Apricot House.
Fortunately, the madam of the Red Apricot House was reasonable. She had said five hundred taels would buy Que Niang's freedom, and after accepting that sum, she did indeed return Que Niang's indenture contract to her.
Not long after buying her freedom from the Red Apricot House, Que Niang married Wang Zimian.
But a wedding feast cost money, so Wang Zimian sought out Wang Xiaohong again and demanded that she pay for it.
Wang Xiaohong had no choice but to beg Miss Feng again.
Miss Feng stared at her for a long moment, sighed, and asked her,
"You already borrowed five hundred taels from me last time, and now you want another hundred. You won't have any wages left, which means you won't be able to give your brother any more money. What will you do then?"
Wang Xiaohong did not think much of it. Assuming Miss Feng was concerned about her, she replied cheerfully,
"My brother is married now. With my sister-in-law keeping him in line, he's bound to change."
Miss Feng almost laughed at her naivety. What decent woman would marry a man who only knew how to