Is Your Zhou Family Trying to Renege?
Zhou Qingzhou was very quick, and soon he had signed and affixed his seal to the document.
The madam had the bill delivered directly to the Zhou Residence.
Zhou Fusheng was reading late into the night when he was interrupted by the manager's voice.
The manager said helplessly, "Master, there's someone outside who says our family owes money at the brothel and wants us to pay three thousand five hundred and sixty taels."
Zhou Fusheng frowned and said, "A brothel? Who in our family would go to a place like that?"
The manager shook his head and said, "I don't know either."
Zhou Fusheng shouted, "Bring out those little bastards! They're barely out of hair, yet they dare to go to a brothel! I'll beat them to death!"
Zhou Qingyan, Zhou Qingchen, Zhou Qinghe were all dragged out of bed.
Zhou Qingyan rubbed his eyes and said, "Dad, why are you looking for us so late at night?"
Zhou Fusheng looked at them and said:
"You scoundrels, who gave you permission to go to a brothel?"
"You're already engaged, aren't you afraid of ruining your reputation?"
Zhou Qingchen said speechlessly:
"Father! What are you thinking? How could we possibly go to a brothel?"
We were all sleeping at home! You woke us up out of the blue.
Zhou Fusheng scratched his head and said, "That's right! Then who else could it be? It wouldn't be Gu Sinian, would it?"
Zhou Qinghe chuckled.
"Even if you said Zhou Wanwan went to a brothel, I would believe you."
"But I simply cannot believe that Gu Sinian went to a brothel."
Zhou Fusheng coughed and said, "Go check if Young Master Gu is home."
Gu Sinian was making clothes when he saw the housekeeper and was stunned. He walked to the front hall and asked, "Uncle Zhou, what happened?"
Zhou Fusheng looked at him and said, "It seems it wasn't you either. Then who went to the brothel?"
Those people walked straight in and said:
"Is your Zhou Family trying to deny it?"
This is signed and sealed; it says "Zhou Qingzhou" on it!
Liu Su'e rolled her eyes and said:
"I knew it was him; he led them to the side courtyard."
We have absolutely no connection with Zhou Qingzhou, so don't try to make trouble.
Those people were quickly taken to a side courtyard. Qian Huihui looked at the group and asked, "What are you trying to do?"
These people immediately produced a bill and said, "Enough nonsense, your son owes 3,650 taels of silver from the brothel. Pay me back now."
Qian Huihui nearly fainted. "How much did you say you owed? More than 3,000 taels of silver?"
The man sneered, "You must gather 3650 taels today. If you're short even one tael, your son's finger will be chopped off."
Qian Huihui was so frightened that her legs went weak. She woke up Old Madam Zhou Old Madam Zhou, who yawned and said:
"It's just over 3,000 taels of silver. His second uncle can pay for it."
Fusheng! You wouldn't be so stingy, would you?
This child has had a tough time; you must help him. If you don't, he'll be ruined!
Zhou Fusheng suddenly said, "This is what's called PUA, now I understand."
Qian Huihui looked at him and said, "What P? I don't understand what you're saying."
Zhou Fusheng looked at them and said:
We kindly took you in to stay here, and this is what you've done.
Your son went to a brothel and spent money, and then told me he had a hard life. He really does have a hard life; he spent over 3,000 yuan in one night!
I don't even spend more than 3,000 a year.
Zhou Fuyu looked at him and said:
Fourth brother, what are you saying?
He's a man, and besides, he's a scholar now; it's only right that he spends some money."
Zhou Fusheng looked at him and nodded in agreement:
"Yes, he is a scholar, a learned man, so it's only right that he spends some money. Since your parents have said so, I certainly have no objection."
Since you're so lenient with him, it's only natural that you should help him pay off his debts, right?
Zhou Fuyu also looked at him and said:
"Fusheng, isn't 3,000 taels of silver just a drop in the ocean for you?"
Please help him! I'll have a good talk with him when he gets back.
Zhou Wanwan sat on a branch of the Old Scholar Tree and said, "Uncle Scholar Tree, do you think my dad will agree to them?"
The Old Scholar Tree shook its head and said:
"That's hard to say. Your father isn't the kind of person with a strong will; he's easily influenced by external factors."
But haven't you noticed? He's getting better and better now.
And your mother, she's increasingly showing the demeanor of a matriarch."
Zhou Wanwan nodded. Indeed, her parents had made great progress.
Especially her mother, who has not only learned to read and write, but has also learned to manage the household. Now the entire Zhou Residence is managed in an orderly manner.
Zhou Fusheng looked at Zhou Fuyu and said:
"You all know I have no money. I rely on my daughter. I've already lost all sense of shame."
"You still expect my daughter to pay for your son's brothel expenses?"
Zhou Fuyu looked at him and said:
"Anyway, it's all going to be your daughter's money; she has more money than she can spend right now."
She'll be getting married eventually, and all that money will go to her husband's family!
You'd be better off giving it to your nephew; he'll be filial to you in the future.
Zhou Fusheng looked at him and said, "Do I need him to be filial to me? I have three sons, all of whom are scholars, and all of them are far more outstanding than him."
Old Madam Zhou frowned and said:
"What good are your three sons? All they do is study all day long."
But Qingzhou is different; he has friends everywhere and a wide network of connections.
He'll treat you well once he becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination.
Zhou Qingchen said helplessly:
"Grandma, do you even believe what you're saying? Zhou Qingzhou has a wide network of connections? Who told you that?"
"What kind of scoundrels are the friends he makes?"
Old Madam Zhou's face changed, and she shouted, "Zhou Qingchen, what nonsense are you spouting?"
The people from the nearby brothels were getting impatient and urged, "This place is really interesting. Are you going to pay the bill or not? Who's going to pay it?"
Zhou Fusheng waved his hand and said:
"His parents are here, so let them pay. We're going to bed."
I could have used today to review properly, but now look what a waste of my time!
Recently, Zhou Fusheng has become somewhat obsessed. Ever since he was provoked, he has been studying diligently every day.
He wore down all the tutors in the house, leaving him no time to attend to anything else.
After Zhou Fusheng left, Qian Huihui looked at Liu Su'e and said, "Fourth sister-in-law, you won't just stand by and watch someone die, will you? You must help with Qingzhou's matter!"
Liu Su'e smiled faintly and said:
"Third Sister-in-law, Qingzhou is blessed to have parents like you. The rest is up to you."
We are outsiders after all, and it's already very kind of us to let you stay here.
Besides, everything in our house was bought by Wanwan; we have no say in it.
We're just staying here temporarily, like you all, so we'll go to sleep now.
A large group of people left the side courtyard, only to hear Qian Huihui crying, "What kind of heartless relatives are these? Aren't they trying to force us to our deaths?"
Old Madam Zhou stomped her feet in anger, "This is really going too far! What are we going to do about Qingzhou?"