Chapter 97: Chapter 63: Cousin Visits_3
"Isn’t that so?"
"Of course not." Yin Zheng rose to make the bed, "Those relatives who come begging in autumn, all wish to dress as shabbily as possible, hoping to receive some silver. How could Miss Xia compare? The fabric of the dress she wears is even newer than yours. And that agate bracelet on her wrist, that’s worth no less than twenty pieces of silver."
Yin Zheng turned her head, "When have you ever seen a poor relative looking so splendid during their autumn begging?"
Lu Tong disagreed, "So what?"
"A woman dresses to please those she favors," Yin Zheng turned back and continued making the bed, "Most likely for Shopkeeper Du, I reckon. She truly seems to have her sights set on Shopkeeper Du."
Lu Tong nodded, "She is Shopkeeper Du’s cousin. If it really comes to discussing marriage, naturally they’ll be inseparable in the future." Speaking of which, Lu Tong paused, and looked at Yin Zheng with confusion, "Are you unhappy because you like Shopkeeper Du?"
"Of course not!" Yin Zheng was startled, and without finishing making the bed, she quickly denied, "How could I possibly like Shopkeeper Du?"
Seeing Lu Tong nod, Yin Zheng sighed, "It’s not that I have any prejudice against Miss Xia, it’s just that the affairs the young lady seeks could easily lead to disaster if not carefully managed. We live here and it’s not too bad when there are fewer people around, but now with the addition of Miss Xia and her companion, I’m always afraid... afraid that trouble might arise."
So that was the worry.
Lu Tong smiled faintly, "No harm, just be careful is all."
...
As Lu Tong and her companion spoke of Xia Rongrong, the lamp in the next room, where Xia Rongrong was, had not yet extinguished.
Xia Rongrong, in her undergarments, sat beside the bed with her hair loose, her expression showing some worry.
The maid Xiang Cao stood behind her, combing her long hair with a wooden comb, and asked, "Miss has already met with the young master, why are you still so full of concern?"
Xia Rongrong shook her head, "My parents sent me to the Capital City, beginning with the hope that I would marry my cousin."
"In my cousin’s letters, he spoke of Old Master Du’s passing, yet he did not mention that the inheritance left by Old Master Du has dwindled to no more than this shabby medical clinic!" Xia Rongrong grasped Xiang Cao’s hand, "You are seeing my cousin for the first time and may not realize, but I can tell that his current standard of living is much poorer than before. It is evident that he has fallen on hard times."
"My... My father is still hoping I can marry into the Du Family and then bring him to live in the Capital City. But what are we to do now?"
Unable to hold back, Xia Rongrong began to sob softly.
Xia Rongrong’s mother and Du Changqing’s mother were relatives.
Although the blood relation was extremely distant, for Du Changqing, who had lost his mother at a young age, this connection was the only tie he had to his mother’s family. He very much enjoyed listening to Aunt Xia talk about his mother’s past.
Xia Rongrong did not dislike Du Changqing.
Du Changqing was the only son of the Du Family, and Old Master Du was fond of him, willing to spend silver on him. Each time Xia Rongrong visited Shengjing with her parents when she was young, Du Changqing, her cousin, would treat them with great generosity.
Furthermore, Du Changqing had a fair appearance, and although somewhat dissolute, his character was not despicable, and he could justifiably be considered a decent match. Therefore, when her parents hinted at a union with Du Changqing, Xia Rongrong was not averse to the idea in her heart.
Her parents had good intentions. Du Changqing was the apple of Old Master Du’s eye, and after Old Master Du’s death, he would surely leave Du Changqing a considerable inheritance. Xia Rongrong had also known Du Changqing since their childhood, and he was a man easily influenced, especially by Xia Rongrong. Once married, she would indeed become the respectable lady of a wealthy household.
That’s why Xia Rongrong brought only the maid Xiang Cao with her to the Capital City, thinking with time spent together as cousins, affection would naturally develop. And with Du Changqing having neither father nor mother, once her parents stepped in, the marriage would be settled.
Who would have thought, upon arriving in the Capital City, she’d be met with such terrible news, that Old Master Du’s fortune was squandered by Du Changqing, leaving behind only this small clinic.
This was far from what she had imagined!
A Du Changqing without silver no longer seemed appealing.
Xiang Cao consoled her, saying, "Miss, don’t be sad. Though the young master is not what he used to be, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. To possess a residence and a storefront in a place as precious as Shengjing, he is already better off than many."
"Moreover, no one knows exactly how much silver Old Master Du left for the young master. Perhaps the young master has hidden it away. It’s just..." Xiang Cao hesitated.
"It’s just what?"
"It’s just that Doctor Lu next door, you need to be careful."
Xia Rongrong was taken aback, "Careful of what?"
"Which ordinary household would have such a young Resident Doctor, and a woman at that?" Xiang Cao cautioned, "Miss, don’t think me overly anxious, but the young master used to be quite a ladies’ man. If he has taken up with another woman before even getting married... then you’ll need to consider this match more carefully."
"You mean Doctor Lu and my cousin..." Xia Rongrong hesitated, "Really?"
"Appearances can be deceiving and I’m just worried for you. But since we’re going to be here for a while, we might as well keep a close watch on them to see if there’s anything suspicious."
After thinking it over carefully for a while, Xia Rongrong made up her mind and nodded, "Alright, we’ll do as you said."