Chapter 363: Chapter 188 Debt Collection Team_2
"There’s such a matter," Wang Youheng rubbed his eyebrows, "As for the Song Family’s issues, I’m also not very detailed."
Wang Youheng felt somewhat embarrassed. As a man, he wasn’t inclined towards gossip. He needed to study, practice medicine, manage his shop, and more, and his acquaintance with the Song Family was merely superficial—he knew very little.
"Brother Youheng, we’re both in the county town; you definitely know more than I do. Just talk about whatever you know," said Lian Manman. Her visit to Wang Youheng was because his family was also in the county town and knew the Song Family. Of course, she didn’t expect to glean any secrets of the Song Family from Wang Youheng, but rather to have a general understanding of the Song Family’s situation and be mentally prepared.
"I see, let me think." Wang Youheng racked his brains and told Lian Manman what he knew about the Song Family.
The Song Family had risen through commerce, and the current head of the family was Old Madam Shen, who was Song Hailong’s mother. Song Hailong’s father had died when he was very young, and although Song Hailong originally had two older brothers, they too had died young.
Now the Song Family consisted only of Old Madam Shen, the two widowed sisters-in-law of Song Hailong, his eldest brother’s daughter, and then Song Hailong himself.
"Song Hailong’s grandfather and great-grandfather also all died at an early age. Their family had been a line of only child sons for generations. It only improved at Song Hailong’s generation. Unfortunately, his two brothers still couldn’t escape the fate of their ancestors," said Wang Youheng.
The Song Family had once sought everywhere to offer incense and pray to Buddha, even inviting a feng shui master to alter the feng shui of the mansion. After Old Madam Shen gave birth to three sons, everyone said she was the Song Family’s benefactor.
Lian Manman uttered an "oh," understanding why Song Hailong was so favored; he was the last remaining seedling of the Song Family.
"Right, Old Madam Shen is from the Shen Family of Prefecture City," Wang Youheng added after a thought.
"What?" Lian Manman was surprised. The Shen Family of Prefecture City was actually intermarried with the Song Family?
"Old Madam Shen comes from a... collateral branch of the Shen Family," said Wang Youheng, seeming to guess what Lian Manman was thinking and explaining further.
There were some things Wang Youheng preferred not to elaborate on, and Lian Manman seemed thoughtful.
"Old Madam Shen is very capable, I heard, and also very sensible and reasonable," Wang Youheng said, "Manman, it’s difficult for you to go collect the debt."
Lian Manman showed a helpless expression. What could she do? Everyone at home was either sick, in cahoots with Lian Shouren, or just too honest, leaving her to play the villain.
"It’s tough, but there’s no other way. Brother Youheng," Lian Manman looked at Wang Youheng somewhat apologetically, "Could you possibly...?"
"What do you want to say, Manman?" Wang Youheng saw Lian Manman showing this rare expression and said, "Need my help? Just ask."
"Brother Youheng, we always trouble you, I..." Lian Manman looked down at her toes.
"Just say what you have to say, and see how I can help," Wang Youheng saw Lian Manman showing this rare expression, couldn’t help himself, and lightly tapped her forehead with his finger, laughing, "If you continue like this, it won’t be like you."
"Okay, I’ll say it then, Brother Youheng," Lian Manman realized that she was being too bashful. She lifted her head and rubbed the forehead where Wang Youheng had tapped, "Brother Youheng, could you lend me one of Imperial Doctor Wang’s calling cards for a moment?"
Facing Lian Manman’s bright eyes, it was hard for Wang Youheng to refuse. Still, he asked one question.
"You’re afraid that... no, it can’t be."
"Afraid of nothing but the if’s," said Lian Manman.
The senior members of her family were acting in such a way that she feared they still had moves yet to play, blocking their entry into the city. When Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi had gone to Lian Shouren’s house, they had been refused entry. Being a prominent and wealthy family, the Song Family could certainly prevent them from entering the doors—Lian Huahua being the young mistress was an example. Having Imperial Doctor Wang’s calling card in hand, she was confident that she would definitely be able to gain entry.
"Alright, I can help with that," Wang Youheng instructed someone to bring over one of Imperial Doctor Wang’s calling cards and gave it to Lian Manman. "Manman, let me accompany you to the city."
Lian Manman quickly waved her hands in refusal. It had already reached the twelfth lunar month, and Jisheng Hall needed to tally a year’s accounts—Wang Youheng was very busy, a fact she had noticed when she entered.
"Brother Youheng, I’m not going alone. This calling card is already a great help," she said.
Seeing Lian Manman insist, Wang Youheng didn’t persist further. After all, seeking out Lian Shouren and Lian Huahua to collect debts was a family affair of the Lian Family; with him by her side, it would not be appropriate.
...
The next morning, Lian Manman got up early. Today she had to go to the city and specifically wore a cotton skirt and styled her hair in a pair of maiden braids. Accompanying her to the city were Lian Shouxin, Erlang, Sanlang, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi.
She hadn’t planned to bring Xiao Qi, but Xiao Qi was eager to visit the city and, through persistent coaxing and pestering, Lian Manman had no choice but to include him.
Closing the breakfast shop for a day would result in a significant loss of money, which pained Lian Manman. Therefore, Lady Zhang stayed home, asking Lian Shouli, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye to help manage the shop for the day.
After having breakfast, Lian Manman tidied up and with Lian Shouxin, went to the Upper Room to bid farewell to Old Master Lian.
"Once you’ve gotten the money, come back," Old Master Lian instructed, "Bring the whole elder son’s family back too, tell them I’m dying. If anyone is sick, carry them back here too. Tell them it’s my order—if anyone refuses to return, then from now on, they needn’t come back at all. Our Lian Family has no place for such a person."
"Grandfather, don’t worry, I’ll surely bring back both the money and the people," Manman said. What Lian Shouren and his family had done this time was too far— even without Old Master’s instructions, she would not let them off the hook. Whether it was Lian Huahua or Lian Shouren and Lady Gu, they would all pay for their actions!
**...***
Lian Manman’s debt-recovery squad set off!
Posting the first update, asking for support. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
