Chapter Fourteen: The Pawnshop

Zhou Shen had always raised his son this way, but when it came to Liang Shanru, he felt both reluctant and heartbroken. After her earnest words left him at a loss for how to persuade her, he finally gave in to her wishes after much thought.

She promised to deliver the money by tomorrow at the latest, but for now, she had to find a way to raise the funds.

Zhou Shen had no choice but to leave the carriage with her and walk back to the separate courtyard himself.

The coachman, who had served him faithfully for many years, was trustworthy and discreet, skilled enough to protect her from any harassment or harm.

Liang Shanru named a place, and the coachman hesitated for a moment but wisely chose not to ask any questions.

As the carriage moved forward, Nong Yun rubbed her hands and called to her lady, “Shouldn’t we ask Uncle Hu first?”

Liang Shanru closed her eyes to rest briefly, then sighed, “The goldsmith’s shop has been controlled by the Zhou family all these years. Do you think they’d lend us silver?”

That goldsmith was part of her mother’s dowry. Uncle Hu, the shopkeeper, had come all the way from Shengjing to Yangzhou with them back then. He had been the one to deliver messages to her aunt and Zhou Shen now, so Liang Shanru had already asked him a few days ago.

She opened her eyes with a trace of helplessness. “I asked Uncle Hu. The shop never keeps silver in the accounts. The Zhou family monitors every little transaction. Even if there’s a single coin left on the counter, they take it away the same day.”

Nong Yun blew her breath out in frustration, glaring and cursing the Zhou family’s cold hearts and rotten souls. Yet soon she fretted over the matter of two thousand taels. “Miss, since you know there’s no silver in the shop’s accounts but still promised two thousand taels, where on earth are you going to find that kind of money so quickly?”

Liang Shanru did not answer her question.

Only when the carriage came to a steady stop did Nong Yun pull aside the curtain and step out first, turning to help Liang Shanru down, finally realizing where they had arrived.

She still wore a worried frown. “If you come here to pawn something and Lord Zhou the Military Governor finds out, he’ll surely be angry.”

She was bound to be angry if Liang Shanru wouldn’t even speak to him about it and resorted to such measures.

Liang Shanru smiled, gently rubbing Nong Yun’s shoulder, then stepped inside.

The young clerk behind the pawnshop counter recognized Liang Shanru and, surprised, came out from behind the counter to greet her with utmost politeness—offering tea and leading her to a seat. Later, hesitantly, he asked, “Lady Liang, what brings you to our shop...?”

The shop was always open for business, greeting and seeing off customers, especially noble ladies like Liang Shanru—there was no room for neglect.

The clerk’s words were measured, seeming as if he asked nothing, yet in truth, he inquired about everything.

Liang Shanru answered calmly, “I’m pawning something, but I’m only using it as collateral. I’ll redeem it in a few days.”

The clerk straightened up beside her and asked shortly, “What are you pawning, Lady?”

Liang Shanru took a delicately embroidered pouch from her sleeve. Soon, a plump, rich green jade bracelet appeared before their eyes.

She gently placed the bracelet on the table. “This bracelet is worth two thousand taels.”

Nong Yun visibly gasped.

The clerk, too, rarely saw such a fine piece of jade and was full of admiration.

Just as he was about to speak, footsteps sounded. Liang Shanru glanced toward the door and was immediately startled.

Xu Yunxuan strode in, his eyes first catching sight of her, then quickly settling on the jade bracelet on the desk.

Liang Shanru felt no shame but had not expected that he, too, would come to the pawnshop to exchange silver.

Xu Yunxuan understood her purpose at once and took a few steps forward. “You’re short of silver?”

His directness made Liang Shanru’s expression stiffen.

She stood, meeting Xu Yunxuan’s worried gaze and smiled with pursed lips. “Just a temporary cash flow problem. I don’t have that much on hand right now.” As for the matters of the Liang family, he was always an outsider, so she never mentioned them. Not wanting him to press further, she asked in return, “Why, are you here to pawn something too?”

Xu Yunxuan glanced at the clerk and shook his head. “This pawnshop is one of my family’s businesses. I came today to check the accounts and didn’t expect to run into you. Shanru, if you have difficulties that bring you here to pawn...”

He lowered his eyes to the bracelet, almost inaudibly sighing, “This is something your aunt left you, isn’t it?”

The two families had frequent dealings in the past. He had seen this bracelet when he was young, worn on Lady Liu’s wrist.

“I’m only pawning it temporarily. I’ll redeem it in three or five days.” Liang Shanru never imagined it belonged to his family’s business and awkwardly made small talk. “Since it’s your business, I feel more at ease. The bracelet’s quality is worth two thousand taels...”

“I’ll lend you two thousand taels. You can take the bracelet back with you, and repay me whenever you want.” Xu Yunxuan’s expression was stern, his tone much colder than usual. “Although we don’t engage in unscrupulous dealings here, and pawns are safely kept, Shanru, what if you went to some other pawnshop? What if they were dishonest, took your item today and shut down tomorrow? Where would you go to find them? What would you do if you couldn’t get your things back?”

Liang Shanru’s eye twitched twice, thinking to herself that surely such bad luck wouldn’t befall her.

Besides, pawnshops see good items every day. Her mother’s bracelet was exquisite but hardly enough to ruin their business.

Moreover, she was not naive.

These merchants all registered with the authorities. Who could truly run off and disappear?

Still, Xu Yunxuan meant well, and she could tell. So she didn’t reject him outright but explained somewhat awkwardly, “If I wanted to borrow silver, I wouldn’t need your help. I shouldn’t even be here now—I should be looking for Third Lady.”

Her lips curled slightly as she looked up at Xu Yunxuan. “You know Lord Zhou, the Military Governor of Huainan? He was my father’s old friend and is currently in Yangzhou. The carriage outside belongs to him. I’m staying with him now, and he’s been very kind to me out of respect for my father.”

Xu Yunxuan was smart and had already guessed the crux of the matter, so he grew even more concerned. “Shanru, why don’t you come back home with me? I’ll ask Grandmother to...”

“No.” Liang Shanru interrupted him urgently. “I can handle this myself.

Mother and Father left me these things to rely on. If I’m short of silver for a while, why shouldn’t I use them?

Besides, it’s not a permanent pawn. Don’t say things like ‘this is something Mother left you, a keepsake.’”

Her resolve was unshakable. No matter what Xu Yunxuan said, she wouldn’t change her mind.

The two had practically grown up together. Though she seemed gentle, she was very strong-willed. It was just that no one had ever pressured her as much as the Marquis and Marchioness of Changle, so she usually preferred to get along with others.

Xu Yunxuan took a deep breath and gave up, ordering the clerk in a low voice to accept the pawn and issue a ticket for the silver. Then he couldn’t help but ask, “Did you ask Lord Zhou to help?”

Liang Shanru neither confirmed nor denied. Seeing his understanding, she smiled bitterly. “Third Lady told you it was fine to ask Grandmother to intervene, but you ignored it. When I mentioned it just now, you avoided the topic as well.

Shanru, even if you don’t care, we grew up together. If Lord Zhou can help, why can’t we help you?

What exactly did Grandmother say to you that day at home?”