Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 256 Master, please take both the mother and daughter.

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In truth, Duan Mengrou didn't actually covet the money shop. She had endured years of agonizing hardship under Gao Hongtu, finally welcoming Liu Ye, her benefactor, who not only removed the mountain weighing on her but also gave her the position of money shop manager, a golden opportunity to reach the pinnacle of her life. To manage this money shop, which was the focus of the entire city's attention, and to gain Liu Ye's trust, Duan Mengrou spent every waking moment at the money shop, from dawn till dusk, attracting depositors and keeping track of accounts. She didn't even go home for meals, working with her life on the line.

Over the course of three months, Duan Mengrou had lost a significant amount of weight. However, she felt fulfilled and happy, watching the money exchange business flourish under her management, feeling that her life's value had been elevated. Now, Liu Ye had come and immediately demanded to take almost all the cash from the accounts, leaving the money exchange, the culmination of her hard work, nearly empty. She felt a sense of loss, as if her own child had been taken away, and instinctively wanted to refuse, hence her conflicted and flustered expression.

Liu Ye was unaware of Duan Mengrou's thoughts. Seeing her trying her best to hide her anxiety, he frowned and said, "If you're worried, I'll have Zhang Ming come over and promise you that if the bank encounters a run on its cash flow, it will borrow from the monthly turnover of Wanhualou and the winery. That way, you won't have any worries."

Duan Mengrou was startled and quickly waved her hand, "No need, no need, I can handle it, there's no need to trouble Deputy Steward Zhang."

"It's decided then. Tonight, prepare some food and wine at the manor and invite Deputy Steward Zhang over so that the transaction can be completed in person." Liu Ye gave the order without room for refusal.

Seeing this, Duan Mengrou had no choice but to agree.

As dusk settled, an exquisite feast was laid out in the Duan family's main hall, with several bottles of Wuliangye liquor added to the festivities. Zhang Ming, having been invited, greeted Liu Ye and, upon seeing the liquor on the table, chuckled, "I was hesitant about bringing a few bottles from the shop, worried that Manager Duan, a woman, might not appreciate strong liquor, so I didn't. But Manager Duan has thoughtfully provided the liquor; how considerate! I'll certainly keep the master company for a few drinks tonight, and Manager Duan, you must join me!"

Duan Mengrou forced a smile: "This servant has a low alcohol tolerance, but I will definitely keep you company, even if it costs me my life." After saying that, she glanced at Liu Ye, feeling uneasy. She wondered if her previous hesitation would have made the master resentful. It seemed that she would have to find a way to ease the master's displeasure at the dinner table tonight.

Surrounded by maids, the three sat down according to their status as host and servant. Liu Ye looked around and casually remarked, "Where is Aunt Jiang?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Mengrou's expression changed drastically. Her lips moved, but she dared not say anything. She could only keep her lips tightly closed and clench her teeth.

Zhang Ming was quite embarrassed and leaned closer to Liu Ye to explain in a low voice, "Master, women shouldn't sit at the table in this kind of setting—although Manager Duan is a woman, her status is special, so she's an exception—there's no male master in the household, and if we invite Consort Jiang to keep us company, it would be a bit ambiguous. If you really have taken a liking to Consort Jiang, you can find another way to do it. This isn't appropriate, especially in front of the servants. Consort Jiang is a widow, and she's also Manager Duan's mother; it wouldn't look good for Manager Duan..."

Liu Ye was mortified. He had only invited the host's elders out of modern courtesy, but he hadn't expected that the ancients would interpret it in a completely different way.