The morning mist had not yet dispersed at Lu Mansion when a loud banging on the front gate suddenly broke the silence. Lu Jingyuan’s hand, holding his wolf-hair brush, froze in mid-air, allowing a drop of ink to bloom into a dark smudge on the rice paper—this was the third time this month someone had come to the door to demand payment. A servant stumbled inside, grass clippings clinging to his clothes. "Heir! Boss Wang from the West City rice shop has brought over thirty laborers and is blocking the gate, demanding repayment!"
"What are you panicking about?" Lu Jingyuan set down his brush, though his fingertips trembled slightly when he glanced at the deficit in the account books. Ever since the Right Prime Minister's Estate had secretly instigated the merchants to demand repayment en masse, Lu Mansion had already sold off thirty percent of its farmland, yet these so-called "old debts" continued to sprout like weeds.
In the main hall, Third Uncle Lu Mingyuan slammed his hand onto the table, his jade ring clicking sharply against the wood. "I said this marriage was an omen! Ever since news of the engagement got out, the Lu family hasn't had a moment of peace!" He turned toward Father Lu. "Older Brother, the coffers are empty. Our top priority is to call off the marriage!"
Chapter 212