Chapter 96: Poverty-Stricken

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Yuanbao asked in confusion, “Why does my lord want to see Xue Baniang?”

Wang Yunzhi’s heart pounded, but he replied calmly, “Mind your own business. Just go and get it when I tell you to.”

Yuanbao was speechless.

There was something wrong with the lord.

...

Xue Fanzhi was busy sewing clothes when the elderly gatekeeper came to report, “The Wang family’s young master has come to see you!”

The Wang family’s young master? Wang Yunzhi?

Xue Fanzhi furrowed her brow silently. What could this person want?

She asked, “Does the matriarch know about this?”

The gatekeeper nodded, “Yes, Qiuxiang, who serves the matriarch, brought him over.”

Since a senior had given consent, it was proper to receive him; otherwise, it would seem like a private, secret meeting.

Xue Fanzhi set down her work, changed into a plain dress, and went downstairs.

Wang Yunzhi waited in the small flower hall of the matriarch’s courtyard. He stood by the window, hands behind his back, looking outside. He had already spotted Xue Fanzhi approaching with her maid.

Naturally, he paid no attention to the maid, his eyes fixed solely on Xue Fanzhi.

Her once charming and radiant face seemed a bit sharper now; the contours of a young woman coming of age were increasingly evident.

A smile tugged at Wang Yunzhi’s lips as he looked down and noticed the worn-out dress she wore.

Even their servants wouldn’t wear such fabric anymore. Why did she?

Was she being frugal?

Wang Yunzhi’s eyes darkened.

In a moment, the curtain at the door was pulled aside, and the girl’s light steps appeared. Wang Yunzhi turned his head and, before Xue Fanzhi could ask why he had come, he said directly, “Do you know you’re here to receive guests?”

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Xue Fanzhi frowned slightly.

Wang Yunzhi pointed bluntly at her clothes, “You’re too casual, too disrespectful. I am a guest, yet you treat me like a beggar. Don’t you have a new outfit? Can’t you dress properly to meet me? Don’t you want to show even a bit of effort?”

His barrage of accusations left no pause. Xue Fanzhi’s face immediately changed; she felt both ashamed and guilty. She hadn’t meant to neglect her guest. She truly had no good clothes to wear. Her grandmother had made her two fine dresses, both worn on visits to the Xie family, and they were still drying after washing.

The ones she made herself were saved for important occasions, so there were no other good clothes. Even though her grandmother cared for her now and had made new clothes, the tailor had yet to deliver them. In the past, with such parents, all attention was on Xue Jiaoyue; no one noticed her. She only had those two outfits from the palace, but she was growing taller every day—sometimes they wouldn’t fit, sometimes they were worn out...

Yet she did not feel ashamed.

Quickly dismissing her shame, Xue Fanzhi straightened and said, “I have washed these clean. They are very clean and tidy. I believe this is proper respect for my guest. I have nothing to be ashamed of. If you think I am unworthy of a guest like you, then perhaps you shouldn’t have come to see me!”

After all, he had come to her doorstep and was now complaining about her clothes.

She did not cry; instead, her gaze was steady and open, like a noble pine standing tall.

Wang Yunzhi was taken aback. Then he paused, wondering if he had expected her to cry. No, that wasn’t his intention. He didn’t get pleasure from making young ladies cry. But he was genuinely angry earlier.

Not because he looked down on her, but because she didn’t understand the urgency.

“Just being clean can’t cover up the fact that you’re poor and unwilling to treat your guests properly. Do you know that even our servants don’t go out dressed like this? You’re trying to embarrass me!” Wang Yunzhi gestured toward Xue Fanzhi’s collar, “Go back and change!”

Xue Fanzhi knew well the wealth of the Wang family. She had been an empress and was not ignorant of such matters. So she did not blame Wang Yunzhi’s attitude, but no matter how wealthy he was, he shouldn’t boss her around like this.

Before, she had feared him, worried he might mention Zhang Jiuniang’s matter. But he also had weaknesses she held over him. Why should he be so arrogant?

“I won’t change!” Xue Fanzhi had a temper and it was no small one. She said coldly, “I said these clothes are clean, and that’s how you should treat guests. Apparently you don’t understand. You should leave!”

Wang Yunzhi stared in disbelief. “What did you say? You want to kick me out? Do you know who I am?”

“If you don’t leave, then I will!” Xue Fanzhi turned to leave.

Wang Yunzhi didn’t care that the maid was present; he stepped forward quickly and grabbed her arm. “I haven’t said you can go. Who told you to leave?”

Nearby, the red silk-clad maid remained silent.

There must be a story between the lady and this Wang family man. The lady just wouldn’t say it, but the maid would watch closely.

No, she couldn’t just watch while her lady was being bullied. She had to step in!

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No, this was the matriarch’s territory. Oh heavens, she wanted to know what was going on and also be a faithful maid. What on earth should she do?

Could someone please advise this little maid?

While the maid wrestled with her thoughts, Xue Fanzhi brusquely shook off Wang Yunzhi’s hand and said, “Please, sir, respect yourself!”

Wang Yunzhi did not want to respect himself. He knew how hurtful his words had been. But if he didn’t speak this way, she would never change. He was doing it for her own good. So he refused to let go.

In the end, Wang Yunzhi slowly released her hand and said, “I have something to give you.”

He took a brocade box containing pills from his sleeve and placed it into Xue Fanzhi’s hand.

Xue Fanzhi immediately threw the box away.

Wang Yunzhi was shocked by her rough action.

Xue Fanzhi sneered, “Who are you to me? Pray tell, what relation do you have to me? You’re just a guest. Why should I accept your gift?”

“Besides, someone as humble as I am surely does not deserve your gift! Either leave or stop bothering me!”

“You...” Wang Yunzhi began.

Xue Fanzhi’s tone grew even colder as she raised her head, “I believe, sir, you are a decent and honorable man who would want everyone to have dignity.”

If this went on, neither of them would remain dignified.

Wang Yunzhi looked at Xue Fanzhi’s small face. She was still that little girl, not tall, but her expression was resolute and sincere.

He smiled bitterly, knowing he had messed things up. Yet he did not pick up the box from the ground. He stepped past her and began to leave.

“Wait!” Xue Fanzhi called after him.

Of course Wang Yunzhi had some hope. He turned his cold face back and said, “Wasn’t it you who told me to leave? Now you regret it?”

Xue Fanzhi picked up the box and handed it back to Wang Yunzhi. “Sir, this is a precious box, so I imagine the contents are valuable as well. Our family is too poor; it doesn’t deserve such a box. Please take it with you.”