Once these words were said, everyone turned their heads and saw a man in a blue robe walk out of the crowd. He was in his forties, and his skin was slightly dark. His body was a little stooped, and his complexion was dark.
Some citizens recognized him and began to discuss: "Isn't this the shopkeeper of Sheng Cai Shop on the East Street? I heard that the coffin used by the Feng family's matriarch was ordered from his shop. "
Sheng Cai Shop was actually a coffin shop. The reason why it was called Sheng Cai was because it was a homonym for good luck. It was the most famous coffin shop in the capital. As for the reason it was famous, it was because the coffins used in Sheng Cai Shop were all made of expensive wood, and they were made by experienced craftsmen. The price of the coffins was extremely high, and only high officials and nobles could afford to use them. Also, they had to be high ranking officials and nobles. Just having a bit of money was not enough to order one.
Feng Yu Heng heard the people discuss the identity of the person that had spoken, and she immediately thought of the new coffin used by the matriarch today. She did not have much of an understanding of wood. In the 21st century, she knew that there were many private clubs that used expensive wood to make their tables and chairs. She had also seen those that used gold thread. She recognized them, but she had never asked about the price. Moreover, even if she had asked, that was the price in the 21st century. How could it be compared to now.
The person from the coffin shop stood in front of Feng Jin Yuan and asked him with a heavy expression: "Lord Feng said that before the matriarch's funeral, he wanted us to bring the coffin over, but this morning, the clerk said that the Feng family was in a rush to leave and did not prepare any money. Normally speaking, our Sheng Cai Shop does not buy on credit. This is something that everyone in the capital knows. Also, nobody buys on credit for the coffin of the deceased. But since we are in this business, we cannot do anything that is immoral. The matriarch is waiting to be placed in the coffin, and we cannot stop her because of this money. That's why Sheng Cai Shop bought on credit. Now that Lord Feng has returned to the manor, shouldn't the bill be settled? "
While the person was speaking with Feng Jin Yuan, Feng Yu Heng tilted her head and quietly asked Wang Chuan: "The coffin used by the matriarch this morning, what is the approximate price?"
Wang Chuan pondered for a moment and said, "It's hard for this servant to say the exact price, but I estimate it to be at least two hundred taels. Because the things in Shengcai Shop are not cheap, they all start at two hundred taels."
Huang Quan answered, "Two hundred taels won't be enough. That kind of Golden Silk Nanmu is more expensive. I estimate it to be five hundred taels."
Feng Yu Heng furrowed her brow. 500 taels was not much. She trusted that Feng Jin Yuan was indeed doing this out of filial piety. He wanted the matriarch to lie in a better place after her death. After all, the old lady loved money when she was alive, so she couldn't be too shabby after she died.
But the strange thing was that the Feng manor's accounts were practically empty. The madams, concubine mothers, and young misses of each courtyard were all taking care of themselves. Aside from Han shi, who was pregnant and needed nourishment, the manor had not given anyone else a single copper coin. Even the monthly allowance that was sent to her and Zirui at Tong Sheng pavilion had not been sent for two months. She knew the Feng manor's situation and did not want to argue over that bit of money. Thus, she never asked for it.
Feng Jin Yuan clearly knew that the family was like this. Where exactly did he find the courage to buy such an expensive coffin from Shengcai Shop?
At this time, Xiang Rong moved to her side and quietly expressed her own thoughts: "Second sister, father shouldn't be thinking of asking you to pay for this money, right?"
She recalled that after the matriarch passed away, she felt a bit of guilt. After all, if it were not for her inciting the mob to beat the matriarch, Jin Zhen would not have been able to take advantage of this opportunity. That was why she had taken out two hundred taels for the Feng family to use for the funeral.
Later on, she saw that the matriarch's corpse was truly too shabby. Granny Zhao, who had also been beaten, forced herself to search the storeroom, but she was unable to find anything decent. Apparently, they had all been sold by Feng Jin Yuan. Thus she took out some money to buy some accessories and clothes for the matriarch. She also picked out some jade bracelets, jade plates, and other things for the matriarch to wear. She had also added in some of the money that she normally spent. Just in terms of money, she had spent nearly three hundred taels.
The Feng family's funeral was too shabby. Perhaps they would not even be able to spend 50 taels. Thinking like this, if Feng Jin Yuan was planning to spend the remaining two hundred taels just to buy a good coffin for the matriarch, she would be a good person once more. She would make up for the remaining few hundred taels. Even if the matriarch could continue to enjoy her wealth, it would be fine as long as she did not come to the imperial daughter's manor on the seventh day of the seventh month or something of the sort.
As she was thinking like this, she heard Feng Jin Yuan raise his voice and say: "How could this official owe you money for a coffin! The person buried today is not just this official's mother. It is also the grandmother of our Dashun Princess Ji An. County princess Ji An is the Feng family's daughter of the first wife. Her grandmother has always treated her well. That coffin with gold thread was a gift from Princess Ji An to grandmother. "
Upon hearing that it was a gift from Princess Ji An, the person from the coffin shop let out a sigh of relief. He then looked at Feng Yu Heng: "If it was a gift from Imperial Daughter, this lowly one can be at ease." He was afraid that Feng Yu Heng would refuse to pay, but he was not afraid of Feng Yu Heng refusing to pay because Feng Yu Heng's character was good. She did not lack a few hundred taels.
Feng Yu Heng gave face and did not say too much to Feng Jin Yuan. She only asked the middle-aged man: "May I ask how much that coffin cost?"
The middle-aged man said, "Normally, it should be sold for 600 taels, but since the Princess is paying for it, 500 taels should be enough. This is only the wood and the wages of the craftsmen. As for our shop's share, I won't take any profit."
In an instant, it had been reduced by 100 taels. Feng Jin Yuan's eyes became a little red. His second daughter's face was actually so great. She was actually able to make the shopkeeper of Sheng Cai Shop take the initiative to reduce the price. And it was a full 100 taels!
While he was sighing, he heard Feng Yu Heng say: "No need."
Feng Jin Yuan became anxious: "Heng Heng, 100 taels is still money!"
Feng Yu Heng rolled her eyes at him, her face filled with disdain, "How could there be any bargaining for this sort of thing? Have you ever heard of a family going to a coffin shop to bargain for a funeral? "
Everyone began to discuss, "That's right! What sort of person would bargain for a coffin! "
The middle-aged man quickly mediated: "No, no, it's not considered bargaining. It was this lowly one that wanted to reduce the price."
Feng Yu Heng, however, still said: "No need."
Feng Jin Yuan snorted, "Alright, either way, you are the one paying for it. You can pay however much you want." After saying this, he began to walk into the courtyard. He had already achieved his goal. In front of so many citizens, he had flattered Feng Yu Heng. Even if she did not want to pay for it, she had to. Otherwise, it would be a source of gossip.
Seeing Feng Jin Yuan leisurely walk into the manor with his hands behind his back, Feng Yu Heng blinked and suddenly realized something. This father of hers had no intention of bringing out the 200 taels! He was planning on having her pay 600 taels herself.
Based on what?
His mother had died, yet the son did not pay a single cent. Instead, he had his granddaughter pay over 1000 taels in banknotes, accessories, and clothes. Which family had this sort of rule?
She opened her mouth and shouted: "Father, are you going back to get banknotes?"
"Hm?" Feng Jin Yuan stopped and turned to look at her. Puzzled, he asked: "What banknotes? The coffin was bought by you for your grandmother. What banknotes do you want me to bring? "
Feng Yu Heng thought to herself that this shameless old man really wanted to act shamelessly. Anger surged through her heart, as she coldly asked Cheng Jun Man: "This imperial daughter has brought out 300 taels of banknotes for grandmother's funeral. Up until today, how much has been spent?"
Cheng Jun Man naturally understood what Feng Yu Heng meant. When this matter was brought up, her heart was filled with anger, as she immediately said: "Heng Heng, you gave a total of 280 taels in banknotes. Husband only left 80 taels for me. The remaining 200 taels were all taken by him. Of the 80 taels, there are now less than 20 taels remaining. I had originally wanted to properly discuss this matter with you after elder madam's funeral. "
In front of outsiders, Cheng Jun Man did not refer to her as imperial daughter because she knew how frightening rumors were. Once she referred to her as imperial daughter, it was possible that there would be rumors in the capital that Princess Ji An was relying on her own position to look down on even the head wife of the family.
Feng Yu Heng did not have time to think about such things. But when she heard that Feng Jin Yuan had only left 80 taels for the funeral, the anger in her heart surged once more.
Feng Jin Yuan did not think that Feng Yu Heng would include the banknotes, nor did he think that Cheng Jun Man would actually expose this matter on the spot. He was a little embarrassed and did not dare look Feng Yu Heng in the eye.
The middle-aged man from the coffin shop awkwardly stood in place. He was a little conflicted as to how he should ask for the money. Sheng Cai Shop had been open for so long, yet this was the first time they had encountered this sort of situation.
Fortunately, Feng Yu Heng did not want to cause trouble for a business owner. She immediately retracted her fierce glare from Feng Jin Yuan. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out 600 taels of banknotes from her space. "This is the money for the coffin. Take care of it." She handed over the banknotes and finally managed to send the middle-aged man away.
Right before that person left, he looked at Feng Jin Yuan with great disdain, causing Feng Jin Yuan to not know where to place his face.
He wanted to return to the manor, but it was very clear that Feng Yu Heng did not want to let him go. There were some people that did not want face when given face, so there was no need for her to give them any face. Did he not choose to have her accept the money for the coffin in front of so many people at the entrance of the manor? Fine, even if she was doing filial piety for the matriarch, that was fine. But if she wanted to enter the manor now, it would not be so easy.
He heard Feng Yu Heng speak in a cold voice, as a question was thrown at him: "Father took away the 200 taels of banknotes for grandmother's funeral. What did he do with it?"
Feng Jin Yuan broke out in a cold sweat, as he stood in place. Leaving was not right, but not leaving was also not right. Especially when Feng Yu Heng spoke, she specifically emphasized "holding a funeral for grandmother." Like this, the nature of this matter was raised to a certain level. What should he say?
For a while, the situation was very awkward.
Yet at this time, Feng Zirui, who had been standing at Feng Yu Heng's side without saying anything, suddenly said: "Father might have gone to buy Su Zhou embroidery. That day, elder sister went to court, and I saw father take out an embroidery. Zirui recognized that it was Su Zhou embroidery. It is very expensive."
Feng Jin Yuan was startled and looked at Zirui with a bit of surprise. He never thought that his small actions would be seen by this son. He was a little nervous, and in his panic, he came up with an excuse: "It was for your grandmother. It was placed in the coffin." Then a sorrowful mood surfaced: "Your grandmother liked Su Zhou embroidery when she was alive. No matter how expensive it was, father would buy it."
These words caused the people to be a little moved. There were even some girls among the spectating citizens that began to wipe away tears.
But An shi, who was standing to the side, said in confusion: "The embroiderer in this concubine's embroidery shop said that master went to buy a Su Zhou embroidery two days ago and did not pay for it."
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