“Three hundred and sixty taels were made from selling the ornamental rocks. That still leaves us two hundred and ninety taels short.” Even though Charles Bennett was usually optimistic, he couldn’t help but feel troubled now. Two hundred and ninety taels might not sound like much, but in reality, it was a huge sum for ordinary people. For most families, three or four taels would be enough for a whole year’s expenses, yet Charles Bennett’s current situation was even worse than that of an average person. Aside from a big, empty mansion, he had almost nothing left.

Seeing Charles Bennett’s worried expression, Mrs. Walker hesitated for a moment, but finally steeled herself, turned, and went into the inner room. She quickly came out with a small bundle, gently placing it on the table. “Chong’er, this is some private savings I’ve put aside over the years. I originally meant it as a dowry for Zhuo’er, but since the family urgently needs to pay off debts, you should take it and use it first!”

As Mrs. Walker spoke, she carefully opened the bundle. Inside was a fifty-tael banknote, a thirty-tael banknote, and some loose silver. Altogether, it barely added up to ninety taels—just a fraction of the debt, but it was all Mrs. Walker had saved.

But Charles Bennett immediately stood up, looking at Mrs. Walker with some difficulty. “Auntie, since this was meant as a dowry for my eldest sister, let’s not touch it. I’ll think of another way!”

But Mrs. Walker insisted, “Chong’er, there’s no need to refuse. I know the situation at home—there’s really nothing left of value to sell. Besides, this mansion has already been mortgaged to Mr. Walker. Even though, given the relationship between our families, The Walker Family probably won’t take it back, there’s always a chance. And if you sell off everything in the house, those things are really part of the mansion’s furnishings and should have been included in the mortgage to The Walker Family. If word of this gets back to Mr. Walker, it wouldn’t sound good.”

The Mr. Walker that Mrs. Walker mentioned was named Robert Walker. He also had another identity: he was Charles Bennett’s future father-in-law. Charles Bennett and Thomas Walker’s daughter had been engaged since childhood, and they were supposed to marry this year. But fate had other plans—first Charles Bennett fell seriously ill, then the Zhou family went bankrupt. Now Charles Bennett could barely support his family, let alone get married.

In fact, to be precise, the mansion Charles Bennett was living in wasn’t even his anymore. His father had mortgaged it to Robert Walker long ago. Now that the goods were gone, the mansion should rightfully belong to The Walker Family. But Robert Walker was a scholar, and because of the special relationship between the two families, he had already sent word that Charles Bennett’s family could stay in the mansion without worry—he wouldn’t take it back.

After thinking it over, Charles Bennett realized Mrs. Walker made sense. In the end, he had no choice but to accept her savings. “Alright, I’ll use this money for now. When I earn more in the future, I’ll make it up to you!”

“Our Chong’er has been called a child prodigy since he was little. I’m sure you’ll restore the family’s fortunes. As for making it up to me, don’t mention it. Zhuo’er and Duo’er are your sisters. As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father. When it’s time for them to get married, you won’t be able to avoid your responsibilities even if you try.” Mrs. Walker said with a look of serene confidence. In her eyes, Charles Bennett had become a xiucai (scholar) at a young age. Even though the family business had failed, as long as they gritted their teeth and persevered, once Charles Bennett passed the provincial exam, everything they’d lost would come back.

Charles Bennett could more or less guess what Mrs. Walker was thinking, but he could only smile bitterly to himself. If he were still the original Charles Bennett, he might really have been able to fulfill her hopes by studying hard for a few years and passing the provincial exam. But unfortunately, he was no longer the original Charles Bennett. He didn’t have the Four Books and Five Classics memorized. Although he’d had over ten years of education, it was of little use in the Ming Dynasty’s imperial exams.

“Young master! Young master! The debt collectors are here!” At that moment, a breathless voice shouted, and a round figure rolled in from the main hall entrance. His chubby face was covered in sweat, and hot steam was rising from his head—he looked thoroughly exhausted.

“Steward Evans, you’re not young anymore. This isn’t the first or second time debt collectors have come to the house. Is there any need to be so flustered?” Charles Bennett said helplessly when he saw who it was.

The newcomer was the old steward of the Zhou household. He was rather pitiful—he’d once been a scholar, but had never even managed to pass the xiucai exam. In his thirties, he was poor and sickly, nearly dying on the streets, but was saved by Charles Bennett’s father. He’d worked at the Zhou residence ever since, for over a decade, and eventually became the steward. His surname was Xu, and Charles Bennett’s father never made him change it. Because of his age, everyone in the household called him either Mr. Evans or Steward Evans.

Steward Evans was now over fifty, with a very plump appearance—a round head, round belly, short arms and legs, a pale face with no beard. If you shaved his head, put him in a monk’s robe, and painted him gold, he’d look just like the Laughing Buddha.