[Pride and Prejudice] Lady Makes Money

"Yes, it's the old Spencer's racecourse." Mr. Bennet nodded.

"After he passed away, his son sold the racecourse, the family's land, and the house to a foreigner. It is said that the man was the youngest son of a noble family in the city, and he said he wanted to live here permanently. But did he come? How long did that person think that there is no bustling city here, and wants to go back. So now he wants to sell this property again."

Speaking of this, Mr. Bennet curled his lips. Although he didn't say it clearly, his eyebrows and eyes were full of disapproval.

That way, you should really dislike the other party as a prodigal son, and the good house and land will be sold so easily.

After all, for Mr. Bennet who was born and raised on this land, there is nothing more precious than land and livestock.

Hearing what her father said, Manli's heart became active.

She knew it was a rare opportunity.

After all, all the old neighbors live in this area, and every family can say that they wish they could live here for generations.These people usually have a very low chance of selling their land.

For Mr. Spencer's family to go bankrupt due to special circumstances and be forced to sell the house and land, it is basically a rare event in a hundred years.

So she couldn't help getting excited: "Dad, how are you doing now? Have you talked to the owner of that land again?"

One sentence made Mr. Bennet's face darken again.

He reached out and knocked on his leg, and couldn't help complaining in his tone: "This unsatisfactory thing! I am like this, how can I talk to others? I broke the appointment for no reason that day, and they didn't know how to sell the land. Who is it for?"

Hearing what her father said, Manli immediately became anxious: "Why can't we talk? You can find someone in charge to explain the situation to the other party first! You can't go because you are injured, and it's not because you didn't do it on purpose. Why do you think you missed the appointment?" ?

Besides, Mr. Spencer's racecourse is next to ours, so you must be familiar with the situation.There is nothing to see, nothing more than talking about the price.This can be discussed in letters!Dad, don't delay, go and call the person in charge now, and then write a letter to him personally and ask him to send it over. "

Hearing what his daughter said, Mr. Bennet was quite moved.

Obviously he really wanted that piece of land.

He followed Manli's advice and called the servants at home, asking him to go to the farm immediately and call the manager over.Then, when Manli was about to leave, he stopped her again.

"That, Mary,"

He cleared his throat, with a bit of discomfort on his face: "Letter, please write a sample to show me, if it is suitable, I will make another copy."

Man Li froze for a moment, and suddenly realized that the reason why her father hadn't contacted her for so long was probably not entirely because of her leg injury, but because her education level was not high, and she didn't know how to deal with those people.

After all, these days, ordinary wealthy families don't take knowledge so seriously.

Her father could read newspapers and write letters, so Manli instinctively believed that he could read and write, and never realized that it might be his limit.

It is no problem to write a note between relatives and friends, but it is difficult for him to really write such a thing that requires careful words.

This reminded her of the earliest time when she asked her father to help redraw the drawing of the thermos.

Dad struggled all day, and finally gave Gene his original drawing.

Manli couldn't help but feel a little headache.

Only then did she realize that her burden might be heavier again.

She had always trusted Mr. Bennet before, and thought that it would be no problem to entrust him with the contracts, paperwork and other things.

After all, he was an experienced old farmer.

But now she realizes that the so-called rich experience is probably because she has never encountered anything before...

In the future, I have to be more vigilant in this regard.

It's just that she naturally won't say these thoughts.

How can a daughter attack her father?

She promised to go back to the room to get a pen and paper, and wrote a letter beside her father's bed to the noble young master who took over the Spencer family.

Mr. Bennet was very satisfied after reading it, and quickly copied a copy.

The person in charge quickly rushed over, took the letter and sent it to the other party.

Having nothing to do, Manli talked to her father about the quarrel that happened in the living room, and at the same time expressed her concerns.

"Father, I don't intend to kill you with a stick. Of course I know that there are good people everywhere, and there are bad people everywhere. It's just that the environment of the Corps is too complicated, and the people who can survive there are naturally very smart. I It’s because I feel that the sisters in the family are too simple-minded, so it’s not suitable for them to find someone they like.”

Manli's words were tactful, but Mr. Bennet still heard the meaning behind her daughter's words.

Who can survive in the Corps are smarter?

Her original intention was to say that those who can climb up in such a complicated environment and stand out must either be naturally cunning or have a cruel personality.

If not, it would be even more difficult to be seen by others in such a barbaric environment.

This kind of person is really not suitable to be a husband, even if he has a little money.

Just thinking about her daughter, who was raised like a delicate flower, with such a person makes people feel uneasy.

He nodded approvingly at Manli, and praised her directly and rarely.

"You're a smart kid, and you're doing the right thing! Don't worry, I'll tell your mother that she doesn't dare to think any more and ask you to go to some damn ball. As for your few sisters……"

Speaking of this, Mr. Bennet snorted coldly: "You bring my words to them, just say, if anyone has contact with those members of the corps, even if it is a word, let me know that her leg will be broken." !"

Manli: "..."

Dad, are you as deceitful as this?Why don't you tell them this yourself, why let me convey it? !

The Spencer family's estate is not far from the Bennet's house, and the steward quickly brought back the other party's reply.

Man Li hadn't left yet, so she watched it with her father naturally.

After reading the letter, the father and daughter were silent for a long time, and exchanged glances with each other. They both saw joy, entanglement, and real embarrassment in each other's eyes.

After a while, it was Manli who tentatively asked first, "Dad, isn't there a lot of difference in money?"

Mr. Bennet did not answer.

But not answering this means acquiescing.

In fact, this letter brought good news.

After reading the letter sent by the steward, the son of the noble family not only happily agreed to sell the racecourse to Mr. Bennet, but also offered to reduce the price.

From the mouth of the manager, they knew that the person should be very anxious to leave and wanted to sell the property as soon as possible.

But there are not many people around here who can spend a large sum of money at once.

At least he hasn't encountered it so far.

When Mr. Bennet proposed to buy a horse farm before, the man once said that the minimum price would be [-] pounds, and he would not sell a pound less.

After all, he also spent three thousand pounds to buy it back.

But now, because Mr. Bennet was injured, he has not mentioned the business for a long time.

After several days in a row, the man spread the news to the surrounding villages, and there was no second family to inquire about the news.

So the letter that Mr. Bennet sent now is like rain after a long drought to him.

If it weren't for the reservedness in his bones, in the words of the manager, he would have wished to come with him and sign the agreement immediately.

This is naturally a good thing for the family. Mr. Bennet's dream will soon be realized, and he is naturally happy.

But what made him and Manli hesitate was the suggestion that the noble young master specially wrote at the end of the letter.

He asked Mr. Bennet if he would consider taking over all the properties of the Spencer family?

Including carriages, fields, and the small manor where he lives now.

When he bought all these properties, he spent a total of 800 pounds, and refurbished and maintained them, which cost more than [-] pounds.

And now he is anxious to go back to London, and he doesn't plan to come back in the future. If Mr. Bennet is willing to buy them all, he only needs to give him ten thousand pounds.

This is undoubtedly a great temptation for the father and daughter who have always dreamed of owning their own property!

Especially Mr. Bennet, he also knew that everything the other party said was true.

The property of the Spencer family was already sold at a low price.

If the old Spencer hadn't died of illness suddenly, and the family didn't have a heir who could stand up, those properties would definitely not be worth only eleven thousand pounds.

And this young nobleman, at first glance, is a dandy, but from Mr. Bennet's point of view, he is a living prodigal son!

I didn't even know if I picked it up, and I didn't say anything about it, but I actually threw money into it first!

Eighteen hundred pounds, that's almost their family's income for a year!

It only took a month or two for the prodigal son to move here, and they all fell in!

But—this also shows that this deal is extremely cost-effective.

Of course, if he had that much money.

Seeing that her father was silent all the time, Manli felt that it was not the case if this continued, so she simply asked directly, "Dad, how much money do you have now?"

"Three thousand."

Mr. Bennet did not hide it from her: "This is the entire family property of me and your mother except your dowry."

This time, Manli really realized how much her father cared about the racecourse.

Does that also mean that he is very optimistic about the prospects of the racecourse and is bound to win?

In this case--

She silently began to think about how to help her father get all the property.

"How could there be only three thousand? You must not have included our dowry. If you add the five thousand..." she muttered softly.

"No! Absolutely not!"

Mr. Bennet stopped loudly: "Your dowry must not be moved! Take this idea back to me, and besides, I will break your leg right now!"

"..." Manli's hair was black.

But her father was so furious that she expected it.

Back then, when she just mentioned that she wanted to do business with her uncle, her father turned against her on the spot.

But this time, Manli was not ready to compromise.

She looked at her father quietly, waiting for him to vent his temper.

It wasn't until Mr. Bennet finished yelling and finally calmed down that she spoke again: "Father, I know you are worried about using our dowry. If you miss it, you will harm us in the future, and you are afraid that after we get married It's been a rough day. But..."

Manli spread her hands: "Why do you think you will definitely miss it?"

"You have been the owner of the manor for so many years. Among other things, farming and raising horses can be regarded as your old profession. There is no one in Hertfordshire who has more experience than you. Our family has been doing well for many years. It's because of you watching that we and mother can live so carefree."

Or in cases where you don't really bother.

Manli paused and continued: "Father, I believe in you, you can do it. Besides, don't you still have us? With us as your backing, there is nothing to be afraid of. You were still blaming me just now, Say I don't believe you, why don't you even believe yourself now?"

Hearing what his daughter said, the sadness on Mr. Bennet's face did not decrease at all.

He reached out and stroked his daughter's hair, but shook his head more firmly: "Don't persuade me, just say no to this matter. I will never use your dowry at will. It's your money, more It's your guts. No father would bet on his daughter's lifelong happiness."

Manli wanted to persuade her again, but was stopped by Mr. Bennet.

He waved at his daughter: "I'm tired, you go back first, don't mention this matter again."

Manli had no choice but to leave her father's room in dismay.

As a result, she was slapped from behind as soon as she went out, and she was so scared that she almost didn't scream out!

"Shh!"

Kitty quickly put her hand to her lips, made a silent gesture towards her, and then pulled her quickly to the stairs away from the door of her father's room.

"What are you doing? You scared me to death!" Manli complained as she knocked on her head.

"Third Sister, Eldest Sister, Second Sister, they asked you to go down, they have something to ask you." Kitty pointed to the downstairs.

Following the direction of her finger, Manli saw that the other three sisters were standing at the door of the living room, gesturing towards her, signaling her to follow Kitty down.

It's impossible for her not to go down in that posture.

Manli naturally knew that the sisters wanted to ask her about the corps, but at the moment, to be honest, she was not in the mood to discuss it with them.

But what should come will always come, and she knows that there is no way to escape.

Silently closing her eyes, she followed Kitty downstairs.

"Frankly, where did you hear those words?"

Once downstairs, the sisters didn't talk to her at all, and Elizabeth was the first to ask.

"I've said it all, I heard it from others." Manli talked about him in a hurry.

"Who did you listen to?" Elizabeth continued to ask, and the other sisters nodded one after another. They would not stop until they asked clearly.

"It's up to you whoever you think." Manli kicked the ball back again.

The two older ones looked at each other, and asked tentatively, "Is it...the two gentlemen?"

Manli didn't deny it.

Although she knew it would be unkind to let those two take the blame for her, but does she have any other choice at this moment?

And her expression, in the eyes of Jane and Elizabeth, is the default.

"How could this happen? I still want to go to the dance in Meryton on the weekend? I even have the skirt ready, and the lace on it is a new one I learned!"

After listening to the conversations of several sisters, Lydia was extremely disappointed and couldn't help complaining.

This is what Manli is most afraid of hearing now!

She immediately stared at Lydia with rounded eyes: "Dad asked me to tell you a word just now, but I haven't had time to say it yet."

"What?" Lydia asked softly.

After asking, he couldn't help shrinking his neck.

Her intuition told her that what the third sister was going to say would never be anything good.

"Father said that if he finds out who has any dealings with members of the Corps, her legs will be broken!" Man Li looked at Lydia and said word by word.

Everyone looked at Lydia at the same time at the same time, there was surprise inside, but more of it—a faint sympathy.

Lydia was frightened at first, but when she realized it, she couldn't help but pursed her lips: "Third sister, why are you looking at me like that? Didn't Dad just say this to me? You, you, I’m just saying, but I’m not ready to actually go.”

Lydia wiped away tears as she spoke.

"You'd better remember what you said today. If you really dare to sneak out...you better think about what your father said before you run. He is serious." Manli reminded again.

No matter how pitiful Lydia was, she didn't want to indulge this girl at this moment.

If you ask all the sisters, which one is the most troublesome for Manli, it must be her.

Impatient and wild, it is not uncommon for him to do anything without thinking.

Seeing how embarrassing the situation had become, Jane quickly smoothed things over: "What did you talk to Dad about just now? After staying for so long, I think you even went to call the steward?"

Manli is not going to hide the matter of buying a horse farm and land from her sisters.

In fact, she was already thinking about a question in the room just now.

From her father's stubbornness, Manli suddenly realized that her previous thinking might be a little wrong.

She has always hoped to use her ability to make this family a little better, so that the family's economic conditions can improve, so that the sisters can marry into a good family and live a happy life.

But seeing her father working hard to the point of exhaustion, she immediately reacted——

To make the family better, this should be the goal that everyone in the family should work together!

Why do you have to carry it alone?

Neither she nor her father should expect to shoulder this heavy burden on their own.

Blessings and hardships, isn't that what a family should do?

"Dad told me that the current owner of the horse farm before Mr. Spencer's house wanted to sell it, and he wanted to buy it. Then that person offered to sell us the manor and fields at a very favorable price. Dad wanted to buy it. , but our family doesn’t have enough money.”

Manli succinctly told her sisters what happened just now.

"Is it a lot of money?" Jane asked worriedly.

"A lot worse."

Manli nodded, and said without hiding anything: "The other party wants [-] pounds, but Dad only has [-] pounds in his savings."

There was a sound of breathing in the room.

"So much difference! Where can I find so much money?!" Elizabeth asked in disbelief.

This is the first time the five sisters have sat down to talk about money.

In the past, although they also knew that money was very important, sometimes they were troubled by a little pocket money.But generally speaking, they are well protected by their parents, and they have never really experienced what it is like to be short of money.

It can even be said that some of their previous concepts about money were instilled in them by Manli.

In the minds of the sisters, five pounds was already a lot, Manli earned two hundred pounds by selling blueprints, which was already an astronomical figure, and one thousand pounds was what they could rely on for the rest of their lives.

Now I suddenly heard that ten thousand pounds will be spent to buy the manor and fields—these sisters just feel that their brains are not enough, and they are completely stunned by this huge number.

"Actually, it's not completely impossible."

After thinking about it, Manli decided to risk her father breaking her leg and speak out her thoughts.

"As you all know, each of us has a dowry of one thousand pounds. If we can take it out, it will be five thousand..."

Manli lowered her head, not even daring to look at the expressions of her sisters.

When she said this, her heart was full of struggle and apprehension.

I blamed myself a bit, felt that I was digging a hole for my sisters to dance, but at the same time, I was very afraid of seeing unwilling or defensive expressions on their faces.

Then, she felt that even if she was mentally prepared, she might still be disappointed.

Thinking of this, her voice couldn't help but become softer and softer.

"Even if you give all the five thousand pounds to Dad, isn't it still two thousand pounds short?"

Seeing Manli whimpering and not continuing, Elizabeth said anxiously: "Oh, don't ink, what the hell is your idea, you just finished it in one breath!"

"That's right, third sister, are you trying to kill us in a hurry?" Lydia also dared to say something.

Manli suddenly raised her head.

Only then did she realize that the eyes of the four sisters became brighter and clearer than the other, and each of them was worried about their father and anxious about not knowing what to do next.There was none of the emotion she had been afraid to see before.

She didn't answer the sisters' questions, but looked at them in surprise, and it took a long time before she said, "Would you like to lend the dowry to Dad?"

"What is this nonsense?"

Elizabeth frowned: "How could it be a loan? It is said to be a dowry for us, but isn't that also our parents' money?"

"That's right, third sister, you said before that no matter how much the dowry is, it's the love that our parents gave us. The same, isn't it also the love we give to our parents if we take out the money and let dad use it first? "

Kitty asked with a childish face.

Manli's eyes became hot all of a sudden.

Once again, she deeply felt that it was a very, very happy thing to be able to wear to Bennet's house and become a part of this family!

She wiped her eyes vigorously, looked at the sisters and said seriously: "I was wrong, it was not borrowing, we took out the dowry and handed it over to Dad for investment. He took our money and waited for us to get married On that day, it must be returned to us many times, many times!"