Mu Tao gripped his large hands even tighter, his tiger-like eyes flashing with cold light. He was really in a good mood, using the money from his Duke Mu's mansion to travel around and have fun. He would do a good deed and send them to the underworld for free, so they would never have to worry about food and drink again for the rest of their lives.
Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue's chatter drifted over, tinged with smugness and boastfulness. Mu Tao, annoyed, didn't listen closely. He walked through streets and alleys until he arrived at the imposing gate of the Duke of Mu's mansion. Looking up at the plaque above the gate, a cold smile crept across his lips as he arrogantly declared, "Follow me into the mansion!" Once inside, they wouldn't be able to leave. Such a beautiful and noble mansion as their death ground was too good for them.
"We're here to collect the silver. It's not appropriate to come into the mansion to ask for a debt. We'll trouble General Mu to have his servants bring the silver out so we can take it and leave!" Shen Lixue smiled slightly and stopped. Mu Tao was simple-minded and didn't know how to hide his thoughts. She had already seen through his little scheme.
"Guests are always welcome. It would be extremely impolite not to come in for a cup of tea!" Mu Tao unusually softened his tone and became polite. If they didn't come in, how could he kill them and silence them?
"With so many of us, it would be too much of a disturbance for us to go in for tea!" Shen Lixue's voice carried a hint of embarrassment.
"Just two friends, how can that be considered a lot!" Mu Tao raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. No matter what, he was determined to lure the two of them into his mansion, tear them to pieces, and vent his anger.
Shen Lixue smiled gently: "General Mu, we are not just two people!"
Mu Tao was taken aback. There were more than two people. What was going on?
Turning around abruptly, Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue were surrounded by a large group of people of all shapes and sizes, dressed in various styles, with fawning smiles on their faces. They all had one thing in common: they were guests who had just watched the commotion in the restaurant.
What are you doing here?
"I asked them to come!" Shen Lixue looked at Mu Tao and smiled gently, her smile as warm as spring: "The amount of silver is huge, and I was afraid that my husband and I couldn't carry it all, so I asked them to help carry it back. They pay ten taels of silver per trip!"
Ten taels of silver is not a small amount for an ordinary family, but for Shen Lixue and Dongfang Heng, who won a million taels of silver, it was just a drop in the ocean. The crowd was not worried that they would renege on their debts, so they all followed along.
Mu Tao's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot. His hands, which had just loosened, clenched again. With so many witnesses present, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, he could no longer kill them to cover it up after inviting them into the Duke of Mu's mansion. Damn it, damn it!
The Mu family's silver didn't fall from the sky; giving them a million taels for nothing was something Mu Tao was unwilling to accept, extremely unwilling to accept.
"General Mu, we have consulted the manager of the money shop, who has estimated the exact amount of silver. It totals four million eight hundred and eighty thousand taels. Please take a look!"
Shen Lixue smiled and handed Mu Tao a booklet, which recorded the specific value of each bill. Mu Tao was terrified as he looked at it, his rough hands trembling slightly: Four million eight hundred and eighty thousand taels of silver! How could there be so much? That's about all the silver in his family's treasury. Who exactly are this man and woman? How could they possess so much wealth?
Everyone was taken aback, but then their eyes sparkled with joy. The more silver they had, the more times they could carry it, and the more money they would make.
"General Mu, bring out the silver."
"Yes, General Mu, it's getting late. We're in a hurry to finish carrying the silver so we can go home and have dinner with our wives and children!"
The crowd urged him on urgently, which annoyed Mu Tao. He roared, "Stop arguing! I'm going to the manor to get the money right now!" As he turned around, he glared fiercely at Shen Lixue and Dongfang Heng. "You bitch, you must not let them off so easily!"
Four million eight hundred and eighty thousand taels of silver is no small sum. The gold and silver in the treasury are roughly that amount. Not to mention that the key is in the old lady's hands and he can't get it for a while, even if he could get it, his family would not allow him to give away all of the Duke of Mu's family property.
But if he doesn't take the money, he'll be branded as untrustworthy, and his life will be ruined. What should he do?
"Who is making a ruckus outside?" A stern, sharp shout rang out.
Shen Lixue looked up and saw an old woman with gray hair, gently supported by a nanny, slowly walking over. She was adorned with pearls and jade in her hair, and wore a long iron-gray brocade dress. She was elegant and noble, with a cold gaze and a serious face. She looked down at the crowd outside the door, high and mighty, and domineering.
"Grandmother!" Mu Tao exclaimed in surprise, quickly walking over and gently supporting the old woman's arm, asking softly, "Why did you come out?"
"They were making a lot of noise and I couldn't sleep, so I came out to check!" The old woman's voice softened as she looked up at the crowd outside the door, her gaze sharp and cold.
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow. The Mu State Duke's mansion covers a large area, and the inner courtyard and the main gate are at least several hundred meters apart. No matter how sharp the old woman's hearing is, she could not possibly be kept awake by the noise at the main gate while lying in the inner courtyard.
"Who are these people? What are they doing here at the gates of the Duke of Mu's mansion?" the old woman asked in a deep voice, her tone slightly arrogant, displaying the imposing presence of the old lady of the Duke of Mu's mansion.
"Grandmother, they were just passing by the Duke of Mu's residence and left immediately!" Mu Tao forced a smile and gave a casual excuse to appease the old woman.
"Try to walk as fast as possible." The old lady's haughty gaze fell on Shen Lixue, a mocking smile flashing in her aged eyes. The noble lady had a fair complexion, beautiful appearance, and elegant manners. This woman's manners and attire were not bad, but her appearance was really too ordinary. Wearing the expensive Yunling brocade on her was a real waste.
"You two remember this well: the Duke of Mu's mansion is a prestigious family. If any Tom, Dick, or Harry stands here again, drive them all away!" The old woman turned to look at the two gate guards, her voice stern and her eyes full of arrogance.
"Yes!" The guard bowed slightly and answered respectfully.
The crowd's expressions changed instantly. They exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with anger, yet they dared not speak out.
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow. The old woman was indirectly insulting them, saying that they were of low status and unworthy to stand outside the gates of the Duke of Mu's mansion.
"Madam, we don't want to stand outside the Duke Mu's mansion and defile your home. Please ask your grandson to return the money quickly. Once we have the money, we will leave immediately!"
"Return the silver? What silver?" The old woman's gaze sharpened as she looked at Mu Tao.
“It’s the money he lost gambling, a total of four million eight hundred and eighty thousand taels.” Shen Lixue spoke up before Mu Tao could, pointing to his sleeve and saying, “There’s a booklet in there that records the amount of money he owes. If the old lady doesn’t believe it, she can take it out and have a look.”
"Really?" The old woman looked at Mu Tao's sleeve with suspicion. There was a bulge there, containing a small object. She reached out, grabbed the booklet, opened it, and the contents made her expression change instantly: "What's going on here?"
Mu Tao's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he said in a trembling voice, "Grandmother, listen to me, this is what happened..."
"Did you gamble? Did you owe anyone money?" The old woman looked at Mu Tao, her voice sharp and her gaze so serious it seemed to spit fire.
"I...I gambled, but I was cheated, Grandma, you have to believe me..."
"Slap!" Before Mu Tao could finish speaking, a loud slap landed hard on his face, silencing his unfinished words. A bright red five-fingered mountain instantly appeared on the young man's profile.
"All these years, how has your father taught you? Don't gamble, don't gamble, have you ignored him completely?" The old lady glared at Mu Tao resentfully, disappointed in him.
"I'm sorry, Grandma, I was wrong!" Mu Tao said softly, his head hanging low, like a child who had done something wrong, sincerely admitting his mistake.
"Sigh!" The old lady looked at the dejected Mu Tao and gritted her teeth: "Gambling is a bad thing! How many times has your father told you? Why don't you listen?"
"It was my fault!" Mu Tao continued to apologize, his voice low and soft: "I swear, I will never do it again!"
"Do you stand by your promise?" the old woman asked sharply, her gaze stern.
"I swear to God!" Fearing the old woman wouldn't believe him, Mu Tao raised his finger and swore an oath, essentially betting that if he did, he'd be struck by lightning or something. Shen Lixue, feeling drowsy, looked up at the sky and said casually:
"Madam, General Mu, I have no interest in your family affairs. Could you please give me the money first, and then you can have your grandparent-grandchild relationship?"
"When has our Duke Mu's mansion ever owed you any money?" The old woman was already furious. Upon hearing Shen Lixue's words, she suddenly turned around, ready to vent all her anger on Shen Lixue.