Kiyomi Tsuki et son renard

Chapitre 76

Seeing that Xi Ri remained silent, Ming Lu seemed to know what Xi Ri was thinking, and then said, "Do you think I lost all 30,001 taels of silver in the flower-pressing game?"

Seeing Xi Ri nod, Ming Lu smiled and said, "Brother Yu, you don't know, Nalan is the real bookmaker behind the scenes. How could I possibly lose money? Besides, the entrance fees alone for this match amount to more than 100,000 taels of silver."

Yes, how could she not have thought of that? The entire event was planned and organized by Minglu and his group, and naturally, most of the profits went to them. And since gambling was allowed, and they were the house, they were naturally the biggest winners! She never imagined they not only caught bandits but also made a fortune, gaining both fame and profit. It was a bit despicable, but they were truly impressive, and she couldn't help but admire them!

Looking at the 40,000 taels of silver notes in her hand, she thought to herself: From now on, won't she become a rich woman?! 40,000 taels, she won't have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of her life. Holding 40,000 taels in her hand, she was really tempted.

If you want it, why refuse it?

Xi Ri smiled and narrowed his eyes, saying, "It would be a lie to say that I don't want so much silver. To be honest, Third Brother, I just needed a proper reason to accept it. Since Third Brother has given me a legitimate reason, then of course I will accept it." Xi Ri raised an eyebrow and immediately put away the letter and silver notes without any pretense.

Seeing her accept the 40,000 taels of silver so readily, Minglu smiled. He found himself increasingly enjoying her company, appreciating her every smile and gesture, and even her now brazenly justified love of money.

That night, with Fu Jin gone, the world was much quieter. Unfortunately, Xi Ri's mood shifted from great joy to great sorrow.

That day, she was in a good mood all day long. She talked with Minglu for a long time before leaving after Minglu had rested.

When she came out of Minglu's residence, she didn't see Xiaomingzi, who should have been waiting obediently outside. She didn't care. Longming was always elusive, and she was used to it. It would be strange if she saw him waiting obediently in the same spot as soon as she went out.

At this moment, thinking of the forty thousand taels she carried in her arms, she felt a warmth spread through her chest... She had never felt this way before; the joy was so overwhelming that she couldn't help but tremble all over. Forty thousand taels was a large sum of money for her; with it, she would have more options.

She can...she can...

She was imagining countless possibilities, but after Long Ming, the servant, suddenly returned, all the possibilities turned into impossibilities!

Long Ming's servant's words were like a bucket of cold water, chilling her to the bone.

That night, Long Ming, the servant who had disguised himself, suddenly returned from outside. Seeing that no one else was around, he didn't pay any attention to his mistress and sat down in a chair to comfortably drink the tea she had brewed.

At that time, she was in a good mood and too lazy to argue with him, but she noticed that he seemed even happier than she was, looking radiant. She couldn't help but wonder, and before she could ask him, she heard him say, "You received 40,000 taels of silver notes today?"

Xi Ri was secretly surprised. How did he know? She glanced at him, remained silent, and did not answer for the time being.

Seeing that she remained expressionless, Long Ming's servant smiled and said, "Have you taken a closer look at which bank held those 40,000 taels of silver?" A smile bloomed on his face, and he seemed extremely pleased with himself.

Xi Ri sensed something was wrong. He mentioned a money exchange? What did that have to do with anything? No, how did he know she had received 40,000 taels of silver today? Did he eavesdrop on her conversation with Ming Lu? Impossible, in broad daylight, with everyone watching, he couldn't possibly have gone up on the roof to eavesdrop. So how did he know?

He glanced at her, and seeing her silence, chuckled, "They really are cunning. Two hundred thousand taels of silver, divided into five parts, forty thousand taels each, deposited in different banks and banks." Long Ming seemed to be telling her this intentionally, and Xi Ri gradually understood that Long Ming was referring to her third brother and his group. But how did he know? And it seemed he knew quite a lot…

Just as he was wondering and speculating, he said again, "It's a pity, though. Since your 40,000 taels have been deposited in my family's bank, they've essentially gone into my pocket. If you want to use them..." He suddenly paused.

"How about it? What if you want to use it?" Xi Ri stared at him, but he remained silent, clearly trying to pique her interest.

His family's bank? His pocket? Seeing his smug smile, a surge of anger rose within her. Her forty thousand taels had been deposited in his family's bank; what did he want? What did he want? Was he not going to give it to her? Thinking this, she couldn't help but snort and say, "The banknotes are in my hands. You are a merchant, and integrity is the most important thing. Do you think you can refuse to give me the money if I want to withdraw it?"

Long Ming looked up at her, raising an eyebrow approvingly. She was right; merchants valued reputation above all else, especially money shops, where money was at stake and nothing could be done carelessly. But he didn't seem to care and said, "Of course I'll give it to you. I didn't say I wouldn't. I've already given the orders. You can have 100 taels a month to use as you please, and the 40,000 taels will be paid out over 33 years and 3 months."

Only one hundred taels can be withdrawn each month? And it's to be paid out over thirty-three years in three months? Ha, how ridiculous! This is the first time she's ever heard of such a rule in a money exchange!

"Why should I! I can withdraw as much as I want at a time, what's it to you?!" Xi Ri sneered. She refused to believe that the money exchange would be dishonest, unless it wanted to stop operating.

"Oh, and also, you can only withdraw money with my permission." He spoke in a very reasonable manner.

She slammed her hand on the table and stood up, loudly demanding, "Why?!" She refused to believe that someone with banknotes couldn't withdraw the money!

He gave her a look of utter astonishment, saying, "You don't know? You have your money in my hands. All you have are four pieces of paper." It seemed like a self-evident truth, and that only she didn't understand…

"So if you need money, you can only come to me. It's okay, I don't mind if it's a little troublesome. It's only thirty-three years and three months. It doesn't matter if it takes longer. My family's money shop values reputation the most."

"Bah! Is this what you call keeping your word?!" Xi Ri, seething with anger at Long Ming's self-righteous attitude, flung his sleeve and strode out, saying as he went, "I'm going to withdraw all the money right now and deposit it in another bank!" He had barely crossed the threshold when he heard Long Ming say behind him, "Which bank do you want to deposit it in?"

"Mind your own business!" He ignored her and continued walking out.

"I'll buy that money exchange!"

Xi Ri stumbled, turned around angrily, and glared at him!

He smiled, his eyes teasing her: "Want your forty thousand taels of silver?"

She glared at him, unable to believe he would be so kind!

Sure enough, he temptingly held up one finger and showed it to her: "One hundred taels a month, as long as you're by my side, I'll give it to you."

Hmph! She refused to believe she really couldn't bring it up! She turned and left!

But it turned out she really couldn't withdraw it. When the money shop clerk saw the bank note, his smiling face immediately turned into a bitter face, and he said with a sob, "Young master, I'm so sorry, your bank note needs to be reviewed by my young master in person before you can withdraw it."

"Why?! My banknotes aren't fake, why won't you let me withdraw them! Don't you money lenders keep your word?" I'd already anticipated your little trick! Hmph!

"Young master, please calm down. I was just following orders. I know this is against the rules, but I was instructed that these silver notes must be approved by my young master before they can be taken out. I have no choice but to do this. Please forgive me, young master. I have elderly parents and young children to support. My mother is eighty years old, and I have five children who are crying for food. My family of eight depends on this job to make a living. Please, young master, have mercy and spare my life..." the shop assistant cried mournfully.

Wait, five babies crying for food?! It's both laughable and absurd!

Well done, Long Ming! Knowing she's more responsive to gentle persuasion than force, you actually sent a clerk from the money exchange to try and appease her. It seems you planned this all along.

But she wouldn't have it, and insisted on asking for money.

But the shopkeeper became increasingly tearful, eventually bursting into loud sobs, utterly disregarding the occasion. Her weeping was so pitiful, it made her seem like a debt collector threatening to kill his entire family if he didn't pay! This attracted a crowd of unsuspecting onlookers who pointed and whispered. The dozens of people in the entire money shop acted as if they hadn't seen anything, as if she were a heinous robber. They didn't dare utter a sound, not even glancing at them, all keeping their distance and remaining silent. Xi Ri knew perfectly well it was a lie, a trap, and a terrible one at that, but she was powerless to stop it. She was carrying a large sum of money and didn't want to make a scene. Seeing someone leading constables from the yamen approaching, she had no choice but to give up, running away dejectedly.

She never imagined that a mere shop assistant could handle her like that, and the thought of it gave her a headache; she was even hesitant to mention money. She never imagined that someone like her would be mistaken for a villain—how humiliating! She never knew there were so many hidden talents in the world; this shop assistant's acting was just as good as hers. It was a blow… She didn't want to embarrass herself there again…

With a dejected face, he was extremely depressed. Forty thousand taels of silver! Forty thousand taels of silver! He couldn't withdraw it or use it for no reason.

Long Ming is truly hateful!

She returned to Sunset Garden at Prince Ming's residence, feeling utterly dejected, but that damned person was nowhere to be seen. She was so frustrated; she had no one to vent to! Her forty thousand taels! Not even a trace of them had escaped her grasp; they'd fallen into the jaws of wolves. Would she never see even a single tael again? Her heart ached so much! Her forty thousand taels, her forty thousand taels… her precious forty thousand taels…

When Long Ming finally returned, her pent-up resentment exploded all at once. She lunged at him, grabbed his collar, and shook him frantically, threatening him through gritted teeth, "Give me back the forty thousand taels! Give it back to me..."