Chapter 1025: Chapter 1023: Made Inquiries Clearly

When the Yang Sisters were talking about the situation in Yingzi Gully, Loo Xiaoshan somehow brought a pot of hot water and a pack of tea leaves into the wooden house.

Poured the tea, the familiar aroma of Cloud Mist Tea wafting around, Wang Yongzhu picked up the teacup but did not drink, instead asking Loo Xiaoshan how the house construction in Yingzi Gully was coming along.

Loo Xiaoshan was full of compliments, praising the two stewards for their diligence. The foundation of their house was already dug, and the framework was almost complete. In some days’ time, they would be ready to add the beams and tiles.

Because it was in the mountains, the houses in Yingzi Gully were all built from stone, with the gaps filled with mortar, making them both sturdy and comfortable in both winter and summer.

Moreover, stones were readily available in the mountains, so only a team of stonemasons was hired, who selected spots and spent every day polishing stones into the shapes needed for building.

This not only saved costs but also didn’t waste time.

However, since the weather had been getting hotter, the progress of those stonemasons had slowed down; otherwise, the beams would have been up by now.

Hearing this, Wang Yongzhu immediately realized that it was not due to the hot weather, but likely a result of the two stewards’ intentional delays.

After finishing with the house topic, Wang Yongzhu saw that Loo Xiaoshan didn’t seem to intend to speak the truth and no longer bothered to make small talk, directly asking, “Brother Xiaoshan, is there nothing else you want to tell me?”

Loo Xiaoshan suddenly looked up, seeing the clear eyes of Wang Yongzhu, a trace of embarrassment flickering across.

But he managed to steady himself, forcing a smile and saying, “Of course, there’s plenty to say, all words of gratitude—days and nights wouldn’t be enough—”

“Brother Xiaoshan! I’ll only ask one more time, really nothing to tell me?” Wang Yongzhu looked calmly at Loo Xiaoshan.

What was there that Loo Xiaoshan didn’t understand? They knew everything! So they came to see how heartless the people of Yingzi Gully were, how ungrateful!

Loo Xiaoshan only felt his face burn, his large fan-like hands covering his face, squatting on the ground, unable to speak from shame.

After a long while, he said, “We did you wrong! Truly ashamed to face you, to speak a word—”

After saying this, the strong man let out a sorrowful sound from his throat, and a bit of moisture seeped through the gaps of his hands covering his face.

But after all, Loo Xiaoshan was a man, and soon he composed himself, wiped away his tears, and lifted his head, with only slightly red eyes betraying no other signs of distress.

Without another word, he knelt down in front of Wang Yongzhu with a thud: “We, the people of Yingzi Gully, failed to return the Scholar’s Lady’s goodwill! Now that Scholar’s Lady knows, we have no excuses, and are ready to accept any punishment without a word of complaint!”

If it were before, Wang Yongzhu would have surely avoided or helped Loo Xiaoshan up.

But at this moment, Wang Yongzhu sat upright, quietly watching Loo Xiaoshan before finally speaking, “Ready to accept my punishment? Not a word of complaint? You dare say it, but I dare not believe it!”

Loo Xiaoshan’s once straight back suddenly bent down, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

Indeed, who would believe it? Even he didn’t believe it.

These days, he spent every day in torment, caught between childhood companions like family, seeing them suffer at the hands of gamblers, and—

Each was the backbone of their families; if truly injured, their lives would be ruined forever.

But on the other side, there was their great benefactor, betraying whom would be unthinkable.

Loo Xiaoshan thought it was truly too difficult!

During the day, pretending as if nothing was wrong while building houses, and at night, trying hard to persuade those convinced to hold off, to think of another way.

He thought everyone understood his efforts, but unexpectedly, more people were persuaded, wanting the silver due in ten years to enjoy life.

Loo Xiaoshan’s heart was anxious, thankfully a few of the brothers in Yingzi Gully remained just-minded, remembering the Scholar’s Lady’s kindness, or were timid, fearing trouble if it escalated.

He barely managed to contain those people, keeping them in Yingzi Gully and preventing the gamblers from coming in, hoping to drag things out while finding another solution.

He also warned those asking for money that everyone stamped their seal on that contract, now even if they wished to renege, not even afraid if taken to the government offices.

This warning temporarily quieted those already swayed, but in recent days, he felt increasingly uncertain.

Rumors were creeping in that they were plotting something, just waiting for it to succeed to get the silver.

Although he hadn’t figured out their exact scheme, he knew it was nothing good.

At this moment, hearing Wang Yongzhu ask him directly, Loo Xiaoshan had no choice but to hang his head.

Just then, knocks came on the wall, and everyone saw a wooden panel on the wall move aside like a door.

On the other side stood Sun Qi and Zhang Quan.

The two cupped their hands towards Wang Yongzhu: “Scholar’s Lady, we have found out that about seventy percent of the people in Yingzi Gully have been swayed by them. They plan to surround the tea garden, and if Scholar’s Lady does not agree to pay, they threaten to set fire to the mountain and burn the entire tea garden!”

“What?” Loo Xiaoshan’s eyes widened, jumping up from the ground.

Wang Yongzhu’s heart couldn’t help but jolt; these people’s thoughts were too malicious, clearly seeing the tea’s importance to us, using it as leverage.

Wang Yongping’s face turned red with anger: “Those bastards have no conscience! How could they do this? Even a dog fed would be loyal! How come people don’t repay kindness?”

Loo Xiaoshan’s face alternated between pale and flushed, unsure if from being spoken to by Wang Yongping or anger, he stood frozen there.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin exchanged a glance.

Song Chongjin stepped forward, “What about this side of yours?”

Zhang Quan and Sun Qi exchanged looks, Sun Qi made a gesture of invitation, “Scholar Song, please, let us have a word.”

Song Chongjin took a few steps to Sun Qi’s room and went to the corner, where Sun Qi said softly, “Our people are already arranged near the Tea Mountain, although they have many people, those who can actually act are just a dozen or so. The rest are too old or young, nothing to worry about. If they dare move, our brothers aren’t to be trifled with!”

Song Chongjin understood now, knowing every move in Yingzi Gully was likely under these two men’s watch.

He only regretted how self-righteous the people of Yingzi Gully remained.

At this point, not being polite, he cupped his fists, “It’s up to you all now!”

Sun Qi hurriedly bowed his head respectfully, “Don’t dare, don’t dare, Scholar Song is too kind!”