CHAPTER 87: 87: COPPER BEANS (3)_1

Dong Huiying’s lips twitched severely.

"Last time, Zhou Dachun brought people to make trouble at the Liang family’s residence, smashed a lot of our belongings, and threatened to sell several of the gentlemen in my family into the Sky Blue Building. And this time, Zhou Dachun abducted our men without authorization. I’ve been magnanimous and didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but now that I’ve won money, and Master Hong is making excuses like this, isn’t that a bit too bullying?"

Seeing trouble brewing, Hong Xiangjun hurriedly said, "Sister, I only meant to ask the lady to grant me a few more months, not to shirk the debt. Besides, we should leave a way out for each other, so we can meet on good terms in the future. If we sisters get along, it would be good to have each other’s backs here in Taihang Mountain, wouldn’t it? Of course, I was only joking just now. Two hundred and sixty taels, just give me a few more months, and I promise to pay every last bit!"

Dong Huiying also knew that one shouldn’t push too hard on this matter, as Hong Xiangjun’s daring to run a gambling den in the mountains proved she wasn’t afraid of government officials; she’d simply preferred not to attract trouble.

If she herself were to press too hard and really fall out with her, it would be a loss-making bargain.

Not only would she not get the silver but would also needlessly make an enemy, which would indeed be a bit of a loss. Since that was the case, it might be better to go along with Hong Xiangjun’s wishes for now.

"That’s fine."

Dong Huiying relented.

Seeing a glimmer of hope in the situation, Hong Xiangjun also breathed a sigh of relief.

Dong Huiying was quite good at assessing the situation and decided that both parties should take a step back.

"Two hundred and sixty taels, it’s indeed not necessary to pay all at once. However, I really am short on money right now."

"Of course," replied Hong Xiangjun promptly with a smile, "Given my current situation, I really cannot come up with that sum all at once. I still have twenty taels on me; you can take these first, and I will deliver the rest to your house once I’ve gathered it."

Hong Xiangjun pulled out a sachet and stuffed it into Dong Huiying’s palm, who weighed it for a moment, confident that it contained two big gold ingots.

SHe lifted her eyelids slightly and said, "I saw Zhu Xingfang at your gambling den just now. I wonder, Master Hong, are you providing refuge for that person? You should know that she has caused me quite some trouble."

Hong Xiangjun, seizing the hint, spoke with very suggestive eyes, "Lady, you’ve really misjudged my sister. How could I provide refuge for her? That fat woman came to me indeed wishing for my aid against the lady, but when I thought about it, if I refused her, who knows what other trouble Zhu Xingfang might cause? So I kept her here for the time being, as a temporary measure, and she’s currently awaiting the lady’s disposal."

Dong Huiying couldn’t help but give Hong Xiangjun another look.

She had a strange intuition that Hong Xiangjun seemed particularly unwilling to make an enemy out of her?

Everywhere there were clear signs of a desire to make friends.

She didn’t show her feelings.

"In that case, thank you sister for your efforts, and thank you as well. However, my Shu Yu is an invalid, suffering from chronic illness, and the others are also injured... I’m currently short of some herbs, and since it’s early spring, the things in the mountains have not yet sprouted, so I might need to bother sister to help me again?"

She seemed to be pushing her luck, but in reality, she was further probing Hong Xiangjun’s limits.

"This..." Biting her teeth, Hong Xiangjun’s face almost collapsed. It was like she reluctantly swallowed bitter Chinese goldthread, barely managing to say with a strained voice, "Sure, I happen to have some channels that could help the lady acquire some at the lowest price."

Dong Huiying’s heart stirred, and following that, she put on an expression that was harmless to humans and animals...