"No matter. Bring her out," Tang Wen said.
"You agree to repay the silver?" Huang Sanlang asked.
"Yes! Not just five thousand taels-even ten thousand, I'll repay it," Tang Wen replied firmly.
"But Scholar Lin is too despicable. He owes me silver and won't repay it, and he even slandered me. I'm taking him to the authorities," Huang Sanlang said, his eyes shifting.
"Exactly! The interest was clearly eighty taels a day, yet he claimed it was ten. Utterly despicable. He should be handed over to the authorities and thrown in jail," Steward Tian chimed in from the side.
"What, you don't intend to return Lin Xian'er to me?" Tang Wen's face hardened.
"Of course I'll return her, but only after we've sent Scholar Lin to jail," Huang Sanlang sneered.
"Scholar Lin has also sold himself into my service," Tang Wen said. You like splitting hairs? I'll play along. Just the thing to buy Yan Beitian time to catch the man.
"Your Tang servants committed wrongdoing and slandered me. They must still be punished.
"Of course, if you use Lin Xian'er to settle the debt, I'll let the matter drop out of respect for you, my lord.
"Otherwise, I have relatives serving as officials in the Provincial Capital too. We'll see each other in court." Huang Sanlang began making threats.
"You dare threaten his lordship? Are you looking to die?" Qiao Xiao shouted at the sight.
"There is justice under heaven. I believe the Imperial Court has laws and will give me justice." Huang Sanlang grew arrogant.
"You mean that if Lin Xian'er settles the debt, you won't report him to the authorities?" Tang Wen smiled and looked at him.
"Of course. But those five thousand taels must still be repaid," Huang Sanlang said smugly.
"Bullshit! Sun Houzi is right