"I haven't swindled, stolen, or cheated. I was selling things, all at fair prices." Qu Xin thought for a moment. "At most, there's the two hundred taels in donations I haven't had time to give you."
"You were actually going to give it to me?"
"I planned to buy medicinal ingredients and roll you a pill."
"What kind of pill?"
"One that makes your muscles and bones recover faster after you take it, so you can stand being hacked at a bit better." Qu Xin thought for a moment. "I haven't decided what to call it yet."
"...You came up with this yourself?"
"Yes. I've never refined one before. You'll be the first to take it." Qu Xin looked at him and reassured him, "Don't worry. It won't kill you."
"I wasn't planning to take it."
Qu Xin fell silent for a moment. "If you report me to the authorities, could they not confiscate the money? They can give me three hundred extra strokes of the rod."
"No."
Li Piaoqing finished pouring the tea and smiled. "Don't report her. Leave her to me."
Qu Xin said, "Little drake, hurry up and report me!"
Pei Ye gave a cold snort.
He walked over, picked up the heavy bundle beside Qu Xin's feet, and opened it.
"First, take all this silver-" Pei Ye looked down into the bag. The dazzling silver gleam stunned him for a moment before he declared decisively, "-and return it all!"
"Surely I don't have to return the money for the paintings..." Qu Xin fought like a cornered beast.
"Returning everything would make everyone uneasy, too." Li Piaoqing smiled. "These are all minor matters. Leave them to me."
Pei Ye lowered his head a little. "Sorry to trouble you with this... Have you been very busy lately, too?"