At this moment, he couldn't care less about Jin Shanyao's true thoughts; he was focused solely on the case. " Madam Jiang, how much is your basin?"
Before Madam Jiang could answer, Jiang Fulu knelt down with a thud. "My lord, my son really did break the Yin-Yang Basin! You can't just listen to one side of the story and be deceived by Madam Jiang!"
Su Wenqian gave Jiang Fulu a deep look, then said to Constable Wang, "Take Jiang Fulu to the place where the basin was broken, and bring it back for Madam Jiang to identify."
Whether it is a Yin-Yang Basin or not depends on the fate of the Madam Jiang.
Jiang Fulu quickly got up and followed Constable Wang outside. Madam Jiang no longer cared about the basin or anything like that; her mind was now filled with Jin Shanyao's instructions.
This potted plant was part of her dowry, or perhaps it wasn't!
A moment later, Constable Wang returned with a pile of debris and placed it on the main hall.
Su Wenqian looked up and suddenly laughed, " Jiang Fulu, you're telling me this is a basin used in funerals?"
Jiang Fulu, sticking out his neck, said, "Yes, this is the basin my son broke back then," filthy, covering his son's hands in dust.
Madam Jiang froze when she saw the basin. This wasn't the yin-yang basin she'd bought! This... this... She rubbed her eyes hard. Wasn't this the clay basin Jin Shanyao had used to tease her that day?
When did it get mixed up with the Yin-Yang Basin? She stared blankly at the Jin Shanyao, speechless for a moment.
The gavel slammed heavily on the table with a loud thud. Su Wenqian said sternly, " Jiang Fulu, open your eyes wide and take a good look! Is this a Yin-Yang Basin?"
Jiang Fulu stepped forward and, upon seeing it, broke out in a cold sweat. He knelt stiffly on the ground. "No... no... I just saw it was the Yin-Yang Basin! How did it change?"
He quickly looked at Constable Wang, Constable Wang unhappily, "We went and came back together, do you suspect I switched the pots?"
Jiang Fulu offered a flustered explanation, but didn't know what to explain.
Su Wenqian's face darkened. " Jiang Fulu, according to the laws of this dynasty, anyone who damages another's property shall compensate for the loss at its original value..."
After speaking, his gaze fell on Madam Jiang, " Madam Jiang, how much is this pot?"
Madam Jiang, regaining her senses, cried out, "Sir, this pot is priceless... It's the only keepsake my mother left me!"
" Madam Jiang, I understand how you feel, but the basin is broken and can't be repaired. You should think about compensation..."
Madam Jiang wiped away her tears fiercely, "Seven thousand taels..."
Jin Shanyao gasped. She and Jiang Jinshu were indeed mother and daughter; they really dared to ask for a high price...
Su Wenqian was also stunned. He looked at the basin again uncertainly. Wasn't this just an old earthenware basin worth seven thousand taels?
The Jiang family erupted in anger upon hearing this, shouting at each other, " Madam Jiang, are you crazy for money? Seven thousand taels? Why don't you just rob someone?"
Madam Jiang sneered, "I learned that from you!"
Jiang Fulu said urgently, "My lord... my lord, listen to what she's saying..."
"Alright, stop arguing. Discuss the compensation amount. If you can't reach an agreement, you'll all be locked up. Oh, and by the way... let me remind you, a father's imprisonment will affect his child's imperial examinations."
Upon hearing this, the Jiang family members panicked instantly, especially Jiang Fulu, who wished he could strangle Madam Jiang on the spot. Jin Shanyao didn't see what happened next.
She took Meng Anzhi back to the Anzhi Hall; this penny was really hard to earn!
"Auntie, how could the Jiang family have made a mistake with the Yin-Yang Basin? Didn't so many people notice the problem?"
Jin Shanyao chuckled, "Blinded by greed, he's probably blinded himself."
Meng Anzhi chuckled twice, "Serves him right for breaking the wrong basin. I wonder how much money Aunt Jiang will ask for in the end!"
Jin Shanyao patted her head, "It's none of our business how much she wants..."
The Jiang family case was quickly resolved. Jiang Fulu was ordered to pay the Madam Jiang 7,000 taels of silver for breaking the wrong basin. Since he had no money to pay, he had to transfer his shop to the Madam Jiang's name.
For the remaining debt, the Madam Jiang changed the letter of severance, completely cutting ties between Jiang Jinshu and the Jiang family, and had it stamped by the government as proof.
Several days passed in a flash, and the two children resumed their life of studying from dawn till dusk.
The Jin Shanyao, giving the impression that the foundation was crooked, and no matter how the house was built, it would always be crooked. Helplessly, they let it be.
Qing He reported, "Master, Madam Jiang from Brocade Workshop requests an audience."
Jin Shanyao the book and walked out of the house, only to see Madam Jiang pulling the child and kneeling down in the courtyard with a thud, pressing the child's head down and starting to kowtow.
"What are you doing?" Jin Shanyao forward and lifted the two of them up.
With tears in her eyes, Madam Jiang said, "Miss Jin's kindness and virtue are beyond repayment. Please accept our bow!"
"I didn't help you," Jin Shanyao explained seriously. "Whether it was the soul-summoning ritual or the matter of the Yin-Yang basin, it was all done by me for a single penny paid by your daughter."
She was extremely averse to getting involved in karma, so she would charge at least one coin.
Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang's tears rolled down her cheeks. Jin Shanyao was known for being stingy, always charging at least twenty taels for divination, but now, to help her family, he only charged one coin.
"Miss Jin, we are an orphan and a widow, burdened with debts. We truly don't know how to repay you. If you ever need anything from us in the future, my daughter and I will do our utmost!"
"Okay, I'll definitely ask you for help if I need it," Jin Shanyao said curtly, not knowing how to comfort people, and then stood there staring at Madam Jiang.
Jiang Jinshu spoke weakly, "Auntie... I'll give you all my money," she said, holding up her dark purse and looking at Jin Shanyao with teary eyes.
Mother said that Shopkeeper Jin was a good person and a great benefactor who helped them get their shop back. She told her to remember this kindness and repay Shopkeeper Jin when she grew up.
Not knowing how to repay her, she could only give her all her money.
Jin Shanyao didn't dare take it. The Jiang mother and daughter liked to gamble big with small investments, and she was afraid of being scammed. "The money is too little. Give it to me when you fill it up."
Jiang Jinshu clutched her deflated purse, silently withdrew her hand, and solemnly said, "Auntie, don't worry, I'm very good at embroidery. I'll be able to fill the purse in a few days."
Jin Shanyao and said, "Alright..."
After seeing Jiang and her daughter off, Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci came out of the study. "A perfectly good family, ruined because of a money box."
"Yes... So, what is truly the most important thing in life?"
Life remained uneventful, and with the help of her maternal family, Madam Jiang rebuilt Brocade Workshop.
Jiang Jinshu seemed to have grown up overnight. The little girl spent her days at home embroidering handkerchiefs, just to fill the small lotus leaf bag as soon as possible.
The number of people seeking divination and medical treatment at the Anzhi Hall gradually increased, and Meng Anzhi facial cream was almost always out of stock, keeping the family extremely busy.
That Qing He lay on a pile of medicinal herbs, weakly saying, "Master, if all else fails, let's hire someone."
Jin Shanyao the millstone in her hand until it was almost smoking, the edge of the millstone was hot to the touch. She picked up her teacup and took a big gulp. "Hire people... what kind of people? I'll go buy a few."
After saying that, he got up and walked out. Qing He, as if she had risen from the dead, suddenly grabbed Jin Shanyao her thigh, "Master, I'm not one to cause trouble. Can the people you bought be as useful as me?"
Can anyone be as obedient as me? Can anyone be as capable as me? Master... open your eyes and look at me. I don't believe your eyes are empty."
Jin Shanyao annoyed and amused. "What nonsense are you spouting? Once I bring back the people I've bought, you'll be the housekeeper's wife, with a very high status."
Qing He asked uncertainly, "Really? You won't get bored with the old and crave the new..."
"Don't worry... I like you."
Qing He's eyes welled up with tears, "Master, I like you too!"
Qing Yang rushed out of the shop and saw the master and servant hugging each other. " Qing He, the shop is in a frenzy. Have you finished cutting the licorice?"
"Hey, hey..." Qing He hurriedly released the Jin Shanyao and picked up the cleaver to start chopping licorice. Only when she saw Qing Yang enter the shop with the face cream did she dare to speak, "Master, I really don't mean to cause trouble, my sister..."
She glanced at the shop as she spoke, then continued, "She's not suited to be a manager; she has a terrible temper and is always ordering me around."
Jin Shanyao chuckled, "Yes, yes, she's perfect as a manager." With that, she turned and went out to buy people.
Qing He was stunned. Between the shopkeeper and the mistress of the house, who was more senior?