Jin Shanyao shielded the Su Household brothers behind her, casually scratching at the broken porcelain shards on the ground. "Thirty coins... agreed, this matter is settled."
She slightly raised her eyes, glancing at Fifth Master Dong almost imperceptibly. "I disagree... I also know a little about the law."
"What do you mean...? Are you threatening me? Do you even know where the government offices in the capital are located?"
Jin Shanyao couldn't understand why everyone who was picking a fight asked her if she knew which way the yamen (government office) faced. What did that have to do with arguing? Her voice turned cold.
"The jade thumb ring you're wearing... has been tainted with too much yin energy. I don't need to tell you how, do I?"
Fifth Master Dong's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively gripped the jade thumb ring tightly in his hand, his neck stiff. "We're talking about the vase right now, why are you bringing up the jade thumb ring? Don't try to change the subject."
Jin Shanyao smirked, "I think you're more familiar with the laws of this dynasty than I am. Theft..." The word was cut off by Fifth Master Dong, who interrupted her urgently, "Thirty coins it is, consider it my bad luck."
A gleam of joy flashed in Su Jingzhi's eyes, and he was about to take out his money when Jin Shanyao said coldly, "What are you waiting for? Pay up!"
Fifth Master Dong was stunned. "What do you mean... I'm paying?"
"Otherwise what?"
Fifth Master Dong laughed in anger. This was the first time he had met someone even more shameless than himself. He turned to leave, but Jin Shanyao his collar and dragged him back.
Fifth Master Dong clutched his neck, his face flushed red, "Let go..."
With a flick of Jin Shanyao wrist, Fifth Master Dong sent Dong Wu Ye staggering to his knees. He hadn't expected a little girl to be so strong. When he met her cold gaze, a sudden fear rose in his heart. He instinctively took out thirty coins and handed them to Jin Shanyao.
Jin Shanyao handed the fan to Su Shenzhi, "A fee for the grievance..."
Su Shenzhi was still just a child. Clutching the thirty coins, he abandoned his earlier timidity, raised his chin high, and looked at Fifth Master Dong arrogantly. If his brother hadn't been in front of him, he would have really wanted to kick him.
Fifth Master Dong hung his head, not daring to glance at Jin Shanyao, and slunk away.
Jin Shanyao watched his retreating figure and sneered, "Keep that jade thumb ring with you; it will cost you your life sooner or later."
Seeing that Fifth Master Dong had been driven away, Su Shenzhi felt extremely pleased. He took small, square steps, carrying Jin Shanyao, and arrived at the gate of the Song residence in no time.
The gatekeeper recognized the Su Household brothers at a glance, and immediately put on a fawning smile, calling them "Young Master Su" repeatedly, and was about to lead them inside.
Jin Shanyao stepped in front of the servant, saying, "Before Madam Su left, she instructed that the person must be personally handed over to Lord Song. Please inform him and ask him to come out and receive the person."
The servant looked at Su Jingzhi hesitantly.
Su Jingzhi nodded slightly. "Please trouble you to ask my maternal grandfather to come out for a moment."
The servant dared not delay and quickly turned and went inside to inform the servant.
A moment later, hurried footsteps came from inside the door.
Song Henian, dressed in a casual brocade robe, almost ran out. He brushed aside his two grandsons who came to greet him and strode over to Jin Shanyao.
With eager eyes, he said, "Miss Jin, I only received a letter from my daughter a few days ago. Calculating the journey, I always thought it would take another ten days or half a month for her to arrive. I never expected you to travel so quickly."
Had I known you would arrive in the capital today, I, Song, would have personally gone to the city gate to greet you. I have truly been impolite."
Su Shenzhi's outstretched arms froze in mid-air, his eyes filled with disbelief. Didn't his grandfather say he missed them the most? Yet he didn't even spare a glance for the two brothers.
Turning to look at my grandfather, good heavens... he wasn't even sitting up straight.
Song Henian's skill in Jin Shanyao was partly based on what his daughter told him and partly on what he learned from her.
Last year, he and Old General Fu were robbed while traveling. The robbers wielded a gleaming broadsword and slashed at Old General Fu, but the blade chipped and broke, and Old General Fu's arm was not even scratched.
Only after seeing the talisman paper burned to ashes did he truly understand the power of the Jin Shanyao. This time, he was determined to invite the person into his mansion.
This is a lifesaver!
He's now completely obsessed with the Jin Shanyao, leaving his own grandson utterly neglected.
Su Jingzhi knew perfectly well that the two brothers were the reason his family was trying to get closer to Jin Shanyao.
But... isn't this a bit too obvious??? Won't Miss Jin find out? Just as he was wondering, an excited and thrilled voice suddenly rang out.
"Boss!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Lu Chi, dressed in official robes, rushing over in a flurry of activity. He excitedly pulled Meng Anci into his arms and bounced her around.
"Good lad, you've grown so tall in just one year! Did you miss your master?"
"Master, I'm already a scholar, how can I be carried like this?"
"You 'scholar' nonsense, I'm your master, what's wrong with giving me a hug?" Lu Chi said, pulling Meng Anci tighter, making him roll his eyes.
Lu Chi's eyes shone brightly as he looked at Jin Shanyao. "Boss, I saw the oxcart from afar, and when I got closer, it was indeed you! Are you here for my wedding?"
Jin Shanyao, and Lu Chi became even more excited upon seeing this, his lips never twitching since they met.
Song Henian, standing to the side, felt uneasy. His daughter had said that Jin Shanyao had saved Lu Chi's life; could this girl be going to leave with Lu Chi?
Just as she feared, Jin Shanyao calmly said, "Now that the person has been delivered, I will leave." She looked at the Su Household brothers, "If either of you needs anything, just come find me at Top Scholar Tower."
Lu Chi quickly intervened, "Why go to the Top Scholar Tower? If you want to find someone, come to my house! In a few days, I will marry your cousin, and then we will be family."
Jin Shanyao remembered the purpose of her trip and swallowed back her rebuttal. "Alright, I'll go to your house. I brought you a congratulatory gift."
Upon hearing this, Lu Chi's eyes almost welled up with tears. His boss still cared about him after all, not only attending the wedding but also bringing a gift. He said that people have feelings.
Lu Chi happily climbed onto the oxcart, looked at Meng Anzhi and smiled, "How's your medical training going? Does it still hurt when you get acupuncture?"
Meng Anzhi laughed, "I'll give you a few acupuncture treatments tonight and you'll see."
"Tsk... I'm not sick, why would I need to get pricked?" Lu Chi wasn't stupid; Meng Anzhi looked gentle and kind but actually resorted to underhanded tactics.
The group chatted and laughed all the way back to the Lu Residence.
The three-courtyard house was decorated with red silk ribbons everywhere, exuding a strong festive atmosphere from the inside out.
Lu Chi handed the oxcart to the servant and personally led Jin Shanyao inside. "I have a side courtyard in my residence, specially reserved for you. I always thought that when you come to the capital, you'd have a place to stay."
Jin Shanyao gently, "You certainly think long-term."
Lu Chi's smile turned bitter. "We agreed long ago that we're family, so this is naturally your home too. By the way, why didn't Qing He and Qing Yang come along?"
They went back to their hometown for the New Year; they didn't know you were getting married.
As they spoke, the group arrived at the secluded courtyard. The courtyard wasn't large, but it was right next to the street, and there was a side gate in the outer wall. If the main gate were sealed off, it would be a house with its own gate and courtyard.
Lu Chi smiled and said, "Do you like it? If there's anything you don't like, I'll have it changed immediately."
"It's all good." Jin Shanyao open the door and entered the room, putting down her luggage. She casually asked, "Have you found out the cause of your mother's death?"
Lu Chi's smile froze instantly, and he said in a deep voice, "It's been a long time, so investigating is a bit difficult, but we've already made some progress..."
Jin Shanyao said in a deep voice, "Do you have any of your mother's old belongings? Preferably untouched? I can help you investigate."
"Boss..." Lu Chi's eyes reddened slightly, his heart filled with mixed emotions, "How much?"
"This matter has been going on for too long, it's difficult to handle. Ten thousand taels..." Jin Shanyao drew out her words, staring at Lu Chi's expression. Seeing that he didn't even frown, she immediately changed her words, "Ten thousand taels of gold."
"What...?" Lu Chi stood up abruptly, his heart trembling slightly Jin Shanyao. Had he taken too much?
"Isn't the Empress your aunt?"
Lu Chi was both amused and exasperated. "Boss... don't even mention the Empress, even the Emperor couldn't come up with this much money! Do you think this is disaster relief funds??"
Jin Shanyao had hoped to make a fortune, but it seems that's not going to happen. Making money still requires taking it one step at a time. "Has that Xuanjizi been found yet?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Chi's smile vanished completely.