C5 – One Tael of Silver
A single tael of silver could sustain an ordinary family for two months. So, why did Lin Yuxing, the person in question, need to part with one tael of silver?
“It appears as if you folks are trying to deceive us. It seems you’ve already set a trap, hoping we’ll fall for it. Let me make it clear, there isn’t even a door.” Lee Su was known for his sharp wit, and few dared to challenge him in Lee Village. Of course, when personal interests were at stake, disputes were common, sometimes even escalating to physical altercations.
Lee Su’s standing in Lee Village wasn’t exemplary, and he had reservations from the start. Now, with a more suitable partner for his son, he couldn’t possibly agree to marry him off to the licentious Lin Yuxing.
They had been serving their master dutifully in town, so why did he injure them and send them back? It was evident they were trying to entice their master into such a state. Otherwise, why would their master dismiss them without any warning?
Lin Yuxing was aware that the village head would not consent to their demands. He regarded them coldly and remarked, “Very well, village head. Since they refuse to compensate us, we’ll break Li Yu Xiang’s leg—the leg that trespassed into our home.”
Initially, he didn’t harbor many objections to the village chief’s decision. After all, one of his legs was currently hindered, and, considering his family’s situation, his priority wasn’t involving the authorities.
During that year, his father fell seriously ill, leading him to indenture himself to the Chen family for ten years. Little did he anticipate that he would be returned here four years ago, and in such a disgraceful manner. Lin Yuxing didn’t believe he had committed any shameful acts back then, or else the owner wouldn’t have pardoned him so easily.
Upon hearing this, Lee Su reacted with a mixture of anger and frustration, placing his hands on his hips as he exclaimed, “Well, you had this all figured out, didn’t you?” He attempted to advance, but the memory of his recent loss held him back, causing him to writhe on the ground. He intended to employ this method to resolve the issue with his son.
“Li Fu Lang, given the way the Lin Family’s elder brother has spoken, perhaps it’s best to release them, so as not to tarnish the reputation of both villages,” remarked a man in a clear voice.
“Li Fu Lang, we’ve observed your son’s behavior and the Lin Village, and as for your claims of him being a ‘big brother,’ well, that’s something you can brag about. Who can confirm its accuracy? Hand him over to the authorities, and your son’s reputation will be ruined,” several individuals from the Lin Village discussed openly about returning Yu. Coupled with the annulment of the marriage, it seemed his reputation would suffer.
When Lee Su heard the Lin Village chief’s statement, a look of alarm briefly crossed his face. However, being asked for a silver payment was akin to tearing out his heart. The pain was so intense it left him breathless as he cast a fierce glare at his own son, saying, “I don’t have that much silver on me; you’ll need to go back and fetch it.”
“Are you suggesting you want to back out now?” Lin Yuxing’s eyes brightened upon hearing the mention of ‘silver.’ He didn’t mention anything else about involving the authorities; all he cared about was obtaining silver taels to please himself.
“Indeed, retrieve the silver first before allowing him to leave!” As long as the mother-in-law was in their home, everyone had to show them respect first.
Lee Su was so infuriated that his chest heaved up and down. He had indeed contemplated breaking his promise. He happened to have a single tael of silver on him, which he had earmarked for purchasing new clothes for his future son-in-law. With frustration, he withdrew two taels of silver from his robe and tossed them onto the ground, cursing, “Why are you still holding them back?”