Xie Qiao did not want to scare anyone. Since Chang Tong was the shopkeeper, it was inevitable for him to sense something.
Prepping him would be better than having him scared out of his wits.
"Also, who else is in your family? If… accidents happen, how much silver do you think the compensation will be appropriate for?" Xie Qiao said again.
Chang Tong's eyelids twitched.
Was he not here just to be a shopkeeper?
Xie Qiao could not help but come up with a number. She then took out one of the talismans that she carried around with her and handed it over. "Carry this with you everywhere you go. The effect is different from those that we sell here. It's better.."
Chang Tong's eyelids twitched.
She was an expert indeed—even her welcome gift was different.
Mortals loved giving silver.
Fortunately, he was not a greedy person. He accepted it happily at that moment.
"Our shop will open in three days. I'll come when it's opened. I left some taels of silver on the account. You'll take care of that in the shop. Oh, our shop does soul-capturing business as well. If someone sees something filthy, please send me a pigeon."
Chang Tong was dumbstruck as soon as he heard that.
'The expert catches… filthy things too!? Isn't that just a scam…?'
However, Chang Tong dared not say that. He merely nodded in response.
Xie Qiao was very satisfied with this shopkeeper. She sold many peculiar things, and this shopkeeper was still calm. It seemed like he was an open-minded man. Although he was in his 50s now, he seemed healthy. He had sufficient Yang energy in him and a lucky face too. He seemed to be fine, so he should not be scared easily.
After delegating the tasks and leaving her things behind, she returned to the Xie Residence.
The well in her courtyard had been completely dug yesterday. However, that steward seemed to be still resting in his bed.
Chun Er and Granny Wan were familiar with the Xie family members. They knew that Ms. Lu had been sending things to Steward Yuan. It made Xie Qiao seem like a bad person.
"Is my brother still hanging on the tree?" Xie Qiao asked curiously.
Chun Er nodded. "He'll still be beaten if he doesn't admit his fault today."
"Eldest Brother sure is an animal," Xie Qiao mumbled. "I'll go check on my brother."
Xie Pinghuai seemed weak. Fortunately, Xie Pinggang was rational not to let him hang upside down. If not, he would be crippled, or even worse, die.
However, he was not feeling well.
Although he was hung under the tree, it was rather warm during the day. He barely ate and drank anything. Nobody talked to him, and he was dizzy. It was very pitiful.
Noticing that Xie Qiao was here, Xie Pinghuai began to wail. "Save me, Eldest Sister… I'm your only younger brother! How could you bear to see Eldest Brother torture me like this… I shouldn't have accepted that jade. I have such bad luck!"
Xie Qiao sat under the tree.
"Why don't you admit fault to Eldest Brother?" Xie Qiao asked gently.
"Why would I do that?!! I didn't lose the jade on purpose! I won't, I definitely won't admit fault!" He was quite stubborn.
Xie Qiao raised her brows. "You owe me 10,000 taels of silver. I suppose you'll pay me?"
Xie Pinghuai felt pain in his chest. "Eldest Sister… Why would you trigger me at such a time…"
"I just want to see if you're a good child of his words," Xie Qiao said in all seriousness.
Xie Pinghuai had never heard of such a description before.
Good child?
He was already 12—he was no longer a child!
"I've no money now. I'll ask Mother when I get off the tree," said Xie Pinghuai.
"That won't do. A portion of the Xie family's money belongs to me too. If you spend more, my dowry will be lacking in the future. Do you think it makes sense?" Xie Qiao lifted her head slowly.
Xie Pinghuai did not think too much about it. "Just get Father to make more money then..."