The threat in Meng Zhaojun’s tone was familiar to everyone accustomed to being around her.
Tang Shunyan shook his head secretly, thinking the girl would forever be domineering!
In reality, the sum of money he had just parted with was from his private stash, causing him a twinge of heartache.
It wasn’t that he and those around him were negligent or unwilling to reclaim the money; without his order, his people would not quibble over it.
However, since the money had already been distributed among his staff, his subordinates, though currently unaware, would eventually find out.
He did not wish to be labeled a miserly Young Master.
Madam now had the pouch full of silver back in her hands, but the silver notes were no longer there, having already found their way into the girl across from her.
After weighing the silver, Madam stated that the amount was sufficient to cover the private room’s expenses, which was indeed true as the contents were untouched and could be distributed among the servants.
The private room had been used briefly, after all, and they were only stopped at the doorway for a short while.
Madam’s face twisted, not daring to seize the money from the young lady in front of her. Yet, having the money snatched from her grasp left her feeling discontent.
There was lingering regret over the private funds she had contemplated embezzling—where was the promised hush money?
Her lips, red and plump, moved slightly, but before she could speak, it was as if a sword had suddenly appeared at her throat, the very same one that the person who had threatened her earlier held.
Madam forcibly swallowed the words she was about to utter and began pleading for mercy instead.
Meng Zhaojun, holding the silver note, bounced cheerfully out the door. Upon seeing that there were several taels, she happily pocketed the money and skipped downstairs, leaving the brothel behind.
Tang Shunyan, seeing that Meng Zhaojun had finally left, quickly followed her out.
The majority of those accompanying the two lingered in the brothel, finishing up the last tasks, with only a few following them out.
Madam stealthily looked down from upstairs and saw some guards holding swords, silencing the male patrons and girls who had just witnessed the two Young Masters.
Should anyone dare to spread the news, they would be punished severely.
The men were merely there for amusement; some had wives at home and did not want their families to know of their escapades.
Rather than gossip and offend, they acknowledged the stature of the two young men and chose to keep quiet.
The girls in the brothel, naturally keen on gossip as a topic for future banter with clients, were warned to not speak of the incident, clearly frightened by the guards’ swords.
In ordinary times, even the brothel’s enforcers were feared when meting out punishment for disobedience.
Meng Zhaojun climbed into the carriage after leaving the brothel to inspect the recently acquired silver note, which turned out to be sixty taels.
"Lady, shall we return to the estate?" Liang Chen, already frightened, and Mei Jing anticipated a stern reprimand from Madam upon their return.
Their greatest fear was that Madam would sell them off, preventing them from accompanying the Lady to the Capital.
The Lady’s impulsiveness could be construed by Madam as instigation, painting them as abettors!
Perhaps the Old Master and Madam would not punish the Lady, merely scolding her, but there was a strong possibility they would be severely penalised!
Already panicked, they hoped the Lady would return home without further trouble!
"Pfft, I’m not going back so soon. I want to shop; do you see the money in my hand? I’m going to spend it all!"
Meng Zhaojun paid no heed to what the maids said, instructing the driver to head for the bustling streets.
The driver, having no choice, only wanted to confirm the Lady’s destination so he could stop the carriage.
"Lady, where are we actually headed?"
"To Silver Tower, the one owned by the Tang Family that we visited before."
Meng Zhaojun schemed mischievously, planning to leave Tang Shunyan In the lurch before her departure.
The Mengs’ carriage began its journey, closely followed by their guards.
Tang Shunyan sat silently in his own carriage, choosing not to chat with the young girl; he knew she wouldn’t let him off easily today.
"Young Master, shall we follow their carriage?" inquired the Tang Family’s driver.
Tang Shunyan’s suspicions were confirmed; Meng Zhaojun was not one to lightly let him be.
The Mengs’ carriage had already stopped in front of Silver Tower, and Meng Zhaojun’s maids helped their Lady descend from the carriage.
Tang Shunyan, resigned to his fate, shook his head helplessly. Anticipating a significant loss, he had brought along some private funds; if this girl were to exploit him greatly, he would have to chalk it up as a business expense.