The process of distributing the silver was pre-arranged by Cai Wei. She instructed Nangong Yi to make the donation in his name, with Manager Li assisting in distributing the silver taels, while Zhui Feng, Zhu Yue and others were to keep a guard to prevent anyone who was obsessed with money, whose eyes glittered at the sight of money, from doing anything irrational...
The silver was delivered house by house. The villagers who received the gifts were tearfully grateful, ceaselessly chanting prayers to Buddha. Some even asked Manager Li for the young master’s name, so they could go home and set him up an immortal plaque, to which they would offer three sticks of incense a day!
Of course, these requests were all refused by Manager Li.
When the turn came to give the silver to Mu Zhongli, Manager Li suddenly stopped preparing the silver. With an ambiguous smile, he looked at Mu Zhongli and said: "I’m sorry, Grand Master Mu. Unfortunately, there’s no silver here for you."
"What? Why does everyone else get some, but not me?"
In the freezing weather, Mu Zhongli had been standing in line for half a day; hearing that he was not getting any silver, he became instantly infuriated.
"My family’s house was damaged by the EQ as well. If you don’t believe me, you can come with me and see."
Manager Li laughed: "It’s not a matter of whether your house is damaged or not...with all due respect, our young master said that his silver can only be used for the relief of the poor. As we all know, Grand Master Mu’s family has just recently come into possession of the best tavern on the finest street in town. That hardly makes you poor. Therefore, you can’t take this silver."
Upon hearing this, Mu Zhongli was instantly engulfed in anger. So, it was that little b*tch who got her revenge, making things difficult for him and embarrassing him in front of everyone because of their conflict over the tavern. They were family! Now that she was so wealthy, what difference would it make to give him a bit of it? Yet, that little b*tch was relentless, ready to give out tens of thousands of silver taels to strangers rather than to her own family! What kind of ungrateful, unfilial person does that? Would the young master still favor her if he knew she treated her family ?
With that thought, his gaze became rather peculiar.
The villagers lined up behind him were getting impatient, yelling out: "I say Eldest Brother Mu, didn’t you and your family of four go around the village this morning saying how you’re moving into town? You’re already rich, why are you mixing with the likes of us poor villagers? Shouldn’t you be packing up and getting back to the town?"
Having failed to get the silver, and being harshly ridiculed by the crowd, Mu Zhongli’s complexion turned color. He wanted to turn away proudly, but he couldn’t bear to leave behind those gleaming eighty taels!
Manager Li saw his changing facial expressions and chuckled: "If you desire these eighty taels so much, I could propose a smart idea for you."
Mu Zhongli’s eyes lit up with excitement at the mention of a ’smart idea’, as he watched Manager Li closely.
Manager Li answered calmly: "Revoke the transfer agreement you signed yesterday, return the tavern to Scholar Mu’s home, and you can then receive the eighty taels of silver here."
Eighty taels of silver versus a prosperous tavern... even a child could weigh the costs. Mu Zhongli was so angry his scalp tingled, but he was powerless. He had no choice but to sulk away...
Inside the warm carriage, Nangong Yi was leisurely reclining against a mink cushion, staring at the old Mu Family house outside the window, gritting his teeth in frustration.
They had a deal: He would the silver to the village on her behalf, and in return, she would cook for him for three days. But when he finished his task and happily went to find her, she stood him up for her own family! Being disregarded to such an extent made him feel frustrated, full of affection, and helpless all at once!
"Master, Miss Luo Xue is unwell!"
A guard came up to the carriage and reported in a low voice.