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.
âAlso, who else is in your family? If⦠accidents happen, how much silver do you think the compensation will be appropriate for?â Xie Qiao said again.
Chang Tongâs 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. âCarry this with you everywhere you go. The effect is different from those that we sell here. Itâs better.â
Chang Tongâs eyelids twitched.
She was an expert indeedâeven her welcome gift was different.
Mortals loved giving silver.
Fortunately, he was not a greedy person. He accepted it happily at that moment.
âOur shop will open in three days. Iâll come when itâs opened. I left some taels of silver on the account. Youâll 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.â
Chang Tong was dumbstruck as soon as he heard that.
âThe expert catches⦠filthy things too!? Isnât that just a scamâ¦?â
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.
âIs my brother still hanging on the tree?â Xie Qiao asked curiously.
Chun Er nodded. âHeâll still be beaten if he doesnât admit his fault today.â
âEldest Brother sure is an animal,â Xie Qiao mumbled. âIâll go check on my brother.â
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. âSave me, Eldest Sister⦠Iâm your only younger brother! How could you bear to see Eldest Brother torture me like this⦠I shouldnât have accepted that jade. I have such bad luck!â
Xie Qiao sat under the tree.
âWhy donât you admit fault to Eldest Brother?â Xie Qiao asked gently.
âWhy would I do that?!! I didnât lose the jade on purpose! I wonât, I definitely wonât admit fault!â He was quite stubborn.
Xie Qiao raised her brows. âYou owe me 10,000 taels of silver. I suppose youâll pay me?â
Xie Pinghuai felt pain in his chest. âEldest Sister⦠Why would you trigger me at such a timeâ¦â
âI just want to see if youâre a good child of his words,â Xie Qiao said in all seriousness.
Xie Pinghuai had never heard of such a description before.
Good child?
He was already 12âhe was no longer a child!
âIâve no money now. Iâll ask Mother when I get off the tree,â said Xie Pinghuai.
âThat wonât do. A portion of the Xie familyâs money belongs to me too. If you spend more, my dowry will be lacking in the future. Do you think it makes sense?â Xie Qiao lifted her head slowly.
Xie Pinghuai did not think too much about it. âJust get Father to make more money thenâ¦â