Chapter 26: Gratitude Arrives!

Madam Jiang harbored resentment in her heart against Su Wan; she had broken Song Manfu’s tooth and even extorted more than three taels of silver from her.

She sneered coldly, thinking these people were not to be trifled with, waiting for them to take care of Su Wan, that despicable woman!

Zhao Da suddenly grinned, showing a row of white teeth, displaying his most amiable smile, and said “Then we have not found the wrong person.”

His smile, in the eyes of the onlookers, made him look even more fierce and malevolent.

Mother Gu retreated a few steps into the courtyard, preparing to close the courtyard door and tell Su Wan to run away.

But, who would have known, Zhao Da, with a respectful attitude, clasped his fists and said: “Madam, Su Wan is our master’s lifesaver, and we have specially come today to return the favor!”

Return, return the favor?

Mother Gu was stunned.

Madam Jiang was also dumbfounded.

This group of people, with their imposing aura, seemed like they were here for revenge, but they were actually here to return a favor?

“The person Su Wan saved yesterday in the mountains, is our master,” Zhao Da gestured to instruct his brothers as he said: “Go and move the things from the carriages down.”

Then, a group of people went to the carriage to move the things.

Mother Gu saw that there were a total of two carriages.

Gu Huaizhi and Su Wan walked out of the house.

Upon seeing Su Wan, Zhao Da respectfully said, “Young lady Su, thank you for saving our master’s life. Master said that giving you money would be an insult, so I have prepared some grains, meats, and fabrics as a token of our appreciation.”

Su Wan watched the men in black move large and small packages into the courtyard, really wanting to say that he could just insult her generously with money without being polite.

But for a rough man to think of sending these gifts showed that he had put thought into it.

“Your master need not be polite, the consultation fee has already been paid,” Su Wan said politely.

“Our master’s life is worth more than a couple of silver taels,” Zhao Da said, patting his chest with a bold spirit, “Young lady Su, if you ever need anything in the future, feel free to command us.”

He took out a token from his bosom, which looked especially tiny in his fan-sized palm.

“This is given to you by our master, promising you three requests. Within his capabilities, he will do his utmost to fulfill them.”

Su Wan raised her eyebrows, and unceremoniously accepted the token: “Then I would be disrespectful to refuse.”

“Young lady Su is a straightforward person,” Zhao Da said. He disliked people who were hesitant and overly modest, as it was too petty.

Su Wan’s straightforwardness was to Zhao Da’s liking.

“Boss, all the items have been moved,” his subordinates reported.

Zhao Da looked at the items that filled only half of the courtyard, scratched his big beard, and wondered if they had prepared too few things?

Madam Jiang’s eyes turned red with jealousy; these things should have been hers!

Now all the benefits had gone to Su Wan, and she had only received five taels of silver!

The neighbors felt particularly sour inside, looking at the Gu family with envy, thinking they had stumbled upon great fortune and had the support of a powerful patron.

Mother Gu was very restrained, rubbed her hands and asked, “Have you all eaten?”

“We’ll head back to town, so as not to trouble you,” Zhao Da said as he exited the courtyard, and thoughtfully closed the courtyard door behind him. His smile faded, his eyes widened like copper bells, and his knuckles cracked as he warned Madam Jiang, “If you dare to bully our benefactor again, I’ll twist your head off!”

Madam Jiang trembled with fear then ran away.

Zhao Da swept his gaze over the neighbors.

The neighbors felt a chill in their hearts, and then they scattered to all directions, like startled animals.

Zhao Da snorted coldly and left with his brethren on horseback.

Mother Gu peered through the crack in the door to check outside, and once she was sure everyone had left, she patted her chest vigorously and let out a breath of relief; it was too frightening.

“Sister-in-law, they brought so much grain!” Gu Jingyun and Gu Baozhu’s eyes widened as they circled around the pile of items.

Su Wan did a quick check: there were seven or eight sacks of grain, half a pig’s worth of meat, about ten bolts of fine coarse cloth and cotton cloth, dried fruits, writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones… it was as if they had almost brought furniture too.