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Su Zhi listened on the side and couldn’t help but smile to herself. She had already warned Zhao Yangshi not to mention the Sacred Beast at her home. Although the secret that the Sacred Beast’s presence in her house was no longer so secretive, Su Zhi still didn’t want more people to know about it. She didn’t wish for others to exploit the Sacred Beast to threaten people or extort money. She simply wanted the Sacred Beast to act as a guardian, not a tool for intimidation. People like Zhao Yangshi, who aimed to use the Sacred Beast to scare others into giving them money, were only tarnishing its reputation.
The Village Head and the four elders looked at Shen Zi’an with a more amiable gaze. The village head had also met Shen Zi’an before, considering that their village had sent people for the selection of Rain Goddess and the young participants. Hearing that the girl from Shen’s family in Riverside Village had become the Rain Goddess and had their three children chosen, and now learning about Shen Zi’an’s ability to kill a tiger, their impression of him improved even more.
The Liu family was also aware of these events. They were somewhat uncertain but realized that no matter how capable Shen Zi’an was, they couldn’t force them to pay ten taels of silver.
The Village Head said, “Both your families, stop bickering over trivial matters and focus on the main issue. If neither side can agree on the amount of compensation, then let’s negotiate a sum that satisfies both parties. Listen to me, each of you must compromise. Stop fixating on the five hundred wen and ten taels of silver.”
Zhao Yangshi replied, “Since Village Head has spoken, I’ll give him some face. If the ten taels of silver are too much for the Liu family, I’ll reduce it a bit. How about nine taels and five mace of silver?”
The Village Head’s face darkened upon hearing this. He thought to himself, “Is my reputation only worth five mace of silver?” Zhao Yangshi’s actions were truly perplexing. Nonetheless, this was a start in the right direction. He then turned to the Liu family.
Liu Yangshi sneered, “You sure have the audacity! After all that fuss, you now want to reduce the amount by five mace of silver! Nine taels and five mace of silver are still too much! We are willing to add another one hundred wen, making it six hundred wen. Take it or leave it!”
Zhao Yangshi glared, saying, “Alright, now you find five mace of silver insufficient? Just now, you insisted that five hundred wen was the maximum you could offer us. Suddenly, those five hundred wen have transformed into mountains of gold and silver in your eyes. Are you only satisfied if five mace of silver is presented as five hundred wen? Fine then, we’ll reduce our demand by five hundred wen. Isn’t that what you wanted – a reduction?”
The Liu family’s faces turned dark, while the Zhao family members were pleased. Su Zhi couldn’t help but find the situation exasperating. She thought to herself, “This woman really knows how to provoke others. She’s adept at creating confusion.”
“Alright, enough arguing. Let me propose a figure,” Su Zhi intervened. She didn’t want to listen to their quarrel any longer. If this continued, not only would today’s matter remain unresolved, but it might escalate to a point where the two families might end up in a physical altercation, surpassing the issue of ten taels of silver. Therefore, she decided to step in. Once this matter was settled, she would need to address Liu Siniang’s situation.
As soon as Su Zhi spoke up, everyone turned their attention to her.
Su Zhi said, “I won’t suggest splitting the ten taels of silver in half or anything of the sort. Let’s settle for four taels. Please, hear me out.”
Seeing both families about to speak, Su Zhi raised her hand to silence them. If they started arguing again, it would likely result in a tumultuous uproar, possibly even bringing the house down. Just the thought made her ears ache.
“Father, Mother, Elder Brother, asking the Liu family for ten taels of silver is indeed excessive. While Sister-in-law and the little nephew went through hardship this time, the fact that they are both safe is a tremendous stroke of luck amidst misfortune. The doctor mentioned that with proper care, Sister-in-law and the little nephew will recover. Four taels of silver should suffice. I doubt Sister-in-law could earn four taels of silver in a year through her work. Let her use it for a year. It won’t hinder anything. Think it over. If you don’t accept this amount, then I wash my hands of it. Don’t talk about ten taels; even if you ask for twenty, it’s up to you to obtain it.”
Su Zhi addressed the Zhao family, knowing that demanding ten taels of silver meant the Liu family wouldn’t comply. She could see that the Liu family treasured money dearly. Let them pay what was fair. Four taels of silver would be enough for Zhang shi to raise herself and her child plump and healthy.
Upon hearing Su Zhi’s words, the Zhao family, though frustrated that she wasn’t siding with their family, realized that asking for ten taels of silver was excessive. They had to discuss whether four taels would suffice, although deep down, they knew that four taels was already a generous offer.
Su Zhi turned to the Liu family and said, “Don’t think that four taels are too much. The Zhao and Liu families are relatives, and the day before yesterday was a joyous occasion when I visited my maternal home. Your visit should have been a happy event, but it turned into a fight over a trivial matter, with two against Lianhua alone, resulting in my sister-in-law’s premature delivery. That was your mistake.”
Liu Yangshi responded, “Yes, niece-in-law had a premature birth, but a little care will suffice. How could four taels be necessary? Four taels of silver could feed a whole family for a year!”
Another elder woman interjected, “Indeed, four taels are too much. Young lady, ask for a bit less.”
Su Zhi explained, “You may think that a little care will suffice, but caring also requires money. It’s not just about food and drink; my sister-in-law needs to work as well. If she needs to be supported for a year or more, won’t she lose out on what she could have earned during that time? This money should come from you. Consider this – if my sister-in-law hadn’t been harmed and didn’t need this support for a year or more, she might have had another child soon after childbirth. But now, she needs this support, which hinders the continuation of our Zhao family’s lineage. Therefore, four taels of silver isn’t excessive.”
Zhao Yuanbao remarked, “Exactly! If it weren’t for this commotion, we might have had two children within three years. Now, we might have to wait another three years.”
Liu Dabao snorted, “Wait for another three years? Wasn’t it three years into your marriage before you had this child?”
Zhao Yuanbao retorted, “My wife was just getting started. Once she starts bearing children, there’s no stopping them. Unlike you, who had a daughter and then had no activity for three years!”
“Alright, do you really want to discuss this publicly? It’s embarrassing.”
Su Zhi intervened to stop the two men. If they continued, things could escalate again. Dealing with these two families was far from easy, and she realized she might have to limit her visits to her maternal home in the future.
The two men glared at each other but remained silent. Liu Dabao quieted down after sensing Shen Zi’an’s icy gaze on him, while Zhao Yuanbao regretted provoking Liu Dabao, knowing he couldn’t match him in a fight. Su Zhi cutting him off actually relieved him.
The Village Head inquired, “Have both families reached a decision? Four taels of silver seems reasonable to me. You’re relatives who have gotten along well over the years. This unexpected incident shouldn’t turn you into enemies. Using four taels of silver to mend this situation is a wise choice. Old Liu why don’t you finalize this?”
Liu Damu had been silent, listening with a furrowed brow as his family spoke. Now, with the Village Head looking to him for a decision, he felt a pang at the thought of the four taels of silver. However, considering how well Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi were living, and the success of Shen Zi’an’s younger siblings, not to mention the rumors about the Sacred Beast in Shen’s household – whether true or not – he believed it unwise to offend this couple. There might be benefits in the future beyond just the four taels of silver.
“Alright, let’s settle for four taels of silver. Consider it a loss for us this year!”
Liu Damu declared, then turned to Zhao Daxi, saying, “Brother, don’t dwell on this incident. We are still relatives, after all.”
Zhao Daxi was timid and honest, quite unlike Liu Damu. Upon hearing Liu Damu’s words, he immediately responded, “We are still relatives, of course we are. Don’t worry about this matter.”
The Village Head and the four elders smiled upon hearing this. They agreed that being both relatives and fellow villagers, they shouldn’t let such an incident turn them into enemies.
At this moment,Liu Yangshi approached Zhao Yangshi, took her hand, and said, “Sister, don’t be upset with me. I was also startled by your demand for ten taels of silver. Seeing how things were for your daughter-in-law, how could I not be anxious? Despite my sharp tongue, I was actually the most worried at that moment. I took care of everything, cooking and boiling water!”
Zhao Yangshi inwardly cursed her for being responsible, but now that she had gained an advantage, she didn’t want the Village Head and the village elders to think she was unwilling to compromise. So, she smiled and tried to appear amicable, restoring a semblance of harmony.
Su Zhi observed this exchange and noted the shrewdness of the Liu family. When Liu Wuniang approached her for a conversation, Su Zhi quickly pulled Liu Siniang, who had been standing nearby, over, wondering if she would still try to ingratiate herself with Su Zhi in front of her relative. Seeing Liu Wuniang’s forced smile falter and her lukewarm greeting, Su Zhi realized the situation was not as warm as it seemed.
Liu Siniang merely responded with a brief acknowledgment and then ignored Liu Wuniang. She held no positive feelings towards anyone in her elder uncle’s family now. Engaging in arguments with them was beyond her capacity, so she chose to disregard them.
Liu Damu returned home and brought the four taels of silver, handing it over to Zhao Daxi in front of the Village head and the village elders, effectively resolving the matter.
Upon seeing the issue settled, the village head and the elders rose to take their leave, but Su Zhi stopped them. As they looked at Su Zhi, they wondered if she intended to invite them for a meal.
“Village Head, there’s something Sister Siniang wants to discuss with you all. Please wait a moment,” Su Zhi requested.
The village head and the others were taken aback, wondering what could be the matter with Liu Siniang. Meanwhile, the Liu family was curious, but the Zhao family members wore smug smiles, somewhat gleeful. They had already learned about Liu Siniang’s separation from her husband and speculated that she might be returning to her maternal home, causing trouble for the Liu family.
Liu Siniang stepped forward and said, “Village head, elders, to be honest, I have brought disgrace upon the Liushu Village. After being married to Zhao’s family in Riverside Village for over three years and enduring hardships for the same duration, we have decided to part ways.”
Upon hearing this revelation, everyone was shocked, especially the Liu family, who were infuriated. Several women even cried out in surprise.