Tai City, Xu Family, Council Hall.
Seven or eight elegantly dressed n and won gathered together, their expressions solemn, mostly in their fifties or sixties, exuding a powerful aura.
"The Whip Leg Sect is pressing us for the silver, according to the contract, we must return it to them by the end of the month." The tall elder in yellow sitting in the center, his expression severe, eyes scanning the surroundings like an eagle, "The treasury is short on silver now, what do you suggest we do?"
"Who could have foreseen the beast tide spreading so swiftly, destroying the trade routes? Our Su Family has been hit by this unforeseen disaster, truly unlucky!" sighed an elderly woman in purple beside him.
Not long ago, the Su Family was transporting a large amount of silver needed by the Central Plains Whip Leg Sect via the Wangjiang Trade Road.
But unexpectedly, they were caught in the beast tide. Many died or were injured, and the silver was mostly lost.
This incident spread throughout the city, known by almost everyone.
"How about using the silver from the secret treasury..." suggested an elder, but was quickly interrupted by several people.
"Absolutely not! The silver in the secret treasury cannot be used unless the family is at the brink of life and death!"
"Nowadays, people’s minds are restless, and rumors abound. In the city’s banks, many people have been cashing in their silver notes for real silver these past days.
We must reserve the silver in the secret treasury to back us up."
"It seems we have no choice but to borrow from other families." The old woman in purple lanted.
"Which family would lend to us?" the tall elder in yellow asked back.
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
With the beast tide looming and prices soaring, it’s hard for ordinary folks. But is it any easier for wealthy families like ours?
Which prominent family doesn’t support hundreds or even thousands of clan mbers?
The daily expenditure in silver taels is a huge amount, unimaginable for ordinary families.
At that mont, a slightly sharp voice rose up.
"Ask the Xu Family for a loan. So ti ago, didn’t they lend the Zhan Family three hundred thousand taels?" said a sharp-faced elder in black.
"Can you borrow it?" the tall elder wondered.
"I can’t, but the eldest miss likely can." The black-clad elder said confidently, "I heard the eldest son of the Xu Family has quite an affection for her, why not let her go and borrow?"
The tall elder in yellow frowned upon hearing this.
And many elders present began to discuss.
"The Patriarch’s serious poison is still unresolved, he remains in a deep sleep. Forcing the young miss now could be seen as taking advantage of her plight."
"We’re all working for the family, how can it be taking advantage? She’s a married daughter, but since returning she’s been sheltered by the family. It’s ti for her to contribute!"
"Indeed, I believe if the Patriarch were awake, he would also agree!"
"If she can re-marry into the Xu Family, it would be a great thing for our Su Family!"
Although a few opposed, most of the high-level mbers clearly supported the idea.
In front of interests, the warmth of human feelings is worth nothing.
Very soon, the decision was made among the high-level mbers of the Su Family, without the knowledge or consent of Tian Sushi.
In the backyard of the Su Family.
Tian Sushi wore a light blue pleated skirt, embroidered with intricate cloud patterns, the breeze gently swaying her skirt like ripples on water.
A black ribbon cinched her slender waist, accentuating her delicate figure.
Her hair was styled into a high bun, with a gold phoenix hairpin, exuding elegance and grandeur.
At this mont, her beautiful eyes, like calm water, were quietly gazing at the pond before her, deep in thought.
Beside her stood a tall, armor-clad figure, with a short haircut and a tough face, oddly missing an Adam’s apple.
This was Iron Maiden, a retainer summoned by Tian Sushi, who now often accompanied her.
Suddenly, a rush of footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard.
"Miss, Miss, sothing terrible has happened!" The maid Xiaoqian ran over, panting heavily, lifting her skirt as she ran, "I just heard people discussing, the clan wants you to form a good relationship with the Xu Family’s young master to bring in silver for the family..."
Tian Sushi listened, frowning slightly.
Beside her, Iron Maiden erupted in anger: "What rubbish about forming a good relationship, it’s selling the Miss!
Everyone knows Xu Haoyin is a playboy only interested in indulgence, sending Miss to forge a connection is pushing her into a fire pit!"
"Nonsense!"
At this mont, a harsh reprimanding voice ca from outside the courtyard.
A sharp-faced, black-clad elder strode into the yard.
With a hawk-like sharp gaze, he fixated on Iron Maiden beside Tian Sushi.
"As a mber of the Su Family, shouldn’t you stand up for the family in its ti of crisis!"
"Moreover, what right does a re retainer have to comnt on the Su Family’s affairs?"
"You!" Iron Maiden was furious, just about to explode, when Tian Sushi pulled her back.
She calmly looked at the elder in black: "Fifth Uncle, what does the clan want to do?"
The elder in black forced a smile: "We’ve already sent soone to negotiate with the Xu Family’s eldest son. He said he reserved a private room at the Drunken Fragrance Tower for your convenience in discussing business... Xiangzi, I know you’re aggrieved, but the family is in a really tough spot now, you have to consider the bigger picture!"
"Rest assured, Fifth Uncle, Xiangzi knows the gravity of the situation." Tian Sushi replied softly.
"Rest assured, if you can secure the silver this ti, the family won’t treat you unfairly."
The elder in black left contentedly, seeing that Tian Sushi truly showed no signs of resistance.
Iron Maiden and the others were full of anger.
"Drunken Fragrance Tower, isn’t that the tavern in front of Drunken Fragrance Pavilion!
Everyone knows that those scions like to bring courtesans from the Pavilion there to drink and feast!" Iron Maiden said with hatred, "What do these old geezers take you for?"
"Miss, you’d better find a way to escape." Xiaoqian, usually mild-tempered, was also indignant at this mont, "These old villains are selling you out, why care about their lives?"
"Escape, to where?" Tian Sushi said faintly, "You might as well look outside the courtyard."
They went out to see for themselves and their expressions changed.
Outside Tian Sushi’s small courtyard.
At so point, two rows of guards ard with blades and swords had appeared on watch, patrolling back and forth, seemingly to ensure the Miss’s safety.
Among them, there were even two Circulation Martial Artists.
"Escape is impossible. Father is unconscious, Third Uncle happens to have been dispatched far away, and now we are isolated without support." Tian Sushi turned to Xiaoqian, "But they don’t know, I have a helper."
"Miss, who are you referring to?" Xiaoqian was puzzled.
How could the Miss have a helper she didn’t know about?
"Lou Yi."
"But, isn’t he just a newly promoted Martial Artist? There are so many experts in the clan..." Xiaoqian queried in confusion, "Moreover, he might be a coward, he didn’t show up last ti when you asked for help."
"Many tis, what you see with your own eyes may not be true." Tian Sushi did not explain further, instructing, "When I go to the Drunken Fragrance Tower, find a chance to slip out and inform him of this."
"Alright!" Although Xiaoqian didn’t understand the truth, she had always been loyal to Tian Sushi, imdiately puffing up her small chest in determination upon hearing this.
...
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