BXBX NOVEL Chapter 1262: Really Sad
Zhao Mu confronted Ms. Qin in private and, growing increasingly impatient, pressed her to reveal the truth.
Ms. Qin sobbed uncontrollably, struggling to catch her breath as she vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
However, her tendency to cry and complain at the slightest provocation, a behavior witnessed countless times before, led Zhao Mu to dismiss her protestations as mere habit. He remained skeptical of her honesty.
Frustrated by her continued resistance, Zhao Mu’s anger flared, culminating in two sharp slaps and an ultimatum: she must confess.
Ms. Qin, hands shielding her face, wept bitterly, genuinely distressed this time.
She was acutely aware of the trust Old Master had in her. She wasn’t lying!
Why did no one believe her when she swore by her honesty?
Ms. Qin couldn’t fathom the disbelief surrounding her.
Nevertheless, she possessed a certain resilience. Whether she admitted to any wrongdoing or not didn’t matter much in the grand scheme.
What truly weighed on her mind was the fact that Zhao Shu held Ms. Zheng’s dowry in his grasp, and compensation was scheduled for tomorrow!
Even half of the dowry amounted to a considerable sum.
The Zheng Family owned an impressive 100,000 mu of mulberry fields. While they’d only had them for a mere three or four years since Ms. Zheng’s marriage, they’d managed to amass a significant fortune.
Growing increasingly irate at Ms. Qin’s persistent tears, Old Master Zhao berated her and ordered her to stay within the premises, forbidding any unwarranted excursions from the yard. He also prohibited Zhao Zhai, Zhao Ye, and their spouses from visiting her. Instead, he summoned Zhao Zhai and Zhao Ye to discuss how to address the situation with Zhao Shu.
Zhao Zhai’s injured ankle had yet to heal, forcing him to be transported here in a wicker litter.
Before Old Master Zhao uttered a word, Zhao Zhai couldn’t contain his frustration and let out a string of curses.
They derided Zhao Shu as shameless, ruthless, and unscrupulous. Why should they even entertain his money demands? After all, Ms. Zheng’s dowries were the property of the Zhao Family as well!
Though his scolding did nothing to resolve the issue, it did provide a certain satisfaction.
Zhao Yu and Zhao Ye, being Ms. Qin’s sons, had inherited some of her cunning. One had learned her tricks, and the other had inherited her guile.
The three of them were left with no option but to tally up the liquid assets from the intermediate and have someone open the storeroom to retrieve the valuables.
The following day, Zhao Mu attempted to appeal to familial bonds and urged Zhao Shu to join their cause. If the Clan Leader and the Elderly Men were to depart, Zhao Shu might receive his compensation.
However, Zhao Shu had no interest in wasting any more time with them. They had to compensate him; otherwise, he would report the matter to the governmental office, prompting a thorough investigation.
Stealing the dowries of the family’s mistress was a grave offense!
Once the governmental office initiated an inquiry, it would bring disgrace upon the Zhao Family. Annoyed and exasperated, Zhao Mu had no choice but to comply.
In the end, they compensated Zhao Shu with 80,000 liang in currency, along with an assortment of antiques, jade, jewelry, and three sizable chests, with a total estimated value of roughly 130,000 to 140,000 liang.
This underscored the immense worth of Ms. Zheng’s dowries!
The Clan Leader and the clan elders were nearly incredulous.
Without hesitation, Zhao Shu accepted the money and promptly left the Zhao Family. He was straightforward, offering the Clan Leader and the others 10,000 liang and permitting them to select two items from the three large chests.
The Clan Leader and the elders were overjoyed, treating Zhao Shu as one of their own. They warmly consoled and thanked him.