0p0 Chapter 7 Paying Back the Debt
Chapter 7 Paying Back the Debt
When Madam Qiao learned the whole story, she glared at Xu Biyun, wanting to take her side but unable to find the words to say it.
At this critical juncture, Xu Biyun has already caused two incidents. If it weren't for the fact that she is her own niece, Old Madam Qiao would have kicked her out long ago.
With a long sigh, he finally offered his advice.
"Shu girl, although your aunt was wrong, you shouldn't have slapped her in front of everyone. It's not a good look and it makes you a laughing stock."
Qiao Qingshu sat upright on the edge of the couch, her back ramrod straight, and said calmly,
"Grandmother is right. We should have beaten him behind closed doors."
Old Madam Qiao was taken aback by these words and couldn't help but scrutinize Qiao Qingshu. How had this girl become so ruthless after her mother's death? She wondered if she should take back control of the household, but upon further reflection, she decided it wasn't the right time yet. She should wait until after Bai's funeral. So, although she was displeased, she held back.
Old Madam Qiao pointed at Xu Biyun and reprimanded her coldly.
"It's no wonder Shu wants to punish you. Your mother just passed away and you've already become so greedy. If it were me, I wouldn't let you off so easily either. Hurry up and apologize to Shu."
Xu Biyun covered her face and cried, her tears streaming down her cheeks. Though unwilling, she dared not be arrogant anymore, and simply sat slumped on the ground, leaning softly towards Qiao Qing.
“Young lady, I was momentarily bewitched and blinded by greed, and I did something wrong. Please forgive me this time, I will never dare to do it again.”
Qiao Qingshu sneered inwardly, thinking to herself, "If I don't expose your true colors, I'll have lived in vain."
With a gentle outstretched hand, Lin Dong immediately handed over a brocade booklet.
She tossed the booklet at Xu Biyun's feet and slowly began to speak.
"I won't dwell on your embezzlement, but I need to settle these loans with you properly."
Xu Biyun was stunned. She picked up the brocade book from the ground and opened her mouth wide. It was full of all the loans and items she had received from Bai Shi over the years.
Bai had never mentioned borrowing money to her or asking her to repay it. She thought Bai was forgetful, confused, or weak and easy to bully. She never expected that every penny would be recorded.
One volume costs a whopping seven or eight hundred taels of silver, not even counting other trinkets and items.
Qiao Qingshu leaned closer and whispered coldly,
"Aunt, it's time to pay back the debt."
The sound was distant and chilling, like a call from hell.
Her face turned deathly pale instantly, and Xu Biyun collapsed to the ground, completely dazed.
He had planned to extort money from Qiao Qingshu using a fake receipt, but in the end, he didn't get a single penny and even had to put his own money into it. He was so frustrated that he wanted to bang his head against the wall.
Qiao Qingshu squinted and did some quick calculations, then smiled.
"Put the receipt back on, Aunt. You still owe me 680 taels of silver. I was short of money for the funeral, so this is perfect."
Standing to one side, Liu Wan'er frowned as she listened, wondering if her cousin had noticed something. Why was she being treated so harshly and critically by her and her mother now? It wasn't like this before.
Liu Wan'er helped her dazed mother to her feet and softly explained.
"Cousin, even if Mother owes money, it's not something that can be taken out just like that. We need to give Mother some time to slowly raise the money."
Qiao Qingshu circled around Liu Wan'er, scrutinizing her, then reached out and plucked the jade butterfly filigree eight-treasure gold hairpin from Liu Wan'er's hair, weighing it in her hand.
"If I remember correctly, this hairpin was a gift from my mother for your fourteenth birthday. Such a fine hairpin is worth eighty taels. Use it to pay off your mother's debts first. If you can't come up with the rest by the seventh day after my mother's death, don't blame me for ransacking your house and kicking you and your widow out!"
Her words were quite impolite, and even Old Madam Qiao noticed Qiao Qingshu's imposing manner. She was about to speak up to defend the Xu family mother and daughter.
Then we heard the old woman outside come in to deliver a message.
"Madam, the Bai family has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Madam Qiao dared not delay and immediately called for someone to invite her in.
The man at the head of the group wore a light brown silk robe with a calamus pattern, and a belt with a gold python and pearl pattern around his waist. He had a handsome and relaxed appearance, and a tall and extraordinary figure.
Behind him followed a woman with a spirited appearance, also dressed in plain brocade, but with a dignified and noble demeanor, clearly a lady from a distinguished family.
These two men are none other than Qiao Qingshu's third maternal uncle, Bai Zhining, who is currently a third-rank official and a Grand Master of the Palace. His third maternal aunt is Shen Wenying, the legitimate daughter of General Shen Meng.
Upon seeing the two, Qiao Qingshu felt a surge of warmth in her heart, her eyes involuntarily reddening, and her mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.
In her past life, the Qiao family deliberately sowed discord between her and her maternal grandfather, the Bai family, leaving them isolated and helpless in the later years. This was something Qiao Qingshu deeply regretted in her past life. In fact, it was the Bai family who truly hoped for the well-being of Qiao Qingshu and her mother.
The Bai family, the Duke of Zhenguo, ultimately chose the wrong side and was drawn into a political vortex. They were severely punished by the Xiao family and ended up being executed along with their entire family.
In this life, Qiao Qingshu will never let the Bai family repeat the same mistakes. She wants the Bai family to prosper for generations to come.
"Shu'er! Your uncle and aunt are late."
Shen Wenying stepped forward and pulled Qiao Qingshu into her arms, choking back tears as she spoke.
"Shu'er, are you alright?"
Qiao Qingshu finally felt a moment of relief. She had been forcing herself to manage everything these past two days, but upon seeing her real family, a wave of grievances washed over her, and she nestled in her aunt's arms for a long time, unwilling to leave.
Old Mrs. Qiao said obsequiously,
"Oh, her uncle and aunt, you've arrived! Hurry up and serve tea."
Bai Zhining had already heard that the Qiao family only gave his sister eight hundred taels of silver for funeral expenses, and he was extremely unhappy about it. He had cursed the old woman of the Qiao family eight hundred times at home. Now that he was here, how could he not ask the old woman of the Qiao family himself?
Now, seeing Aunt Xu kneeling on the ground, her face a bloody mess, it seemed there had been quite a show just now. Without rushing, he simply watched the spectacle and asked...
"Oh dear, what happened? What did Aunt Xu do to deserve this beating?"
Qiao Qingshu was eager to bring her uncle to watch the show and act as a backstage patron, so she calmly explained the whole story.
Bai Zhining's face grew increasingly pale, until the last person's face turned so black it was almost dripping ink.
Upon hearing this, his aunt, Shen Wenying, a descendant of a military general, clenched her fists and asked through gritted teeth in a cold voice, "..."
"Madam Qiao, your niece has been so bullying. How do you plan to deal with her?"
His words were forceful and resonant, making Old Madam Qiao's heart skip a beat.
She had just wanted to show favoritism towards the Xu family mother and daughter, but she dared not say it out loud. Her third uncle and aunt were both powerful figures, and she could not afford to offend them for Xu Biyun's sake.
He only pointed at Xu Biyun and angrily scolded her.
"You ungrateful wretch, do as Shu says. If you can't raise the money to pay back the debt by the seventh day after your death, don't blame me for being heartless and kicking you out!"
Xu Biyun felt as if the sky had fallen. She covered her face and cried as Liu Wan'er helped her out.
Bai Zhining finished a cup of tea before slowly beginning to question him.
"Madam Qiao, I heard from outside that the Qiao family will only contribute eight hundred taels for my sister's funeral. Is that true?"