
Madam Lu was watching with her eyes wide open. The townspeople didn't talk much either. They simply walked over to Xie Qiao and left him after they had put the items down.
The two stones sent earlier were even more interesting.
He had seen it at the market that morning. This piece of stone was actually valued at 80 taels of silver. They even got a number. He wanted to buy it, but now that he had lost his money, he could not.
And now it's in the hands of this boy?! Madam Lu's heart stiffened again. He was so angry that he could barely breathe properly.
At that moment, a pair of lovers walked over, an old woman in her forties and a girl who looked like she was 15 or 16 years old.
They ran towards Xie Qiao, then they said, “Nona Xie, let us accompany you.”
“Alright, let's tidy things up here and move them to the car.” Xie Qiao immediately nodded and began to command them.
Madam Lu was even more surprised. “Sebentar.”
“Is there something, Bu?” Xie Qiao's tone was soft.
“This... These are all gifts from others. Why did they give you a gift? Could it be that you have used your father's good name to rob the townspeople here?” Madam Lu spoke her mind.
But what is it? He's just a 16-year-old boy. How else could he be well received and get so much help?
“Pfft—” Xie Qiao couldn't help but inadvertently scorn.
“The imperial city is far from here, too far from this place. If my father's name gets here, are you still robbed this morning?” Xie Qiao laughed. “This is just from some small help I have done for them in the past. Now that they heard that I was leaving, they only sent out a few things as a token of appreciation.”
“Xie Qiao, this jade too? If we add these two pieces, it costs 160 taels of silver. How can ordinary city dwellers buy it?” Pei Wanyue asked.
“Xie Qiao, you're overreacting. Are you trying to be a leech? Making a personal mortgage can take you to court. You must understand it clearly.” spray Pei Wanyue. As soon as he said his part, he lowered his head and glanced at Madam Lu.
Madam Lu's eyes burned with anger.
Xie Qiao sighed lightly.
“I don't need to explain all my actions to you. That would be too much trouble.” Xie Qiao frowned.
They're going home together today. So he did not want the conflict with his stepmother and stepbrother to continue. Even if he explained, they would have other questions coming up surgingly, one after another. There will be no end for them.
“You... Do you still think of me as your mother? I did all this because I care about you!” Madam Lu raised her voice as she pointed to the stone and said, “You have been living in the Taoist temple since you were young, and your father never noticed you. Where do you get money to lend to others?! You will explain this clearly to me. Otherwise, don't think of returning to the imperial city with us. Our family has no shameful person like this.” Xie Qiao's chopsticks stopped in midair.
The inn immediately became quiet.
Pei Wanyue's eyes sparkled. Everything that happened along this journey would definitely reach Uncle Xie's ears. Then when the time comes…
“This woman must be Miss Xie's stepmother, right?” The counter officer suddenly walked over. “You two look like that. After all, if you were his own mother, then you could have just asked him personally. No need for such harsh interrogations.”
Madam Lu's face reflected her embarrassment, but she remained steadfast. “This is all for his own good. In fact, he has made a mistake this time.”
“Mistress, what you said earlier does not really need Miss Xie's explanation. If he had to speak up for everything, his opinion would no longer be as valuable as gold?” Counter officers booing. “It was just two stones. It was a gift from the Zhang Family Jade store, wasn't it? His son and mother nearly died a few years ago, but they were saved when sent to the Water Moon Temple. Miss Xie had also sent them two premium ginseng roots. He had no money at the time, so they continued to lend it. Everyone knows about this.”
***