Chapter 1231: Sold
Editor: Henyee Translations
“Sun Qian and Sun Bai alone proved formidable adversaries for the 30 servants of the Zhao Family.
As though swept away by an autumn breeze, the Zhao Family, along with their masters and servants, were unceremoniously expelled from the premises, left writhing in discomfort outside the yard.
Zhao Mu and his sons weren’t spared from this humiliating ordeal; they too found themselves tumbling to the ground.
“How dare they! This must be reported to the authorities! I’ll ensure they face the consequences!” exclaimed Zhao Mu, his flushed face reflecting his fury.
Such humiliation had never before befallen him, and the presence of numerous tenants and farmers only exacerbated his disgrace.
Zhao Zhai and Zhao Ye, equally incensed, extended their a.s.sistance to their father, all the while casting angry glares towards the yard.
At this critical juncture, Uncle Qing hastily emerged from the yard, followed closely by Sun Bai.
Uncle Qing respectfully addressed Zhao Mu and his sons, “Old Master, what brings you here? I hurried over as soon as I heard the news, but I arrived too late.”
Zhao Mu and his sons fixed their steely gazes on Uncle Qing. “Zheng Qing, what is happening here? How did the mulberry garden change ownership? Where is Zhao Shu? Where is that disobedient son of mine?”
Uncle Qing’s tone remained composed as he replied, “Our Young Master has sold the mulberry garden to Old Master Shao and Madame Shao. It now belongs to the Shao Family, with no ties to the Zheng Family. I’m here with Madame Shao for the official handover.”
“What did you just say?”
“What?”
“This cannot stand!”
Zhao Mu and his son were both left flabbergasted.
“That ungrateful child! Ungrateful child!” Zhao Mu bellowed in anger. “He sold off this substantial mulberry garden without consulting me? He has no authority in this matter! Where is he? Fetch him immediately!”
Observing the mixture of anger and heartache etched across Zhao Mu’s face, Uncle Qing couldn’t hide his satisfaction at the brothers’ bewildered expressions.
“Old Master, Young Master is currently on a journey, and it will be some time before he returns. He a.s.sures you not to worry; he will return when the time is right,” Uncle Qing explained, attempting to placate Zhao Mu’s rising ire.
Zhao Mu was so infuriated that he felt his consciousness waver. He cared little for his wayward son; his primary concern was the mulberry garden!
A sprawling expanse of 100,000 mu was worth millions of liang!
“How dare he make such a monumental decision without consultation! How dare he! Perhaps he’s too ashamed to face his family! Inform him that if he doesn’t return immediately, he’s not welcome back! I disown a son like him! Tell him to come home this instant!”
Uncle Qing fell into an uneasy silence.
Zhao Ye suppressed his anger and spoke icily, “Uncle Qing, you wouldn’t want our younger brother to earn a reputation for squandering our father’s wealth, would you? Something is amiss with the mulberry garden situation. It’s only right for him to return home and provide a clear explanation. After all, he’s sold the mulberry garden for a significant sum, and it’s not safe for him to remain outside. Who’s to say he won’t succ.u.mb to greed?”
Uncle Qing sneered. “Young Master has his own intentions; there’s no need for your concerns.”
Zhao Ye responded with a contemptuous glance at Uncle Qing but refrained from further comment.
Zhao Mu’s voice dripped with menace as he declared, “Zheng Qing, if you fail to bring Zhao Shu back, be prepared for the consequences. I doubt you can protect him from the repercussions.”
Yet, the presence of Sun Bai weighed on Zhao Mu’s mind, preventing him from coercing Uncle Qing to accompany him back to the Zhao Family. He knew that in a confrontation, he was the weaker party, which would only magnify his humiliation.