"Everyone has seen that this Ming scoundrel not only shows no remorse but also attempts to harm me. If anyone in my Qin household suffers misfortune in the future, it will all be Ming scoundrel's doing. You all must bear witness for me!"
As Qin Yun finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement, turning their collective accusations towards the arrogant and overbearing Ming Xiajing.
Ming Xiajing was displeased. He had never suffered such a setback at Qin Yun's hands before. Just as he was about to retort, Zheng Haonan, standing beside him, interrupted.
"Young Master Qin, please calm your anger. The most important thing now is your health. Young Master Ming is indeed at fault. Why don't we have Young Master Ming pay some silver for Young Master Qin to buy some tonics, and additionally offer five hundred taels of silver as compensation? What do you think, Young Master Qin?" Zheng Haonan's demeanor was sincere, his hands clasped in a gesture of offering, appearing like a benevolent figure.
Upon hearing this, Ming Xiajing became even more unhappy. Although he was not short of money, he simply did not want to spend it on this "ugly monster" Qin Yun.
Before he could say anything more, Zheng Haonan preempted him again. "Young Master Ming, quickly apologize to Young Master Qin, and this matter will be over!"
Ming Xiajing felt he was losing face. With so many people watching, why should he apologize to a cripple? Wasn't this beneath his dignity?
Qin Yun chuckled. "Young Master Zheng, you've said it all, so what else can I say? Offering me five hundred taels of silver, does that sound right to you? Shouldn't it be compensation to me?"
"Moreover, this mere five hundred taels, it's as if no one has any money," Qin Yun said, pulling out a one-thousand-tael silver note from his pocket. "This young master can produce a one-thousand-tael silver note anytime, anywhere. Does Young Master Zheng still think five hundred taels is a lot?"
Seeing the gleaming one-thousand-tael note, everyone began to whisper amongst themselves.
"Didn't they say this Qin Yun has no money? How can he carry a one-thousand-tael silver note with him!"
"So this Qin Yun isn't a pauper! He just didn't want to show his wealth!"
The waiter in the corner, seeing Qin Yun actually produce a thousand taels, regretted his actions immensely. If he had known the young master was so wealthy, he would have treated him with utmost respect. Who cared if he was ugly or not, making money was the only way! httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Zheng Haonan and Ming Xiajing had not expected Qin Yun to casually produce a thousand taels. The compensation of five hundred taels did indeed feel like a slap in the face, but five hundred taels was still a considerable sum!
"Then how much do you think is appropriate, Young Master Qin?"
Qin Yun subtly curved the corners of his lips, sensing his opponent had taken the bait.
Money offered freely should not be refused. "At least five thousand taels. My current state is all thanks to this Ming scoundrel. I don't even know if I'll die at any moment!"
Five thousand taels?
Everyone gasped. This was no small sum. A common official's annual salary might not even reach five thousand taels.
They looked at Qin Yun's face, which was sometimes pale and sometimes flushed, and indeed, it made one feel that he could die at any moment.
Upon reflection, five thousand taels was neither too much nor too little, considering how Ming Xiajing had harmed him.
Those who had initially harbored doubts became even more convinced that Ming Xiajing had secretly dealt a blow to Qin Yun.
"Ugly monster, don't disgust me. Five thousand taels? How dare you even say that! I don't believe you carry a thousand taels with you. This thousand taels is probably stolen!" Ming Xiajing was furious! Not only did he not have five thousand taels, but he didn't even have one thousand taels on him now, less than a good-for-nothing. How could he possibly accept this!
"I've heard you, Ming scoundrel, are extremely wealthy! Can it be that you don't even have five thousand taels? If you don't have five thousand, how about paying a thousand taels upfront! So many people are watching. Ming scoundrel, you can't possibly not even have a thousand taels, can you?"
Everyone looked at Ming Xiajing, all thinking, could it be that this Ming Xiajing didn't even have a thousand taels?
He was so boastful usually, but it turned out to be an act. He wasn't even as wealthy as Young Master Qin.
Ming Xiajing refused to be outdone. "Who says this young master doesn't have a thousand taels? I just think five thousand taels is too much. This ugly monster is simply asking for the moon! Also... I am not called Ming scoundrel, my name is Ming Xiajing. Don't just spout nonsense!"
"What? It's okay for officials to burn down houses, but not for common people to light lamps? Didn't you also call me an ugly monster in front of everyone?"
"You are ugly, and you're a sodomite. Did I say anything wrong?" Ming Xiajing roared.
"Oh my! Ming scoundrel is menacing me, I'm so scared. I feel stimulated and extremely uncomfortable. I'm going to faint again!" Qin Yun said, then began to appear weak again, supporting his forehead with one hand, his entire body swaying unsteadily.
Xiao Ju, standing beside him, also added fuel to the fire. "Young Master Ming, how can you be so overbearing? You've already harmed my young master so terribly, and now you're bullying him with your power. This is truly too much!"
"I... I didn't..." Ming Xiajing, facing everyone's pointing fingers, began to feel some fear. Now, he couldn't explain himself even if he wanted to.
He retreated to Zheng Haonan's side and tugged at his sleeve, attempting to enlist his help to resolve the situation.
Zheng Haonan glanced at Ming Xiajing, then stepped forward, approaching Qin Yun.
He stretched his neck and leaned close to Qin Yun's ear, speaking in a voice only they could hear.
A second later, Qin Yun's brows furrowed slightly, but he quickly relaxed them.
After Zheng Haonan finished speaking, he quickly retreated to his original position and said respectfully, "Young Master Qin, five thousand taels is indeed a bit too much. Who carries that much money with them when they go out? Since Young Master Qin finds one thousand taels insufficient, how about three thousand taels? You and Young Master Ming can each take a step back, which would be beneficial for both of you. Perhaps you can even become friends in the future!"
Ming Xiajing was brimming with anger but had no outlet. Now he had to pay so much money, and his mood was at an all-time low.
He wanted to say something, but he feared that the more he said, the worse it would get.
Qin Yun looked at the elegant Zheng Haonan in front of him, giving him a meaningful glance.
This person was quite astute, seeing through her trap.
If she didn't make concessions to Ming Xiajing, and the matter escalated, it would truly not benefit her.
"Alright, since Young Master Zheng is pleading, I, Qin Yun, will grant you this favor. When will the three thousand taels be delivered?"
"It will be delivered to the Qin residence in three days, how about that?"
"I need to go to Blue Mountain Academy in three days. At most two days! And it must be delivered to me personally. If it's not delivered to me in person, I won't acknowledge this debt!" Qin Yun stated firmly.
Ming Xiajing was furious and wanted to step forward to argue, but Zheng Haonan stopped him and quickly said, "Alright, two days it is!"
"Brother Haonan? Isn't this too absurd?" Ming Xiajing still found it difficult to accept.
Zheng Haonan ignored Ming Xiajing's complaints and said seriously to Qin Yun, "Let's end it here for today. Young Master Ming and I will take our leave. Young Master Qin, please feel free!" With that, he pulled the disgruntled Ming Xiajing away.
As the two of them exited the plain cloth shop, Xiao Ju's voice reached them. "Young Master Ming, don't forget, you still need to buy tonics! A hundred-year-old ginseng, abalone, and bird's nest, none of them can be missing!"
"Shut up, you!" Ming Xiajing said, taking off his boot and throwing it at Xiao Ju behind him.
Xiao Ju nimbly dodged it, then picked up the boot and threw it towards a group of children not far away. "Everyone, look! This is Young Master Ming's boot! It's so smelly! Does this person have foot odor? Quickly throw it far away!"