Jade Without Fragrance - Chapter 10 : Showdown

"What?" Wen Ping's expression shifted instantly, and he glared at the man as if he could shoot flames from his eyes. "Why not just go rob someone?"

The man, looking surprisingly relaxed, replied, "Master Wen, take it easy; getting mad won't help anything."

Someone nearby whispered, "Robbing isn't as quick a way to make money."

Wen Ping felt a tightness in his chest: "I... I don't have that much money."

"No?" The man's demeanor turned cold and threatening. "What are you waiting for? Cut off his son's fingers!"

The guy nodded and swung the kitchen knife menacingly.

"Ah-"

"Stop!" Wen Ping's shout coincided with the boy's terrified scream.

The boy slumped against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor.

Wen Ping rushed over, his face pale. "Yun'er, are you alright?"

Wen Yun was unresponsive, eyes closed. "You monsters, just wait! Even if I have to fight you to the end, I won't let this go easily!" Wen Ping sprang up in anger.

The man chuckled, "Master Wen, don't stress. Your son just got a little scared."

Wen Ping was stunned.

Then he remembered to check Wen Yun's hands. Both were perfectly fine. He quickly glanced at the wall.

There was a faint knife mark on the wall, almost mocking him.

The guy wielding the kitchen knife laughed: "Master Wen cares for his son so much; why not spare a little money?"

"A little? That's a thousand taels!" The mention of silver jolted Wen Ping back to reality.

The leader stepped in closer, his face unreadable. "Master Wen, I just offered you a choice. Next time, the knife won't just hit the wall. Think about it: will you pay or sacrifice your son's finger?"

"Can't it be a smaller amount?" Wen Ping finally grasped the severity of the situation and softened his tone.

Losing a finger wouldn't endanger his son's life, but how could he confront the master's questions?

What he'd done to cover up for his son could soon come to light!

That was too risky.

Wen Ping clenched his teeth and said, "I don't have that much silver; can I have a little time..."

"How many days?" the leader pressed.

"Half a month-" Noticing the man's frown, Wen Ping quickly changed his answer, "Ten days; just give me ten days!"

The man held up three fingers. "Three days. Bring the silver in three days, and you can take your son home."

"Three days is too tight."

"That's not my problem," the man dismissed him with a wave. "Take Young Master Yun away and make sure he's taken care of."

Wen Ping's face fell. "Where are you taking my son?"

The man grinned, "Don't worry, your son will be worth a lot in these three days."

Watching as his son was led away, Wen Ping's face flickered through various emotions, and he seemed to age years in that moment.

"Master Wen, you need to hurry up," the man said and walked away with his hands behind his back.

Wen Ping remained frozen for a while, feeling weak as he slowly turned to leave.

A thousand taels-how was he supposed to come up with that?

In his daze, someone blocked his path.

Wen Ping blinked and recognized the figure.

"Bao Zhu?"

"Our young lady is waiting for you at the teahouse ahead," Bao Zhu said, turning to walk away.

Wen Ping stood there a moment, then hurried after her. "Bao Zhu, why does the Second Miss want to see me?"

Bao Zhu glanced toward the Qianjin Pavilion, her expression flat. "I don't know. She just wants to talk to you; go on."

Noticing Bao Zhu's demeanor made Wen Ping's heart race.

Did the second young lady find out that his son went to the gambling house?

Realizing this, Wen Ping felt a sinking sensation and followed Bao Zhu to the teahouse.

In the private room, the girl dressed in green rested her chin on her hand while casually gazing out the window.

"Miss, Steward Wen has arrived."

Wen Ping approached and bowed slightly. "I wonder why Second Miss asked me to come?"

Wen Hao's gaze fixed on Wen Ping, causing him to feel a twinge of discomfort. Yet, she smiled and remarked, "I was curious why you seemed so rushed today; now I see you've come to the gambling house to fetch someone."

Wen Ping's expression shifted instantly, surprise evident on his face.

He suspected the Second Miss had summoned him regarding the gambling house, but he hadn't anticipated her bluntness.

As a young boy, he served as the Master's book boy and was the only servant from his hometown in the vast Wen Mansion. Even the Madam treated him with respect. What was the Second Miss implying?

Wen Hao sipped her tea without inviting Wen Ping to sit.

His confusion deepened. "Second Miss, I have some matters to attend to at home..."

Wen Hao set her teacup down and chuckled, "Heading home to gather funds?"

Wen Ping's expression shifted drastically.

"Gathering a thousand taels in just three days isn't easy, is it?"

"Second Miss, don't pay attention to rumors..."

Wen Hao dismissed his concerns with a wave and simply said, "Bao Zhu..."

Bao Zhu reached into her sleeve, produced a stack of silver bills, and slapped them down in Wen Ping's palm.

Wen Ping stared at the banknotes, his voice wavering, "Second Miss, what's the meaning of this?"

"Bao Zhu, please wait outside."

Once Bao Zhu quietly stepped out, Wen Hao got straight to the point: "Steward Wen, let's discuss what my father told you."

Wen Ping took a moment to process this: "Are you implying..."

Wen Hao smiled: "I mean you claimed that he married his cousin before coming to the capital."

Those words hit him like a thunderclap. Wen Ping's eyes widened as he looked at her as if she was a ghost.

Wen Hao remained calm, lowering her gaze and sipping her tea.

After a moment, Wen Ping finally stammered, "Second... Second Miss, where did you hear such nonsense...?"

Wen Hao's expression turned serious. "I suggest you consider that one thousand taels before you speak."

Wen Ping felt his throat tighten, rendering him momentarily speechless as his thoughts spiraled.

How could the Second Miss know about Mistress Qing and what Master had told him?

Was he seeing things?

The girl's voice came softly: "If you don't want it getting out, then keep it to yourself. Do you think this is right, Steward Wen?"

Panic washed over Wen Ping's face as the seemingly innocent girl began to seem rather eerie.

"What is it that you want, Second Miss?" The unsettling experience at the gambling house, paired with Wen Hao's strange behavior, left usually composed Wen Ping feeling anxious.

"It's not about what I want; it's about what you want, Steward Wen." Wen Hao looked at him with an unchanging expression. "Do you want to take the money and tell the truth, or do you want to help the tyrant and continue lying, just waiting for Wen Yun's body to be collected in three days?"

"Collect the body?" Steward Wen's eyes widened in shock.

Wen Hao raised her hand to adjust the peach blossom hairpin in her hair, smiling slightly. "Isn't it said that money makes the world go round? For a thousand taels, they could chop off Wen Yun's fingers. If I offer ten thousand taels... surely I can buy his life?"

"Second Miss, you..."

With a stern expression, Wen Hao ripped the hairpin from her hair and slammed it on the table: "Steward Wen, you know I can manage ten thousand taels. Oh, and I also know one more thing."