We Demand an Explanation

Su Li lay on the Golden Mountain for a long time, her mood soaring.

She had been worried about not having enough silver flowing in—compensation money, funds to rebuild the vegetable fields, money to buy land in the future, and to open branch stores—all of these were no small sums. Now, with Xiao Zetian's financial support, all these troubles could be swept away!

"Just say how much silver you need, and Lingdang will bring you the silver notes," Xiao Zetian said.

Su Li looked at his face full of doting affection, her little heart fluttering with joy. She turned her head and deliberately put on a stern face: "Don't think that just because you tempt me with money, I can forget about you and that princess nonsense!"

Xiao Zetian hurriedly waved his hand: "Wife, I didn't mean that. I'm innocent! We agreed that before I resolve the engagement with Princess Mingyu, I would sleep in a separate bed from you. A real man stands by his word!"

Su Li glanced back secretly at his nervous expression, feeling a warmth in her heart. She turned around and snorted, "That's good. I have principles; I'm not someone who goes crazy for money, hmph!"

Having lounged enough on the Golden Mountain, Su Li reluctantly left. Xiao Zetian carried her down the mountain. On the way home, their moods lightened considerably. Riding horses together, they felt carefree and joyful.

But there was one person who couldn't feel carefree at all—Tang Shi.

Tang Shi finally succeeded in reclaiming the house deed and happily returned home. Just as she was about to take out her precious silver ingots to admire, she heard someone knocking loudly on the door outside.

"Who's there? Knock lighter, or you'll have to pay for breaking my door!" Tang Shi said, heading outside.

Opening the courtyard door, she saw the few households who had broken their contracts with her, all looking anxious and pale as they stared at Tang Shi.

"What are you here for?" Tang Shi flipped her hair, confident because she had silver.

"We listened to you and broke the contract with Su Li's family. You said you could build greenhouses like Su Li's. We're here to ask when and how you'll build them!" a woman anxiously grabbed Tang Shi's arm.

Tang Shi exclaimed and shook off the arm, giving the woman a disdainful look: "Why so anxious? Look at you, can't keep calm!"

The woman said, "How can I not be anxious? The weather is getting warmer by the day. If we don’t hurry to plant off-season vegetables, once the seasonal vegetables hit the market, our crops won’t be worth much! Tang Shi, if you have any solutions, show us quickly!"

Tang Shi rolled her eyes and flicked her hair. "Then you can go home and wait for news."

Saying that, Tang Shi headed back inside but was stopped by a man.

The man was emotional, his eyes red as he stared at Tang Shi. "Tang Shi, we only broke the contract with Su Li’s family because of your encouragement. You owe us an explanation today!"

"Yes, give us an explanation!" a woman added.

Several households grew emotional. When it came to money and business, they were extremely petty. They had easily turned against Su Li over money matters, and now that it was about making a profit, they certainly wouldn’t let Tang Shi off easily.

Tang Shi raised her eyebrows and shouted loudly, "What’s wrong with you all? Acting like bandits! If you want to break the contract, that’s your own decision. What does that have to do with me? I’ve already given up the lease myself. I’m not in a hurry, so why are you? Looking at your short-sightedness, just eyeing those few tens of copper coins, what future do you have? Pah!"

Tang Shi felt very smug inside, looking disdainfully at those villagers. She was a wealthy landowner with many silver ingots!