Take the Money and Get Out

Xiao Zitian sat in the main seat, wearing a half-smile as he looked at Zhang Wenpo. He didn't say a word, but somehow made Zhang Wenpo feel a chill down her spine, as if her throat was blocked.

Zhang Wenpo felt puzzled. Why would she feel fear towards a fool? Maybe she was just overtired from yesterday and hallucinating.

At this moment, Xiao Zitian ordered Qingmu to send away all the servants from Su Li's household, leaving only his own men present.

Zhang Wenpo then boasted endlessly about her maternal cousin, painting him as a mighty figure who could dominate Qingmiao City, almost like a local tyrant.

Beside her, Xiao Yun listened to Zhang Wenpo's bragging and covered his mouth, unable to hold back a chuckle. If it weren't for Xiao Zitian's presence, he probably would've laughed himself silly.

A mere petty constable wasn't even qualified to carry the shoes for their General Xiao, yet he had the nerve to talk big like a fool.

Zhang Wenpo rambled on and on, then finally crossed her arms and said to Xiao Zitian, "Fool, now you know how fierce my wife is, huh? Scared, aren’t you?!"

Xiao Zitian curled the corner of his mouth into a mocking smile and said calmly, "Mm, scared."

Hearing this, Zhang Wenpo was sure the fool was truly frightened. Proudly, she sat back in her chair, crossed her legs, and said, "If you're scared, then pay up! We want ten times, no, thirty times the wages—that's thirty taels! If you don't pay, I'll have my nephew ransack your house!"

"Thirty taels?" Xiao Zitian clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Too little. I think I'll give you sixty taels."

Zhang Wenpo jumped up from her chair, grinning so wide her mouth nearly reached her ears. She whispered to her husband, "See? The fool really is a fool—so easy to trick! Just scare him a bit and look, he’s scared to death!"

Meanwhile, Xiao Yun took out sixty taels in silver notes from his bosom and tossed them to Zhang Wenpo.

Zhang Wenpo took the silver notes and looked at them carefully, her hands trembling as if she had Parkinson's.

Sixty taels—she had never seen so much silver in her entire life!

"Here, take the money and get lost!" Xiao Yun said gruffly.

"Alright, alright, let's go!" Zhang Wenpo hurriedly led her children and grandchildren away in a grand procession, swiftly leaving the place.

Xiao Yun crossed his arms and watched Zhang Wenpo's retreating figure, thinking to himself, "Tsk, do you really think General Xiao's silver is that easy to get?"

After sending Zhang Wenpo away, Xiao Zitian stood up and hurried to look for Su Li.

The early morning sunshine had been disturbed by that Zhang Wenpo. Now, he didn’t want to waste time chatting with her family. He wanted to quickly grab his wife, go back to bed for a nap, and maybe have a little sparring match with the demon—wouldn't that be better?

Xiao Yun looked at his General Xiao like that and pursed his lips, thinking, "General, you’re almost as guilty as the emperor for skipping court! Is that really okay!?"

After his thoughts, Xiao Yun stepped out of Su Li’s courtyard and snapped his fingers in a small, deserted thicket.

Immediately, four Xiao family shadow guards appeared, kneeling on one knee. "Please, Commander, give your orders."

Xiao Yun said, "Find some people to pose as mountain bandits and ambush Zhang Wenpo’s family on the road. Rob all their silver and beat the men up, but don’t cause any fatalities."

"Yes, Commander!" The four Xiao family shadow guards instantly disappeared—three in a flash, leaving one behind, who revealed a pair of peach blossom eyes, smirking as he stared at Xiao Yun.

Xiao Yun stared at those eyes, swallowed hard, then turned and bolted. Suddenly, he felt a hand grab the back of his collar, a chill creeping down his neck.

A woman’s sweet yet sinister voice sounded, "Oh, Commander Yun, you’re so mighty now. Have you forgotten your sister already?"