BXBX NOVEL Chapter 483 - 483: Scheme
Yang Yi told the old woman what had happened at home and begged, “Nanny, those lanterns can’t be made before the Lantern Festival. I want to see Country Lord Ning and return the deposit to her.”
The old woman looked at Yang Yi awkwardly. “Shopkeeper Yang, Madam went out to attend a banquet. Come back in two afternoons!”
Yang Yi could only walk back with the contract and deposit. Halfway there, two men darted out of the alley and knocked him to the ground. The man behind hurriedly helped Yang Yi up and patted the dirt on his body. He kept apologizing, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Yang Yi waved his hand. “It’s fine. You didn’t do it on purpose.”
The man cupped his hands at Yang Yi and walked away quickly.
When Yang Yi was about to reach home, he realized that the banknotes in his pocket were gone. He recalled the man who had knocked him down at the entrance of the alley and hurriedly turned around to look for them. There was no trace of the banknotes.
Only then did Yang Yi understand that the two people just now were pickpockets. When they were dusting him, they took the banknotes from his pocket.
Yang Yi returned home in a daze and told Mother Yang and Grandpa about the banknotes being taken away. “Grandpa, what should we do?”
Old Master Yang looked at Yang Yi in shock. “Brother Yi, how much did you accept as a deposit?”
“That Madam ordered expensive lanterns. It’s 560 taels. She paid half of my deposit…”
“Doesn’t that mean more than 200 taels? Brother Yi, why didn’t you come back to discuss it before deciding?” Mother Yang exclaimed.
Yang Yi looked at his mother and sister-in-law’s surprised expressions and felt ashamed and guilty. “It’s all my fault. I was too greedy. I only thought that it was a big business. I didn’t think about to going home and ask before making a decision.’
“Brother Yi’s mother, the matter has already happened. Brother Yi didn’t expect his family to take on another job. Sigh!”
Old Master Yang sighed and looked at Yang Yi. “It’s useless to blame you. You have to be more careful in the future. When your father and Brother Jian return, coupled with the money sold on the Lantern Festival, you’ll have money
to pay them back.”
Yang Yi looked at his grandfather guiltily and prayed in his heart that Madam was a benevolent person. Hopefully, she would agree to his request and take back the deposit without compensation.
Yang Yi had endured the most difficult days since he became sensible. Two afternoons later, he went to the Country Lord Ning’s residence to ask to see Ning Xiangjun.
The old woman brought him into the courtyard. After waiting inside for a moment, he saw Country Lord Ning and told her what had happened at home.
Country Lord Ning glanced at him and smiled faintly. “You mean you can’t deliver on time and want me to only take back the deposit and waive the fine?”
Yang Yi stammered, “Madam, I came to refund the deposit that day and encountered a pickpocket on the way who stole it. My family really doesn’t have the money to compensate you. Please be magnanimous. I’ll definitely make the best lantern for you at the cheapest price next year.”
Country Lord Ning chuckled. “Do you think I’m someone who lacks that bit of money?”
Yang Yi blushed and begged, “I know that Madam doesn’t lack money. Please be magnanimous and let me off this time. I’m eternally grateful.”
Country Lord Ning glanced at Yang Yi. “There’s a way. You don’t have to compensate me with silver, and you can still live a good life from now on. It depends on whether you’re willing.”
Yang Yi saw Country Lord Ning’s malicious gaze and felt a chill in his heart. He suddenly felt that the sale of the lantern this time was a trap designed by this Madam.
Yang Yi took a deep breath and looked at Ning Xiangjun. He bowed and said, “Madam, I’ll definitely compensate you to the deposit. I only hope that you can delay it for a few days. After the Lantern Festival is over and the lanterns at home are sold, I’ll have money to repay you.”
Country Lord Ning stood up and walked up to Yang Yi. He said coquettishly, “Shopkeeper, listen to me first before considering if you want to compensate me.”
Yang Yi nodded in fear. “Madam, please speak.”
Country Lord Ning said in a melancholic voice, “I’ve already lost my husband for many years. I’m the only master in my residence. As long as you agree to marry into my residence, not only will you not have to compensate me with money, but you’ll also enjoy endless wealth.”
Yang Yi fell onto the chair in fear. “Madam, I already have a fiancée. I’m going to get married after the new year. I can’t do such a treacherous thing.”
Ning Xiangjun took a step forward and sat on Yang Yi’s thigh. He chuckled and said, “I like loyal men like you. Go back and tell that woman that I’m willing to pay her dowry and silver to marry her off.”
Yang Yi did not expect the gentle and refined noblewoman two days ago to turn into a slut. He sat on the chair stiffly and felt that his heart was about to jump to his throat. “Madam, I still have a grandfather at home. I also have to take care of Father and Mother and can’t marry into your residence.”
Seeing him like this, Country Lord Ning liked him even more. She raised his chin and said, “That day in Lantern Alley, I took a fancy to you at a glance. As long as you agree to marry into the family, I won’t treat you badly. Otherwise, if you can’t deliver the goods on time for more than 500 taels of silver, the principal and fine will be 1,000…”
With a bang, Country Lord Ning was pushed to the ground by the furious Yang Yi. He pointed at Ning Xiangjun hatefully and said, “So you were the one who dug a pit for me to jump into. You were also the one who sent those two pickpockets. You had planned it long ago. I’m going to the government office to sue you.”
Country Lord Ning got up from the ground in embarrassment and slapped the contract on the table. “Go to the government office and sue me. Go! I’ll also sue you for breaking into the inner courtyard and ruining my innocence.”
Country Lord Ning’s sinister voice sounded in Yang Yi’s ear. “I’m really not afraid of you suing me. I just can’t bear to part with you when you have to follow your family to be exiled and buried at the border.”
Yang Yi felt his blood run cold when he heard that. He lowered his head and thought of a way. A moment later, he looked up at Ning Xiangjun and said, “Madam, please allow me to go back and discuss with the elders and ask for their approval.”
Country Lord Ning looked at Yang Yi deeply. “It’s fine to go back and discuss it. Let me remind you that the contract took effect on the 14th of January. Also, you have to pay interest for the money you owe me. You have to think about the consequences. Don’t think about escaping unless you don’t want your family to escape Great Yong.”
“Madam, don’t worry. I won’t escape.”
Yang Yi didn’t know how he came out of the cannibalistic residence. He walked to Lantern Lane in a daze amidst the snowflakes that filled the sky. He stood at the entrance of the street for a long time and looked at the lanterns on the street. He understood why the other party wanted him to follow the blueprint. After understanding, he blushed even more at his stupidity.
He didn’t know how to face his mother and grandfather when he got home. He turned around and went to the Hundred Garden, wanting to discuss it with his father.
When he arrived outside the Hundred Garden, he walked around outside and returned home weakly. When he saw his grandfather’s concerned gaze, he forced a smile and said, “Grandpa, that Madam promised that I only need to return the deposit. She even said that she would invite us to make lamps next year.”
Old Master Yang nodded in relief and patted the snowflakes on his body lovingly. “Then let’s go in a few days. It’s cold. Go in and warm up first.”
“Aye!” Yang Yi replied..