151: Chapter 151 Penalty for Breach of Contract

On the way back, Tao Fu remained deeply worried.

He held the reins, and though the donkey walked slowly, he didn't urge it on.

He kept repeating the same phrase over and over: "What should we do... what are we going to do!"

Jiang Xun lay on the cart, looking up at the sky.

The sun had begun to sink to the west, and the clouds were dyed a tangerine-orange, spread across the sky in vast swaths like crushed yellow silk.

"Uncle Tao, it's fortunate that the gang of thieves didn't take our donkey cart," Jiang Xun said, trying to comfort him. "Otherwise, we would have had to spend the night outside the city."

Tao Fu didn't respond.

He couldn't hear a word of it; the wrinkles on his face were deeper than usual, his brows were knitted into a knot, and his lips were pressed white.

Seeing this, Jiang Xun said no more.

Tao Fu was now incredibly loyal and dedicated to White Fox Jiu, even though they had known each other for less than a month.

He seemed to be gripped by something, completely detached from the state of mind a normal person should have.

Jiang Xun withdrew his gaze and looked back up at the sky.

Now, it was almost impossible to get a hundred taels from that vixen.

Unless he went to borrow it.

But who could he borrow from?

Song Zhiran's face appeared in his mind.

In Lean County, Jiang Xun didn't know many people.

Song Zhiran was one, and his family was wealthy. If he explained the reason, given Song Zhiran's character, he would likely lend it.

But the problem was, they had only known each other for two days.

To borrow money after just two days, no matter how you looked at it, it seemed like he had ulterior motives.

Jiang Xun closed his eyes and pushed the thought away.

He had to think of another way.

He raised his hand and looked at the silver Storage Ring on his left hand, feeling fortunate that it hadn't been taken.

However, with his spiritual power sealed, he couldn't even open the Storage Ring.

And even if he could open it, how would he explain it?

The donkey cart swayed and wobbled into the county town.

Shops were closing up one after another; some were taking down door panels, others were sweeping the floor, and there were few pedestrians on the street.

Hearing the sound of the donkey cart, Chun Cui walked out of the shop.

Seeing Tao Fu's dejected expression and the bruises on his face, she hurried over to meet them.

"Uncle Tao, what happened to you?"

Tao Fu didn't speak, keeping his head down as if he had done something shameful.

White Fox Jiu also came out of the shop.

Seeing Tao Fu's state, an expression of shock appeared on her face.

Tao Fu walked up to White Fox Jiu and dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Shopkeeper!" His voice was hoarse, and tears streamed down his face. "I have failed you!"

White Fox Jiu was stunned for a moment and quickly went to help him up. "Uncle Tao, what are you doing? Get up and speak."

But Tao Fu remained kneeling on the ground, crying out, "I have failed the shopkeeper, I have failed the shop!"

Chun Cui stood by, anxious and helpless.

Jiang Xun stepped forward to help pull Tao Fu up.

He explained, "We ran into a gang of vicious thieves on the road, and they smashed all the wine we had collected."

White Fox Jiu covered her mouth, her eyes widening.

"Smashed it all?"

"Not a jar left," Jiang Xun said.

White Fox Jiu's hand slid down from her mouth to cover her chest, looking somewhat at a loss.

She looked at Jiang Xun. "Husband, are you alright?"

Jiang Xun shook his head, his tone slightly dejected. "I kept my distance, so I'm not hurt, but Uncle Tao was injured quite badly."

White Fox Jiu turned to Tao Fu, her tone softening. "It's good that you're alright."

"Uncle Tao, go back and rest first. I'll have Chun Cui find a doctor for you."

"Shopkeeper..." Tao Fu still wanted to say something.

"Say no more, go."

Chun Cui came over to support Tao Fu's arm and whispered, "Uncle Tao, let's go."

Supported by her, Tao Fu walked toward the backyard, looking back every few steps, still muttering something.

Once they were far away, White Fox Jiu turned to Jiang Xun.

"This was not your fault, don't take it to heart."

Jiang Xun said, "These thieves didn't rob us of money or kidnap us; they only smashed the coarse wine we had collected."

"It was clearly done with malicious intent."

White Fox Jiu frowned. "Who could be so vicious?"

"Who else could it be?" Jiang Xun looked at her. "Ximen Shu."

White Fox Jiu looked incredulous. "Young Master Ximen? He doesn't seem like that kind of person."

"Aside from him, I can't think of anyone else," Jiang Xun said.

The conspiracy was too obvious, too crude. They had just signed a supply contract, and immediately after, someone destroyed the wine. If he couldn't see that, he would have truly lived all those years for nothing.

White Fox Jiu fell silent.

She lowered her head, her tone aggrieved.

"But what does he hope to gain?"

"Since he signed the contract, why would he smash the wine we worked so hard to collect?"

Jiang Xun looked at her face, which wore an innocent and adorably naive expression, like a cunning fox drooping its ears to pretend to be a kitten.

Jiang Xun couldn't help himself. "What else could he want?"

"It's just you."

White Fox Jiu was stunned for a moment. "Want me?"

"Yes."

"But I already have a husband."

Jiang Xun stepped forward and held her hand. "Some people don't care if you have a husband. When they see someone beautiful, they just want to take them home."

White Fox Jiu blushed.

She lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's. "Husband, don't worry. Even if we can't deliver the goods, I still have some jewelry I can sell. I will never let him have his way."

"It's just the money I promised to buy your scholar's status..."

Jiang Xun said somewhat dejectedly, "It's fine, I will find a way."

Early the next morning, Ximen Shu arrived, having heard the news.

He was followed by four servants, all brawny and broad-shouldered, wearing matching cyan short jackets, with clubs tucked into their waistbands.

There was also a man who looked like an accountant, holding a ledger and following behind with his head bowed.

Ximen Shu was wearing a bright red long gown today, his hair tied up with a jade crown, and he looked very spirited.

He had a smile on his face.

Tao Fu was in the front hall serving customers. Seeing this display, the wine pot in his hand almost fell to the ground.

"Young Master Ximen..."

"Where is your shopkeeper?" Ximen Shu said in a flippant tone, glancing around. "Today is the delivery day, why haven't I seen my goods yet?"

"Young Master Ximen, please don't be anxious," Tao Fu said cautiously. "My shopkeeper is in the back room..."

"Call Bai Jiu out." Ximen Shu waved his hand, not wanting to hear any of it.

"I only want my goods now."

"Young Master Ximen, please wait a moment." Tao Fu trotted to the back room to report.

When White Fox Jiu came out from the back room, Ximen Shu was already seated in the front hall.

He had his legs crossed, holding the tea Chun Cui had just brewed, slowly blowing on the steam.

"Shopkeeper Bai, long time no see." He smiled and gestured with his teacup.

White Fox Jiu sat down opposite him, with Jiang Xun standing behind her.

"Young Master Ximen, what brings you here today?"

"Nothing major," Ximen Shu put down his teacup. "Just came to see how that batch of wine is coming along."

White Fox Jiu lowered her eyes and was silent for a moment.

"Young Master Ximen, there is something I must tell you."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Yesterday, we sent people to the countryside to collect wine, but on the way, they encountered a gang of thieves who smashed all the wine we had collected."

Ximen Shu feigned surprise. "There's such a thing? Did you report it to the authorities?"

"We haven't had the chance yet."

"Then you must hurry and report it!" Ximen Shu said.

"But Shopkeeper Bai, you signed a contract for this wine."

"If you can't deliver the goods now, I'm in a difficult position."

White Fox Jiu frowned.

"Young Master Ximen, I know. I will pay the liquidated damages, but I need some time."

"Time?" Ximen Shu laughed, a hint of mockery in his smile. "Shopkeeper Bai, I'm afraid you didn't read the contract carefully."

He beckoned to the accountant behind him.

The accountant stepped forward, opened the ledger, and cleared his throat.

"Article 7 of the contract: If the seller fails to deliver the goods on time, for every day of delay, a penalty of five percent of the total contract amount shall be paid."

The accountant closed the ledger and stepped back.

White Fox Jiu's expression changed.

"Five percent... isn't it per month?"

"Per month?"

Ximen Shu picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. "Shopkeeper Bai, you must have remembered wrong. It's written in black and white on the contract: it's per day."

He pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve and spread it on the table.

"Take a look."

White Fox Jiu picked up the paper and read it from beginning to end.

Jiang Xun, standing behind her, saw it too.

The two vertical strokes under the character for 'month' were gone.

White Fox Jiu put down the contract, then slammed it onto the table. "Young Master Ximen, the contract clearly stated payment per month on that day. How did it become per day?"

Ximen Shu was unhurried, picking up his teacup and taking another sip.

"Shopkeeper Bai, that's quite a thing to say. The contract is in black and white; you signed it and stamped your seal yourself."

"Trying to renege on the debt now won't work."

"I'm not trying to renege," White Fox Jiu's voice turned cold. "But you tampered with the contract. This is bullying."

"Tampered?"

Ximen Shu laughed, looking very innocent. "Shopkeeper Bai, you must have evidence when you speak."

"You say I tampered with it, but tell me, when, where, and in front of whom did I change it?"

White Fox Jiu stared at him. "This contract was made in duplicate; don't think you can deny it."

After saying this, she took out her own copy of the contract.

But Ximen Shu showed no fear at the sight.

He had long ago secretly sent someone to change her copy of the contract as well, and it was done quite easily. According to the person who reported back, that contract was just sitting openly on the desk.

Completely uncovered.

When White Fox Jiu took out that contract to compare, her eyes widened instantly. She saw that it also surprisingly stated payment per day.

The content was identical to the one in Ximen Shu's hand.

"When?" White Fox Jiu murmured, as if she had completely lost her strength.

"Now, what else do you have to say?" Ximen Shu put down his teacup and said, his voice fierce:

"Shopkeeper Bai, to tell you the truth, this batch of wine—you must deliver it, whether you want to or not."

"If you can't deliver, we go by the contract. Fifty taels a day. Calculate it yourself; how many days can you hold out?"

White Fox Jiu turned pale.

"Young Master Ximen, you are forcing me into a dead end!"

"A dead end?"

Ximen Shu scanned her body. "Shopkeeper Bai, you're exaggerating."

"Actually, if you want, you could earn more than you imagine."

Jiang Xun stepped forward, angry. "Ximen Shu, what do you mean by that?"

"Brother Jiang," Ximen Shu began, his tone filled with condescending arrogance.

"You are a smart man, so I won't beat around the bush."

Jiang Xun stood there, looking at him.

"With that body of yours, what can you do?" Ximen Shu pointed to Jiang Xun's legs, then his arms. "You pant after walking a few steps, you sweat after moving a few jars of wine. What can you use to support your family? What can you use to give your wife a good life?"

Jiang Xun didn't speak.

"Bai Jiu is a good woman." Ximen Shu's tone suddenly became sincere.

"She is beautiful and good at business. How many people are eyeing her? It's your good fortune that she chose you, but ask yourself."

He tapped Jiang Xun's chest with his folding fan. "Are you worthy of her?"

"If you have something to say, Young Master Ximen, feel free to say it directly."

Ximen Shu retracted his folding fan and looked up at Jiang Xun.

"I want to say that you are dragging her down."

Jiang Xun had no expression on his face.

"Think about it. She gets up early and works late, busy running around. And you?" Ximen Shu continued to describe what he saw.

"Besides taking medicine, eating, and sleeping, what else can you do? What did she get out of marrying you? That you're a sickly weakling? That you're a freeloader?"

He was smug, believing that every word he said was piercing.

"Young Master Ximen, are you done?"

"Not yet." Ximen Shu stood up and walked to Jiang Xun. "That batch of wine of Bai Jiu's—you went to collect it, didn't you? You went, and the wine was smashed."

"You went, and the goods couldn't be delivered. Tell me, isn't this your responsibility?"

Jiang Xun was silent.

What a fine piece of sophistry.

Ximen Shu walked up to Jiang Xun and reached out to pat his shoulder.

"You should leave. I won't make things difficult for you."

"Write a letter of divorce and leave Lean County, and I will wipe this debt clean for you. As for Bai Jiu, I will comfort her."

Jiang Xun looked at him.

"And if I don't leave?"

"Heh!" Ximen Shu gave a sarcastic laugh.

He withdrew his hand, took a step back, and looked Jiang Xun up and down, as if looking at something unappreciative.

"Not leave?"

He pulled a paper from his sleeve—the very same contract. He shook the contract in front of Jiang Xun.

"Then we will go by the contract. Calculate it; will you be able to pay it off in this lifetime?"

He looked at White Fox Jiu again, his tone becoming meaningful. "For a woman like you, dragging along a sickly husband and guarding such a small shop—how difficult it must be."

"If you are willing, the doors of Hecai Pavilion are always open to you."

White Fox Jiu lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Ximen Shu stood up and straightened his collar.

"I am a very reasonable person. I will give you one day. By this time tomorrow, I either want to see the wine or the silver."

"If I see neither..." He smiled, his gaze shamelessly sizing her up. "Then we will proceed according to the contract."

He turned to walk out, took two steps, then stopped. Without turning his head, he said, "Oh, and don't think about running away. In this Lean County, there is no one that I, Ximen Shu, cannot find."

The four servants followed him, filing out one by one.

The accountant closed the ledger and trotted to catch up.

The front hall fell silent.

Tao Fu stood behind the counter, not daring to breathe loudly.

Chun Cui hid behind the door curtain, revealing half her face, her eyes red.

White Fox Jiu sat there, staring at the contract on the table, motionless.

She weakly raised her head and looked at Jiang Xun.

"Husband, what should I do?"

Jiang Xun didn't answer immediately.

He just quietly watched White Fox Jiu's performance.

To be honest, if he hadn't lost his memory, he might have really been fooled.

Seeing the plot falling onto himself, Jiang Xun spoke up:

"Let's go back to the back room first. Don't stand in the front hall."

White Fox Jiu nodded, stood up, and followed him toward the back room.

Tao Fu called out from behind: "Shopkeeper..."

"It's fine." White Fox Jiu didn't turn back. "Go back to what you were doing."

The door to the back room closed.

White Fox Jiu sat on a chair, looking distraught and disheartened.

As if having anticipated this, Jiang Xun said righteously, "I said long ago that Ximen Shu was no good. Now, finally, he has shown his fox tail."

White Fox Jiu shuddered and said, "Yes! I didn't expect him to be that kind of person either."