Chapter 21: Gold and Silver of Heaven and Earth
Si Zhanqing cast Fang Xun a sidelong glance and let out an almost inaudible cold snort. “Do you take this marquis for someone who repays kindness with ingratitude, or slaughters the innocent without cause?”
Fang Xun trembled and hurriedly replied, “This subordinate would not dare!”
“Since I promised a generous reward upon success… I never go back on my word.” Si Zhanqing flicked her pale fingertip casually. A tiny object, gleaming with golden light, shot through the air and came to a steady halt before Fang Xun.
He carefully caught it in his palm. After examining it for a moment, he could not help but cry out in shock, “Real gold?”
Ecstasy instantly spread across his face. He quickly tucked the gold away close to his body, then bowed deeply toward Si Zhanqing. “Many thanks for your generous bestowal, my lord.”
“These one hundred taels of gold are your reward. As for those laborers…”
“Ten taels of silver each will be enough for them to cast off their lowly status and live the rest of their lives in comfort.” As her voice fell, twenty-three clusters of radiant silver light streaked out like meteors, landing before Fang Xun.
“This matter is concluded. I will be leaving soon. You will distribute these rewards on my behalf.”
At the news that Si Zhanqing would soon depart, a trace of disappointment rose in Fang Xun’s heart. Yet under the overwhelming temptation of the two hundred and thirty taels of silver before him, along with the one hundred taels of gold already in his possession, that fleeting sense of loss quickly vanished.