Chapter 175 - 141: Proposing a Partnership_1
The most valuable possessions were all gone. Qian Yixiu glared at Monkey Brother, who didn’t seem to understand the value of treasures, and discussed with it and Dashan, "The meat is for you, and the rest is inedible for you, just give it to Old Master Zhang for medicine." Seeing that Monkey Brother kept silent, she instructed Huang Tie to come over with a knife to handle it.
When everyone entered the main hall, Lady Wu also carried Qian Yixiu inside. Zhang Zhongkun presented his gifts and sincerely apologized to Qian Sangui and Lady Wu. Qian Sangui hurriedly said, "Old Master Zhang is too kind, it is our fault for not teaching our child properly, causing such a disaster and worrying your household. It is us who should be apologizing to you."
Sitting on a stool, Qian Yixiu bowed to Zhang Zhongkun to apologize, admitting her mistake and saying that she would visit the Zhang Mansion another day to apologize to Old Lady Zhang and Mrs. Zhang, for causing them concern.
She also took the opportunity to plead with Zhang Zhongkun on behalf of Old Uncle Zhang, choking up as she begged Old Master Zhang to forgive Old Uncle Zhang, insisting it was all her fault and if blame must be assigned, it should fall on her. However, judging by Zhang Zhongkun’s stance, her plea seemed useless, as it was certain that Old Uncle Zhang would be punished.
Later, she asked Huang Tie to specifically inquire at the Zhang family. Huang Tie returned and reported that because Qian Yixiu hadn’t met with misfortune, Old Uncle Zhang had been dealt with leniently: he was flogged twenty times and had half a year’s salary withheld. Qian Yixiu felt extremely remorseful and asked Huang Tie to buy some gifts and took twenty taels of silver to apologize to Old Uncle Zhang. But that is a story for another time.
Huang Tie finished dealing with the snake, handing the meat over to those from the House of Animals who were watching him intently, worried he might embezzle it, then brought the snake’s head and bones into the main hall.
Zhang Zhongkun instructed the servants to take them and then smiled, "This Double-headed Golden Black Dragon Snake is an extremely rare snake. In all my years, this is only the third time I’ve seen one. This snake is highly nutritious, especially the Golden Black Dragon Gall, which can cure many diseases. Keep two three-inch-long pieces of bone and soak them in liquor with deer whiskers and ginseng. Drinking it regularly over the years will strengthen and invigorate the body." He then turned to those from the House of Animals, wolfing down the snake meat, "Your livestock are not only discerning but also fortunate to have eaten so much Golden Black Dragon Snake meat; their strength will surely grow."
He presented Qian Sangui with a silver note worth a hundred taels of silver, saying, "The head and bones of the Double-headed Golden Black Dragon Snake are not as valuable as the gall and skin, but they are still rare medicinal materials."
Qian Sangui quickly waved his hands, "Old Master Zhang and Doctor Xiao Zhang have saved the lives of my son’s wife and myself several times, and we have nothing with which to repay you. This snake was caught by the monkey by accident. If you hadn’t come to our home today, we would have disposed of these items as waste. How can we possibly take your silver? It is out of the question."