Chapter 29 Trouble Redirected Elsewhere

“It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me! That woman is framing me—it was she who made the fake ginseng to cheat everyone out of their money, not me! I swear it’s not!” Surrounded by the angry crowd, Liu Bingbing fought back fiercely, grabbing at those around her.

“Give back the money! Liu family, Liu Bingbing, your family ruined the ginseng, so you must repay the money!” Sister Wei, knowing that Liu had always had suspicious dealings with the villagers and likely had some money, pressed her relentlessly.

Now, whatever money could be collected was worth trying for.

Liu herself wished she could simply pay and be done with it, but she had little silver left, and now what she had was spent to save Liu Bingbing, leaving her with almost nothing. With so many people demanding repayment, the sum was far more than she could muster. Bowing her head, she ignored the crowd’s curses and shouts, unable to do anything else.

Hua Qinci could no longer bear to watch. After all, this situation had arisen because of her, and besides, Liu was the second to offer silver at the time, giving the most among them, clearly sincere in her desire to help the Qin family.

Hua Qinci frowned thoughtfully for a moment, but before she could speak, Qin Mingyue tugged at her sleeve. “Qinci, please, help Bingbing’s family. I know you have a way. Bingbing is still young, and she’s already been beaten and scolded enough. For her mother’s sake, say a few words to help, won’t you?”

“Yes.” Hua Qinci had been planning to intervene before things escalated further. Qin Mingyue was right—Liu and Liu Bingbing simply couldn’t resolve this themselves; she had only intended to vent her anger.

“Everyone, listen to me. I have a way to exchange the silver for you all. Please, calm down for now,” Hua Qinci announced.

At the prospect of getting their money back, the crowd quieted.

“Qin family’s daughter-in-law, can that ginseng still be worth anything in its current state?” someone asked.

“That’s right, Qinci, don’t just say anything for the sake of saving the Liu family,” another chimed in.

“Yes, yes, this was Liu Bingbing’s doing—she should be the one to pay!”

“I didn’t do it!” Liu Bingbing sobbed, trying to lunge forward, but Liu held her back firmly. “Liu Bingbing, why must you cause so much trouble? That’s over a thousand taels of silver—where will you find that much? Do you want your mother to die before your eyes?”

Liu truly felt bitter disappointment at her daughter’s stubbornness—how had she raised such a disobedient girl?

“Now that your cousin is willing to help, just stay quiet!” Liu Bingbing glared with her large, tearful eyes, obviously defiant, yet she knew her mother was right. There was no way she could raise a thousand taels of silver, even a hundred would be nearly impossible. She was curious to see what remarkable method Hua Qinci might have to produce so much silver in a single day.

Even if she stayed quiet and caused no further trouble, if Hua Qinci took on this problem and failed, she would suffer for it.

For now, she would grit her teeth and wait to see if Hua Qinci would make a fool of herself.

“Don’t worry, everyone. Ginseng is still ginseng; though its form has changed, it remains valuable. How much it’s worth depends on its fate. But you may all rest assured—come tomorrow evening, you will receive your silver,” Hua Qinci reassured them.

With a few more comforting words, she finally managed to disperse the crowd.

Casting an impatient glance at Liu Bingbing, who looked like a ruffled chicken, Hua Qinci went into the house.

“Husband, pack up. We’re going to the city.”

Qin Youtian, hearing Hua Qinci call him and seeing the crowd disperse, quickly gathered a simple bundle, gave Qin Mingyue a few instructions, and the two harnessed the ox cart to head into town.

“I’m going too!” Liu Bingbing, wiping her tears, climbed up onto the ox cart. No matter how her mother tried to persuade her, she wouldn’t get down.

“Let her come. Aunt, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her,” Qin Youtian said gently. He had always indulged Liu Bingbing; seeing her so stubborn now, there was no refusing her.