Chapter Thirteen: No, You Have to Sign an IOU Too

Page (1/3)

Seeing Zhao Ang agree so straightforwardly, Wang Xiuyun had some lingering hesitation. Now, with Fugui’s words, it was clear that Zhao Ang was merely bluffing. Previously, Zhao Ang had never asked for any written note when giving silver; now he did, perhaps just as an excuse. Since that was the case, once the IOU was drawn up, Zhao Ang would be forced to repay his brother’s debt. If he couldn’t come up with the silver, a conflict was inevitable. Then, the men arranged by herself and Zhou Lang could intervene! With this plan in mind, Wang Xiuyun nodded decisively. “As you wish, Zhao Lang. I’ll have my brother come over to sign the IOU right away!” Zhao Ang hadn’t expected Wang Xiuyun to be so prompt; it seemed Fugui had played a part in this. He made a mental note to reward Fugui well when the opportunity arose. “Come, Cheng Feng, sign and seal it!” Wang Xiuyun, eager to settle matters, quickly wrote an IOU for five hundred thousand taels. However, while she was straightforward, Wang Chengfeng hesitated. “Sister, can’t we not sign the IOU?” “No IOU, no money from the young master!” Zhao Ang interjected at the right moment, seeming evasive and unwilling to pay. His demeanor only confirmed Wang Xiuyun’s suspicion that he was broke. “We’ll sign, definitely!” Worried Zhao Ang might back out, Wang Xiuyun grabbed him and, dipping his blood, was about to seal the document. Seeing Wang Chengfeng’s resistance, she whispered in his ear, “Are you foolish? Even if we sign the IOU, can Zhao Ang really avoid repaying us?” “True!” Wang Chengfeng suddenly understood and pressed his seal happily. “Zhao Lang, the IOU is done. We can leave now.” Handing the IOU to Zhao Ang, Wang Xiuyun gently urged him. After scrutinizing the IOU to ensure no issues, Zhao Ang took it but made no move. “Zhao Lang? What’s wrong?” Wang Xiuyun forced a smile, but Zhao Ang feigned reluctance. “No, you signed today’s IOU, but you never signed for the previous amounts!” “If you don’t make up the past IOUs, the old man won’t give me silver. We have to cover those too!” “Zhao Ang, don’t be so greedy!” Wang Chengfeng was furious; if not for fear of being kicked, he would have lunged at him. “No matter, it’s a no-go. At worst, I won’t accept even this IOU!” Page (1/3)

Page (2/3)

Zhao Ang said as he handed the IOU back as if it were a hot potato. “We’ll sign, we’ll sign!” To Wang Xiuyun, Zhao Ang’s demand for past IOUs was just an excuse. The more he resisted, the more it proved he didn’t have the five hundred thousand taels, and her chances grew greater. As for these IOUs, once the child in her womb inherited the Zhen Nan princely estate, these IOUs would be worthless! “Sister…” “Listen, signing one or signing many, it’s all the same!” Wang Xiuyun’s words sounded reasonable, but Wang Chengfeng felt uneasy. He had the feeling his own sister was selling him out. Meanwhile, Zhao Ang kept adding demands. “Date, time, and specific location all need to be detailed!” “Zhao Ang, don’t push your luck!” Wang Chengfeng couldn’t take it anymore, but Zhao Ang’s stance was firm. If the IOU wasn’t properly written, he wouldn’t repay the 500,000-tael gambling debt! “Wang Chengfeng, write it!” Wang Xiuyun cut off Wang Chengfeng’s complaints, now convinced Zhao Ang was broke. The more specific Zhao Ang’s demands, the more she believed he was nervous. Fugui watched in astonishment; so many IOUs—what was the young master planning? Could it be... Fugui recalled Zhao Ang’s attitude toward Wang Xiuyun that morning and began to have a suspicion. But... was the young master really that clever? Fugui fell silent again. Zhao Ang noticed Fugui’s expression and realized Fugui might have guessed something—he wasn’t stupid and might be worth cultivating. Meanwhile, Wang Chengfeng was exhausted after signing and sealing a mountain of IOUs, slumping to the ground. “Alright, Zhao Lang, these are all the IOUs!” “Mm.” Zhao Ang took the stack, carefully checked their details, then refused to acknowledge them again. “No, you still owe me! Those jewelry pieces I gave you, the crafted cabinet... those all count as loans too!” “You... Zhao Ang, you’re going too far!” Wang Xiuyun couldn’t hold back anymore, while Wang Chengfeng smiled at the irony. Fate had turned, but he quickly hid his smile—after all, that was his sister, and he couldn’t gloat. “No matter. If you don’t sign for this money, I won’t repay it. Wang Chengfeng can just wait to have his legs broken!” Page (2/3)

Page (3/3)

Zhao Ang remained indifferent, but this time only handed over the one IOU for five hundred thousand taels. The sunk cost was too great, and having already signed so many IOUs, Wang Chengfeng no longer wanted to give up halfway. “Sister, just sign it. Can he really come after us for repayment?” The comforting words, however, turned back like a boomerang and pierced her heart. “Fine, I’ll sign!” Signing IOUs for everything she had coaxed or taken from Zhao Ang, Wang Xiuyun handed them over and ground her teeth. “That should do it!” After glancing over the IOUs and roughly comparing them with his original memories, Zhao Ang nodded. “Done. Let’s go pay the debt!” Handing the thick stack of IOUs to Fugui, Zhao Ang stood and left. The sedan chair was soon prepared. Zhao Ang lifted the curtain and sat, only to see Wang Xiuyun and her brother following behind. “Why are you following us? Is the Ministry of Revenue’s deputy minister so poor he can’t even afford a sedan chair?” “You...” Wang Xiuyun pulled Wang Chengfeng aside. Her temper was worn down by Zhao Ang. They would not ride in the same carriage; as long as Zhao Ang went to the casino to repay the debt, that was enough. Then... Wang Xiuyun clenched her fists tightly, her eyes filled with barely contained hatred. “Cheng Feng, let’s take our own sedan chair!” After the siblings left, Zhao Ang had Fugui bring out the IOUs. “Young master, with so many IOUs, if they really pay up, you’ll be rich!” Remembering his earlier suspicions, Fugui hesitated and tried to probe. “Don’t worry, they’ll pay.” Zhao Ang didn’t care about Fugui’s probing; having clever subordinates was no bad thing. As long as he could keep control, he would remain master forever. Fugui widened his eyes—so the young master really planned this! Love had blinded him, but now, with a change of pace, the young master was much smarter. It seemed he must bring the young master to try new things more often instead of sticking to just one path! Zhao Ang’s attitude toward Wang Xiuyun only shifted after leaving Liu Yu. So Fugui attributed everything to his change in taste. If Zhao Ang knew what Fugui thought, he would surely take back his earlier compliment about Fugui’s intelligence! Page (3/3)