Gao Xuejuan stood behind the door, listening to them slander her. Several times she wanted to rush out and argue with them, but was stopped by Master Gao.
He was well aware of his daughter's fiery temper. In anger, some words could be spoken without thinking, leading to greater trouble.
After some thought, he personally stepped forward. When the Wang family saw the official, exuding authority and exerting pressure, appear before them, they felt a sense of dread. Despite being mentally prepared, these country folk genuinely feared officials and unconsciously swallowed.
"This is my final warning. You are not brought here by my Gao family, and my daughter currently has no relation to Liu Moran. If I hear you defaming our name again," Minister Gao looked them up and down with ill intent. Just as they were about to crumble, he said softly, "I will find a way to send you to prison."
After he left, Wang Jinbao realized his legs were shaking like a sieve. He now understood that a true official could make you break out in a cold sweat with just a look. After a while, when the situation stabilized, he quickly pulled his family away. Without any further warning, they would now go out of their way to avoid him.
Seeing the Wang family reappear before her, Wu Caiwei was not surprised at all. She had long expected this outcome, her only intention being to disgust them.
"We've decided. This time, we're sticking to you. Since you're a businesswoman, if you don't give us money, we'll cause a scene at your door every day. Let's see who loses in the end." The Wang family became shamelessly insistent. They couldn't afford to offend an official, but Wu Caiwei, a merchant, surely had to consider her business.
"When you came to the capital, didn't you inquire about my past deeds? If you knew what I've done before, I don't believe you'd still be so calm threatening me. Tell me, why don't those officials dare to confront me openly, but instead take roundabout ways? Haven't you considered the reasons behind it?" Wu Caiwei looked at them with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"Are you saying the rumors outside that you're a demoness who can defeat ten assassins alone are true?" Wang Jinbao burst into laughter. He knew his own sister well. She was as docile as could be in childhood. If she truly had such abilities, she wouldn't have stayed in the brothel for so many years.
Wu Caiwei knew they didn't believe her. She led them to the backyard and slowly walked towards the millstone in the center of the courtyard. To their shocked gazes, she easily lifted the millstone. After putting it down, she clapped her hands and gestured for Wang Jinbao to come and verify its authenticity.
Wang Jinbao, not one to believe it, tried to lift it. But no matter how hard he strained, the millstone didn't budge.
Clearly, Wu Caiwei was so far away from him, he hadn't seen how she moved. In the blink of an eye, she was standing in front of him, a knife at his throat. "You... what do you want?" Wang Jinbao unconsciously tilted his head, trying to move further away from the blade, stammering.
"I just want to tell you not to bother me. Perhaps one night, in the dead of night, I'll sneak into your room and dispatch you with a single blow, and no one will know. The case will simply remain unsolved."
Seeing that she had frightened them, Wu Caiwei nodded with satisfaction and quickly put away the knife.
Wang Jinbao unconsciously wiped the sweat from his forehead. The capital was truly a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers resided. He involuntarily felt a retreat in his heart. But thinking of the meager amount of silver he had, which couldn't accomplish anything, he said helplessly, "We know we were wrong, but the problem is we don't even have money to go back. You must support us a little, right?"
"How about this: you help me with one matter. After it's done, I'll give you two hundred taels of silver. Not only will you be able to return home safely, but you'll also be able to purchase ten mu of land upon your return."
Upon hearing this, the Wang family looked at her with expectant eyes, listening quietly to her instructions. After understanding her plan, they quickly split up and acted.
In less than a day, rumors spread throughout the streets and alleys that Wu Caiwei had saved Liu Moran's life, sponsored him for three years, and even provided the money for him to take the juren and jinshi exams. It was said that after Liu Moran climbed to a high position, he not only failed to show gratitude but also sought to make things difficult for her at every turn.
The way people looked at him changed. This was different from the previous rumors. Before, they had only thought Liu Moran was irresponsible, getting involved with a woman from the pleasure quarter and secretly marrying her. They never expected there were so many hidden details. Even if he couldn't marry her as his principal wife, he should at least repay her money and give her an explanation. One shouldn't forget their roots.
"She's doing this intentionally. She's getting revenge on me." When Liu Moran heard these rumors, he knew the source was Wu Caiwei, as she was the one who knew and understood everything best. He couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Soon, he came before Wu Caiwei, his voice filled with sadness and disappointment. "I'll give you eight hundred taels of silver. Please clarify this to everyone quickly. I won't target you anymore, and I ask you not to disturb my life."
"If you hadn't provoked me, would I have bothered you? Clarification is possible, but you must give me five thousand taels. I don't care about eight hundred taels."
"Why don't you go rob a bank? While you took care of me for three years, you didn't spend this much silver. I only took a hundred taels from you for the two exams. Isn't this asking for the moon?" Liu Moran stood up abruptly, questioning loudly.
"You don't have to pay if you don't want to. Just be prepared to be drowned in spit. After all, no false accusations are being made. Even if you sue me in court, I won't be afraid. As long as an official investigates where we used to live, they'll know the rumors are all true." Wu Caiwei calmly picked at her fingernails, not feeling any urgency.
"Can it be less? You know I come from a poor background. I've only been an official for a few months, and my salary is very low. Five thousand taels is an astronomical figure for me." After considering the pros and cons, Liu Moran conceded and tried to negotiate with her.
"Not a single coin less. When I receive the silver, I'll issue a clarification."
Afterward, Liu Moran tried to argue with her endlessly about the matter, but Wu Caiwei remained steadfast. Having no other recourse, he left dejectedly, returning home to devise a plan.
Naturally, he found Gao Xuejuan again. Gao Xuejuan was somewhat troubled. After her last confrontation with Wu Caiwei, she had injured her vital energy and only had a few hundred taels left.
"Then what should we do? You don't know how bad the rumors outside are. If this continues, my reputation will be completely ruined." Liu Moran anxiously stamped his foot.
Gao Xuejuan was also anxious. If things continued to develop, she would only drift further away from Liu Moran. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed with surprise, "I have an idea!"