Rebirth Space Pretty Girl Chapter 4: silver everywhere
Previously on Rebirth Space Pretty Girl...
Chapter 4 Money is everywhere
Since the others were determined to kick him out, he wasn't about to be thick-skinned enough to stay.
"Daddy!"
Gao looked on with delight.
Murong Zhe gestured with his hand and spoke with a grave expression, "We stayed in your property for twenty days. We won't ask for the remaining ten days of this month back. However, you are obligated to return the extra month's rent we prepaid."
In the past, he would never have stooped to bicker with a woman over mere copper coins, but their current circumstances were dire. He desperately needed funds and had no choice but to demand what was owed.
"That is impossible." To Gao, the silver already tucked in her pocket belonged solely to her.
Murong Kuan intervened, "Father, Aran has only just regained consciousness and requires rest. There is no need to waste our breath on her. We possess the rental agreement, and she hasn't denied collecting next month's payment. With all these witnesses gathered here, we have both the evidence and the testimony needed to report this to the officials. Even if this is the outskirts of the capital, we are still under the Emperor's feet. I am confident the magistrate will grant us justice."
Noticing that Madam Gao’s complexion had turned pale, Murong Zhe nodded in agreement. "Very well, since that is your wish, let us go."
Having said that, he inspected the luggage scattered on the ground. Once satisfied that nothing was missing, he headed to the kitchen to gather the remaining oil and salt. After wrapping them up, he prepared to depart.
It was a stroke of luck that he had sold the medicinal herbs he gathered in the mountains a few days prior, and since they had only just moved in, they hadn't purchased any furniture. Otherwise, vacating on such short notice would have been a nightmare.
Madam Gao had not anticipated that they would actually involve the authorities. Panic began to rise in her heart; if they truly reported her to the officials, she would be in deep trouble.
She was just about to speak when a concerned shout erupted from the crowd.
"The Lizheng is here! The Lizheng has arrived!"
The onlookers immediately parted to create a path. Murong Zhe halted his steps and turned toward the approaching man, greeting him with respect, "Uncle Zhuang."
"Azhe, please don't report this to the officials. Just do it as a favor to Uncle Zhuang, alright?"
Murong Lingran looked at her third brother with a questioning gaze.
Murong Kuan quickly leaned in to explain the situation in a few words.
While he was helplessly cradling his wounded daughter, this Lizheng had looked upon them with pity. He suggested they come to Lihua Village, mentioning that while the houses were dilapidated and worth little, there was a vacant one they could rent for their immediate needs.
Furthermore, since the village was nestled among the mountains, they could rely on the land for sustenance and avoid starvation. With no other options, Murong Zhe had accepted the offer.
Murong Zhe sighed and said, "Uncle Zhuang, you are aware of my current plight. This money was earned by my third son, who braved the dark to gather herbs in the mountains. Though my daughter has woken up, you can see for yourself how frail she is. We will need a great deal of money for her recovery, and now that we are homeless, I must find a new roof for us. I need money for everything; I truly have no other choice."
The Lizheng nodded with understanding, as bystanders had already filled him in on the details during his walk over. He turned a furious gaze toward Madam Gao and barked, "Give them back next month's rent immediately!"
Gao flinched at the reprimand, her face twisted with greed. "Lizheng, it isn't that I'm refusing to pay. You know I'm a superstitious woman, and I only recently realized that a house shouldn't host sick outsiders. Because I let their sickly daughter stay there, I'll have to hire an expert to perform an exorcism. The money I have isn't even enough for that, and I haven't even asked them for compensation yet. How can I possibly give anything back?"