Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1249: Everyone, Donate Money!

While the Emperor showed no mercy to his own brothers, he treated his sister with considerable kindness. The Eldest Princess Songyang enjoyed such favor that even clans like the Shen Family, distantly related to royalty from three generations prior, would not dare to incur her displeasure.

Shen Si found himself speechless, choked by the indignity of the situation.

The humiliation was too great; Shen Si, having lost all face, could not bear to remain any longer. He wrenched the door open and departed with haste.

"Elder Shen Si, Elder Shen Si!" Those who had followed Shen Si’s lead rushed out after him. However, halfway across the courtyard, they halted. The deal seemed doomed to fail, and Shen Si had just suffered a severe reprimand from Young Master Dou. To pursue him now risked drawing his ire.

No one wished to face a pointless tirade, so they abandoned the pursuit.

Shen Si’s retainers, who had been idly waiting outside the courtyard, sipping tea and nibbling on snacks, greeted him with eager anticipation. "Elder, was the deal successful?"

With two swift slaps, Shen Si struck one servant, then kicked another, venting his spleen. "Silence! Let's leave!" he bellowed.

The two servants, victims of his unprovoked rage, dared not utter another word and scurried to keep up with Shen Si.

Young Master Dou watched Shen Si depart in disgrace after his scolding, a proud smirk on his face. "Heh, a son of a prostitute dares to put on airs with me? I’ll curse him to his grave!"

Master Ouyang overheard and interjected, "Enough! Though his mother’s origins were humble, he is still a descendant of the Marquis Mansion. We must show due respect to Marquis Rong’en."

Those who had just returned from chasing after Shen Si were taken aback by his words.

Us? Was Master Ouyang attempting to shield Young Master Dou by taking responsibility for his insults directed at Elder Shen Si?

Young Master Dou, feeling emboldened, surveyed the room and addressed Master Ouyang with deference. "Since you have spoken, we shall cease our scolding of Shen Si. Let us turn to other matters."

He shifted his gaze to the group that had just entered, flashing them a grin. "All of you here hail from benevolent families, and you mentioned earlier your desire to aid the farmers in overcoming their tax burdens. Since you are so insistent, our Dou Ou Bank will not obstruct your charitable donations of Silver. Now that everyone is assembled, please present the funds you wish to contribute."

What!

They were expected to donate Silver?

Nearly everyone present felt their sanity fray; they had arrived with the intention of profiting, not of giving away their wealth.

Moreover, their talk of helping the farmers was mere lip service. Who among them, in their right minds, would actually assist those impoverished souls? If they possessed wealth, they would rather acquire more land or indulge in the pleasures of a brothel. Donating Silver? Were these people mad?

Yet, today, they were compelled to part with their Silver. The dream of leaving unscathed was now impossible.

Master Ouyang had already taken his seat. He accepted the brush and paper offered by Gu Jin’an and addressed the assembly, "I commend your noble intentions. I shall personally undertake the task of recording your generous contributions."

He continued, "Rest assured, this list of donations will be conveyed to my brother, along with a letter addressed to the Ouyang Family. My brother will then present the letter and the list to the Emperor, informing His Majesty of your virtuous deeds."

Bastards!

Inwardly, they cursed Ouyang Hu for his duplicity, using the Emperor’s name to extort their fortunes.

Ouyang Hu, are you not a renowned Great Scholar? Should Great Scholars not be above worldly concerns, viewing wealth as mere dust? How is it that you stoop to such measures for money?

All eyes turned to Young Master Dou, fixing him with glares that promised his imminent demise. This scoundrel, Master Ouyang must have been corrupted by his influence over time, picking up his nefarious habits!

Young Master Dou chuckled, his gaze sweeping over them. "Do not look to me. Young Master Dou, bring forth your Silver promptly. Do not claim you failed to bring silver notes; if you intended to invest in our bank, surely you would not have arrived without funds!"

Not only had they brought silver notes, but they were of substantial denominations, leaving no room for stingy donations.

Upon hearing this, the crowd seethed with fury, their desire to tear him asunder palpable.

Boss An, disregarding the enraged assembly, was the first to step forward. He produced a wad of silver notes and presented them respectfully to Master Ouyang. "An Hong, of the An Family from He'an Prefecture, donates thirty thousand taels of Silver."

Master Qi stared in disbelief, his jaw practically unhinged. "Old San, have you lost your mind? Donating such a vast sum of Silver, what am I to do later?"

Seeing Boss An step up, Master Qi reluctantly followed, his heart aching. He had initially planned to offer a mere three thousand taels as a token gesture. But with Boss An pledging thirty thousand taels, wasn't this practically sealing his own financial doom?!

Due to some pressing matter, Master Ouyang acknowledged Boss An with a mere glance. He noted Boss An's name and donation amount, and after receiving the silver notes, he bestowed several name cards upon him. "Mr. An is truly noble-hearted. Please keep these cards. Should you face any difficulties, you may use them to seek assistance at any of the Ouyang Family's establishments or local government offices. If you find yourself in the Capital, these cards grant you direct access to the Ouyang Family residence."

Boss An listened, his heart filled with delight at this unexpected boon. He respectfully accepted the name cards and expressed his gratitude, "Thank you kindly, Master Ouyang, for this generous gift."

The onlookers were utterly astonished. Had Master Ouyang begun to show favor to Boss An, offering the An Family his protection?

A wave of regret washed over them. They realized the Ouyang Family's influence far surpassed that of the Shen Family, whose royal connections traced back only three generations. "We were truly out of our minds earlier," they mused. "Why did we only consider opposing Master Ouyang to aid Shen Si, instead of attempting to curry favor with Master Ouyang?"

Master Qi was overcome with excitement. As soon as Boss An moved aside, he eagerly stepped forward, silver notes in hand, a wide smile plastered on his face. "Does Master Ouyang recall me? I am Qi Chengfang of the Qi Family from Prefecture City. I am a scholar from the Jingtai Period, and my elder brother, Qi Zhengfang, holds an official post in the Capital. Currently..."

Master Ouyang sighed, exasperated. "Are you planning to recite the entire genealogy of the Qi Family and detail everyone's occupations to me?"

He cut Master Qi short, saying, "Master Qi, I do remember you. Now, how much silver are you donating? Hand over the silver notes; others are waiting."

"Stop talking and wasting everyone's time!"

Master Qi felt a pang of injustice but dared not argue. He quickly presented his silver notes, saying, "Here you are, Master." He then hurried to add, feeling his donation was less substantial than Boss An's, "Upon learning of the farmers' plight, my mother was deeply concerned. She has already dispatched a significant sum of silver to the families and villagers across several villages near our hometown. A considerable amount has already been disbursed from our accounts, hence..."

"You understand," he implied.

Bah!

Could Old Madam Qi possibly possess such a kind heart? If you don't wish to donate more, just say so! the unspoken thoughts seemed to say.

Master Ouyang, unbothered by the lesser sum, accepted the donation. He then presented Master Qi with a few name cards, remarking, "Master Qi, please keep these safe and remember not to misuse them."

"Absolutely, I assure you, I will not misuse them," Master Qi replied, practically delirious with joy. He then eagerly inquired, "Might I be permitted to send these name cards to my elder brother, allowing him to visit Elder Ouyang?"

It was clear that Master Qi was not only a capricious individual but also exceedingly adept at climbing the social ladder.