“The contract has been brought?”
Lord Feng felt a bitter taste in his mouth and carefully took the contract.
Zhao Jianzhi quickly leaned over to examine it with him.
Looking at the contents of the contract, Lord Feng could only silently mourn for the Song family in his heart.
Zhao Jianzhi’s last glimmer of hope was completely dashed.
Young Master Shen had even brought up Princess Qinghe!
Clearly, there was no room for negotiation on this matter.
Was Young Master Shen showing them the contract?
No, he was reminding, or rather, warning them!
If they didn't handle this matter well, he would invite Princess Qinghe!
If it really reached Princess Qinghe, not only would the Song family be in trouble, but he might also be in trouble!
After a long while, Lord Feng returned the contract to Young Master Shen, casting a sympathetic glance at the Song family members, then turned to Zhao Jianzhi, “What do you think?”
What do I think?
What the hell is there to think about?!
Zhao Jianzhi felt a surge of bitterness, glared fiercely at Song Rui, then bowed to Lord Feng: “It all depends on your decision, Lord!”
Now, both the evidence and everything else favored Young Master Shen!
He had no chance to fight for the Song family!
Lord Feng took a deep breath and slowly looked at the Song family members: “You should still find a way to gather these five hundred thousand taels of silver! Otherwise, if you anger the Princess, it might not be something that five hundred thousand taels of silver can resolve…”
There was no room for negotiation!
Five hundred thousand taels of silver!
This was Young Master Shen’s bottom line!
Or rather, it was Princess Qinghe’s bottom line!
Even if he held court, the result would be the same!
He couldn't possibly offend Princess Qinghe, who was favored by the Emperor, for the sake of the Song family, could he?
As Lord Feng’s words fell, the strength in their bodies was almost completely drained, leaving only a deathly pallor on their faces.
Lord Feng’s words were already very clear!
Five hundred thousand taels of silver, with no room for negotiation.
This was five hundred thousand taels of silver!
If the Song family sold all their assets, including the annual tribute cloth already in storage, they might barely be able to gather enough.
But in that case, how would they deliver the annual tribute cloth?
If they couldn't deliver enough annual tribute cloth on time, they would at least be imprisoned or exiled; in more severe cases, they could lose their heads!
But if they didn't pay out five hundred thousand taels of silver in compensation, Princess Qinghe wouldn't let them off!
Princess Qinghe could easily find a reason to give Zhao Ying a beating with the rod.
Now that this matter involved Princess Qinghe’s interests, if they angered Princess Qinghe, she could easily use some means, and they would probably also end up losing their heads!
Ahead was a mountain of knives, behind was a sea of fire!
No matter what they chose, it was a dead end!
“This, this…”
Song Jinshan’s heart was filled with despair, his body trembling uncontrollably. After a moment of hesitation, he knelt before Young Master Shen with a thud, wailing: “Young Master Shen, Miss Su, please have mercy and spare us! We really can’t come up with that much silver!”
As he spoke, Song Jinshan hurriedly called out to his children, “Quick, kneel before Young Master Shen and Miss Su!”
Hearing his words, Song Lianxin and Song Rui’s hearts ached fiercely.
After a moment of hesitation, Song Rui still knelt with a thud, burying his head deeply, pleading with a face full of grief and indignation: “My dear brother Shen, please spare us! Your great kindness, we… will never forget!”
He had always looked down on Young Master Shen, so he naturally didn’t want to kneel before Young Master Shen and beg for mercy.
But at this moment, they had no other choice but to kneel and beg.
Song Lianxin didn’t move, only staring at Young Master Shen with intense hatred.
She knew that Young Master Shen hated her to the bone.
Even if she knelt and begged, Young Master Shen wouldn’t let them off.
Since that was the case, why should she debase herself?
“Father, eldest brother! Get up! We won’t beg him!”
Song Lianxin clenched her fists tightly, gritting her teeth and saying: “He, Young Master Shen, painstakingly set a trap for us; he just wants to destroy our Song family! It’s useless for you to beg him any further. At worst…”
“You shut up!”
Song Jinshan roared, interrupting Song Lianxin, then looked imploringly at Young Master Shen, “How about this, we… we’ll use five more fingers to offset… to offset these five hundred thousand taels of silver!”
What?
Song Lianxin’s face changed dramatically.
Use five fingers to pay off the debt?
He actually voluntarily suggested using five fingers to pay off the debt?
Thinking of her own severed finger, Song Lianxin couldn’t help but roar in grief and indignation: “Father, how could you…”
“I told you to shut up!”
Song Jinshan suddenly turned his head, looking at his daughter with murderous intent.
For a moment, Song Jinshan truly wished he could kill this daughter.
At a time like this, she was still thinking about her pathetic dignity?
If Young Master Shen didn’t spare them, they would soon fall into eternal damnation, without even a chance for revenge!
Which was more important, fingers, or family fortune and life?
Perfect, while Zhao Jianzhi and his son were also here, let them each contribute a finger too!
That way, they would suffer a little less, and Zhao Jianzhi, that dog, would also get a taste of the pain of losing a finger!
“Your father is right.”
Young Master Shen glanced indifferently at Song Lianxin, “This time, using your fingers probably won’t clear the debt! I would like your fingers, but Princess Qinghe needs real silver and gold!”
Song Jinshan’s heart convulsed violently, and he slumped powerlessly, wailing in despair: “We… we don’t have that much silver!”
“Find a way!”
Lord Feng sighed helplessly, then looked at Young Master Shen and Su Yourong, “They will certainly need time to gather the silver. How about giving them half a month to raise these five hundred thousand taels of silver? What do you think?”
“Seven days!”
Young Master Shen spoke directly, “Only seven days! If the silver isn’t seen after seven days, I’ll have no choice but to invite the Princess to discuss it with you!”
With that, Young Master Shen pulled You Rong to her feet and started to leave.
“Wait.”
Su Yourong called out to Young Master Shen, tilting her head and asking: “Should we ask Lord Feng to write us a mediation document or something? Or, should we first imprison Song Rui, the main culprit?”
“It’s fine.”
Young Master Shen said nonchalantly, “At worst, it’s just troubling Princess Qinghe a bit, what’s the big deal?!”
“That’s true.”
Su Yourong nodded, then bowed to Lord Feng and Zhao Jianzhi, “Two Lords, we will take our leave first.”
With that, Su Yourong followed Young Master Shen and left.
Watching their retreating figures, Song Lianxin’s eyes were cold, and she didn’t even feel the pain as her fingernails dug into her flesh when she clenched her fists.
Young Master Shen and Su Yourong were clearly threatening them!
“You lot!”
Lord Feng stood up, looking at the Song and Zhao family members with a headache, then barked: “Guards!”
Soon, two guards quickly walked in.
Lord Feng pointed at Song Rui, “Take this man to the dungeon! No one is allowed to visit him without my official warrant!”
Song Jinshan raised his cloudy eyes: “Lord Feng…”
“Don’t worry, I am merely acting according to regulations, I will not make things difficult for him!”
Lord Feng interrupted Song Jinshan, sighing helplessly: “You yourselves are clear about the situation. I can only mediate to this extent! How you proceed is up to you!”
With that, Lord Feng turned and left.
He couldn't get involved in this matter anymore.
If he got any more involved, he might even end up in trouble himself.
That Young Master Shen is truly ruthless!
He’s trying to force the Song family members to their deaths!