Chapter 341: Chapter 340: Exorcism Banner

Of course, Qin Yao wasn’t there to cause trouble, she was there to ask for information.

Wang Mawu has great influence, he must be well-informed.

Seeing Wang Mawu and his people looking wary, Qin Yao didn’t enter, she just stood outside and asked, “Why are there white flags on the hundred mu of land belonging to Scholar Ding of the Ding Family Manor?”

“Is it some kind of custom?” Qin Yao asked, puzzled.

Wang Mawu was taken aback, what was this about, but he also realized Qin Yao wasn’t there to cause trouble, so he turned to look at his minions behind him, asking them if they knew what Qin Yao was talking about.

One of the thugs answered quietly, “Those are Exorcism Banners.”

Wang Mawu immediately repeated to Qin Yao, “They are Exorcism Banners.”

Seeing Qin Yao’s curiosity about this, Wang Mawu asked in surprise, “Miss Qin, didn’t you know there was a murder case in Scholar Ding’s land a month and a half ago?”

Qin Yao shook her head, she didn’t know, “What happened?”

Wang Mawu gestured for his men to open the door and invited Qin Yao inside to talk.

Qin Yao tied her horse to the large tree outside, asking Wang Mawu’s people to watch over it for her since there were valuable items on the horse’s back.

The thugs quickly agreed, not daring to even glance at what was on her horse’s back, afraid she might catch them trying something.

Qin Yao assumed they wouldn’t mess with her things; she didn’t bring the small box of money inside, only carrying large silver notes on her person.

Entering the front hall, Wang Mawu, while signaling a maid to serve tea to Qin Yao, tentatively asked, “Miss Qin, are you interested in Scholar Ding’s land?”

She had come so suddenly, asking about the unrelated Scholar Ding, someone like Wang Mawu, sharp as he was, could easily guess without needing much thought.

Qin Yao nodded, “I knew that land was for sale earlier, but at the time I was short of funds and couldn’t buy it, which was a pity. I figured such good land would sell quickly, so I didn’t pay attention afterward. But passing by Ding Family Manor today, seeing those Exorcism Banners, and noticing the fields lying fallow and unattended, I thought you, Wang Mawu, being well-connected, could fill me in.”

Upon hearing her words, Wang Mawu immediately shushed her, very superstitiously whispering, “To be honest, I had my eye on that land too, but Scholar Ding demands too high a price, asking for 800 taels upfront.”

At this, Wang Mawu gave Qin Yao a knowing look, “Scholar Ding is very stubborn. Seeing he wouldn’t budge on the price, I used a few tactics to try to drag it out, but unexpectedly, a murder occurred, with a killer throwing a body in his land. Tsk tsk, now that’s bad luck! Who’d want it now!”

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow. Wang Mawu looked disgusted, but for people like them, with unclean hands themselves, land with a murder case on it is nothing.

Ultimately, Scholar Ding’s asking price hasn’t met his desired price yet.

Seeing Qin Yao sipping tea in silence, Wang Mawu, afraid she might overthink, quickly waved his hands and said, “It’s not like I set it up; that murder case was an accident.”

“Of course, I know Miss Qin isn’t afraid of evil spirits and such. If you want it, I’ll make a sacrifice and let you have it!” Wang Mawu laughed heartily, saying generously.

It’s only a hundred mu of land; he genuinely didn’t care much. Better to sell it for Qin Yao’s favor, let her owe him one.

Qin Yao put down the teacup, raising her eyes to deeply look at him, “Are there others interested in this land?”

Wang Mawu sighed and said, “Anything I, Wang Mawu, have my eyes on, who dares compete? I said that land is mine, and no one dares to touch it!”

Qin Yao thought she really found the right person today. If she’d gone directly to the Ding Clan to inquire, it would probably have been a wasted trip.

Qin Yao asked, “What do you want?”

Wang Mawu was startled, his eyes twinkling, then he chuckled, “Miss Qin, you’re too polite. With our relationship, how could I ask for your benefit? I just thought that in the future, if you encounter my unwise subordinates, maybe don’t hold it against them.”

In other words, she shouldn’t meddle in their affairs in the future, and if encountered, give them a hand, shelter them a bit.

If this were a post-apocalyptic world, Qin Yao would have agreed without hesitation because it would have been a place where law and morality had long crumbled, everyone was a criminal, and everyone was only out for themselves.

But it was different now; merely the price difference of a hundred mu of land to make her an accomplice to evil, what a joke!

Moreover, the land belonged to Scholar Ding; what right did Wang Mawu have to presume control?

Qin Yao forced a smile, “Thank you for your time today, goodbye.”

She got up and walked briskly to the door, arriving in front of the horse, from the net bag she selected a box of the cheapest pastries, handing it to the thug watching her horse, “Thank you to your boss for solving my confusion.”

Once the pastries were handed over, she mounted her horse and rode away.

Wang Mawu struggled to chase after to see his guest off, but the person and horse had long vanished from sight.

The thug presented the pastries, Wang Mawu glared in anger, “What, are we beggars now!”

He waved his hand, knocking them away, pastries instantly scattered everywhere. Still not satisfied, he went up and stomped hard several times.

Little did he know, Qin Yao had long expected he would react this way, which is why she resolutely chose the cheapest among the premium and the cheap pastries.

Anyway, whether it was a good gift or a bad one, Wang Mawu would resent her, so naturally, she chose the lowest cost option.

However, since Scholar Ding’s hundred mu of land had not yet been sold, it meant she still had a chance. Qin Yao planned to go to Ding Family Manor tomorrow to discuss it directly with Scholar Ding’s family.

Passing by Lower River Village, Qin Yao stopped by the blacksmith to pick up the custom wheel parts she had ordered earlier, then quietly returned to the village, without going home first, instead pausing at the stationery factory.

Seeing Qin Yao, the entire factory quickly realized that the final payment must have been returned. Qin Yao mentioned calling a brief meeting, and the stewards quickly gathered in the meeting room, sitting in rows in front of Qin Yao’s desk, looking at her expectantly.

Not disappointing them, Qin Yao asked accountant Qian to announce this time’s reward amount to everyone, it was shared by all, two taels per steward, and the workers would get an extra month’s pay this month.

News spread, and the whole factory erupted into cheers.

Qin Yao individually left Liu the carpenter behind, smiling as she handed him his share of the money.

A silver note of 500 taels, Liu the carpenter took it, the paper felt weightless, but the satisfaction in his heart was heavy.

His breathing grew heavy, his face suddenly turned red with excitement and he held his breath. If Qin Yao hadn’t patted him, Liu the carpenter would have almost fainted.

“It’s not that serious, there will be more in the future.” Qin Yao said amusingly.

She also reminded him not to get too excited, if he really fainted, and died, without spending the money, that would be the greatest sorrow in life.

Liu the carpenter glared at Qin Yao speechlessly but couldn’t help but laugh when he looked at the silver note in his hand, “This is the first time in my life I’ve seen what a silver note looks like. It’s amazing, just look at how thin it is, how can it be exchanged for silver?”

Qin Yao explained the process of redeeming the note once more, twice to make sure Liu the carpenter remembered, then handed him the blacksmith’s crafted parts, finally asking, “How are those things I asked you to make coming along?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep