Lu Lingyun left decisively, not giving Liu Shu Hui a chance to retort. She had explained the reason and shown her sincerity. If Liu Shu Hui remained stubborn, then he could argue with the officials. She had investigated the matter. Zhao Da had been negligent, but it was absolutely not a capital offense. Accidents were accidents, and deliberate acts were deliberate crimes. “Dongsheng, come back here tomorrow and tell him that we are willing to send his fellow villager’s body back to his hometown in Jiangnan and give his family five hundred taels of silver in compensation. Additionally, if his wife, children, and parents cannot live in Jiangnan, we are willing to bring them to the Capital City, arrange housing and jobs for them, and provide some support for the children’s education in the future. Finally…” Lu Lingyun paused for thought, “We are willing to provide Liu Shu Hui with a good room and free meals until the imperial examinations are over.” Lu Lingyun listed her compensation terms and instructed Dongsheng to relay them to Liu Shu Hui. It would be best to settle the matter through negotiation, but if the stubborn mule refused to budge and went all the way to the Jinluan Temple (Imperial Palace) to appeal, then she would see it through. She wouldn’t be intimidated by him. He had his reasoning, and so did she. “Yes, Miss.” Dongsheng nodded, his eyes bright with understanding. The next day, Liu Shu Hui, who had been brooding all night, was awakened by Dongsheng knocking on his door. Dongsheng relayed Lu Lingyun’s proposal to him. Upon hearing Dongsheng’s words, Liu Shu Hui became enraged, berating Lu Lingyun for her heartlessness and shamelessness and demanding to see her face-to-face to discuss the matter. Dongsheng ignored him, simply dismissing him with a few words, and then told him to think it over. On the third day, Liu Shu Hui withdrew his lawsuit, agreeing to the proposal. However, he refused the final compensation offered by Lu Lingyun, declining the room and meals. He simply instructed Dongsheng to transport his friend’s remains back to Jiangnan as soon as possible, insisting that the promised silver be paid in full. If Lu Lingyun played any tricks, he would fight her to the bitter end. Hearing this reply, Lu Lingyun let out a soft, amused laugh. Although Liu Shu Hui was stubborn, he was also a man of principle. He may have verbally berated her for being heartless, but he ultimately acknowledged her argument. Shopkeeper Zhao Da’s crime did not warrant the death penalty. Furthermore, Lu Lingyun’s sincerity was evident, and being able to secure these compensations for his fellow villager was a fitting tribute to his memory. Liu Shu Hui withdrew his lawsuit grumbling and ranting, still demanding to see Lu Lingyun again. But Dongsheng refused him, leaving as soon as the matter was resolved. That day, the officials released Zhao Da. That afternoon, Zhao Da, his uncle, and the rest of his family came to the Houfu to express their gratitude. “Thank you, Young Madam!” “Young Madam, you are the benefactor of our entire family!” Lu Lingyun looked at the throng of people kneeling before her. “Everyone, please rise. What is this, kneeling like this?” She then instructed Shuang Hong to bring a chair for the former old master’s chief steward, allowing the old man to rest his aging bones. Zhao Da and his family were overwhelmed with gratitude. “Young Madam,” Zhao Da looked at his uncle and spoke slowly, “We have decided to entrust the inn to the Houfu’s management. From now on, our entire family will serve the Houfu.” Lu Lingyun had gone to such great lengths to help them; they had to reciprocate. Moreover, this incident had made them realize how difficult it was for ordinary people like them to survive in this world. When they really needed it, they had to have the backing of power. When Zhao Da’s uncle was the steward in the Houfu, no one dared to provoke them. However, once they left the protection of the Houfu and tried to make a living on their own, they had faced countless hardships. Ordinary thugs would regularly come to their inn to extort money, and they had to endure it. They encountered a major accident like this, and they could have lost everything. In this era, people had to stick together and follow powerful individuals to survive. Zhao Da and his family decided to donate the inn to Lu Lingyun, hoping to gain the protection of the Houfu.
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