After Zhang Tieyuan went home, Zhang Cuiyun followed behind him blindly. She had some doubts—she did not think that her father should sell off the house and land. It would be wonderful to have one hundred taels, but her father loved to gamble. If he gambled away the one hundred taels...they might not even have a home after that.

However, she also did not want to be sold to Master Liu.

Zhang Tieyuan summoned his son and daughter-in-law and relayed to them what had just happened. Eyes red, he asked, "One hundred taels, huh. What do the two of you think?"

The daughter-in-law was quick-witted and made some tea for her father-in-law to sober him up.

"Father, the farm is very important. We cannot simply sell it off," said the son seriously after he had thought about it for a bit.

"That's right, father. We cannot sell the farm, and we also cannot sell off the land," Zhang Cuiyun added softly.

Zhang Tieyuan pondered it for a moment before saying, "But we could spend the rest of our days comfortably in Qingzhou Town with the one hundred taels."

"But…" The son was beginning to panic, his father could not possibly be seriously considering selling off the land and farm.

He did not finish after saying 'but'.

In the end, he held back his thoughts in his heart.

Zhang Tieyuan also said nothing, as if thinking.

This was a one hundred tael sale after all.

The daughter-in-law interjected carefully, "Father, I heard people say that the person at Ma Sanye's home is Qi Qingyao. She's the young woman that the old Qi family did not want."

"Yes. What about it?" Zhang Tieyuan asked.

The son also voiced his concerns, not really understanding. "Qi Qingyao used to be a fool, even if she is no longer stupid now. I can just barely wrap my head around her having twenty taels to pay everyone back. But one hundred taels... Father, where did she get one hundred taels?"

His daughter-in-law added weakly, "The matron of the old Qi family said that Qi Qingyao must have become somebody's concubine, that's why she had the money to pay everyone back."

"A concubine?" Zhang Tieyuan murmured the words.

"How else did you think she struck gold?" asked his son.

"That makes sense." Zhang Tieyuan took a sip of the tea and his mind became clearer now.

His daughter-in-law said, "But how is it possible for any large family to give a concubine who has just entered their doors for a mere few days so much money. It's entirely unfeasible."

"Go, go on and ask her, then." Zhang Tieyuan wanted to clarify this situation.

...

After Zhang Tieyuan and Zhang Cuiyun left, Ma Sanye and the others were still in a bit of a daze. They were still wondering how much money the young lady had on her to be able to simply fork out one hundred taels.

For her to be this wealthy...could she really have become some rich man's concubine just as Madam Wu had said?

Everyone could not hold back the added prejudice in the way they looked at Qi Qingyao.

Qi Qingyao noticed everyone's gazes but paid them no heed.

She could also sense Jiang Yeqian's observing gaze but once again, was not bothered by it. This was because she was now a person who owned enough money. Once she bought over the farm and land, she would have to make it clear with the man before she set him free. This was because the person she was now, was not short of that one thousand taels. This person, Jiang Bai, was too mysterious and has had amnesia for the time being. He could only be safe in the village. Once in the city, he would have to put on a mask. If he showed his true face, he would easily attract assassins. She did not want to have to constantly worry about him and so there was no need for her to leave the ticking time bomb by her side.

Qi Qingyao was drinking tea with the village head when she glanced out at the sky. She was deliberating about whether or not to leave when Zhang Tieyuan came back.

Qi Qingyao asked, "Have you decided?"

"I would love to go ahead with this transaction, but I must understand this one thing first, Ms. Qi." Zhang Tieyuan gritted through his teeth and his expression turned resolute

"Speak," nudged Qi Qingyao.

"Where did your money come from?" Zhang Tieyuan asked.

"..." Money! His question had really hit the nail on the head.