3338 Loan Sharking

"Old Madam, please believe me just this once. I can definitely get the money back in two days. Manager Li promised me that he'll return all ten million spirit coins, principal and interest, not a single penny less."

"You still believe that Manager Li?" The Old Madam was almost brought to tears by Mrs. Hua's foolishness.

With a trembling finger, she pointed at her and scolded, "You, you actually lent ten million spirit coins to that person?"

"You're having him loan out money at exorbitant interest, aren't you?" The moment the Old Madam spoke, almost everyone in the hall's expression changed.

"Don't lie to this old woman. Even though this old woman isn't involved in affairs, she has heard of loan sharking."

"Don't you know the court issued a clear decree before the New Year? Private loan sharking is prohibited! Those people only dare to do it secretly. They were already worried about lacking funds, and who would've thought you, this fool, would bring a large sum of spirit coins and eagerly offer them up!"

"Grandmother, don't get too angry." The little deadpan saw the Old Madam's face flush, clearly indicating extreme emotional agitation, so she offered her a cup of warm tea.

Qiaomu said calmly, "As long as that person is still in the capital and hasn't fled, we'll find him, give him a beating, and make him spit out the money."

Mrs. Hua shivered. She always felt that when the little girl spoke, her eyes held a chilling coldness, as if she was very accustomed to doing such things.

At this moment, Mu Jingyang's voice could already be heard from outside the door.

Mu Jingyang's temper was already volatile. When he was summoned and learned of such a disgraceful matter, he didn't say a word. The moment he entered, he kicked Mrs. Hua in the back.

"Look at the good work you've done!" Mu Jingyang roared.

Mrs. Hua was kicked, toppled to the ground, and cried miserably, "Master, you can't blame all of this on me. If I hadn't lost so many spirit coins to the Crown Princess playing mahjong a few days ago, this concubine wouldn't have thought of borrowing from Second Sister. We only paid a deposit for the jade Buddha hand purchased at the Jade Stone Pavilion; there's still another one million spirit coins left to pay."

Mu Jingyang's face turned beet red.

The little Crown Princess couldn't help but interject, "You shouldn't speak nonsense. Playing mahjong was your own insistence on dragging this Crown Princess into it. Mrs. of the First Household can also bear witness to this."

Mu Qingya twitched the corner of her mouth, then nodded upon hearing this. "Indeed. Playing mahjong was precisely your own suggestion, Fifth Sister-in-law. The Crown Princess merely said at the time that she 'understood a little.'"

Mrs. Hua was speechless.

Thinking back to how it was indeed her who had suggested inviting the little Crown Princess to play mahjong, her heart swelled with anger, hating herself for being foolish, wondering why she had ever come up with such an idea.

Qiaomu coldly glanced at her, "Fortunately, there were many people present at the time. Otherwise, wouldn't this Crown Princess have been wronged by you?"

Mu Jingyang was fuming, wishing he could kick Mrs. Hua again. He was practically brought to tears by this stupid woman's foolishness.

With so many people present and so many mouths, with this woman's confession, everyone now knew that the Fifth Household couldn't afford the gift for the Old Master and even had to swindle money from the Second Aunt to pay the remaining balance. Wasn't this the biggest joke of the year for the entire Mu family?

Mu Jingyang's face alternated between green and red, and the veins on his temples throbbed.

He felt like he could kill this stupid woman right now.

The Old Madam said coldly, "This matter is for you to handle yourselves."