Li Ruantang said coldly, “As for the matter between you and Hu Sanniang, how the money should be arbitrated is a matter for the authorities. If you feel it is unfair, you can file a lawsuit with the county magistrate.”

“If I am harsh with you, how will that be different from you causing trouble today by coming to our door?”

As soon as she said this, Fu Lanxian laughed inwardly. However, she still maintained a timid appearance on the surface, “Lady, you are right. I, Fu, will remember this.”

“In the end, it is Hu Sanniang who owes me money. Today, I was rash and offended you, my lady.” She endured the pain and chewed on her words in a pompous manner, breaking tradition by not persisting further.

After Fu Lanxian left, the villagers who had been standing at their courtyard entrances watching the commotion also dispersed in twos and threes.

“My wife-master!” The young gentleman looked around several times before abruptly pulling open the kitchen door and running towards Li Ruantang.

He was still holding the rolling pin in his hand, his pair of beautiful phoenix eyes full of worry, “Are you alright?”

“Mm, I’m fine.” Li Ruantang couldn’t help but tap his nose and gently wiped away the fine sweat that had emerged, “Sorry for worrying you.”

“Huh?” The young gentleman was stunned for a moment, and he averted his eyes in discomfort. He wasn’t worried at all. He was just… just a little uneasy, that’s all.

He was still waiting to return to the capital with Li Ruantang, so naturally, he had to be concerned about her injuries and worried about her safety, but it was definitely not the kind of worry she thought it was.

Definitely not!

The young gentleman secretly found an excuse for himself. As soon as he turned his head, he saw Hu Youning standing in front of Li Ruantang with red eyes.

“Thank you for today, Lady Li.” Hu Youning lowered his head and bowed to her in an extremely formal manner.

Li Ruantang naturally couldn’t go and support him, so she just cupped her hands and said, “Young Master Hu, there’s no need to be so polite.”

As soon as she finished speaking, there were hurried footsteps outside the courtyard.

“Youning!” Zhou Fulang’s voice was trembling. He stumbled into the courtyard gate, and seeing Hu Youning standing there safe and sound, the worries in his heart immediately fell to the ground.

His legs went weak, and he sat directly on the ground.

“Father.” Hu Youning hurriedly stepped forward to help up the overjoyed Zhou Fulang, smoothing his breath while secretly raising his eyes to look at Li Ruantang, who was talking to Jiu-jiu.

“It was Lady Li who saved me.”

Hu Sanniang was a step slower than Zhou Fulang. Hearing this, she knelt down with a thud in front of Li Ruantang, “Lady, your great kindness and virtue, I, Hu San, will never forget for the rest of my life.”

“Sanniang, please get up quickly.” Li Ruantang helped up the sweaty Hu Sanniang, “There are some things that still need to be told to Sanniang.”

“Lady Li, Young Master Li, please come inside.” Hu Sanniang kept nodding.

The few of them entered the main hall together.

Meng Jun sat next to Li Ruantang. Seeing Hu Sanniang again, he was still angry. But when he saw the red-eyed Hu Youning, the young gentleman’s cold face softened a little.

“Youning, go and boil some hot water.” Zhou Fulang gently patted Hu Youning’s hand and sent him out.

Hu Sanniang was still feeling lingering fear even as she sat down. She frowned and sighed deeply, “Lady Li, if it weren’t for your intervention today, I’m afraid my only son would have been kidnapped by that villain surnamed Fu, and who knows how he would have been tormented.”

“Sanniang, you’re too kind. This is just a small favor,” Li Ruantang said with a calm expression. “But I don’t think Fu Lanxian is truly a timid person. Although I dealt with her today, she has been acting rampantly in the village for many years. How could she easily let this go?”

“Therefore, it’s still unknown whether today’s matter will bring joy or worry to the Hu family. The most urgent task now is to seek help from the authorities.”

“Lady Li, it’s not that we haven’t thought of that.” At the mention of this, Hu Sanniang’s brows furrowed even more. “It’s just that Changshan Valley is prone to landslides, and even if we go to the authorities, they often delay matters.”

“What about the village head?” Li Ruantang was startled.

Zhou Fulang held his wife-master’s palm and spoke on her behalf, “The previous village head was my wife-master’s mother, but she has passed away. Although the village has reported a new village head, who would wade into these muddy waters and provoke the village tyrant before the official document arrives?”

“That Fu Lanxian said you owe her silver.” Li Ruantang pondered for a moment and asked, “Did you sign an IOU?”

Hu Sanniang looked embarrassed and slowly nodded, “At that time, I had a few too many drinks, so…”