"I'll pay for it; I brought the silver notes."
Following the sound, Song Hua walked towards Zhang Manguan, holding up the silver note, and handed it to him.
Just now, he and the Sixth Prince went to the palace to meet the Emperor and begged him to spare Hongyu's life. They encountered Prince Yan there.
The emperor agreed to spare Hongyu's life, but fearing that it would be unfair in the Zhang Jiubing case, he ordered Hongyu to pay compensation or perform labor to settle the debt, which was to be decided by Zhang Manguan.
Song Hua knew that Zhang Manguan was not wealthy and would definitely need money, so he gathered 10,000 guan before rushing to Dali Temple.
To everyone's surprise, Zhang Manguan did not take the silver note. Instead, he pointed his cane at Hongyu again and said sternly, "Jiubing is the only male in my family. My son died early, and I only have Jiubing as my grandson. Your brother has cut off my family's bloodline! I don't want money. I want you to pay off your debts with labor. I have already taken your indenture."
Debt repayment through forced labor? Wouldn't that mean Hongyu would have to become Zhang Manguan's slave? Everyone knows that Zhang Manguan is a bad person, with twenty or thirty concubines and daughters-in-law in his household!
Hongyu realized Zhang Manguan's evil intentions and glared at him angrily.
Song Hua, also looking angry, took his cane, stood it aside, and asked, "What does Lord Zhang mean? Please speak frankly."
Zhang Manguan sat down, patted his thigh and said, “My legs are not good, and Jiubing has always taken care of me. Now that Jiubing is gone, all the maids around me are careless and unsatisfactory. Zhang Hongyu serving me is also a way of fulfilling her filial duty in place of Jiubing.”
Hongyu was furious and pointed at Zhang Manguan, cursing, "Bah! Wishful thinking. You're just a dog with a master. I'd rather die than serve you."
"You...you bastard!" Zhang Manguan trembled with rage. He tried to grab his crutch, but the moment his hand touched it, it slipped and fell to the ground.
He had no choice but to raise his trembling hand, point at Hongyu, and shout angrily, "If you are unwilling to pay your debts with labor, this case will be handed over to the yamen for trial, and I will make you pay with your life."
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