Chapter 60: When Things Escalate, It’s Hard to Settle—You’re the One Who Suffers

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Fang Ning marveled at Liu Shiye’s audacity. The Fang family harvested bayberries, processed bayberries, and yet Liu Shiye just moved his lips and claimed eighty percent of the profits? This was an almost effortless, high-return business! Fang Ning smiled warmly and said, “Liu Shiye, how about this: I’ll handle this business trip myself, and we switch the shares—you get twenty percent, I get eighty?”

“How dare you! Do you take me for a fool?” Liu Shiye roared in anger.

Fang Ning spread her hands. “But didn’t you suggest it first? Oh, so you think I’m the fool.”

Liu Shiye’s face darkened. “Fang Ning, get Fang Cinian out here to speak. You have no right to talk to me!”

“Sorry, the eldest branch of the Fang family answers only to me. Even if my grandparents were here, it would still be my decision. Before you accuse others of treating you like a fool, please don’t treat others as fools yourself. If you want to make this money, go negotiate with the young master of Quanwei Tower.”

“Ungrateful wretch!”

“Master, the Fang family has a written agreement with Quanwei Tower, clearly stating that apart from Quanwei Tower, we cannot disclose the recipe to anyone else. Are you trying to force Quanwei Tower to sue us, or to sue you?”

The smile in Fang Ning’s eyes vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness that cut to the bone. Even Liu Shiye felt a tremor of fear.

“Liu Shiye, we’re just simple farmers. Please don’t make things difficult for us. The recipe was indeed sold to Quanwei Tower. If you don’t believe me, you can inquire there. Surely Quanwei Tower wouldn’t dare to deceive you, right?”

Fang Ning’s coldness faded as if it had been a mere illusion moments before.

“I won’t buy it. If the Fang family produces them, I’ll have someone sell them. That won’t violate your agreement with Quanwei Tower.”

“Master, who’s been whispering nonsense in your ear? The recipe was sold to Quanwei Tower. We can’t even produce it anymore; we only supply fresh bayberries to Quanwei Tower. This is common knowledge throughout Futian Village.”

“Fang Ning, don’t refuse a drink and then demand a penalty drink. Today, I must have this recipe. Whether you sell it or not, you will hand it over. Twenty taels of silver—take it or leave it. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Fang Ning raised an eyebrow.

It seemed she hadn’t heard such a threat in a long time.

She had shown Liu Shiye some respect, yet he had taken advantage of it. He shouldn’t blame her for being unkind in return.

“Master, are you really going to force someone beyond their limits?” Fang Ning spoke calmly, her expression turning frosty.

Liu Shiye’s heart skipped a beat.

What was Fang Ning about to do?

After all, he was just a ten-year-old boy. Could he, a prestigious master, really fear him?

“I’m trying to reason with you nicely, but you refuse to be grateful. Who else can I blame?” Liu Shiye said coldly.

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Clap, clap, clap.

Si Yuheng emerged from the house, clapping his hands.

“Interesting. A little master without an official rank, already learning to bully others. I wonder what Lord Peng would think of this?”

His tone was even, without the slightest ripple.

Yet the innate aura he carried made Liu Shiye’s heart tremble, and he instinctively took two steps back.

“Yo-young master?”

“What? Didn’t Village Chief Xu tell you that the young master of Quanwei Tower is convalescing at the Fang residence?”

Liu Shiye’s face paled.

He truly had no idea!

Recalling this, Liu Shiye glared darkly at Village Chief Xu.

“The recipe for Fang family’s rock sugar bayberries has already been sold to Quanwei Tower. You want it? Fine, we can negotiate the price.”

“Young master, I really didn’t know you were in Futian Village. I thought the recipe sale to Quanwei Tower was just an excuse. Please don’t take offense. Since the recipe belongs to Quanwei Tower, I naturally can’t compete with them.”

Liu Shiye’s previous arrogance vanished; he bowed low, almost humbly.

Fang Ning glanced subtly at Si Yuheng.

So this was the presence that could intimidate Liu Shiye?

Why had he been watching the spectacle all this time?

“I heard clearly just now. How is your behavior any different from outright robbery?”

“A misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!”

Liu Shiye began to sweat coldly.

“Ha! If I hadn’t shown up, wouldn’t you have used your master’s status to attack a mere ten-year-old child? Liu Shiye, wanting to make money is understandable, but you must think carefully about what money you can make and what money you cannot.”

“Yes, yes, young master’s reprimand is just. I admit my mistake. Please, young master, show mercy and spare me.”

“What did that Xu say to you?”

Si Yuheng’s expression was calm, and his tone was not especially harsh.

Yet Liu Shiye kept wiping sweat and dared not straighten his back.

“He said the Fang family has many ways to make money now, especially that bayberry business, which the Fang family invented. I saw the rock sugar bayberry trade thriving in the county town and got greedy, wanting to earn a bit too. Young master, before this, I didn’t know the recipe had already been sold to you.”

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“That man never speaks the truth. The reason he told you this was to use your influence to suppress Futian Village. Did he also say that Futian Village has harmed many of their people? Liu Shiye, until they produce evidence, I advise you not to believe it. If this escalates, it won’t end well—and you, Liu Shiye, will be the one to suffer.”

“Yes, yes.”

Liu Shiye did not dare to argue.

“If it’s a misunderstanding, then Liu Shiye, you may leave. Next time, don’t be so easily deceived and used. Is it worth sacrificing your own future over a scholar who won’t even pass the imperial exam?”

“Not worth it, not worth it.”

Village Chief Xu was trembling uncontrollably.

Si Yuheng shot a glance at Xu. “Those with crooked hearts will face retribution sooner or later.”

Xu’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, cold sweat streaming down.

“Young master, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.” Liu Shiye bowed deeply, his head nearly touching the ground.

“Enough. The misunderstanding is cleared, so there’s nothing more to discuss. You may leave.”

“All right, all right. Thank you, young master.”

Liu Shiye bowed and exited the Fang family courtyard, dripping as if he had just emerged from water.

Clutching his chest, his heart still pounding with fear.

If he truly offended that young master... he dared not think further.

When Village Chief Xu also came out, Liu Shiye kicked him hard. “You bastard! How dare you scheme against me? Just wait!”

With that, Liu Shiye stormed away in fury.

Xu watched Liu Shiye’s retreating figure, terrified and completely lost.

How had he enraged Liu Shiye?

The thought of his son’s future sent chills through Xu’s whole body.

Meanwhile, inside the courtyard, Fang Ning was appraising Si Yuheng from head to toe.

“Young master, what identity do you have that I don’t know about? A county magistrate’s master so servile before you? Tell me quickly, or else I might offend you without realizing it, and you’ll play me to death.”

Si Yuheng sneered. “You’re brazen. Who are you afraid of?”

Fang Ning crossed her arms. “I’m so obviously scared of you, and you can’t even sense it?”

“Have you already memorized and thoroughly understood yesterday’s article? If not, go study it properly. Passing the imperial exam isn’t about how clever you are!” Si Yuheng took on a stern teacher’s tone, then lowered his gaze. “As for my identity, you’re very curious, aren’t you?”