Chapter Sixty-Seven: Grateful for Your Rescue, Young Master

They looked as though they were dogs tethered by their bodies. Such inhumane acts were not uncommon in the turbulent times of the present, yet that did not mean people must accept these chaotic scenes of collapsed propriety. As Jiang Chen had previously judged, these two young women seemed to have been bound by their creditor as collateral for debts they owed.

“Hmph, let them go? Where am I supposed to find the silver their father owes me? That bastard disappeared without a trace, leaving behind you two who do nothing but eat, and I’m supposed to just accept my loss?” The man with the dark face was seething with anger as he spoke. He spat fiercely on the ground, then yanked the rope in his hand, forcing the two women onward.

“I advise you two to give up any thoughts of escape. Go home with me, bear seven or eight children, and take care of me in my old age—that’s the only use you have!” The man treated the two beautiful young women with extreme brutality, and it was clear their future would be a living hell.

Jiang Chen sighed inwardly. He didn’t want to meddle, but he knew that if Wu Yue were here, she would certainly urge him to help these pitiful girls. With that thought, Jiang Chen, who had intended to leave, slowly turned back.

The two women were grief-stricken, the scene was heartrending, but it did not move the creditor who saw them as less than human. “What’s the point of crying? Do you think someone will come to your aid? Dream on!” Before his words had even faded, Jiang Chen’s figure approached soundlessly, startling the vile man.

“Wh-Who are you?”

“Don’t panic, I’m just passing by.”

The man glared at Jiang Chen, naturally assuming he was a destitute scholar who happened to be there. His demeanor immediately turned arrogant. “I thought I’d seen a ghost. You useless pauper, what do you want?”

Jiang Chen politely asked, “May I inquire what has happened to these two young ladies? Why are they being treated so?”

The man replied irritably, “They owe me a huge sum of money. I can treat them however I please. It’s only right that debts are paid. If they can’t pay, I’ll take them as compensation.”

“Are you planning to meddle in my affairs, pauper scholar?”

Jiang Chen smiled. “I wouldn’t dare. How much do they owe? If possible, I would like to pay their debt.”

Upon hearing Jiang Chen’s purpose, the man burst into raucous laughter. He pointed at Jiang Chen’s nose and mocked him without restraint. “You want to play the hero? Look at yourself—who do you think you are?”

The man despised scholars who spoke of morality and meddled in others’ business. To him, Jiang Chen’s manner fit the stereotype perfectly. More importantly, he did not believe Jiang Chen could produce the money, so he felt free to ridicule him.

Seeing Jiang Chen’s goodwill, the two young women gazed at him with tearful hope. If they could be bought by this refined gentleman, it would be far better than suffering under the hands of this brute. Yet, they worried if Jiang Chen could afford the steep price.

“My friend, just name your price. You needn’t worry about my purse,” Jiang Chen said calmly, exuding a confident superiority. Since the words were spoken, the man opened five fingers toward him.

“Fifty taels of silver!”

“Oh?”

“That’s the price for one. For both, it’s one hundred and fifty taels.”

Jiang Chen frowned, unsure how the man calculated his figures—it sounded incomprehensible. The two girls immediately protested, saying the man was clearly trying to cheat Jiang Chen. Their family’s debt was only one hundred taels; the extra fifty was fabricated.

“Sir, it’s really just one hundred taels. Don’t let him deceive you!”

“Yes, he’s raising the price on purpose—it’s outrageous.”

Jiang Chen nodded. He thought these girls were honest; others might simply let him pay whatever it took to regain their freedom, but they worried Jiang Chen might be cheated, knowing that could ruin the deal and their chance at rescue.

If that happened, they would lose any hope of salvation.

“You two little things—do you want a beating?”

The man, with an air of self-righteousness, explained to Jiang Chen, “Their father owed me one hundred taels, it’s true. But it’s been half a year; the interest alone is dozens of taels. Plus, I’ve provided for them these days, and the travel expenses were not insignificant. Another fifty taels isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

“So, do you have the money or not? If you don’t, then get lost and stop being an eyesore!”

Jiang Chen remained unruffled. As the man was about to lose patience, Jiang Chen produced one hundred and fifty taels from his person and handed them over.

“One hundred and fifty taels. The deal is done.”

The man stared in disbelief at the silver in his hands. He hadn’t expected this supposed pauper scholar to produce the sum so readily.

“Well, I never—who would have thought you actually have money!”

“Fine, these two girls are yours. As you said, the transaction is complete. No regrets.”

Jiang Chen nodded solemnly.

The two young women’s joy was unmistakable. They embraced each other in excitement, as if the dark cloud that hovered above them had finally been dispelled.

“Thank you, kind sir, for rescuing us. We have nothing to offer in return but our gratitude!” They were full of thanks for Jiang Chen, while the dark-faced man, having gotten what he wanted, cast several malicious glances at Jiang Chen before turning to leave.

Jiang Chen noticed this detail keenly; the man’s look seemed to carry deeper meaning.

“All right, ladies, please rise. The rain is about to pour again—we must find shelter quickly.”

Jiang Chen’s manner was gentle and courteous, utterly unlike the brute of before. The two girls felt reassured; they truly believed their luck had changed for the better.

Seeing Jiang Chen’s handsome demeanor and his generous display of silver, they were naturally willing to follow this young gentleman. It felt as though heaven had shown them special mercy—were it not for Jiang Chen, they dared not imagine how tragic their future might have been...