Wen Caishang asked, "And what is that?" Li Xian, eloquent and articulate as he was, found himself at a loss for words, yet he could only muster, "But Li Xian was of humble origin, and only with Madame’s protection did I barely set foot on the path of Martial Arts. Madame’s beauty was unmatched, her power unrivaled, and with time, Li Xian felt immensely inadequate. Perhaps it was pride that led me astray, for I... I foolishly wanted to leave Madame. The day after I left, I regretted it deeply, tormented daily, longing for Madame without cease."

Wen Caishang’s brows bloomed like flowers, she listened with delight, and said, "You, your stubbornness is really uncalled for, speaking such nonsense. You’ve spoken so sincerely, then tell me, what do you usually think of me?"

Li Xian supported her closely, saying, "To speak frankly, I fear offending Madame." Wen Caishang said, "Haven’t you offended me enough already? Speak freely."

Li Xian said, "What I think of daily, first, is Madame’s appearance. Since leaving Madame, I’ve seen no woman who can compare to her. I think of her wildly, always feeling as if Madame is by my side. I think with madness, as if every woman harbors traces of Madame, perhaps a similarity in brows, or with lips slightly alike... As I gaze upon them, my mind is filled with Madame’s visage, yet they pale in comparison to Madame in every way. I often ponder... if I can never see Madame again, the world will be tasteless to me. I feel lost to the point of madness, suffering greatly in my heart."

Wen Caishang covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, "Go on." Xiaotuan followed behind, her skin crawling, thinking, "Such nauseating words, yet he can say them aloud? Madame, so peculiar, can listen to such things? Oh dear... I’m going to die of embarrassment."

Li Xian supported Wen Caishang, viewing the scenery in the courtyard, the fragrance lingering by the nose, beauty nearby, yet like a thorn in the back, indifferent to appreciate, then spoke again, "Ashamedly, the second thing I miss is Madame’s fragrance. A light scent teasing the nose, lingering long after. Only beside Madame can it be perceived... The third yearning is for Madame’s attire..."

He spoke excessively, though with intent to please, it was not entirely devoid of truth. Wen Caishang enjoyed it, listening attentively, feeling several degrees of sincerity, finding pleasure in it. She thought to herself, "This boy’s capability and cunning have grown; his flowery language and charm have indeed improved. Whether learned without a teacher or someone guided him, I do not know."

Li Xian said, "These thoughts are ordinary. My strongest yearning is indeed the journey along the river with Madame, reflecting upon Madame teaching me literature and art."

Wen Caishang’s heart rippled upon hearing, her beautiful eyes flickered with emotion. Li Xian said, "Madame, watch your step on the stairs." He carefully supported her.

Wen Caishang nodded and stepped past the stairs. Entering a garden full of blooming flowers, colors splendid and beautiful. Wen Caishang said tenderly, "It’s truly been hard for you, longing for me in such a way."

She gently caressed Li Xian’s face, her eyes sparkling with waves, but concealed an undercurrent. She said, "Good Mr. Li La, you weren’t bullied outside, were you?"

Li Xian said, "Generally well, but some people are rather unreasonable." Wen Caishang laughed and said, "Is it that Hao Qing Snake? I’ve already taught her a lesson for you. She no longer dares to trouble you."

Li Xian said, "Thank you, Madame." Wen Caishang said, "Between us, there’s no need to express thanks. Fortunately, you’ve returned to me, safe and sound."

Then they reached a stone pavilion. Wen Caishang said, "I’m weary, help me sit down." The two moved closely, skin touching, like ice thawing previous grievances.

Wen Caishang sat beside Li Xian, pouring him hot tea. She said, "Xiaotuan, come here, bring the accounts."

Xiaotuan said, "Alright." She ran into the inner chamber, having listened to the sweet words along the way. She saw that Madame was quite receptive, feeling puzzled. Thinking, "Madame, with such wisdom and character, how does she enjoy listening to these things? So nauseating, how can he speak them aloud? Strange, strange indeed, Madame wasn’t very angry with him, why doesn’t she use her sword against him? Why allow such close contact? Madame’s jade-like skin, never seen her let any man touch."

Full of doubts. She truly did not understand, Wen Caishang’s nature was peculiar; the angrier she was, the less she revealed, speaking softly, gently like spring water. The better her mood, the fiercer she was. Her gentle water-like manner, soft charm, hid knife-like hues, planning her reckoning. Li Xian’s sweet words had their effect, Wen Caishang listened with joy, her anger dissipating, several times speaking with emotions stirring, recalling past fondness, yet she was not easily fooled.

Xiaotuan brought the accounts. Wen Caishang lay sideways, her legs draped over Li Xian’s knees, the skirt’s allure was undeniable, her feet snowy white and delicate, her embroidered shoes exquisitely made, adorned with phoenix patterns, exuding a faint fragrance. She lazily said, "Read it aloud."

Xiaotuan said, "Gold Rain Jade Dew fragrance... fourteen thousand taels of gold, burnt four wicks in total. Adding up to fifty-six thousand taels of gold. Yihetang Manor relocation affairs from Qingning County at Qiong Heavenly Mansion, relocating to Muyue Prefecture, manpower consumption sixteen thousand taels of silver. Along the way, cart and horses damaged nine thousand five hundred taels of silver. Food consumption along the way three thousand five hundred taels of silver... Purchase of Bi Xiang Water Pavilion cost 349,000 taels of silver..."

Xiaotuan recited like heavenly scripture, recording all affairs in the accounts. Wen Caishang said, "A total of 2,970,000 taels of silver, Mr. Li La, this is what you owe me, what will you do?"

Li Xian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, wanting to stand up. But Wen Caishang gently placed her feet on his knees, restricting his movement. Li Xian said, "Madame, when did I owe such a huge debt?" Silently lamenting.

Wen Caishang said, "Mr. Li La, I relocated the manor for you, searching for your trace, these financesshould be counted on you." Her gaze was sorrowful, she sighed lightly, and continued, "If you are deceiving me, then your earlier words are false. You harbored ulterior motives, left the manor for some development, then naturally this debt is difficult to put on your head. Alas... there’s no way around it, I help you with Martial Arts, but you saved my life. These accounts are clear, leaving the manor now has no emotional or rational debts. I would not stop you."

Li Xian knew Wen Caishang loved to test, if he followed the topic now, he would be doomed, so he said, "Madame, I indeed don’t have such a sum of money, but my earlier words were no lies, I never intended to betray the manor. You’ve spent a huge fortune for me, it is truly my fault, I’ll find a way to repay it."

Wen Caishang’s face showed joy. Her toe pressed against Li Xian’s chest, full of interest, gently lifting, joyfully said, "Good, good Mr. Li La, now you’re quite obedient. Good Mr. Li La, obedient Mr. Li La, you truly didn’t disappoint me, you’re a good man, a good son."

Wen Caishang asked, "So you’ve decided to repay this debt?" Li Xian said, "I will do my best to repay." He took out his money bag, his belongings barely worth one thousand taels, a mere drop in the ocean.

Wen Caishang said, "Far from enough, Mr. Li La, how do you intend to repay the rest of the debt?" Li Xian said, "I..." considering his plan.

Wen Caishang gently said, "Why not this way, I’ll teach you a method to slowly repay this debt."

Li Xian knew it was nothing good, but could only say, "Madame, please explain." Wen Caishang softly said, "The ancients said... those with a heartless debt must endure a thousand cuts. Although it was not your intention to betray me, I believe your explanation, my Mr. Li La would never deceive me, but after all, I’ve been consumed by heartbreak because of you. Perhaps... Mr. Li La, for every cut, you repay one Wen Coin. You repay properly, albeit through some suffering, I..."

Her tender affection, her face slightly flushed, like whispering sweet words on a candle-lit night, yet her words were cold as an abyss: "Then... I’ll forgive you."

Li Xian felt his head tingle, thinking, "This nearly three million taels of silver, even if one cut is worth one tael of silver, my life is still in peril. Not to mention one cut is only worth one Wen Coin. After enduring countless cuts, who can survive? Seems Madame resents me thoroughly, wishing to chop me into mincemeat to vent her heart’s hatred. Merely using this reason to cut me."

As she spoke, her toe touched Li Xian’s acupoints, immobilizing him. Li Xian furrowed his brow, unable to move, thinking repeatedly, "I know Madame’s ruthlessness, what she speaks she will do. I anticipated this affair when attending the banquet, but hearing her words, I can’t avoid feeling heartache."

"If you were in my hands, I wouldn’t wish to harm you at all. You’re my guide on Martial Arts, emotionally there’s entanglement with me. Yet you wish to treat me this way, not satisfied with killing me wantingly, but to cut me countless times. Oh well, oh well, this disaster is unavoidable, you’ll kill me till flesh and blood scatter, soul shattered, then our ties truly end."

True feelings emerged, amidst heartache, resolve saying:

"Since it’s come to this, so be it."

"Wen Caishang, since you wish to kill me, be it a thousand cuts or a single cut, what’s the difference? More words, what’s the use? You hate me this much, wanting to kill and cut, do as you please, in death I seek peace, no longer bound by debts with you."

Wen Caishang couldn’t help but feel flustered, seeing Li Xian’s firm determination, hurriedly said, "No, no, I’m not saying I want to kill you. You like me, and I like you too. The days ahead are long, you repay slowly. I... just wish you suffer some to remember, not truly intending to kill or hurt you."