Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 918 - 916_1

Chapter 918: Chapter 916_1

The old coachman quickly shook his head upon hearing her statements. He didn’t dare characterize her as a pig or a chicken. He was only making a metaphor, "Miss, you’ve misunderstood. I don’t mean it that way. You are indeed priceless, which is why I said you cannot be priced by weight. How about we judge according to the severity of your injury, and then I pay for the corresponding medical expenses?"

He already agreed to cover the medical expenses, and the doctor assured her she would recover in a few days. Still, she insisted he pay her 100 taels. Wasn’t she trying to exploit his good nature? Despite his kindness, the coachman was no fool.

He was getting a bit angry. After all, this whole situation arose because she constantly urged him to speed up. He was willing to pay for his mistake, even willing to risk losing ten taels in medical costs. But she was insistent on getting a hundred taels! Was she taking advantage of his kindness?

That’s why he said that she, being priceless, couldn’t be priced by weight. The compensations should be based on the actual circumstances. He’d gladly cover the medical expenses, but if she insisted on getting a hundred taels more, then she’d be no better than a pig or chicken.

Master Fang seemed to understand, glancing at the coachman with a thought in mind—this coachman sure had a way with words.

Mrs. Fang also understood, and with a cold huff, she responded, "My daughter is of course priceless. You caused her harm and made her lose so much blood. You must at least provide some financial compensation for her to restore her health! Do you know how expensive donkey-hide gelatin and ginseng are for blood restoration and vital energy? 100 taels won’t be enough to cover the costs! My daughter is only asking for 100 taels from you because you’re poor. Otherwise, 1,000 taels wouldn’t suffice either."

"1,000 taels wouldn’t suffice?" She really had the nerve! Was her daughter a princess or something? She was acting as if her blood was worth its weight in gold! Xiao’er couldn’t help but scoff at hearing this.

Jingrui frowned. Why was such a person appointed as a sub-prefect?

The coachman glanced down after hearing her words. There were indeed a few blood stains on Fang Wanping’s skirt. She hadn’t lost much blood, but a young lady from a noble family was indeed precious. Losing a little blood seemed to be a big deal, warranting blood restoration. He could accept that, but surely blood restoration didn’t cost 100 taels. "Madam, how about I offer ten more taels for Miss to recover her blood? Would that be acceptable?"

"Ten taels? Are you treating my daughter like a beggar?"

"Am I treating her worse than a beggar with just ten taels?" Xiao’er retorted sarcastically. "Looks like I’m the impoverished one. I can’t afford to give ten taels to a beggar. The last time I gave a beggar a handout, I only gave him one tael. Relationship with parents and officials truly is different."

Unable to bear any more of this spectacle, Jingrui dismounted his horse and walked over. "Master Fang, do you need any assistance?"

Upon hearing Jingrui’s words, Fang Wanping, Mrs. Fang, and Master Fang simultaneously turned to him, startled and guilt crossing their faces. They wondered how long the Magistrate had been present and what he had heard.

Instinctively, they glanced in the direction of the main road. They noticed two carriages that clearly belonged to them blocking the path. That explained why the Magistrate had approached them.

Jingrui looked at their panic-stricken faces and snorted to himself. They were true examples of those who bullied the kind yet feared the wicked.

"Master Fang, what seems to be the problem? Can I be of assistance?" Jingrui glanced at the coachman and inquired once more.

The trio composed themselves, hurriedly set aside their panic-stricken expressions, and respectfully bowed. "Greetings, Magistrate!"

"This isn’t the Government Office, there’s no need for formalities. What’s the matter? Has your daughter been injured? What happened?" Jingrui casually asked, glancing at Fang Wanping while keeping his tone neutral.

"This coachman deceived us with his shabby carriage, which resulted in my fall and injury. I lost a lot of blood, and he doesn’t want to compensate me properly," Fang Wanping replied, playing the victim.

No matter what, the best approach was to appear vulnerable and win the Magistrate’s sympathy.

Fang Wanping’s captivating eyes were glossed with tears. Plus, her clothes were stained with blood and dirt, and her face was a shade paler from hunger. One look at her, and anyone would be compelled to sympathise.

Anyone without knowledge of the actual circumstances would surely be deceived.

"That’s not true. If Miss hadn’t kept pushing me to speed up, my carriage, though old, wouldn’t have caused any problems! I’ve already paid ten taels for medical bills and even offered to cover another ten taels for blood restore! But Miss insists that I pay..."

Seeing the Magistrate’s arrival, the coachman tried to explain himself, but Fang Wanping quickly interrupted him. "Don’t bother. The ten taels for medical bills will suffice. You’re no longer involved in this matter. You can leave now!"

If the Magistrate found out that she absolutely wanted the coachman to pay 100 taels, he might perceive her as a money-grubber. She couldn’t allow such an impression to form in the Magistrate’s mind.

Even so, Fang Wanping was somewhat baffled by the coachman’s audacity. Typical commoners would become tongue-tied in the presence of a government official, yet he dared to protest! She had underestimated him, mistaking him for someone naive.

"So, you really don’t want me to pay any..." the coachman began, trying to assert his intention.

"No need. Thank you for covering my daughter’s medical expenses. Ten taels is enough. As for the ten taels you mentioned for her blood restoration, that won’t be necessary either. I advise you to use those ten taels to purchase a new carriage. In case your passengers fall from the carriage the next time, who will you have to answer to? This time, my daughter was lucky she only sustained minor injuries. If a fatal accident occurs, you’ll be imprisoned." Mrs. Fang advised, feigning concern.

Mrs. Fang was unsure whether Jingrui had heard their previous conversation, but she decided to dismiss that possibility. She subtly shifted the conversation before Jingrui, playing up their magnanimity and willingness to forgo the extra compensation.

"Madam, you are right. Thank you for your generosity. With your permission, I will take my leave now." The experienced coachman saw through the pair’s charade. However, with the extra hundred taels off the table, he didn’t wish to provoke them further. Understanding that the common folks should not contend with authorities, he preferred to resolve the issue amicably.

Master Fang nodded in agreement and added, "You should go. It won’t be wise to travel once darkness sets in."

Jingrui’s lips twitched, though he chose not to expose them. Exposing the truth wouldn’t serve any purpose. As it stood, the amount of compensation paid is typically dictated by the victim’s demands-

However, everyone has an internal moral compass, which measures whether the compensation is reasonable or not.

But Jingrui’s silence didn’t mean he wouldn’t issue a warning. "Miss Fang, have you sustained severe injuries? Have you already used ten taels for medical treatment? Coincidentally, I know a doctor whose medical skills are trustworthy. Why don’t I invite him over to attend to your wounds? We wouldn’t want your injuries to worsen or lead to any long-lasting complications."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Fang and Miss Fang grew even more nervous, their heads sinking further down.

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