Zhao Youcai's words made everyone nod in agreement. They all talked excitedly, urging Zhao Ce to bring the girl out. They followed Zhao Youcai's plan. However, Zhao Ce still shook his head and refused, "I brought her back, and now that she's been cleared of any wrongdoing, I should be responsible for her. As a man, how can I shirk my responsibility and watch a young girl endure false accusations?"

Everyone present felt that Zhao Ce's way of speaking was different from before. In the past, he spoke with convoluted language and was full of quotations. The villagers couldn't understand him, but he was proud of it. Although he still spoke with some convoluted language today, everyone understood him. Moreover, his resolute appearance was far from the useless scholar who wouldn't even help if someone fell.

Seeing everyone stunned by his words, Zhao Ce continued, "Moreover, as a scholar, my reputation will be greatly affected if this matter becomes serious."

"If it becomes really serious, I may not even be able to participate in the imperial examinations."

Zhao Youcai exclaimed, "What? You won't even be able to participate in the imperial examinations?"

Zhao Ce looked at the people who were looking at each other and nodded solemnly, "Yes, for a scholar, reputation is the most important thing. If I can't participate in the imperial examinations because of this, wouldn't it be a case of losing more than I gain?"

Thinking of the original owner's terrible academic performance, Zhao Ce could only make up a story with a bold face. As for finding the person who took the money, who should he look for? He wasn't the one who was cheated; he was the one trying to cheat others! The money was real gold and silver that the original owner spent in the brothel. Should he ask the deceased original owner for an explanation?

Zhao Ce had no choice but to exaggerate the situation to scare them. Zhao Youcai panicked on the spot, and the others also looked uneasy. Although Zhao Ce's reputation in the village was not good, the imperial examinations were a big deal. If this matter spread, it wouldn't be just the villagers gossiping about it.

Zhao Youcai quickly said, "Yeah, we really can't go find the person."

Zhao Ce nodded and said, "Yes. As for the five taels of silver I owe Uncle, I'll pay you back in a while."

Zhao Wen Hao, who was beside him, laughed as if he had heard a joke. He sneered, "Pay you back? With what? Not to mention the five taels, your dad had already given you more than ten taels before."

"You've already sold most of your family's land, and this shabby house isn't worth anything. You must be joking if you think you can pay us back."

Zhao Youcai's face also looked uncomfortable after hearing this.

He is a village chief, but he couldn't stop his own nephew from selling land. This kind of thing is embarrassing to talk about. He couldn't help but sternly scold, "Shut your mouth!" Zhao Wenhao was also aggrieved by his father's harsh tone. He was only speaking the truth, but his father kept scolding him repeatedly. He turned his head quietly and didn't speak anymore. The people who came to discuss matters with him also remained silent. They could only wait for Zhao Youcai to handle it.

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After Zhao Youcai finished scolding, he said to Zhao Ce, "Ce'er, Uncle is not in a hurry for this money. Uncle is just worried that you will be deceived. But since you have decided to let this girl stay, just live a good life together. That girl is not bad-looking, although a little thin, she shouldn't be a problem. When you go to high school, Uncle will help you find a better one to marry!"

After Zhao Youcai finished speaking, Zhao Wenhao suddenly turned his face around, wanting to continue talking about the money. Did those five taels of silver just disappear? He also had to marry a better woman back. But thinking of his father's scolding, he held his breath and turned his head back, his face red with anger.

Zhao Ce didn't care what these people were thinking. For now, he had no choice but to pay the debt. What Zhao Wenhao said was indeed true, and Zhao Youcai also owed him a favor. But for now, he had to make money as soon as possible to pay off the debt. Zhao Ce nodded and said, "Uncle is right. I will live a good life."

Although Zhao Youcai was heartbroken over the five taels of silver, he felt relieved to see his nephew sitting upright on the stool with a calm expression. He was proud to see that his nephew had taken responsibility after getting married. This was something rare and valuable. Of course, this was something that he, as an uncle, was happy to see.

Zhao Youcai also nodded. Suddenly, Fourth Uncle spoke up, "You still have to tell us who this matchmaker is. We won't take this girl, but we need to know who the matchmaker is. The people in the village should avoid her, or they might be cheated too."

Zhao Ce didn't think too much and just made up a fluent lie. "This person is from out of town, and I don't know what dialect he speaks. Yesterday, I had a bad headache and didn't remember much. Anyway, let's just leave it at that for now." Zhao Ce didn't want to make up any more lies and just tried to brush it off.

Without getting any definite answer from him, Zhao Youcai had no choice but to leave with his men. After they left, the people who came with him started whispering to each other. Zhao Qingsong, who was about the same age as Zhao Wenhao, poked him in the waist. "Hey, you have to watch your dad. Otherwise, the village chief will keep bringing things to Zhao Ce's house. He just got married, and they haven't even had the wedding ceremony yet. It costs a lot of money to prepare for these things. Don't end up spending all the money you would use to marry a wife."

Zhao Wenhao rolled his eyes. Although he was not happy about his father giving money to Zhao Ce, it was their family's business. Even though he didn't like Zhao Ce, he was still his cousin. He couldn't deny it even if he wanted to. So he subconsciously didn't like it when others talked about his father and Zhao Ce like that. "My dad is the head of the family, and he can do whatever he wants. That's his nephew, and even if he empties our house, he has his reasons. As for my marriage, my dad will definitely pay more attention to it."

"Okay, okay, you're an outsider, so don't talk about this anymore. Otherwise, if my mom hears it, she'll kill you with her words!" Zhao Qingsong looked at Zhao Wenhao in shock. "Wait a minute, buddy! Didn't you just say that you don't want your dad to give money to Zhao Ce anymore? How come you changed your tune as soon as we walked out the door? It seems like this family is extremely protective of each other. They can say whatever they want to their own family members, but they won't let others interfere."

Zhao Wenhao followed behind Zhao Youcai and muttered, "Dad, don't give any more money to Zhao Ce's family. I need a lot of money to go to school soon!" Zhao Youcai snorted, "Shut up! One day, you'll make me angry!" "Wenhua is your brother, and Ce'er is not your brother?" Zhao Wenhao received another rebuke and had to apologize and beg for forgiveness.