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“Commoner also thinks that detention is a good solution, but may I humbly request the County Magistrate to send someone to protect my family during the days I am imprisoned? Also, before this detention, shouldn’t they compensate for the damages caused to my shop?”
Um...
Upon hearing this, a group of people felt countless black lines cross their foreheads. What kind of woman is this? Even at such a critical moment, she is still concerned about her losses. Is she really that confident that it wasn’t her Orchid Bean that caused the deaths?
The man in white had a charming smile on his lips as he looked at Xia Muxin with a knowing gaze. The more he looked, the wider his smile became.
The faces of those who had vandalized the shop were as dark as a pot, their eyes flickering, clearly unable to come up with the money for compensation.
Xiao Yan took a while to regain his senses, swallowed hard, looked at Xia Muxin, then at those who had vandalized the shop. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and finally said, “There’s some reason in what you say; compensation is indeed warranted.”
His nonchalant and sarcastic tone made Xia Muxin frown in discomfort.
“There’s no money, only lives. The magistrate can’t just indiscriminately determine our guilt. Besides, we acted out of anger; can’t you understand our pain of losing loved ones?”
It was still that tall and thin man whose eyes were now bloodshot and filled with tears. Each word was filled with sorrow as he spoke.
“What you say has some merit.” Xiao Yan replied in a lethargic tone again, nearly provoking Xia Muxin to hit him. But before she could make a move, he continued, “Then if this girl killed your nephew out of anger after her shop was vandalized, wouldn’t that also be considered not a crime and deserving of leniency?”
His words hit the nail on the head, leaving that man with a long face, stammering and unsure of what to say.
“We won’t make it difficult for the magistrate. Let my nephew and this girl be detained together. Once the results are out, whatever judgment is made should be followed; whatever compensation is due should be paid. What do you think?”
Another nephew??
Xia Muxin pondered deeply. The deceased was the niece of the White-Haired Old Woman, and now this tall man was also her nephew. So, was the person who had just grabbed Songzi yet another nephew?
As doubts clouded her mind, all eyes were fixed on the old woman. At that moment, Xia Muxin noticed something peculiar: the old woman had an Adam's apple. So...
However, she kept her thoughts to herself, waiting for Xiao Yan's decision.
"As long as justice can be served, I am willing to be imprisoned," the Tall and Thin Man declared as he suddenly knelt down.
Immediately, Xiao Yan sent a few people to carry the Corpse while the others waited.
After a short while, several Yard Officers returned with the woman and child, but there was no sign of the rumored corpse.
The woman cried bitterly, her sobs shaking her entire body, evoking sympathy from those who witnessed it. The child, perhaps too young to understand what was happening, simply stared blankly at his mother as she wept.
"What happened? Where is the Corpse you were supposed to bring?" Xiao Yan asked sternly when he saw his subordinates hesitating and exchanging glances without speaking.
"Reporting to you, my lord, the Corpse is missing," one of them finally spoke up after much prodding. As soon as he said this, an uproar ensued.
The Corpse was missing...
"Woo... Husband..." The Zhao Family Woman cried even more fiercely upon hearing this news. She gasped for breath and fainted on the spot.
Xiao Yan realized that the situation had escalated and ordered that the mother and child be taken to the Yamen, along with Xia Muxin and the tall thin man.
Before leaving, he also took Xia Muxin's advice and left six Yard Officers to protect her family.
"Don't worry, I will protect your uncle and aunt."
"Don't worry, I will protect your uncle and aunt."
Ye Feng and Su Yan-Chu both knew that Xia Muxin was most concerned about her family, so they echoed her words. After speaking, they exchanged a glance and awkwardly turned their heads away.
The man in white smiled faintly as he watched the two men, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes before he followed behind Xia Muxin and the others.
Upon entering the Yamen, Xia Muxin was invited by Xiao Yan for questioning.
"I pay my respects to the master of the master."
She did not expect that Xiao Yan's first action upon seeing her would be to clasp his fists in salute, and his first words would be to acknowledge her as the master of the master. Even though she was accustomed to the jokes and flattery from Ming Yi and the others, she still felt somewhat embarrassed in front of the esteemed County Magistrate.
"There is no need for such formalities, sir. I am just a commoner's daughter and cannot accept such grand courtesy."
However, public matters are public, and private matters are private. Since her reputation was at stake, it had to be investigated thoroughly. After all, her bright future had just begun; how could it be tarnished by a few rat droppings?
"Then... what do you want me to do?"
Shen Muhan's subordinates were all quite shrewd and knew how to please people; it seemed that Ming Yi and the others had given him plenty of lessons.
"Lock me up in prison, and everything will wait until you retrieve the Corpse to clear my name."
Xia Muxin merely raised an eyebrow and said with a light smile. She noticed a frown forming on Xiao Yan's forehead but ignored it as she stepped away, soon finding herself locked in a cell.
The county jail had separate sections for men and women. As Xia Muxin entered her cell, she couldn't help but sigh; it had only been a few months since she had come out of the Zhao Family's dungeon, and now she found herself in the jail of Zhushan County.
The prison was not crowded, and Xia Muxin was placed in a solitary cell. The floor was covered with straw, and there was a cotton blanket. Compared to other cells, it was relatively dry and clean—perhaps this was a special treatment.
The Tall and Thin Man was locked up across from her, sharing the space with three other inmates, all dressed in white prison uniforms. They seemed to have been incarcerated for quite some time, as their beards were long, their hair unkempt, and their faces obscured.
Meanwhile, Daimiao Village was in an uproar. Just four days after Xia Muxin's shop opened, a death had occurred, and she had ended up in prison. Everyone gathered at the Xia Family home, brainstorming strategies.
Aunt Xia was so anxious that she cried.
The six Yard Officers were all loyal to Xiao Yan and had heard of Xia Muxin. At that moment, they were observing the Xia Family closely, keeping watch over several corners of the house.
The ones most pleased were undoubtedly the Feng Family and the Zhou Family.
To celebrate this turn of events, Feng San Niang had bought a large quantity of food and invited the Zhou Family over for dinner, including Zhou Qinglian and Wang Dafu.
Wang Shoucai had been arrested, but Wang Dafu was not only unbothered but seemed to be thriving. He had gained quite a bit of weight; after all, Zhou Qinglian was now solely his. Moreover, his own mother had become less involved in household matters due to this incident, leaving him with almost complete control over their finances. With money to spend freely, how could he be unhappy?
Zhou Qinglian's attire had also elevated several levels; the accessories she wore on her head and around her neck could easily cover years of living expenses for an ordinary family.
With newfound wealth, her maternal relatives naturally grew closer to her. The You family members were glowing with pride lately, praising her eldest daughter’s accomplishments whenever they met someone.
Feng Liulang had somehow come into possession of money and handed fifty taels of silver to Feng San Niang in one go. The family was ecstatic; immediately, they prepared several flashy outfits and bought a huge amount of food.
Moreover, today they had all gone to Town and seen everything there was to see; their hearts were filled with joy.
“Everyone is in good spirits today! Eat more vegetables and drink more wine! Our son has money now; it won’t be long before he becomes a Top Scholar! As his mother, I am so happy and proud,” she exclaimed.
While Four Mao took care of the cooking, Feng San Niang sat among everyone with peanuts and sunflower seeds, chatting away. Most of her conversation revolved around praising her son's talents. Since Feng Liulang returned home, he had been elusive; whenever asked about him, people would say he was out in Town visiting friends.
As long as he returns safely, who cares about which friends he has?
"Yes, my Color Lotus is indeed fortunate. Mother-in-law, you must discipline this child well; we've spoiled her too much. The future Top Scholar's Wife must be knowledgeable and capable, able to assist her husband with household matters."
Mrs. You seized the opportunity to shift the conversation to Zhou Cailian.
She knew that Feng Liulang did not genuinely want to marry her Color Lotus; it was all thanks to the child in her womb. Moreover, if he truly became a Top Scholar in the future, he would have many wives and concubines. He could marry anyone he wanted with just a word. Even Xia Muxin, who was so proud now, would probably be eager to climb into Liulang's bed when the time came.
Liulang was a filial son; as long as Color Lotus could win over her Mother-in-law, there was no fear of not having a good life ahead.
Speaking of Feng Liulang, Feng San Niang's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands and said, "Of course! She will definitely be my Liulang's first wife."
Upon hearing this, the Zhou family exchanged knowing smiles...
That night, the prison cell was quiet and still. The two guards were dozing off with their heads drooping, faintly audible snores escaping them.
Xia Muxin tossed and turned, unable to sleep. It had been several days since her uncle left, and there had been no news at all. Suddenly feeling anxious in her heart, she slightly opened her eyes just a crack.
- End of Chapter -
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