Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 123 Capture_1

Chapter 123: Chapter 123 Capture_1

Wang Lizheng said, "Last time, Old Fan’s House compensated six hundred wen, and this time another two guan money, Manjiang’s wife and her daughter’s medicine fees should also be sufficiently covered. Er Heizi said, if you’re willing, he will come to your doorstep to kowtow and apologize. He dares not commit such foolishness ever again."

He then advised Qian Sangui that resolving feuds is better than holding grudges, for villagers see each other whether they look down or up. Manjiang’s wife and Jinwa are both fine, so perhaps it’s better to be magnanimous—everyone would benefit from this, and so on.

Qian Sangui thought for a moment and felt that since his daughter-in-law and granddaughter were alright, and his granddaughter had even become smarter due to her injury, it was best not to provoke people like those from Old Fan’s House. There was already trouble with the Xu family that caused constant worry, and having another enemy would be even harder to guard against. It would be better to use this opportunity to step down, reducing one enemy for his family and giving Wang Lizheng some face.

He accepted the two guan money, saying, "This is for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter’s medicine. I’ll accept it." He pushed the meat and wine back to Wang Lizheng, "This meat and wine, my family doesn’t care for it, return it to them. As for kowtowing and such, I can’t accept it, nor do I wish to see him. In the future, keep your distance from my family, otherwise I will call upon Old Master Zhang to uphold justice for me."

Qian Yixiu had been squatting outside the main house, playing with the two puppies but actually eavesdropping on the conversation inside. Seeing that his grandfather had accepted Wang Lizheng’s mediation, he felt there was no other option. He thought to himself, you all don’t know, but I am well aware. That Fan Erhei owes a life, as the previous owner died due to his bullying.

However, it seems that there’s nothing she can do about him for now, and it isn’t wise to cultivate another enemy. Better to wait, when the opportunity arises, she would seek justice for the previous owner.

Wang Lizheng returned home with a smile. Successfully mediating this matter earned him much face. Old Fan’s House didn’t ask for the meat and wine to be returned, and instead, they gave them to Wang Lizheng, thanking him profusely.

Madam Lizheng was overjoyed. With these two jars of vintage grain wine, her family wouldn’t need to buy any for the New Year.

Qian Sangui also had much to reflect on; even that troublemaker Er Heizi feared his family!

That afternoon, Qian Yixiu was walking Benben and Tiaotiao in the wasteland outside the door. She was often running to build her strength in preparation for her journey to Cave Sky Pool. Moreover, the west end of the village was now safe, without any troublemakers loitering nearby.

Suddenly, Qian Yixiu saw several horses running towards her house. It looked like Wang Lizheng was following them. Who could it be? Surely not another distinguished person.

As the horses drew closer, she could see that those riding them were several government officials.

Qian Yixiu’s heart instantly panicked, and she quickly led the two pups back into the house and shut the door. Although she believed her family had done nothing illegal, they had wealth and beauty—temptations that people greatly covet.

Big Uncle and Monkey Brother had headed to the mountains early the previous day and had not returned, and Huang Tie had gone to the county to deliver goods and make purchases. The most capable defenders of the house were absent, and she felt somewhat afraid. Not wanting to trouble Qian Sangui, who was in poor health, she ran to the side door calling for Qian Hua, "Uncle Hua, Uncle Hua."

Qian Hua was inside doing the accounts and, hearing the shouting, hurried over. Just as he reached the side door, he heard pounding on the main gate, "Open up, open up."

Several unfamiliar male voices were shouting outside.

Qian Hua quickly asked, "Who’s there?"

"I’m here on official business, open the door at once."

Then they heard Wang Lizheng’s voice, "Quick, open the door, these gentlemen are Sir Officers from the County Government Office."

Qian Hua hurriedly turned around and quietly instructed Qian Xiaolei, who had followed him, to go out through another door and find Old Master Wang from the Song family estate. He said, "Coming, coming, Sir, just a moment."

As soon as the door opened, several government officials burst in and pushed Qian Hua aside. They shouted, "Where is Qian Sangui? Call him out!"

Qian Hua quickly responded, "Third Uncle Qian is seriously ill and still in bed. May I ask, Sir officers, what brings you here with such grandeur? Have we committed any offense?"

The leading government official said, "Someone has accused your Old Brother Pastry Shop, claiming that your pastries contained arsenic. After eating the pastries, his father was poisoned and is nearly dead."

Qian Hua was so frightened that his soul nearly left his body, and he quickly protested, "Sir officer, this is a grave injustice! We have never poisoned anyone!"

"Whether you have poisoned anyone or not will be known once the inquiry is held at the County Government Office," the government official replied.

While they spoke, Qian Yixiu had already entered the room and urged Lady Wu to quickly get the silver, all of it, no matter how much was available. Lady Wu, already crying and trembling, handed Qian Yixiu a purse containing several dozen taels of silver.

Qian Yixiu ran out and stuffed the purse into the hands of the government official who was preparing to burst into the room, saying, "Sir officer, take this to buy some wine."

The officer weighed the purse and his face bloomed into a smile. He remarked, "This little miss is quite sensible," and then said to Qian Hua, "We are just following orders ourselves. You’d best get people ready quickly so we can take him back and complete our task."

The officers did not enter further into the house but instead turned and sat down on the stone benches in the courtyard to wait.

Qian Hua bowed again and entreated, "Sir officers, Third Uncle Qian is in poor health and can hardly manage anything; he knows nothing about this. Bringing him to the Yamen will be of no use. I am the one who actually manages the pastry shop on a daily basis. If there is any issue, please take me to the Yamen instead."

The leading government official shook his head and said, "We are only responsible for carrying out our duties; don’t make this difficult for us. We were ordered to capture Qian Sangui, so what would be the point of taking you instead?"

Qian Yixiu immediately said, "Sir officer, Shopkeeper Cui from the Wuxi Tea Building is a close friend of my grandfather’s. Knowing that my grandfather’s health is poor, he even had his servant Huang Tie come to assist my grandfather."

Qian Hua also added, "That’s right, Shopkeeper Cui and Huang Tie often mention how well-acquainted they are with you, Sir officers, and have even shared drinks together."

The leading officer indeed knew that Master County Magistrate was close to Shopkeeper Cui and had also drank with Huang Hua himself. Suspiciously, he said, "Shopkeeper Cui and Qian Sangui are close friends? Brother Huang works at your place? That sounds like a joke."

Qian Hua replied, "We wouldn’t dare deceive you, Sir officers, not even if we were lent the courage. It’s true. Huang Tie has been here for over two months; he went to the county town just this morning to deliver goods and will be back by the afternoon."

Lady Wu and Qian Manxia, both crying, had already dressed Qian Sangui in a long cotton robe. Qian Sangui consoled them, saying, "It’s okay, with Shopkeeper Cui and Old Master Zhang in the county town, they will help clear my name." He continued, "If this old body doesn’t withstand the ordeal, then close the pastry shop and focus on providing for Jinwa with those silvers, and you’ll have something to rely on."

Lady Wu cried, "Head of the house, you must hold on. We can’t do without you."

Qian Hua went back inside and carried Qian Sangui out. He said to the officers, "Sir officers, as you can see, our master is truly gravely ill. If something were to happen to him on the way, it would be difficult for you to explain as well. Could you allow us to borrow a carriage so that he can ride to the Yamen?"