Chapter 162 A Fish is Hooked

The news that everyone from the Prince of Qingping's Mansion walked out of the yamen safely soon spread throughout the entire Qingshi Town, especially the well-informed Goudan and his friends, who spread the news that releasing the people proved that the stall owner was innocent!

"Have you heard everything? He's innocent. He was released today. He's in high spirits and hasn't been tortured at all. I wonder if he'll be able to open his stall tomorrow..."

"Oh no, it had nothing to do with the stall owner. Who knows who got jealous and started this? I say this vicious guy should be arrested as soon as possible!"

The diners were talking about it, while the wonton vendor was still setting up his stall. He grabbed his wonton and ate it up. "He's out? The county government has investigated it thoroughly and then released him!"

Ever since Cheng Weiyao went to jail, the wonton stall's business has improved a lot. Although diners still compare wontons with flat meat from time to time, the wonton vendor doesn't mind at all.

After all, no matter how delicious the food was, it was all in the past. He would have to come to his place to eat from now on. But after just a few days, he was cleared of suspicion so quickly?

"Boss, please add another bowl of wontons. I've been asking you for a long time. What's wrong? You don't want to continue your business?"

A diner shouted several times at the wonton vendor in dissatisfaction. The vendor finally came to his senses and hurriedly brought the wontons over with kind words.

This scene happened to be seen by Goudan. Although it was a good thing that the stall owner's wife was released, the county government had not yet announced the real culprit. They were shouting all over the street to observe the reactions of the vendors. Now it seemed that this wonton vendor was a bit suspicious...

Cheng Weiyao had already formed a rough psychological profile of the suspect, and in order to further stimulate him to reveal his true intentions, the women of the Qingping Palace took a short break and then started making steamed buns or selling flat meat.

"Oh, speak of the devil, and here he comes. I've been craving it these past few days!"

As soon as Cheng Weiyao opened her stall, the original customers, already eager to try it, began to move over and line up. Although the wonton vendor still had customers, the customer flow had dropped dramatically. The wonton vendor was so angry that he sold out all the wontons ordered by the diners and packed up his stall to go home.

Zhang Daming originally thought that after sending away the living ancestor of the Qingping Palace family, he could slowly investigate the follow-up. Anyway, as long as the heat died down and time passed, the common people would gradually forget about it.

However, before he could catch his breath, a distinguished guest came to visit Zhang's house that night.

After working in the county government office for an afternoon, he returned home with a tired look on his face. Just as he stepped over the threshold, the door slammed shut the next second, and a dagger with a cold gleam was pressed against his neck.

"If you're a good man, let's talk things over nicely. I won't yell or make a fuss, so I'll definitely cooperate..."

A trace of cold sweat appeared on Zhang Daming's forehead. The Zhang Mansion had many guards, but the fact that he could sneak into his bedroom without making a sound clearly showed that he was no ordinary person. Could he be someone on good terms with the Prince Qingping's Mansion? Was he here to seek revenge?

"Master Zhang really loves to joke around. He makes me sound like a bad guy."

Lieutenant General Li smiled and sheathed his dagger. He simply felt that the layout of this mansion was too cautious and wanted to scare this coward. Although his official position was not high, judging by the layout of this mansion, he must have received a lot of benefits behind the scenes...

But that's normal. Guarding a trading hub like Qingshi Town, it's hard not to be rich...

"Adjutant Li, what brings you here? Please ask the general if he's well..."

Zhang Daming breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wasn't some ruthless villain. As for Adjutant Li, he didn't really have much contact with him. The last time they met was when he had just taken office as the magistrate of Qingshi Town.

I just don't know what the general's sudden visit means. Could he have a personal relationship with the Prince of Qingping's Mansion? Should I show remorse then?

"Nothing special has happened. It's just that your Qingshi Town has been in turmoil recently, and the rumors have disturbed our general's ears. This time, I came here specifically to help you..."

Adjutant Li smiled slyly. It was rare for Prince Qingping to reveal his true intentions, so his general would naturally treat him well. After all, the two of them weren't strangers.

They were all military commanders who led troops into battle, and they both held military power. They often met each other during the celebration banquets when returning to the court...

"Thank you, Lieutenant General, for your kindness. Please tell me..."

Zhang Daming had a forced smile on his face. He had a vague feeling that Lieutenant General Li had come with ill intentions, but it was a pity that he was just a lowly civil servant. If there really was trouble, how could he be so powerful?

Half an hour later, Lieutenant General Li left, but Zhang Daming lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Lieutenant General Li's intention was to spread the word and get the county magistrate to admit that he had been bribed and that he had released the Qingping Palace family solely out of consideration for money.

As the general in charge of the border, he could have easily bypassed the hierarchy, but admitting to bribery was, after all, not a glorious thing. The most taboo thing for an official is corruption. Allowing others to smear you? No matter whether they are corrupt or honest, they can't just sit back and watch.

But he didn't dare to say no. If the general turned his gun against him, it would be even worse...

"Forget it, things will work out when the time comes. I'll just be a coward for a few days. Let the general and the Prince Qingping fight their own battles..."

Zhang Daming thought about it but couldn't find a way to have the best of both worlds, so he just started to give up.

The next day, under the manipulation of Adjutant Li, rumors began to spread throughout Qingshi Town and Manzhen that the family of Prince Qingping's Mansion had exchanged money for their personal freedom.

Why bribe them? Of course, it's because they're not innocent! The tide began to turn, and Goudan and his friends were the first to notice something was amiss. If they weren't the ones spreading these unfavorable rumors, then it had to be someone else!

Outside the courtyard, when the door was opened, Goudan just raised his hand to knock on the door. He looked so anxious that he almost fell into the arms of Wen Liyu who opened the door.

"Little beggar? What's the matter so early in the morning?"

Although Wen Liyu was a little disgusted by the little beggar's dirtiness, after all, it was these people who saved her last time, so there was still gratitude on her face.

"Madam Stall Owner! I have something to tell you!"

Goudan's gaze passed over Wen Liyu, and he opened his mouth with a clear goal to intercept Cheng Weiyao who was about to set up her stall.

Cheng Weiyao waved her hand, signaling the other women in the family to continue their business as usual. Goudan and the others were the most perceptive, so perhaps there had been some new developments with the suspect?

Wen Chengming shifted his gaze from the book and looked at the child of the same age who appeared for the second time with some curiosity. He always felt that this guy seemed very powerful?

Every time it appears, it conveys something very important?