Chapter 331 Lady Sui Spits Blood

"My lord, something terrible has happened!"

He Yan's henchmen rushed into the lobby in a hurry.

“Starting yesterday afternoon, a story suddenly began circulating in Ping'an County, changing Dahe Village to Qingyun Village and Lord He to Lord Zhou… These unruly people dare to openly discuss officials of the imperial court. Do they have a death wish? Your Honor, please allow me to go and arrest all those storytellers and punish them severely!”

He Yan waved his hand: "If I were to make such a fuss, these unruly people might think I'm guilty. The news of what happened in Dahe Village has reached the city in just one day. I don't believe that no one was involved in stirring things up..."

He stroked his chin and thought for a moment. "Heh, Lady Sui, this woman is quite interesting. What, is she trying to use these storytellers to deliver a fatal blow to me? The He family is a century-old family that has weathered countless storms in the capital and remains as solid as a mountain. To think that a few rumors can bring me down is laughable."

"I was just worried about not having a reason to invite Lady Sui here, and look, she's provided one herself." He Yan sneered. "Since she's been so unkind, don't blame me for using force. Take a few more men with you; we must bring this Lady Sui, personally appointed by His Majesty, here!"

"yes!"

The henchman understood the meaning of these words and immediately went to carry out the order.

It was afternoon, the sun was shining, and the temperature was low in late winter and early spring. The whole family was sitting in the yard basking in the sun.

Grandma Zhao, along with Madam Wen and Madam Sun, were also there. The four of them, mother-in-law and daughters-in-law, were chatting about everyday matters.

They were originally discussing the children's marriage when Madam Sun suddenly said mysteriously, "Last night, that Lord He sent someone to the thatched hut where Sha Gen and his family are temporarily staying. It seemed he was looking for Sha Gen's wife. Luckily, she went back to her parents' home, otherwise, something terrible would have happened. When is Lord He going to leave? Staying here is making me incredibly anxious. What if he takes a fancy to me...?"

Old Mrs. Zhao rolled her eyes: "It's not even dark yet, what are you daydreaming about! Loose lips sink ships, mind your own business!"

Wen was also speechless. She glanced at Sun's protruding belly and said, "Third Aunt, take good care of yourself during your pregnancy and stop thinking about unnecessary things."

As they were talking, several figures suddenly appeared at the door.

The gate to Cheng Wanwan's courtyard was never closed, and the four constables walked in and stood in front of Cheng Wanwan: "Madam Sui, our master invites you in."

Cheng Wanwan put down the cabbage she was picking and said calmly, "Can't you see I'm busy? Go after I'm done."

“Our master means that we request that Lady Sui go there now.” The official’s attitude was firm. “Lady Sui, please.”

Sun was so shocked she almost knocked over the vegetable basket in front of her. Her eyes were so wide they almost popped out. Could it be that Lord He has taken a fancy to her sister-in-law?

My sister-in-law is a ninth-rank lady; Lord He is far too audacious!

Old Mrs. Zhao's eyes also darkened, and she silently blocked Cheng Wanwan's path.

"It seems that Madam Sui is going to refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit." The leading officer sneered. "I was only following orders, so please don't blame me, Madam Sui."

He shoved Old Mrs. Zhao away and grabbed Cheng Wanwan's right arm.

"Hey, what are you doing!" Madam Sun rushed over suddenly. "You little lackey, how dare you lay a hand on a ninth-rank lady personally appointed by the Emperor? You're tired of living! Let go, let go of my sister-in-law!"

Sun couldn't pry open that vise-like hand, and was instead shoved hard by the officer.

"Damn it, how dare you push me!"

Sun straightened up and tried to get up from the ground.

Just as she was about to get up, she received a look from Cheng Wanwan.

Having followed Cheng Wanwan for at least half a year, she could barely understand the look in her eyes.

She immediately collapsed, clutching her stomach and crying out, "My stomach hurts so much! My baby... Is my baby gone?... Oh, I'm going to die! Come quick! The official is beating a pregnant woman in broad daylight! He's made my baby disappear! Help! Help!"

As soon as Mrs. Sun called out, the busy men outside dropped what they were doing and rushed in.

Many of these people were in the patrol team. Upon seeing the scene before them, they immediately became enraged and grabbed firewood from the yard, shouting, "Let go of Dashan's mother!"

The leading officer was also enraged: "You bunch of unruly people, are you trying to defy the government? Anyone who disobeys orders will be executed!"

He suddenly drew the sword from his waist.

Cheng Wanwan was standing right next to him when his blade grazed her arm, sending her flying like a kite with a broken string.

"puff!"

She clutched her chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The blood was scarlet and spread across the bluestone floor.

"Dashan Niang!"

"Sister-in-law Zhao!"

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

A group of men, carrying weapons, surrounded the four constables.

The official was also stunned. He hadn't laid a hand on Lady Sui or pushed her away at all. How could Lady Sui have vomited blood? Was her body so fragile?

Although he had Lord He backing him up, he was still a little flustered.

If Lady Sui were to die like this, he would definitely be in deep trouble!

"You bunch of troublemakers, just you wait!"

The officer sheathed his sword and left in a menacing manner.

The four sons, who were busy outside, rushed in.

"Mother, what's wrong? Quick, someone go and fetch Doctor Zheng!"

Zhao Dashan picked Cheng Wanwan up in his arms, rushed into the house, and carefully placed her on the bed.

"Mother..." Zhao Sidan's eyes filled with tears. "Mother, please don't die. Mother, say something, I'm scared..."

Cheng Wanwan coughed: "Close the door..."

Zhao Sanniu quickly closed the door.

After leaving her four sons alone in the room, Cheng Wanwan immediately sat up in bed as if nothing had happened. She took out a blood pack from her chest: "Didn't we kill a chicken at noon? The blood I just vomited on the ground is all chicken blood. Si Dan, don't laugh, you have to cry, cry sadly, make everyone think I'm about to die..."

Zhao Sidan quickly suppressed his smile, his expression even more unpleasant than crying.

In Cheng Wanwan's courtyard, a large group of people had gathered, each of them looking indignant.

"Ever since Lord He came, our Dahe Village has become a mess, it's so unbearable."

“Old Lady Dashan is a ninth-rank lady, yet she was nearly beaten to death by Lord He’s henchman. What about us common folk? Will things get even worse?”

"The village head also fell ill from anger and was bedridden. When I went to see him in the morning, his face was as white as a dead man."

"Grandma Dashan and Uncle Village Head have both fallen ill, what will become of our village..."

People were filled with anxiety and unease.

After the official returned, he reported on Madam Sui's injury: "Madam Sui is stubborn and refused to come over. I didn't use any force, but she inexplicably fell down and coughed up blood. I don't know if she'll survive... Sir, Madam Sui has a great reputation in the surrounding area. If this gets out, it will be very bad for you..."

He Yan tapped the table, feeling it was a pity.

He had always preferred young girls, but this was the first time he had ever been interested in a woman in her early thirties. He never expected that this Lady Sui would be in such poor health. A woman in poor health couldn't withstand his torment.

He put those thoughts aside and said coldly, "Give these people something to do, and they won't gossip so easily. Give the order: the coal mine is recruiting workers. Any strong man can sign up. Twenty copper coins a day, paid on the same day!"

The officials quickly posted notices announcing the need for many jobs. The most important job was road repair, followed by wall repair, office building, mine construction, coal mining, etc. The first round of recruitment was for at least two hundred people.

However, even after the notice was posted for a whole day, not a single person came to register.