Old Chen was already reluctant to go to the county town, even though the reward for reporting murderers and thieves was substantial.

But Chen Zhanshan was, after all, his son. As the saying goes, even a tiger wouldn't eat its own cubs.

If the villagers found out that he didn't even spare his own son, how could he ever face anyone again?

Moreover, he simply didn't believe Chen Zhanshan would dare to do anything evil.

Although the person was lying in his house, he was still alive, so he couldn't really be considered evidence.

The authorities need witnesses and physical evidence to investigate a case. A case cannot be established based solely on a half-dead person.

If they cannot prove that the person was beaten like that by the eldest son's family, they will not win even if they go to the authorities.

Just now, when his wife, Chen Ruolan, yelled at him in the house, he was so anxious that he lost his ability to think. Now that he thinks about it, he can't go to the county government office so easily.

If the lawsuit fails and the perpetrator is falsely accused, wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

Thinking of this, he quickly shook off Old Mrs. Chen's arm, stopped in his tracks, and deliberately said, "Oh, it's the security guard. Your aunt and I are planning to go to the county town."

When Old Man Chen told the truth, Old Woman Chen was so angry she almost couldn't breathe. She thought, "That old man is good for nothing and good for nothing. He never thinks before he speaks. Why does he say everything to others?"

He looked up and gave Old Man Chen a cold glare, his eyes full of warning.

As the village head, Wu Baoan was naturally more vigilant than others.

The Chen family had no relatives in the county town, and by the time they arrived, it would be dark.

Furthermore, the two of them were acting suspiciously, their eyes darting around; there must be something they were up to.

He smiled faintly, "Uncle, what a coincidence, I also need to go to Yangcheng County to take care of some business. Wait a moment, I'll go home and drive the oxcart to give you a ride."

Grandma Chen was stunned, her eyes widening. "You're going to the county town too?"

Wu Baoan nodded. "Didn't you sell the land next to the cowshed to Zhanshan a few days ago? I was just about to go to the county to get the land deed and household registration for them. Since we've come this far, let's go together. It'll be good to have company on the road."

Wu Baoan lied. In fact, he came to the Chen family to deliver the land deed and household registration documents to Chen Qingqing. He said this only to prove his suspicion that the old couple was hiding something from him.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Old Mrs. Chen's face turned even paler.

She couldn't go with him. If Wu Baoan found out the truth, and he stole the credit, the reward money would have nothing to do with her.

No, I have to get him out of here right away.

Grandma Chen shook her head vigorously. "I remember now. I have some things to take care of at home, so I won't go to the county town. You go first, don't wait for us."

Upon hearing this, Old Man Chen, fearing that Wu Baoan might actually be fooled by her, hurriedly said loudly, "Old woman, how can we not go to the county government? What if they destroy the evidence and secretly bury the person? We'll be accused of false accusation, which will land us in jail."

Old Mrs. Chen's face darkened. This old man was such a chatterbox. She was so angry that she raised her hand and poked him. "Shut your stinking mouth. If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."

“I… I said something wrong,” Old Chen said, sticking out his neck. “That’s just how it is.”

Wu Baoan's heart tightened. County government, evidence, false accusation—it seemed he had guessed right; the old couple really were in trouble.

He frowned and asked with a stern face, "Uncle, Aunt, what exactly happened? Don't hide it from me."

Our village has always been peaceful. If there is any illegal or disorderly conduct, as the village head, I have the right to resolve ordinary disputes.

Even if you can't resolve it, there's still the town's headman. You can't take some trivial matter to the yamen (government office). Everything has rules; you can't just act recklessly!

Grandma Chen panicked and stammered, "Nothing, really nothing. It's just that my husband and I had a little argument and wanted to go to the county town to clear our heads."

"Auntie, don't try to fool me. What Uncle Chen said just now wasn't just a simple argument."

If you don't explain things clearly, and something really goes wrong, don't blame me for not warning you.

Seeing that he wouldn't give up, Old Mrs. Chen was furious. He was like a stubborn leech, impossible to shake off.

It seems that Wu Baoan will not let this go until he gives a clear explanation today.

Forget it, I'll just talk to him and make things clear. At worst, I'll give him a few taels of silver later.

After all, this is his livelihood, and he'll be seeing her all the time. If he were to cause her trouble at a crucial moment, it would be a huge loss.

Having made up her mind, she looked around and lowered her voice,

“Nephew, to tell you the truth, but don’t tell anyone else, something terrible has happened to Chen Zhanshan’s family.”

Wu Baoan's eyes sharpened, and he hurriedly asked, "Something happened to the Zhan Shan family. What exactly happened to them?"

"You'd be terrified if I told you."

Old Mrs. Chen looked mysterious.

"Let me tell you, that wretched girl from Chen Zhanshan's family, she looks sullen, but she's actually no good person."

Her heart was utterly black; she would kill and rob for money just to fill her stomach.

"That young girl murdered someone for money?"

Wu Baoan was taken aback at first, then shook his head in denial.

“Auntie, you can eat whatever you want, but you can’t say whatever you want. Everything requires evidence. If you fabricate facts and throw mud at Qingya, and the authorities find out, you will be guilty of false accusation and framing, which will land you in jail.”

"Don't worry, security guard. I never do anything without being sure of the outcome. Since I dared to report this to the county government, I must have solid evidence."

"This is a matter of life and death, it's not something to be taken lightly, so don't talk nonsense."

"Absolutely no mistake. The dead man in his family is the evidence. As soon as the officials arrive, they will definitely catch them red-handed." Old Mrs. Chen said with great confidence.

Old Chen coughed lightly and picked up the conversation.

"Security guard, we all know how dangerous Wolf Valley is. That girl said she dug up ginseng. Whether you believe it or not, I don't believe it at all."

The living dead person lying in his house is really suspicious, so your aunt and I plan to report it to the county government and ask them to investigate.

While we don't believe Qingya would kill anyone, we can't just stand by and watch her do bad things. Don't you agree?

Wu Baoan laughed so hard he almost choked, as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.

"You're saying that the unconscious man in his house is evidence that Qingyatou committed murder, robbery, and murder for money?"

Grandma Chen was taken aback. "What? You don't know about this, do you?"

"Auntie, everyone in our village knows that Qingya rescued someone from Wolf Valley. Didn't you know?"

"This...this can't be!" Old Mrs. Chen's eyes widened in disbelief. "That brat could have such good intentions?"

Wu Baoan's face darkened, and he snorted coldly, "Qing girl had already told me about this. You're lucky you ran into me, otherwise you would have made a huge mess of things."

......