"Uncle Wei, I'm going back now. Remember to tell Brother Jingnian to come see me." After spending so many days together, Wang Xueru was even more reluctant to part with her beloved brother.
Wei Rongchang laughed heartily, "Alright, alright, we'll send Jingnian over in a few days."
"Dad, please say less." Wei Jingnian blushed unexpectedly. Wang Xueru, a young lady, was not embarrassed, but he was the one who felt awkward first.
Sun Miao'er interrupted, "It's getting late, let's hurry up and set off, otherwise we'll have to make do with dry rations for lunch on the road."
According to her plan, they could reach Pingnan City by noon, catch the oxcart back to the village at midday, and arrive home before dark. Grandma would surely miss them terribly.
The group boarded the carriage, and the horses galloped off onto the official road.
Wei Rongchang couldn't help but exclaim, "This woman is no ordinary person!"
“That’s impressive. Why doesn’t the master recruit him for his own use?” Madam Wei chimed in.
Wei Rongchang rolled his eyes at his son beside him and scoffed, "You mean him? Do you think he has that kind of ability?"
He understood what his wife meant. Wei Jingnian and Sun Miao'er were about the same age, and with her background, she seemed more than a match for Wei Jingnian. However, Wei Rongchang knew in his heart that his son could not handle such a girl.
Wei Jingnian received a sarcastic remark from his father and said in bewilderment, "Father, why are you criticizing me again? I studied diligently today!"
"Jingnian, you should save your father some trouble. Look, your mother wants to find you a marriage partner, but your father doesn't want to!" Madam Wei felt helpless and heartbroken seeing her son being scolded for no reason.
Wei Jingnian was taken aback, then immediately chased after him, retorting, "What marriage? My son should establish his career first, then settle down!"
"At least you have some self-awareness!" Wei Rongchang smiled knowingly. It seemed that Jingnian had indeed grown up quite a bit after this trip to Fushui Village.
During her stay at the Wei family's residence, Sun Miao'er spent her days learning weaving skills and her nights studying diligently. She barely slept and fell asleep in the carriage. When she woke up, they were already outside the Wang family's residence.
"Come in quickly, Miao'er!" Wang Xueru pulled Sun Miao'er out of the car. The Wang family's butler had gotten wind of it early on and was already waiting outside with his men.
Sun Miao'er hesitated to go forward, and said, "Xue Ru, I'm not going in. Xiao Man has been away for so long, and I haven't been home for a long time either. Grandma must miss us."
Furthermore, Jin was even more worried about being home alone with Grandma Sun. What if Grandma Sun fell ill and couldn't even get a hot meal?
"I'll take the raw yarn back to dye, and I'll come to town to find you when it's done." Sun Miao'er said goodbye to her. These days, she had spent every day with Wang Xueru and made a sister with whom she could speak her mind. She was happier than anyone else.
Wang Xueru hadn't expected the separation to come so soon, but she still managed to calm herself down. "Alright, Miao'er, you'd better hurry up. I'll be waiting for you to come find me!"
"kindness!"
On the oxcart, Sun Miao'er hugged the wooden box tightly to her chest. Inside were five hundred taels of silver. Five hundred taels was hard-earned, but it was all her savings for opening a shop in the future, and she couldn't spend it recklessly.
She only bought some tonics and medicinal herbs for Grandma Sun in the city, and picked out a few boxes of rouge to take back to Aunt Liang and Aunt Ge, who were people who had helped her before.
A drop of water in need deserves a spring in return.
Along the way, she was filled with thoughts, planning how to proceed. Her master was gone, and now she was left to fight alone.
In the future, I will not only encounter seasoned veterans like Wei Rongchang in the business world, but also cunning old foxes like Xie Pinggui. I need to be more careful.
The journey was smooth today, and we arrived at Fushui Village before it got dark.
Sun Miao'er hurriedly led her two younger brothers home, her heart overflowing with joy. She knew that when Grandma Sun saw her two grandsons dressed in new clothes and looking so beautiful, she would be overjoyed.
However, when she arrived at the Sun family's gate, she saw the government's horses tied up outside, and Sun Miao'er's heart tightened.
What happened at home?
Her heart was in her throat, fearing something might have happened to Grandma Sun, so she hurried inside.
Just as she met Shan Qiu's gaze, Sun Miao'er was so startled that she took two steps back.
"Miss Sun?" Shan Qiu asked in confusion.
Sun Miao'er scratched her head, wondering what had brought her here, and said with an embarrassed smile, "What a coincidence, running into Constable Shan here!"
"Miss Sun, is this your home?" Shan Qiu asked tentatively.
Sun Miao'er gave him a "what else do you think?" look, but she didn't expect Shan Qiu to suddenly show up. "Officer Shan, what brings you here?"
“A few days ago, Dahuai Village handed over a couple who were swindling innocent women to the authorities. When we investigated, we found out that they had a daughter who was married in Fushui Village. I was ordered to come here to search for evidence.” Shan Qiu was as serious as ever, speaking with meticulous care.
Sun Miao'er nodded, "Yes, that's my second aunt."
"You didn't know about this?" Shan Qiu asked again, fearing that this family might be accomplices of that couple.
Grandma Sun came out leaning on her cane. When she saw Sun Miao'er, she rushed forward to protect her. "Our Sun family has always been good people. We have never done anything bad. We were tricked by the Jin family to marry their daughter. Tell me, what good family would marry someone with such a background!"
"Grandma!" Sun Miao'er rushed forward excitedly and helped the old lady Sun. "It's windy at the door, don't stand here. Don't worry, I know Officer Shan. He's a good officer who enforces the law impartially. He'll find out the truth."
Dan Qiu remained unmoved and asked coldly, "Where are the Jin family's men now?"
Sun Miao'er quickly explained, "Second Aunt usually likes to play leaf games, and she probably hasn't come back yet." She looked up at the sky outside, "But it's still fun. Officer Shan, sit down and have a cup of hot tea first."
"No need, I'm here to investigate a case," Shan Qiuyi said sternly, rejecting Sun Miao'er's offer.
Just then, Jin, who had won money today, walked happily to her doorstep, only to have a sheathed knife held to her neck. Terrified, she retreated repeatedly, crying out, "Oh dear, sir!"
She cried out softly, pushing the scabbard aside. "Sir, can't we talk this out? Why did you come here to see me?"
Jin was confused and thought that Sun Yuanhu had caused trouble outside and was coming after her.
"Yes." Shan Qiu was always sparing with his words.
Jin's eyes darted around, her heart pounding with panic. "Sir, what's going on? I'm from a poor, remote village, and I'm so sorry to trouble you. Oh, by the way, I have a cousin who also works in the yamen. I wonder if you know him..."
Even now, Madam Jin still wanted to go up and make some connections.
Unexpectedly, Shan Qiu's next words struck her like a thunderbolt.
"Your parents are involved in the business of swindling and abducting women. Did you know that?" Shan Qiu asked sternly.
Jin collapsed to the ground in panic, shaking her head stammering, "No, I don't know..."
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