A heavy rain extinguished all the evidence. Li Rouniang searched all night but couldn't find Erni, and her heart sank. Old Man Mo sighed and said, "Why don't we report it to the authorities?"
For ordinary people in such a poor and remote place, the government office was a place that was both unfamiliar and terrifying, but for her daughter's sake, Li Rou Niang had no choice but to grit her teeth and report to the authorities.
Mo Bei watched from afar as Li Rouniang walked into the government office, clenching his fists. He didn't follow her in because...
After finishing her preparations early in the morning, Granny Zhao hurried off to town.
From afar, she saw Qian Ruyi and his wife followed by servants of all ranks, a large group of people heading towards the Qian family home.
Mr. and Mrs. Qian naturally opened the door to welcome them. After exchanging a few pleasantries at the entrance, they went inside. Presumably, as Granny Gu had said, the Qian family was quite lively today.
Granny Zhao rolled her eyes, then spent a few coins to find a servant and said to him, "Could you please tell the young master of the Qian family that I am Erni's grandmother and wish to see him?"
Qian Duobao already disliked Wu Yong, and he wandered aimlessly in the courtyard, listening to the adults' lively greetings in the hall.
Just then, a servant said that someone claiming to be Aunt Erni had come looking for someone at the door.
He went outside and recognized the woman; she was indeed Granny Zhao.
Ani had told him to stay as far away from Granny Zhao as possible.
So he stepped forward somewhat warily and asked, "What do you want with me?"
"Oh dear, young master Duobao, I've finally found you! My Erni was hit by that carriage, and the doctor said there was no hope. She wanted to see you one last time," Granny Zhao said, pretending to cry.
"What? How could this happen? Where is she? Take me there right now!" Qian Duobao was frantic when he heard this, and he forgot all of Erni's instructions and hurriedly followed Granny Zhao outside.
"Young master, wait for me, wait for me!" At this moment, the little follower Jinzi hurriedly called some servants to follow.
When Granny Zhao saw so many people, she became worried. How could she possibly trick Qian Duobao?
But there was no other way at the moment, so he could only grit his teeth and take Qian Duobao outside.
"Which clinic are they at?" Qian Duobao asked anxiously.
Where is there a clinic? Old Lady Zhao could only make things up: "I don't remember either. This old woman doesn't know many words. Just come with me."
Qian Duobao had no choice but to follow them out. Inside the hall, Qian Ru saw Qian Duobao and the others leaving and a glint of light flashed in her eyes. She looked at Granny Gu, who nodded subtly in response.
Granny Zhao was trying to figure out how to shake off her followers when a crowd suddenly rushed towards her.
In the ensuing chaos, Qian Duobao and his servants were separated.
Seeing this as an opportunity, Granny Zhao quickly grabbed Qian Duobao and said anxiously, "It's just ahead, come with me quickly."
After saying that, he grabbed Qian Duobao and rushed forward, while Jinzi shouted from behind, "Young Master, Young Master, slow down! Wait for me!"
Amidst the chaos of the crowd, Qian Duobao didn't hear Jinzi's shout.
"Where exactly is Erni?" Seeing that Granny Zhao had led him a long way, Qian Duobao finally lost his patience and gradually realized that something was wrong.
At this moment, Granny Zhao revealed her true colors. She said in a sinister tone, "Young Master Qian, I'm sorry."
After saying that, he covered Qian Duobao's mouth with a handkerchief laced with a sleeping potion, carried him to the back door of the brothel, and handed him to Zhao Mazi: "I don't care how much you sell him for, I only have one request, take him out of town today."
After finishing her sentence, Granny Zhao left without even asking another question about Jiao Erni's situation.
"Of course, don't worry, Auntie. Go back and wait for my good news." Zhang Mazi assured her and pulled Qian Duobao into the backyard of the brothel.
Fearing trouble, Granny Zhao hurriedly left the town and returned to Zhao Family Village.
After overhearing Zhao Pozi and Zhao Mazi's conversation, Erni wanted to run back to tell her mother, but she was caught red-handed by Zhao Pozi and then knocked unconscious by Zhao Mazi. When she woke up, she was locked in a woodshed.
She whimpered, but no one paid her any attention. Her hands and feet were bound, and her mouth was gagged. She was truly helpless, her cries for help going unanswered.
Just as she was getting anxious, someone gently opened the door: "Are you Lady Li's daughter?"
The newcomer was a woman. Erni carefully examined the woman in front of her, following the light. Wasn't this the same Hua Rumeng, the woman who had been standing in front of the pharmacy the other day?
She nodded hurriedly, and Hua Rumeng released Zhao Erni's hands and feet. Erni spat out the handkerchief in her mouth: "Thank you, Aunt Hua. I was kidnapped. Please take me away."
Hua Rumeng had originally had a child, but sadly, the child didn't survive. If her daughter had grown up, she would probably be like Zhao Erni, so Hua Rumeng felt pity for her. Furthermore, Li Rouniang had indeed helped her, and in her heart, Li Rouniang was a very, very good person.
Hua Rumeng nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely take you out."
As the two were talking, a torrential downpour began outside, making it not a good time to escape.
Hua Rumeng then reassured Erni, "Wait for me. Once I've settled things, I'll find a quiet moment tomorrow to let you go. Do you remember the way home? Can you get back by yourself?"
Erni nodded emphatically: "I remember, my mother and I have been to town a few times. I can go back by myself. Thank you, Aunt Hua."
Hua Rumeng then got up and left, then went to the kitchen and stole a steamed bun, which she secretly brought over.
However, when she returned to her room, she saw the head mistress of the brothel, Madam Zhou, sitting there waiting for her, and her heart skipped a beat.
She still greeted him with a smile. "Sister Zhou, is there something you need so late?"
"It's nothing, but I noticed you seem quite interested in that girl in the woodshed. What? Do you know her?" Madam Zhou said coldly.
Hua Rumeng knew Hua Zhou Niangzi's methods, so she said, "I can't really say I know her. I just felt sorry for her. It reminded me of my daughter who died young. If she were still alive, she would probably be this big by now."
These half-truths and half-lies made Madam Zhou lower her guard, so she said, "Rumeng, although that child is pitiful, there are many pitiful people in the world, and we can't help everyone, right? People like us pity others, but who has ever pitied or helped us?"
Hua Rumeng nodded and said, "I understand, Sister Zhou, don't worry."
"Alright, to avoid suspicion, here's what you'll do: stay in your room for the whole day tomorrow, and come out after this matter is settled."
Hua Rumeng was shocked when she heard this. If she had locked Erni up for a day, wouldn't she be beyond saving?
Just as she was about to retort, Madam Zhou got up and ordered two servants to come and seal all her doors and windows, leaving her at a loss for what to do!
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