Seeing his appearance, Chen Xiaoyun was truly furious and had a headache. She cried and shouted, "You good-for-nothing Wang Erlang! You coward! Didn't we agree that there would be money after the matter was done? You're such a good-for-nothing! Give me back my money for the croton oil!"
Upon hearing this, everyone exclaimed, "It's done? Croton seeds? What else is there to understand! This couple swallowed croton seeds at home, intending to make Ruyi Cake Shop pay them back!"
In an instant, all sorts of curses flew in like snowflakes, mixed with a lot of vulgar language. Even though Chen Xiaoyun was thick-skinned, her face turned red when she heard those words.
"Make way, make way!" A man dressed as a constable walked in from the outside, frowned, and immediately understood what was going on! Besides, he had clearly heard outside that these two people were trying to extort money!
"Alright, come with us!"
The constable already knew that his wife, the county magistrate's wife, was acquainted with the shop owner. When he learned that it was Ruyi Cake Shop that came to report the case, he had no choice but to go and make his presence known.
So he quickly brought his two underlings over. He thought that Ruyi Cake Shop was a big and powerful business, and might bully people. But after listening outside for a long time, he found out that someone was trying to extort money.
They arrived quite early, so why didn't they come in? The two underlings were also very puzzled. The leading constable only said three words, "Timely Rain!"
Do you understand? No! You two are such dimwits! Anyway, I have some time, so I'll chat with you for a couple of bucks!
"Better time than early. Since we're already here, let's observe the situation from the sidelines first. We'll show up when Ruyi Cake Shop is in a complete mess, wouldn't that be a lifesaver? The owner will be grateful to us!"
The head constable was in a good mood today. Just now, Hua Zi was sent to the yamen by Cao Wenshan to report a case, and he even handed him a piece of silver! See? That's how efficient he is!
The two constables looked at each other, then suddenly realized what was going on and flattered each other: "Boss, you're brilliant!"
Alright, and so a new generation of shrewd petty officials has grown up.
"Alright, come with us!" The constable tucked the wooden stick in his hand into his waistband and waved for his two henchmen to take the man away.
Chen Xiaoyun was already stunned because she had let something slip. She had barely recovered when she realized the constables were about to escort them away! This was unacceptable! She suddenly broke free of her restraints, rushed out of the crowd, and ran...?
No one expected this to happen. The three constables certainly didn't expect it either. This woman hadn't committed any heinous crime. If the shop owner didn't pursue the matter, she would at most be detained for a few days and then released. Or if the shop owner didn't want to let it go, it wouldn't be a big deal. An apology and a couple of lashes or some compensation would be enough to settle the matter.
But if he runs away, the crime will be much bigger!
This is evading the law, which would have been severely punished in ancient times.
The three constables exchanged a glance. Well, there's still one left. Besides, you're just a woman. No matter how fast you run, where can you go? You'll just run home and be caught by them sooner or later.
After the initial shock subsided, the group left with Wang Erlang, their faces expressionless.
The eldest child stared thoughtfully at the retreating figure, his expression shifting several times.
These things naturally did not escape the eyes of Qin San Niang, her mother.
"Master, when did you arrive?" Xiao Jin was the first to see Qin San Niang and Da Wa, and then greeted them.
He also liked this young master very much. In his short life, he had never known that the children of wealthy families could be so simple and honest. And as simple and honest as he was, he was not stupid at all. The young master could not only read and write, but also keep accounts, and he could run a jam business all by himself.
Like mother, like son!
Cao Wenshan, Mu Chun, and the others also saw them, and the group quickly went into the store.
"Boss, this couple is here to extort us. Sigh, this kind of thing is probably done by Chen's gang. They've used these dirty tricks before, and that's how they ruined those pastry shops that went bankrupt," Mu Chun said with a sigh, his heart filled with worry.
If it were their former employer, things would be fine. The Si family had powerful backers. Although their influence has greatly diminished, even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse, and they are not people like Chen Yushan who would dare to offend them at will!
Although Madam Qin is a good business owner who has expanded her shop, the fact that she has no powerful backing is enough to cause concern! Even with the magistrate's wife, it's not a guarantee of safety! After all, the magistrate's five-year term is almost up.
Qin San Niang didn't think that much about it. Who said she didn't have a powerful backer?
You create your own backing. Relying on others is unreliable; only by having strong personal power can you gain the favor of those in power and have a powerful patron. Otherwise, who would be willing to do something for someone else? It's all just mutual exploitation!
"Alright, everyone did a great job today. Ruyi Cake Shop's reputation has been preserved. I was just wondering whether I should step in, but now it's all been resolved for me. Everyone cooperated so well, and we have a lot to thank Old Doctor Cao." Qin San Niang bowed to Old Man Cao to express her gratitude.
"Madam Qin, you're too kind. This is all I should do." Old Man Cao quickly returned the greeting. For him, Ruyi Cake Shop had taken in his son, the charity had saved his wife and daughter-in-law, and Master Qin had given him a priceless prescription. This kindness was something he and his son would repay for a lifetime.
Besides, he wasn't lying; the man just now was indeed not sick at all, he had only taken croton seeds, and he had a clear conscience.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone dispersed. Thanks to Chen Xiaoyun and her husband's antics, all the work needed to be expedited.
"Da Wa, is something on your mind?" Just now, Qin San Niang noticed her son's unusual behavior and, after thinking about it, could only mean that it was because of Wang Erlang and his wife.
Da Wa certainly didn't have a good impression of Chen Xiaoyun, and she certainly wouldn't feel sorry for her. After all, in her own memory, Chen Xiaoyun hadn't done anything good to this child!
She vaguely remembered that the children often went hungry because of Chen Xiaoyun's thrift. If the eldest child still had any feelings for Chen Xiaoyun, it was nothing more than hatred.
Then it must be because of Wang Erlang, right?
In Qin San Niang's limited memory, this cheap younger brother-in-law wasn't so bad; she even thought he was a decent person.
Although he was carefree and irresponsible all day, he listened to advice, especially to the original owner of the body and his wife! If it weren't for his mother's instruction to marry Chen Xiaoyun later, and the subsequent death of his elder brother, Wang Erlang probably wouldn't have grown up to be so eccentric.
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