Those who stood guard outside the government office and watched the villains being executed clapped and cheered.
"That's good! The innocent person has finally been exonerated, and this despicable scoundrel has been punished!"
Upon hearing Zhao's words, Madam Wu wept with joy, for she had finally obtained justice for her husband!
Lu Qiqi was also very excited at this moment. Where there is oppression, there will be resistance. Although it took a lot of effort to capture Steward Zhang, this result was already considered good.
The evidence is conclusive. Just now, Zhu Datou wanted to protect Zhang Shuqiang. If he had heard what Zhao Shiye reported, he would have known that his head was covered in grass.
Presumably, he wouldn't have lost control on the spot and smashed Zhang Shuqiang's head with the gavel.
As for those thugs, the punishment wasn't light either. With constant warfare over the years and numerous city walls to be repaired through corvée labor, it would be a miracle if more than half of them survived in three years.
Previously, Wu had been trying to remain calm, but now that the person who harmed her husband had received his due punishment, she suddenly lost her strength, her legs went weak, and she knelt down on the ground.
Lu Qiqi didn't pay attention to Madam Wu for a moment. By the time she realized what was happening, Madam Wu was already kneeling on the ground.
She had a smile on her lips, but tears streamed down her face like a dam being opened.
Lu Qiqi squatted down and handed Wu a handkerchief, saying, "Sister-in-law, let's go home, let's take the tube with us!"
Wu opened her tearful eyes and looked at Lu Qiqi, who stood backlit, as if she were seeing a goddess from the heavens.
The thought that Lu Qiqi could overcome all difficulties and get justice for their family made him even more convinced of his idea.
Wu took a deep breath and said, "Yes, let's go home, let's take our husband home!"
Lu Qiqi helped Wu Shi out of the government office, glancing back at Master Zhao, who was standing next to Zhu Datou.
Master Zhao also saw her and raised his hands to bow to her from a distance.
Lu Qiqi nodded in response.
As Lu Qiqi and Wu stepped out of the government office side by side, Xiao Fa broke free from Li Changlong's hand and rushed forward to hug Wu's waist.
"mother!"
Mrs. Wu affectionately patted Xiao Fa's head and said, "Xiao Fa, your father is too cold outside, let's take him home."
Xiao Fa was too young to understand what separation and death meant. He only knew that his father would never make him a wooden sword again, nor would he ever let him ride a big horse again.
Little Fa asked innocently, "If we go home, Dad will let me ride a big horse, right?"
Upon hearing this, Wu covered her mouth with her hand, not wanting to cry out and frighten and worry Xiao Fa.
But she couldn't say that from now on, when Xiaofa calls out "Dad," no one will answer anymore.
The onlookers were stunned by Xiao Fa's words, speechless and unable to utter a word.
Lu Qiqi squatted down and looked Xiaofa in the eye, saying, "Xiaofa, your dad was too tired and fell asleep."
"It's just that he slept for a longer time this time, so you'll need to get used to it."
If you really miss your dad, you can talk to the stars at night, and they will tell him what you want to say.
Xiao Fa still didn't understand, and blinked her bright eyes as she asked, "When will my dad wake up?"
Upon hearing this, Wu could no longer hold back her sobs and burst into tears again, clutching her handkerchief.
Xiao Fa was drawn by Wu's crying and turned to look at her. He felt that his question had hurt her, so he said in a tearful voice, "Mother, I won't ask anymore. I won't bother Father now that he's asleep. Please don't cry, Mother."
After Xiao Fa turned around, Lu Qiqi also stood up. She felt she bore some responsibility for Tongzi's death. Although Zhang Shuqiang's property had been confiscated, it could be used to compensate Wu.
But the dead cannot be brought back to life, and no amount of money can bring back a life.
Since that's the case, we'll have to ask Village Chief Miao to take good care of the Wu mother and son in the future.
As Lu Qiqi walked forward, the people around her made way for her, but all their eyes were fixed on her face.
For many years, no one from Heshun Prefecture has been seen to emerge unscathed after striking the Dengwen Drum.
Adding to this Lu Qiqi's status as the village head, it makes people take notice even more.
Over the years, how many times have those in power and influence oppressed the people?
How can we not be moved and admire those in power who are willing to seek justice for the people?
The gray sky seemed to have been torn open by brute force, allowing a beam of light to scatter down.
Lu Qiqi walked up the steps of the government office and looked down at the coffin that was parked below.
He called out loudly, "The Miao family has returned home!"
This cry plunged everyone into a state of mournful lament.
"Lift the coffin! Let's take the coffin home!"
As soon as he finished speaking, eight men dressed in hemp clothing bent down and carried the coffin.
Li Changlong led the way with a white banner, while Lu Qiqi supported Wu Shi with her right hand and held Xiao Fa's hand with her left, following behind.
Eight men carried the black coffin all the way to Tianmiao Village.
Behind the coffin followed many of the onlookers who had gathered earlier, which in turn attracted onlookers from the street who were unaware of the situation.
The crowd of onlookers stopped seeing the coffin off only after it was carried out of the city gate.
Upon reaching the entrance of Tianmiao Village, Lu Qiqi saw a large number of villagers standing there, indicating that most of the villagers had gathered there.
Miao Dajiang stood out conspicuously in front of the villagers.
Upon learning that the criminals had been brought to justice, he rushed back to the village as fast as he could.
The purpose was to reach the village entrance and welcome Lu Qiqi and the others.
Miao Dajiang was deeply moved, his voice choked with emotion, "Village Chief, if it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would never have been able to get justice in this lifetime. On behalf of the villagers, I thank you very much, Village Chief."
As he spoke, Miao Dajiang wanted to kowtow to Lu Qiqi to express his gratitude.
Lu Qiqi quickly stopped him, saying, "Village Chief Miao, I am unworthy to accept your kneeling. I was the one who suggested planting trees in Tianshui Village, and I am also responsible for what happened to Tongzi."
"Your Excellency, you must not say such a thing!" Miao Dajiang said as Lu Qiqi helped him up.
Lu Qiqi said, "It's my responsibility, and I won't shirk it. It's my duty to seek justice for Tongzi."
Speaking of this, Li Changlong got angry. He stuck the bamboo root of the white banner into the ground and said indignantly, "The culprits of this matter are Zhang Shuqiang and Aunt Zhang. If they hadn't been so greedy and killed the villagers, Brother Tongzi wouldn't have died!"
"That's right, that's right!" The villagers agreed with Li Changlong's words.
After saying this, Village Chief Miao said, "It's time for Tongzi to be laid to rest. Let's take him away for burial."
Eight burly men lifted the coffin again and walked around the edge of the village to the back mountain where Tianmiao Village had been burying people for generations.
Taking a detour around the edge of the village, although the journey is longer than entering the village, is said by the older generation to mean that the coffin is not carried in, only out.
Upon arriving at the location, Lu Qiqi watched as the coffin was buried and she was covered in yellow earth.
The wooden plaque reads in large characters: Tomb of the Miao Family.
In front of the wooden sign was a roast chicken and a glass of wine.
Before leaving, Lu Qiqi lit three incense sticks and poured herself a cup of wine.
The wine was lightly spilled on the ground and instantly absorbed by the yellow soil.
Lu Qiqi parted her thin lips slightly, "Brother, I have gotten justice for you. I will arrange for someone to take care of your wife and children. Rest in peace."
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