Ruan Meng's heart softened, and she explained:
“If the authorities investigate, and the other guests are all fine, they won’t be able to find any evidence.”
Even if we beat the scoundrels senseless, they might still suspect the tea stall owner and his assistant...
At this moment, Ruan Zheng felt that compared to his sister, he was indeed impulsive; his sister had actually thought so far ahead.
Ruan Zheng readily admitted, "My third brother found out about my sister's reminder. I did act impulsively at the time!"
"Third Brother will be more careful in the future."
Ruan Meng shook her head, "Third Brother is right to protect his family. It's just that we've only just arrived in the South Island, so it's not wise for us to make enemies."
"But that doesn't mean we should let those who bullied us get away with it. There are still many ways to teach those who bullied us a lesson!"
Ruan Zheng nodded, and the two returned home. They bought another machete because they didn't have enough tools for beachcombing; they could go up the mountain to cut bamboo and make their own.
After meeting up with his elder brother and sister-in-law, and handing the remaining money to his sister-in-law, the Fan family finally reunited.
The Fan family members were excited. "Have you heard? I heard from people in the city that yesterday, when the county was being divided, several constables who demanded money from us fell ill after they got back!"
"I heard that he had diarrhea for a long time and was so weak that he couldn't even get out of bed!"
"Hmph! Let them bully others, they'll get their just desserts!"
Ruan Meng smiled, while Ruan Zheng lowered his head, looking at his sister with a puzzled expression after thinking for a moment. Ruan Meng looked up and met his gaze, her eyes fixed on him.
Ruan Zheng seemed to suddenly understand, and his eyes lit up.
He was still resentful about how his family had been bullied by the constables yesterday, and how he had been unable to do anything about it.
Unexpectedly, my sister has already avenged everyone!
My sister is right. Using your brain is more effective than throwing punches!
The seafood from the Song and Fan families sold quite well. Although it only cost a few hundred coins, they had come to inquire about the market and buy daily necessities. They returned home with their bags full and were very happy.
They were filled with envy when they saw that the Ruan family had bought a handcart.
The Ruan family loaded their belongings onto the cart they had purchased, and the eldest brother also sat on his own cart, while the village chief's wheelbarrow was given to the Ruan family to store their purchases.
The two families were very grateful and shared the food they had bought. The sister-in-law also gave each family a few steamed buns.
"oops!"
Ruan Meng slapped her forehead, "I forgot to buy seasonings!"
The elder sister-in-law picked out a small jar from the cart and handed it to Ruan Meng to look at; it turned out to be a small jar of salt.
Although people can make their own salt by the sea, the salt they produce cannot remove the brine and has a strong corrosive effect on the intestines.
Ruan Meng observed that the villagers did not produce their own salt, which must have been because they discovered the dangers of consuming homemade salt during their production practices.
From the villagers, Ruan Meng learned that salt fields were set up on the southern island, under the jurisdiction of the government and later taken over by the imperial court.
Islanders who need to use it must pay for it, but the price is slightly lower than the market price.
Ruan Meng learned that in addition to salt, her sister-in-law also bought pots, pans, and aged vinegar.
The island's residents only have these two seasonings in their daily lives, and many are even reluctant to eat salt.
Ruan Meng hugged and kissed her sister-in-law, praising her endlessly.
The elder brother couldn't help but chuckle, and when no one was around, he casually asked:
"Meng'er, were all the medicinal herbs that were damaged by the state government yesterday wasted?"
Ruan Meng guessed that, given her elder brother's intelligence, he must have figured out that the vomiting and inability to get out of bed by the prefectural officials was caused by him.
Seeing through it but not saying it, he explained with a smile, "Yes! Many medicinal herbs are actually toxic, and mixing them with other herbs will affect the efficacy of the medicine."
"I wonder if those constables got diarrhea because they came into contact with these medicinal herbs..."
"Oh! What can I say!"
With an uncontrollable upturn at the corners of her lips, she explained to her elder brother as if showing off a treasure, "I'm just worried that if other people think the herbs are still useful and pick them up, what if they get poisoned?"
"So, I picked it up, carried it for a while, and buried it in the ground, bundle and all!"
The body has been disposed of, don't worry, brother!
The older brother smiled and said nothing more.
By the time we got back to the village, it was already dark.
It's hot, and the leftover buns will definitely spoil if left until the next day.
The eldest sister-in-law packed a few and had the second son take them to return the wheelbarrow to the village chief.
The rest, along with the food and supplies bought for Granny Liu, were packed together and handed to Ruan Meng.
The eldest sister-in-law patted the borrowed quilt clean, folded it together, and then had the third brother carry the two borrowed wooden buckets. The three of them went to Granny Liu's house together.
Upon hearing the purpose of the visit, Granny Liu opened and closed her lips, unable to utter a word for a long time.
Grandma Liu initially refused the supplies and money, but her sister-in-law persuaded her, saying it would make it easier to ask for help later, and that the money was specially bought for her and would be enough for her own family's occasional use...
Grandma Liu reluctantly accepted the millet and supplies, but resolutely refused to accept any money.
Grandma Liu saw them off at the door. From where they stood, the three women, aunt and sister-in-law, could see the moonlight shining on the stone house, and the eldest brother leaning against the door, waiting for them to come home...
All three of them felt that there was hope for the future.
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