Just as Jiang Zhi was thinking about how to reveal that Nie Fantian's biological mother was someone else and how to defend herself, Tian Tao next to her cried: "Master, that Xiao Tian can't resent you."
I heard from Xiaoman that his family never skimped on his food, clothing, or daily necessities; everyone in Xujia Village knows that.
As the second wife's child who once had to give way to others in everything, Tian Tao truly detests forbearance.
Xiaoman also said that Xiaotian used to eat better than Errui.
If there were any good things at home, Grandpa and Grandma would only give them to Xiaotian, and Errui would have to give way to him.
Even if we don't say that Errui is the biological grandson, they're all children, so why should he give way to them?
Moreover, Xiaoman almost lost his life because he was mistaken for Xiaotian, and now his master is being blamed. Is there any justice in this world?
As she spoke, she knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly to Magistrate Zhang: "Your Excellency Magistrate, my master raised me with great difficulty; I am not a child of the Xu family, and Xiaotian is not of the Xu family bloodline!"
"Tao'er, I'm going to beat you to death! You dare to say anything! How could you just say such a thing?"
Jiang Zhi was just wondering how to tell the truth without sounding abrupt when Tian Tao suddenly said something that made it all seem natural.
She was delighted inside, but her face showed great alarm, and she sternly stopped Tian Tao.
She said she was going to hit someone, but she didn't move.
At this moment, Fatty Jiang was indeed stunned: "What did you say? Village Chief Jiang, let your apprentice finish speaking!"
How come I haven't heard Xiaotian mention such a big thing? I only heard him say that he suffered when he was fostered.
Magistrate Zhang frowned deeply: "This must be the real reason behind the murder at Qingquan Bay Pharmacy!"
Only three months had passed since the murder in Xujia Village, but he still remembered what he had investigated. The murderer who went to Qingquan Bay had asked about the name "Xiao Tian" in Lihua Town.
I just mistook Xiaoman for "Xiaotian" at the time.
Having said that, seeing the two begin to ask about her background, Jiang Zhi sighed deeply: "This is not something I, as her aunt, should be saying. No matter what, Xiao Tian was a child sent back by my aunt, and we raised him as our own nephew. But... Magistrate Zhang also knows about what happened afterward. It was truly a family scandal!"
Jiang Pangzi stopped laughing; his focus had shifted from his aunt abusing the child to his origins!
He said in a deep voice, "Village Chief Jiang, why don't you tell me why Nie Fantian isn't of the Xu family bloodline?"
Jiang Zhi smiled bitterly: "I can't explain what happened here. My aunt brought the child back and said one thing: raise the child like an animal, just don't let him die."
We assumed she was just saying it to make people feel sorry for her, but when we found her aunt a few months ago, we realized something was amiss.
Xiao Tian is also unfortunate; he has to find out who his parents are himself.
I'm just a peasant woman; all I know is farming and raising pigs. I don't understand those shameful and sordid things.
Xiaoman had only asked who Xiaotian's child was when she was nearly slashed in the neck with a large knife, and she almost lost her life when she returned.
If they keep investigating my house, I'm afraid I won't see the sun tomorrow.
Magistrate Zhang said, "We did find some clues about the previous matter, but the suspect is in Jincheng Prefecture. I have already sent an official letter requesting assistance in the investigation, but there has been no reply yet. The case is still under investigation."
This kind of case, which is 18 years old and lacks evidence, will definitely take a long time to investigate in another location, so naturally there has been no reply yet.
Jiang the Fat Man's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. This was too arrogant. He said to Jiang Zhi, "Tell me everything your family knows."
If that's really the case, I'll explain it to Xiaotian myself!
If Xiao Tianzhen weren't of the Xu family bloodline, and had been raised to adulthood by the Xu family, you would be a great benefactor.
"Let's forget about being benefactors or not. Raising a child always offends people. As long as Xiaotian doesn't hold a grudge," Jiang Zhi said sadly, wiping away her tears.
Next, she told Jiang Pangzi and Magistrate Zhang everything about how she had met her aunt Xu Yuxian four months ago, went to her house to ask her why she had abandoned her child, and then made a scene at the Du family and beat Xu Yuxian.
"Perhaps I offended my aunt by hitting her, and then the thugs came to the village looking for my relatives. Then the pharmacy was attacked for no reason. We have no evidence to prove who did it, and we can only guess that someone wanted to kill us to cover it up."
"So, all these years you've been unaware of the truth and have always treated Nie Fantian as your own nephew?" Fatty Jiang asked again.
Jiang Zhi smiled bitterly: "What good is it to treat him like a nephew? The countryside is poor, and we can barely make ends meet. Even if I want to treat him better, I can't do anything about it."
If you ever meet Xiaotian, please tell him that my past harshness was not what I intended.
If he hadn't appeared at the Xu family's house, I would have only scolded and beaten my two sons, not him.
Even today, it was my eldest son who came to do the work; it wasn't just me, an old woman, running around in the sweltering summer heat, unable to stay home and take care of my granddaughter.
Jiang Zhi emphasized the phrase "her two sons" very much in her speech.
Looking back now, if Da Rui were still alive, he would be about the same age as Da Zhu in Xiao Man's family, just as sensible and capable.
Having another son means I can leave all my affairs to him to manage, instead of forcing Errui into things every day and making myself suffer along with him.
Even when there was chaos and people were fleeing, they weren't afraid.
Fatty Jiang didn't speak again; he couldn't say anything more. As a member of King Zhou's staff, he wasn't stupid, and he already understood the key point.
While it wasn't Xiaotian's fault that he made an old woman from the countryside work herself to the bone, he was partly to blame.
Moreover, the source of this suffering is not the Xu family; the Xu family is also a victim. What is needed now is to find the group of people who targeted the Xu family and tried to silence them.
"I'll tell General Nie about these things when we get back to the army!" Fatty Jiang regained his cheerful demeanor.
Jiang Zhi finally felt relieved about most of the things that had been troubling her. She only hoped that everyone would be well and not bother each other in the future.
She shouldn't benefit from the male lead's good fortune, nor should she let his bad luck affect her.
After lunch, the meeting resumed, and everyone gathered together again.
Jiang Zhi made an agreement with several pavilion chiefs that she could teach Miao techniques, but they would have to bring a few people over to learn next spring.
The village chiefs were extremely grateful, knowing that the people in their jurisdiction would have enough to eat and wear, and that their good reputation as village chiefs would be passed down from generation to generation.
Jiang Zhi was unable to return to Xujia Village for the next few days.
She visited other people's pharmacies and herb gardens, and also visited the homes of the village chiefs.
At a time when everyone was chatting and laughing with companions and no one gave them a hard time, Xu Family Village was thrown into chaos.
Li Laoshi was grabbed by the collar and lifted up by Xu Genqing, who gritted his teeth and said, "Uncle Li, I have always been polite and respectful to you, how could you do such a thing!"
Li Laoshi raised his head, looked directly at his adopted son, and said in a firm tone, "My relationship with your mother is aboveboard and beyond reproach. There's nothing shady or underhanded about it."
Even if you beat me to death, I'll still say the same thing: your mother and I are having an affair, and it's entirely of our own free will.
Xu Genqing shoved him away: "I won't agree to this. Don't even think about stepping into my house for a meal, and don't expect me to call you 'Dad'."
Li Laoshi touched the bruise on his forehead, wincing in pain, but still held his head high and replied defiantly, "If I can afford to marry a wife, I can afford to support her. I won't eat a single bite of your food, and I don't want you to call me 'Dad'."
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