Chapter 263 Vicious
Lin Yuesha always knew that without a man to support the family, life was difficult for women, especially for widows who often faced gossip and trouble. Just look at Widow Sun. However, at least Widow Sun had a son, so she had managed to get through it all.
She knew it in her heart, but Lin Yuesha didn't take it seriously. She really didn't think men were better than women in any way. But now, she deeply realized the importance of the pillar of the family.
If Master Jiang were still alive, even if Zhao San Niang had the mind, she would never have thought of such a vicious idea.
You can't judge a book by its cover. There are too many people who appear honest and kind on the surface but are actually treacherous on the inside.
Lin Yuesha reminded herself that she must never be careless when judging people, otherwise it could bring unexpected disasters.
“Sister Yue Sha, trade me for the white tea. All the trouble was caused by me.”
Jiang Baozhu was very excited. She was increasingly resentful of her own incompetence, which made her even more frustrated than when she first discovered that she had been reborn.
With He Xing dead, she felt a huge weight lifted from her heart, always believing that no one could be more ruthless than He Xing.
Who knew that I would end up doing a good deed and letting the wolf into the house?
"No, that won't work."
Lin Yuesha shook her head. It was impossible to replace her. If Jiang Baozhu made a request, it would only embolden those people, and in the end, both Jiang Baozhu and Bai Cha would fall into their hands.
"Don't come any closer, or we brothers will drag her down with us even when we're dying!"
The leader of the men pressed a dagger close to Bai Cha's neck, and instantly, a gash appeared on Bai Cha's neck, from which blood gushed out.
"Miss, don't worry about me."
Even when threatened, Bai Cha tried her best to remain calm and expressionless. Her crying and wailing would only affect her mistress's judgment.
“Miss Lin, look at this…”
The constables were caught in a dilemma. Normally, when they encountered criminals, they would immediately rush forward to arrest them and return to the yamen, where they would receive praise from the prefect.
However, the other party was holding Lin Yuesha's maid hostage, and the group had already received money, so they dared not act rashly.
However, the constables were dismissive of this, as threatening a servant with a death contract seemed to have no effect.
"Wait a moment."
Lin Yuesha waved her hand and stepped forward.
"Why did you kill her, gentlemen?"
Lin Yuesha pointed at Bai Cha, saying that using an innocent person as a hostage was a despicable act.
As a real man, one should be courageous and responsible, standing tall and upright, instead of preying on weak women.
"You make it sound so easy. If our schemes are exposed, we're definitely in deep trouble."
Killing one is enough, killing two is a bonus, at worst it's just death, but twenty years later you'll still be a hero.
"You all know you won't recover, you've already anticipated the outcome, so why drag innocent people down with you?"
Lin Yuesha stood with her hands behind her back, lecturing a few hooligans.
She had just learned the whole story from Jiang Baozhu. In the end, it was money that moved people's hearts, and they would do anything for money.
However, since these individuals were not the instigators, according to modern law, they would not be sentenced to death; at most, it would be considered attempted murder.
The laws of the Great Qi Dynasty were somewhat similar to those of modern times. If a few people could implicate the mastermind Zhao Sanniang and her daughter, they could atone for their crimes and have their punishments reduced accordingly.
"If you kill our maid, you will pay with your life and never see your family again."
As Lin Yuesha spoke, she observed the man in the lead and noticed that he was hesitant.
If there's a chance to survive, no one wants to risk their life like this.
Besides, even if he died, it would be in vain; a thousand taels of silver wouldn't even amount to a single copper coin in his family's hands.
"As long as you release the white tea and reveal the mastermind behind it, I will definitely plead with the prefect to give you a lenient sentence."
Lin Yuesha was just making things up; she wasn't a victim, and the prefect wouldn't listen to her pleas anyway.
"Are you serious?"
After a long silence and some internal struggle, the leading man asked.
"really."
Lin Yuesha nodded, her face tense and very serious.
The constable seemed to understand something and then explained the laws of the Great Qi Dynasty. In short, the crimes committed by these individuals did not warrant the death penalty.
However, they silently added in their hearts that even if the crime did not warrant death, at least being exiled to the Northwest would not be much better than death.
"Boss, my wife is about to give birth, and I want to see her one last time."
The man named Xiao Si was on the verge of tears. He knew he was guilty beyond redemption, but he still had a small wish.
"or……"
Seeing that they had nowhere to hide and could not run away, the others decided to turn themselves in.
It's not too late to pull back from the brink. This maid had no grudge against them, and killing her like this would be very inappropriate.
After struggling, the leader nodded in agreement, and Bai Cha was finally saved.
"Hey, you have to give me that dagger."
Lin Yuesha stared at the dagger in the leader's hand. It was a gift she had given to Jiang Baozhu, costing a full twenty taels of silver. She couldn't let it go to someone else.
"Miss!"
Bai Cha ran over, her eyes red and her body trembling. Her composure was just a facade; she was truly terrified.
"Everything is alright now."
Lin Yuesha patted Bai Cha's shoulder and said, "I don't think your cut is deep. We have some hemostatic ointment at home, so don't worry, it definitely won't leave a scar."
Several men were arrested, and the group followed the constables to the prefectural government office.
Upon learning of this, Lord Zhang was furious and sent his officers to arrest Zhao San Niang and her daughter Xiao Cui, who were still at the Jiang family's house.
Zhao Sanniang waited at home for news, but no one came to report it. However, she firmly believed that her plan would succeed.
As a result, she was met by government officials.
In the courtroom, several men identified Zhao Sanniang and found the little beggar who delivered the message, and the whole truth came to light.
"Zhao Sanniang, why did you try to harm me?"
Jiang Baozhu felt heartbroken. She thought she had treated Zhao Sanniang and her daughter well out of pity, and since there were few servants in the house, she treated them like half a family member, just like she treated Xiao Xi.
They were well cared for in terms of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation; in fact, their treatment was much better than that of ordinary servants.
"I didn't want to either."
Now that the evidence is irrefutable, Zhao Sanniang has no choice but to admit it. However, she claims that it was all her scheme and that her daughter, Xiaocui, was completely unaware of it.
"Neither Xu nor I can have a son, but you live much better than Xiao Cui. You think you're good to us, but you make Xiao Cui wash your underpants. Why should you do that!"
Zhao Sanniang roared, "My daughter wasn't born to serve others!"
"Because you are incompetent and have a mother like you, Xiao Cui ended up as a servant. If you were capable, you would have divorced Xiao Cui long ago, and she wouldn't have been sold."
Lin Yuesha couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted Zhao Sanniang. She was incompetent herself, yet resentful, blaming everyone who had been kind to them for her actions, making excuses for her own misdeeds—she was truly vicious.
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