Chapter 238 Officials Visit
Wan Lao Si supported Wan Lao Tai and whispered, "Mom, let's go back to the shop first. This is not the place to talk."
Old Mrs. Wan nodded and was helped into the shop by Old Fourth Wan.
It was not yet time for the shop to open, so everyone went to sit in the side room in the backyard.
As soon as Grandma Wan sat on the kang, little Fubao threw himself into her arms, hugged Grandma Wan's neck, and said softly, "Grandma, it's okay for big brother to be a soldier. Fubao gave big brother a jade token. Big brother said he wanted to be a general and take Fubao with him to parade in the streets."
When Old Mrs. Wan heard this, she quickly lowered her head and reached out to pull Xiao Fubao's collar, but sure enough, she did not see the jade token around Xiao Fubao's neck.
Others may not know, but Grandma Wan knows the function of the jade token. She looked at Xiao Fubao with mixed feelings. Perhaps this was the fate of her eldest grandson. Since Xiao Fubao said he was fine, then he should be fine. However, although Grandma Wan thought so, she couldn't stop worrying in her heart. This was an instinctive fear of war that was deep in her bones and could not be soothed by anything.
Old Mrs. Wan hugged little Fubao tightly. If this family had not picked up little Fubao, who knows if it would still be safe now?
Everyone was relieved to see that Mrs. Wan's emotions were finally calmed down.
"Second brother, hurry up and rent a carriage to the county town immediately and tell your eldest brother about Quan'er joining the army. After all, Quan'er is his son. Even if he wants to get married, you can't hide this from him. If you run into Shen and ask about the children, just tell him the truth."
In the past, Old Lady Wan only thought about her eldest son's lifelong affairs, but not her children. Now that everything is perfect, she feels that she has not considered enough. The Shen their family married is the county magistrate's sister, and her status is considered high. If Shen has her own children in the future, will she still treat her children the same way she does now?
Old Mrs. Wan has already made a plan. If Shen is really not good to the children, she will raise Wan Xi and Wan Hu by her side. Wan Quan has now joined the army. Wan Xi is already eleven years old and Wan Hu is seven years old. It should not be a problem for her old bones to hold on for a few more years. Seeing that her two little grandsons have started their own families and careers, she should still have a chance.
After making up her mind, Mrs. Wan didn't tell the second son Wan anything else. It wouldn't be too late to talk about the issue of children after the eldest son Wan got married.
Wan Laoer went out immediately.
Old Mrs. Wan had been on a bumpy journey and was worried, so she looked a little tired. Second Sister-in-law Wan quickly asked the old lady to rest on the kang for a while.
As Mrs. Wan lay down, she thought about the thief who came in at night. She hadn't had time to ask about it on the way, but now that everyone was there, she asked, "What happened to the thief last night?"
The third brother Wan told Mrs. Wan what happened last night. Mrs. Wan looked at Wan Jinshu and said, "Jinshu, thank you for this time. If it weren't for you, our family would have been involved in a lawsuit. I'll ask your third brother's wife to cook a delicious meal for you guys tonight. You brothers can have a drink and eat, then we'll go back."
At this time of year, one must go home to guard the house at night. There is still so much food at home, and if one does not go back, thieves will target them. In addition, the two families left in a hurry and did not take their gold, silver, and other valuables with them. Old Mrs. Wan was really worried.
Wan Jinshu did not refuse and agreed.
At this time, someone shouted at the door of the shop: "Is anyone there? The police are investigating a case."
The people in the backyard heard it clearly, and everyone's heart was in their throat.
Wan Jinshu was the calmest. He immediately told everyone, "All of you should keep your story straight and say that only my third brother's wife and two children were in the shop last night. The neighbors should all know this and it's true. Even if someone reports that the man is missing, it has nothing to do with us. No one would suspect that a woman and two children would kill an adult man. All of you should stay calm. Remember, no one has seen the man last night, especially my third brother's wife."
Wan Sansao's legs were already a little weak, but thinking of Wan Quan who had been forced to join the army to save her, Wan Sansao gritted her teeth and nodded.
Wan Laosan then calmed down and went to the front with Wan Laosi.
"Sir, what is this?" Wan Laosi asked with a flattering smile on his face.
The officer had already sat down on the stool, and Wan Laosi hurried forward to pour tea.
"Sir, please have some tea. I wonder why you're here?"
Wan Laosi was still relatively calm.
"Someone reported you to the police for murder. We are taking you back for questioning as per the usual practice."
Wan Laosi's hands trembled with fear, and he immediately said in horror: "Sir, this is not nonsense. I am an honest businessman. Even if I am accused of murder, I need evidence. How can you say that we killed someone without any evidence? And who did we kill?"
The two officers looked at each other, took out a portrait from their pockets and handed it to the two men.
"Someone reported that they saw this person come to your shop last night, but they never saw him again. If you didn't kill him, who else could it be?"
Wan Lao Si quickly took the portrait and pretended to look at it carefully, then handed it to Wan Lao San.
Wan Laosi remembered Wan Jinshu's words and explained immediately, "Sir, we have indeed seen this man, but not last night. He came to our shop to cause trouble several months ago. Many people witnessed it at that time. In the end, the man left in disgrace. We have never seen him again. In addition, only my third sister-in-law and two children were in our shop last night. Even if this man came to the shop, what could a woman and two children do to him, an adult? Besides, why did he come to our shop at night?"
The officer had not expected this and asked sternly, "Were there only women and children in your shop last night? Who can testify?"
"Your Excellency, all the neighbors can testify, and the guests can testify, that the night before yesterday, people from Beiliang came to our hometown village. We learned that they slaughtered the village and robbed food, including our village, so as soon as we got the news in the afternoon, my third brother and I went back to the village. It was already very late when we got back, so we didn't come back because only some people in our village were in trouble. My family didn't suffer any losses. We only came back early this morning."
What Wan Laosi said was flawless and there was a witness. The officers immediately visited the neighbors and obtained consistent testimonies.
The officer returned to the shop and called Wan Sansao and Wan Xi over for questioning.
"Didn't they say there were two children? What about the other one?"
Wan Lao Si said quickly, "My Lord, that kid has joined the army. Every household has to send one soldier this time. My nephew is determined to become a general. We couldn't stop him this time. He made my mother sick with anger. He left in the afternoon."
The officer didn't say anything after hearing this, but he mocked in his heart: It's so easy to be a general, everyone goes to join the army. This family doesn't seem to be smart, and they let the child make a fuss.
The officials finally determined that the Wan family was not suspected of murder, and since the body has not been found to date, the murder itself was not established.
"Okay, your family is not allowed to leave this county. Wait for the message at any time."
"Yes, yes, I will definitely cooperate with you, sir."
After Wan Laosi sent the official away, his back was already wet.
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