“Ruolan, you’re right. That brat is as cunning as a sieve. She’s always been the head of the household, so it’s normal that we didn’t find any money.” Chen Zhancai squinted, shook his head, and looked wicked. “It’s a bit strange that such a big mansion doesn’t even have a single valuable piece of furniture.”
After saying that, he glanced at Chen Zhanshan disdainfully and snorted coldly, "Brother, let me give you a friendly reminder: don't try to be clever. Hand over everything now, or you'll be in big trouble."
Chen Ruolan frowned slightly. She had already assured Qin Shousheng that she would definitely get her hands on the Chen family's money, but now she hadn't gotten a single penny. Wouldn't it be a loss of face to go back empty-handed?
No, if she doesn't get any benefits from the sugar shop, and Qin Shousheng takes his anger out on her, her good days will be over.
Thinking of this, Chen Ruolan smiled, her tone softening, "Uncle, please forgive Ruolan's rudeness just now. I was just anxious. Qingqing's case has been confirmed."
My only thought is to raise as much money as possible, bribe officials, and do everything I can to save my sister Qingqing's life. You must understand Ruolan's good intentions!
Chen Zhancai chimed in, "Ruolan is right. You must not take any chances. Quickly spend money to buy peace. Take out all your valuables and don't put Ruolan in a difficult position. Otherwise, even if Ruolan is the wife of the county magistrate, she can't save Qing'er's life."
Chen Zhanshan had long seen through Chen Ruolan's hypocritical act, and he smiled mockingly.
"It's quite remarkable that the county magistrate and his wife have their eyes on this little sugar shop. However, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Our family really doesn't have anything of value. This sugar shop is just a means of making a living; we haven't made any big money at all."
Chen Ruolan chuckled lightly, "Uncle, please don't lie. You live in a three-courtyard house, who would believe you if you said you had no money?"
Chen Zhanshan said calmly, "The money for building this house came from Qingya's treatment of Master Fan's illness. If you don't believe me, you can go to the village or town and ask around."
Although Lin was furious, she still spoke kindly, "Ruolan, your uncle never lies. Our family really doesn't have anything valuable. You've searched everything you need to search and investigated everything you need to investigate. Go back and tell the magistrate the truth. I believe the magistrate won't make things difficult for you."
Chen Ruolan pursed her lips, seemingly trying to control her emotions and not wanting to reveal her dissatisfaction.
"Alright, since you say you have no money, I believe you. But you must give me the recipe for making white sugar. I'm sure Uncle won't make things difficult for me anymore!"
"This..." Chen Zhanshan was in a dilemma. If he said he didn't know how to make sugar, Chen Ruolan would definitely not believe him. But if he revealed the secret recipe for making white sugar, it would be the same as giving her the sugar workshop. No, this sugar workshop was built up by Qingya with great difficulty. He couldn't let them benefit from it.
Seeing Chen Zhanshan hesitate, Chen Zhancai lost his patience. "What is this? You really value money over life, you're shameless. Ruolan has already lowered her demands, what are you still thinking? Quickly hand over the formula so Ruolan can take it back to report."
Chen Zhanshan revealed a desolate smile. These were his closest relatives, who had harmed his daughter for profit and plotted to seize his family's property.
How could he possibly grant their wish? Chen Zhanshan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again, his eyes filled with sorrow.
He questioned her sharply, "Ruolan, you didn't come back to help Qingqing overturn her case at all. You came back to seize my Chen family's property. You didn't want your Qingqing to come back alive. Your excuse is just to trick her into revealing the sugar recipe, isn't it?"
"So what if it is, and so what if it isn't?" Chen Ruolan completely dropped the pretense and laughed maniacally. "In Anyang County, the county magistrate is the law. If he says this sugar mill belongs to the government, then it belongs to the government. No matter how you try to argue, I don't believe you can still be so stubborn even if you're in jail."
After saying that, her expression softened. "For the sake of our kinship, I advise you to hand over the secret recipe as soon as possible. Otherwise, once you're in jail, I won't talk to you like this anymore."
Chen Zhancai, his face grim, added fuel to the fire, "Ruolan, they won't shed a tear until they see the coffin. Since they're so stubborn, don't be polite to them. Quickly give the order to throw them all into jail and convict them of embezzling money. Let them earn it but not live to spend it. The sooner they die, the sooner you'll have peace of mind. Just seeing them makes me angry."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanliang flew into a rage, shouting, "Chen Zhancai, you son of a bitch, do you think the county government is yours to arrest whoever you want? Is there no law in broad daylight?"
Chen Zhancai retorted without backing down, "Shut your stinking mouth! If I'm a son of a bitch, then you're a mad dog too. Stop baring your teeth and claws, or I'll arrest you too."
Chen Zhanliang's teeth chattered and his lips turned blue. He almost passed out. He was panting heavily and couldn't even speak.
Chen Ruolan smiled faintly, a sinister glint in her eyes. "Uncle, have you thought this through? Are you going to hand over the sugar recipe, or go to jail?"
Chen Zhanshan knew he couldn't avoid this today. He clenched his fists and looked at Lin Shi and Wu Cuihua beside him, "I'm sorry, I'm afraid you'll have to suffer with me."
Madam Lin shook her head. "My dear husband, I'm not afraid."
Wu Cuihua's eyes were also red. "Father, I'm not afraid. I believe that justice will prevail and someone will surely give us justice."
Seeing this, Chen Ruolan was so angry that her eyebrows shot up. She completely lost her patience and waved her hand at the constables behind her, "Men, take all of the criminal Chen Qingqing's family members away and put them in jail."
"Yes, Madam." The order was given like a landslide, and more than a dozen yamen runners went up to tie up Chen Zhanshan and his wife and Wu Cuihua with ropes.
Chen Zhanliang became furious. He was incredulous and hurriedly warned the rushing constables, "Stop! What crime have they committed that you're arresting them without cause? Is there no justice in broad daylight?"
The head constable sneered disdainfully, "Get out of the way, or you'll be arrested too."
"You really don't know what's good for you! You wouldn't listen to my nice words earlier, but now you're scared when you're about to die!" Chen Zhancai said with a gloating expression and an extremely arrogant tone. "Chen Zhanliang, you're not a member of the Chen Zhanshan family either. I advise you to get out of the way and not delay the police officers' investigation."
Chen Zhanliang couldn't stand his behavior any longer and couldn't help but shout at him, "Chen Zhancai, you bastard who relies on his master's power, are you even human? Do you have any conscience? These are our elder brother and sister-in-law, how can you just stand by and watch them get arrested and thrown into jail? Someone like you will get your comeuppance sooner or later."
"Who do you think you are, daring to speak to the county magistrate's father-in-law like that? Believe me or not, I'll have you arrested and charged with insulting a member of the imperial family!"
"Come on, aren't you arrogant? Go ahead and try grabbing me, I really don't believe it!" Chen Zhanliang's blood boiled, and he grabbed him by the collar...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
