The yamen runners escorted Chen Zhanshan and his family out of Nanshan Village.
Inside the carriage, Chen Zhancai had already learned a general outline of his daughter's past from Chen Ruolan.
He pretended to be extremely distressed, but in reality, he was secretly very pleased with himself.
No pain, no gain. The fact that she's now the wife of a county magistrate proves that all that hardship wasn't in vain, and all that suffering was worthwhile.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have become the county magistrate's father-in-law.
With this identity, he could act with impunity in Anyang, dining out without paying, visiting brothels and embracing beautiful women. Who would dare ask him for money? He'd scare them to death.
Once we get to Anyang, we'll find the biggest brothel with the most girls, book a private room, and enjoy ourselves for a few days.
The more he thought about it, the happier he became, so happy that snot bubbles came out of his nose, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Suddenly realizing that Chen Ruolan was still beside him, he felt he had lost his composure and quickly composed himself.
Chen Ruolan had expected to find a huge fortune in the Chen family's home, but she couldn't even find a single ingot of silver. She was furious!
What should we do now?
Are we just going to go home empty-handed?
No, I won't be able to explain this to Qin Shousheng when I go back.
Her eyes darted around, and she thought of Fan Tong.
He was a well-known wealthy man in Qingshui Town. Since he couldn't get anything out of Chen Qingqing, he might as well go to Fan Tong to make up for it and take the opportunity to avenge the humiliation Fan Tong had caused him in the past.
Having made up her mind, Chen Ruolan split her forces into two groups. She had several constables escort Chen Zhanshan's family to Anyang Prison, while she led several constables to Qingshui Town.
This time, Chen Ruolan was not disappointed; they found five carriages full of valuables at the Fan family's residence.
Fan Tong was also arrested on charges of abusing his power, extorting money, and raping respectable women.
Shi Taishou, who had been intimate with her, also ruthlessly ordered his men to castrate him on the spot, chop off his hands, and cut off his tongue, rendering him a complete cripple.
Then Chen Ruolan ordered people to give Fan Tong's son Fan Hun, his wife and several concubines twenty strokes of the cane each.
Only then did he leave the Fan family satisfied.
The two then arrived at the gate of Wang Qizhang's private residence.
"Father, is my mother working here?" Chen Ruolan's nose tingled, and her eyes immediately reddened.
Chen Zhancai deliberately put on a shameful expression, "Ruolan, it's all your father's fault for being incompetent and failing the imperial examination. Otherwise, your mother wouldn't have ended up working for others."
"Father, you've already done a great job by passing the imperial examination. There's no need to blame yourself for it. Once we bring Mother to Anyang, you can focus on your studies. I believe you'll pass the imperial examination next autumn." Chen Ruolan comforted him softly.
Chen Zhancai puffed out his chest and grinned from ear to ear, "Ruolan, don't worry, your father will definitely live up to your expectations."
"I believe you, Father." Chen Ruolan said, glancing at the gate. "Father, hurry and knock on the gate to pick up Mother and Jiye. We still have a long way to go!"
"Okay, I'll go right away." Chen Zhancai was overjoyed at the thought of being able to live a life of luxury with his daughter, and his eyes even welled up with tears. He quickly wiped them away with his sleeve before knocking on the door.
Liu Fengjiao was sitting in the shade of a tree in the courtyard, enjoying the cool air.
Wang Ma was washing clothes nearby.
To the outside world, Liu Fengjiao is a servant here; but once the gates are closed, she is the mistress.
She was provided with the best of everything, and didn't have to do a single chore. She was even more relaxed and comfortable than when she was with Chen Zhancai.
She is very satisfied with her current life and has even forgotten that she is a married woman.
Hearing the knock on the door, Liu Fengjiao instructed, "Wang Ma, go and see who it is?"
"Yes, Madam," Wang Ma replied, wiping her hands on her apron before getting up and going to the front door. "Who is it?"
"Wang Ma, I am Feng Jiao's husband. Could you please call her out? I have something to say to her."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ma curled her lip in disdain, thinking, "That poor bastard is here to collect his debts again."
Liu Fengjiao also recognized Chen Zhancai's voice, and her face showed the same annoyance. She raised her hand to signal Wang Ma to ask Chen Zhancai what was wrong.
Wang Ma understood immediately and said to Chen Zhancai outside the door, "Master Chen, Fengjiao is washing clothes. If it's not urgent, please come again tomorrow!"
"Wang Ma, tell Feng Jiao that we have a joyous occasion in our family, a truly joyous occasion! Please have her come out to see me!" Chen Zhancai's voice cracked with excitement.
Wang Ma twitched her lips, her tone somewhat impatient, "Master Chen, what great news is it? Just tell me directly, and I'll tell Feng Jiao. We can't delay her from working for the master."
Liu Fengjiao didn't believe Chen Zhancai's words at all. The previous times he had claimed to have happy events in order to get into the courtyard, he had only asked her for money to buy food.
Another time, I told her I brought her a gift, but it turned out to be a broken steamed bun.
This good-for-nothing bastard, all he wants to do is come to her for money and then do *that* kind of thing.
He was utterly a disgrace to refinement. I was about to have Wang Ma send him away when I heard another sweet, delicate voice from outside.
“Grandma, I am Liu Fengjiao’s daughter. I haven’t seen my mother for over a year. Please tell her that her unfilial daughter has come to see her.”
"Ruolan, it's my Ruolan." Liu Fengjiao was stunned, and the folding fan in her hand fell to the ground with a clatter.
Her daughter didn't die; Ruolan is still alive.
She staggered towards the door, her hands trembling as she opened it, and a familiar figure appeared before her.
"Ruolan, I thought I would never see you again." Liu Fengjiao's voice choked with sobs, and tears welled up in her eyes. Ever since she learned of Chen Ruolan's tragic fate, she had cried every night when she thought of her daughter's smile and obedient appearance.
Chen Ruolan's eyes reddened, and tears welled up in them. "Mother, your daughter is unfilial and has caused you worry."
Chen Zhancai couldn't help but be moved. "Alright, Fengjiao, our Ruolan is still alive. She's now the county magistrate's wife and has come back specifically to take us to enjoy a life of luxury with her. Hurry up and pack your things, go to Wang Qizhang's house to pick up Jiye, and let's set off for Anyang as soon as possible."
Liu Fengjiao looked shocked and somewhat incredulous. "Ruolan, is what your father said true?"
"Mother, it's true." Chen Ruolan nodded with a smile, and then roughly recounted the whole story. However, she only mentioned how she was beaten and couldn't get food at the Fan family, but didn't say what Fan Tong had done to her.
Liu Fengjiao's eyes were full of heartache. "Ruolan, you've suffered so much. If it weren't for your grandmother and that wretched girl, you wouldn't have been able to endure so much hardship. Fortunately, the suffering is over now, and my daughter should be able to enjoy her happiness."
Chen Ruolan wiped her eyes and put on a smiling face. "Mother, hurry up and pack your things. Come with me to Anyang. I want you to enjoy wealth and luxury with me."
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