Chapter 86: He was framed

Both Eldest Young Master Wu and the advisor were aware of County Magistrate Mo’s background.

Hence, they were certain that if Mo Qingling obtained the formula for making ice, he would definitely present it to the emperor in the capital.

This matter would be easier to handle with his status.

Then wouldn’t their effort be going to waste after trying so hard for the day and eagerly waiting to receive their credits?

If Shi Qingluo knew what they were thinking, she would definitely tell them, “Don’t worry, your efforts aren’t going to waste.”

They would all become famous!

Eldest Young Master Wu and the advisor stopped arguing with Shi Qingluo and quickly left.

They wanted to return to the county town to see what was going on.

When Shi Qingluo saw that they had left, she said to the villagers worriedly, “I don’t know if they will harm my husband. I want to go to the county town to take a look.

“If they did, I will find the magistrate for help.”

The villagers were also worried.

They didn’t no need to be afraid of the Wu family when they were together.

Furthermore, there was also a new county magistrate that could give the green light.

“Let’s go. We will go with you.” If Dalang’s wife went alone, they would still be worried.

Shi Qingluo looked at them with a face of gratitude. “Then, I will have to trouble everyone to accompany me on this trip. Thank you!”

“You don’t need to thank us. We’re from the same village, so we should help each other. Furthermore, you are bullied by the Wu family because you wanted to help us.”

“That’s right, let’s go together.”

Hence, they all went to the county town proudly.

Other people who heard this in the village also followed them to the county town indignantly.

At this time, there were already rumours spreading in the county town that the Wu family wanted to monopolise the ice-making formula.

They didn’t want everyone to learn it, so they threatened and lured Scholar Xiao and his wife.

There was even a storyteller who made up a story and shared it in the Bai family’s teahouse.

Because of this well crafted storyline, the Wu family was instantly established as a selfish bully.

Shi Qingluo and his wife also gained the reputation of being bold, generous and who also acted with integrity.

This was the gift that Xiao Hanzheng had prepared for the Wu family before he went to the county yamen to look for Bai Xu at his house.

He wanted to be so fast and efficient that the Wu family’s reputation would be ruined before they could think of a countermeasure.

However, this was Shi Qingluo’s idea.

She knew how to spread the news as fast as possible.

The best way to spread it was to make up a story and let everyone gossip about it.

After all, there were no entertainment programs in this era.

This personal story would be able to liven up the county for a period of time.

As expected, when everyone heard this, many couldn’t help but curse the Wu family and Eldest Young Master Wu.

The Wu family was too wicked.

They actually dared to threaten the Xiao couple who wished to share the formula for everyone in order to monopolise it for personal uses.

Was it because they couldn’t bear to see the Xiao couple prospering? Or because they couldn’t bear to see everyone else learning how to make ice?

With a common interest and facing a common problem, it was rare that everyone in the county began cursing in tandem.

Moreover, the Wu family had been exerting their dominance in the county and were responsible for countless evil acts in many years.

Those who had collaborated with the Wu family and that magistrate backing them up didn’t dare to say anything.

Now with a newly elected righteous magistrate, and something like this had happened with additional effect by Xiao Hanzheng’s deliberate guidance, the Wu family’s past actions were instantly surfaced.

Some also spread the Wu family’s immoral deeds around the county town.

The Wu family quickly became the face of the evil forces in Nanxi county.

They were like the rats along the streets – those who saw them were aggressive in chasing them away.

At the ice-making workshop, some even shouted for the magistrate to punish these evil people severely.

Everyone was trying to seek justice and wanted Mo Qingling to punish the Wu family. Xiao Hanzheng could not help but curl his lips.

He and his little wife hid their achievements and fame very well.

He wondered if Eldest Young Master Wu and the people from the magistrate would be surprised after rushing back to the county.

This could also be considered as a gift to Mo Qingling, their county magistrate.

Mo Qingling wanted complete control of Nanxi county.

Of course, he had to resolve the problems left by the previous magistrate.

The Wu family had done many bad things, so it was imperative to enforce law and order starting with the Wu family.

Now that the Wu family had aroused public anger, Mo Qingling would definitely seize the opportunity to teach them a good lesson.

As expected, hearing everyone asking him to punish the Wu family in an emotionally charged tone was exactly what Mo Qingling wanted.

Recently, he had been looking for evidence against the Wu family. Now that the evidence was already presented to his doorstep, he would take some actions.

As for the magistrate backing the Wu family, he was not afraid of him.

He nodded to everyone, “I will thoroughly investigate the matter of the Wu family and provide an explanation. Please be rest assured!”

Master Wu, who had just arrived, instantly turned gloomy after hearing these words.

He had just regained his senses that the Wu family had gone down the rabbit hole, thanks to Xiao Hanzheng and his wife.

Not only did they resolve the matter without handing them the formula, they had also ruthlessly tricked them.

He hurriedly brought other members of the Wu family in. “It’s a misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding!”

Mo Qingling looked at him coldly. “What misunderstanding? Misunderstanding that you want to snatch the ice-making formula left behind by the Taoist master of Scholar Xiao’s wife?”

Master Wu choked and immediately denied, “No, we didn’t snatch the formula forcibly.

“We were just discussing it with Scholar Xiao and his wife. They didn’t agree to sell it, so we gave up.”

Xiao Hanzheng said sharply, “But Eldest Young Master Wu told us to wait and see. He said that he wouldn’t let us off.

“And yesterday, he threatened my wife. Many villagers also saw it. They can testify to it.”

A few roars came from the door. “Yes, we can testify.”

Xiao Hanzheng looked over and saw the villagers walking in with his wife.

She first bowed to the county magistrate, Mo Qingling.

Then, her eyes reddened and she looked extremely aggrieved.

She complained to Xiao Hanzheng, “My husband, this afternoon, Eldest Young Master Wu brought the magistrate’s advisor to the village and insisted that I give them the formula.

“I told them that you have already handed it to the magistrate. You have also publicly taught everyone how to make ice.

“Eldest Young Master Wu told us to watch out. He definitely won’t let us go like this.”

With tears in her eyes, she added, “I was worried that they would take revenge on you, so I rushed over.”

“Hubby, are you alright?” She asked worriedly.

Although Xiao Hanzheng knew that his little wife was acting, he could not help but feel sorry for her when he saw the red rims of her eyes.

He replied, “With the magistrate and everyone here, I’m fine.”

Shi Qingluo heaved a sigh of relief and looked at Mo Qingling. “Sir, will my husband and I be fine?”

What she wanted to do was to use societal pressure to push the Wu family to the cusp of the storm.

Even if the Wu family wanted to kill them immediately, they could not do anything to them now.

Mo Qingling realised that Xiao Hanzheng’s wife was indeed not simple.

She not only defeated the Wu family, but also prevented the Wu family from doing anything to them at least for this short time period.

Otherwise, if anything happened to them, it meant that the Wu family was taking revenge.

He nodded and said, “I will of course ensure that nothing will happen to you and your husband.”

Shi Qingluo smiled slightly and revealed a very assured look. “I believe in my county magistrate, Sir.”

Mo Qingling wanted to applaud her for her convincing acts.

Then, the villagers who followed along spoke in unison to affirm Shi Qingluo’s words.

They even recounted how Eldest Young Master Wu had come to threaten Shi Qingluo the day before.

Eldest Young Master Wu, who had just arrived, was completely dumbfounded when he heard their words.

Damn it, when did he say these?

Yesterday, he had no idea that Shi Qingluo wanted to make the ice formula public for free!

Otherwise, why would he bother?

Just now, on the way back, the carriage suddenly broke down and delayed their day.

He really didn’t expect that this delay would turn the table in the county town.

This woman poured basins of dirty water on them one after another, and so many people actually believed her.

He was framed!