Chapter 1735 - 1730: Ruan Xiao Jiao Wants to Save Mu Dade

"Shuangshuang, what should we do?" Mu Dalang asked.

His parents had been arrested, and as their son, he felt terrible.

No matter how bad his parents were in the past, he still hoped they could live well.

"Cousin, there is a matter I need to tell you..." Mu Shuangshuang said.

"You... you say it!" Mu Dalang urged.

"Second Uncle this time, I’m afraid it’s unlikely he will get out of this! He indeed used his position to do many bad things at the docks!" Mu Shuangshuang explained.

Mu Dalang’s complexion turned ashen at that moment.

"He... was so foolish!" Mu Dalang said with a face full of pain.

After speaking, he looked at Mu Shuangshuang, "Shuangshuang, can my father still survive?"

"I don’t know, I need to find out first!"

After all, the government office wasn’t a place where she had influence.

Moreover, to gather information, she had to rely on Zheng Zhi.

If he was willing to speak, she could gather some information.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to find out anything about Second Uncle and Mrs. Lin.

"Shuangshuang, no matter what, thank you! Such a major incident has occurred, and I don’t know how to respond! Your great kindness and virtue, I will remember it for life, Mu Dalang said.

If I can’t repay it in this life, I’ll repay it by being a cattle or horse in my next life!" Mu Dalang said.

"Cousin, you don’t need to be a cattle or horse, just help me take good care of the shop!" Mu Shuangshuang responded.

As for this cousin, Mu Shuangshuang always remembered he was the first person in the Old Mu Family to show her kindness.

Years have passed, yet it hasn’t changed.

He has continued to treat her well, and treat the third branch well.

No matter what, she must help this cousin.

"It’s getting late, let’s go back to have dinner first, and I’ll go find out more information tomorrow!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

The people who were arrested today, even if questioned today, might not easily yield any information.

So, instead of trying to gather information now, it’s better to wait for a few days.

However, Mu Shuangshuang’s mind was still occupied with something.

She looked at Lu Yuanfeng, "Fengzi, about Taohua..."

"Let’s wait a bit! If we don’t need her, we won’t make her come over!"

Taohua’s pregnancy is progressing, and in a few months, she will give birth.

This constant back and forth is something her body might not handle.

It’s better to bring her to the county when everything is assured.

"Alright, I’ll follow your advice!" Mu Shuangshuang nodded.

...

...

At dusk, at the County Magistrate Mansion.

It took County Magistrate Zheng the whole afternoon to interrogate Mu Dade, Mrs. Jin, and several other people from the Old Mu Family.

Mu Dade and Mrs. Jin were alright.

They didn’t talk much but mentioned crucial points.

As for those from the Old Mu Family, they started crying and wailing as soon as they opened their mouths, which the County Magistrate couldn’t stand.

He just felt like there were flies buzzing around him, incredibly uncomfortable!

While he was resting in the study, a servant reported that Ruan Xiao Jiao had arrived.

Only then did he perk up.

Ruan Xiao Jiao carried a bowl of hot soup and approached eagerly.

"Master, this is a chicken soup with caterpillar fungus that I made myself. It’s very nourishing. Please drink it!" Ruan Xiao Jiao said sweetly.

The County Magistrate felt a warmth in his heart and said to her, "Jiaojiao, you’re pregnant now. Let the servants do these chores!"

"I’m fine! I’m not tired at all! But the County Magistrate has lost weight, which makes my heart ache..."

As she spoke, Xia Xiao Jiao suddenly lunged at County Magistrate Zheng, burying herself in his arms.

There weren’t many people in the back courtyard of County Magistrate Zheng, Ruan Xiao Jiao was the one he had favored over the years.

Anything that Ruan Xiao Jiao said, County Magistrate Zheng mostly fulfilled.

Even if he couldn’t fulfill it, he would try his best to find a way.

"What happened? Did you suffer wrongs? Or... feeling uncomfortable?"

The emotions of pregnant women often fluctuated greatly, sometimes happy, sometimes unhappy. County Magistrate Zheng understood this fully and was able to empathize.

"I haven’t suffered wrongs! Just feel that you are too tired! I feel sorry..." Ruan Xiao Jiao said.

With her sweet talk, County Magistrate Zheng’s heart melted.

He reached out to hold Ruan Xiao Jiao, carefully avoiding her belly.

"Silly girl, don’t say it’s heartache or not! In my position, I’m bound to worry about these matters!"

County Magistrate Zheng comforted Ruan Xiao Jiao.

Then he added, "Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself so you won’t need to worry!"

Ruan Xiao Jiao nodded with a smile, "Yes! By the way, wasn’t the master attending Mu Zhubu and Master Ma’s wedding banquet today? You don’t seem pleased!"

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Zheng’s expression changed immediately.

"Mentioning Mu Dade makes me angry! I used all my efforts to make him a clerk! With your support, I had him take charge of the docks.

The entire county, nearly a thousand boats, were handed to him for management! But how did he repay me? By using his position for personal gain!

Not only that, but he also sold children!" County Magistrate Zheng fumed.

"Selling children? What’s the matter with that? Trafficking?" Ruan Xiao Jiao feigned confusion.

"It’s reported by the Mu Family’s fourth branch! They said Mu Dade and Jinyin’er together sold their son! Their daughter was also sold to a brothel, almost lost her innocence!" County Magistrate Zheng explained.

"About this... are you sure?" Ruan Xiao Jiao asked.

"Actually, I know a bit about this! Zhi’er received a county magistrate order from me to write to magistrates in nearby counties to find that child!

I just didn’t know the child was sold by Mu Dade!" County Magistrate Zheng said.

"Master, there is something I don’t know whether it should be said!" Ruan Xiao Jiao noted.

"Speak—"

"Didn’t I return to my hometown once? You know that I and Mu Zhubu are from the same village!"

Ruan Xiao Jiao never denied before the County Magistrate that she and Mu Dade were from the same village.

Moreover, when she recommended Mu Dade, she used the camaraderie of being from the same village.

Because she boldly spoke those words, the County Magistrate never suspected anything shady between her and Mu Dade.

"Yes! I remember!"

"Mrs. Jin never had a son, and in the village, she was always ridiculed! Even Mrs. Mu would call her a hen that doesn’t lay eggs!

Mrs. Jin probably harbors resentments! I can understand her taking someone else’s son as a target for revenge! As for Mu Zhubu being involved, I find it hard to believe!

He’s a man, if he wants a son, he could take a concubine, but all these years, he hasn’t taken one, proving he cares about his wife.

Among the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the worst! Perhaps... this matter has nothing to do with Mu Zhubu, and he’s merely bearing the blame for Mrs. Jin?"

Ruan Xiao Jiao boldly speculated in front of the County Magistrate.

After listening, County Magistrate Zheng also thought it made sense.

If Mrs. Jin committed those acts, they should only punish her!