Chapter 1736 - 1731: Delivering Chicken Soup to the Jail

"Even if this matter has nothing to do with him, he can’t escape the fact that he’s abusing his power for personal gain!" County Magistrate Zheng said.

Ruan Xiao Jiao wanted to say something.

But then she heard County Magistrate Zheng speak again.

"The position of steward at the dock is a lucrative one. When I agreed to give it to Mu Dade, I had my suspicions!" County Magistrate Zheng said.

"I placed my own people at the dock! As soon as anyone embezzles or abuses power, the evidence will be sent to me immediately.

I’ve collected a lot of evidence against Mu Dade! But now Mu Dade insists that it was his two brothers using his name to stir trouble!"

County Magistrate Zheng voiced his concerns.

But at this moment, Ruan Xiao Jiao felt a storm raging in her heart.

She thought she had helped Mu Dade, but unexpectedly, she harmed him.

Now that the County Magistrate has evidence, what should she do?

"What’s wrong? You’re looking so surprised!" County Magistrate Zheng asked curiously.

"No, I was just thinking! Why is Mu Zhubu so foolish? You’ve given him such a good opportunity, yet he doesn’t cherish it and actually... actually... Ah, that’s really too much!" Ruan Xiao Jiao said.

"Greed can swallow the elephant, Mu Zhubu is better off now. Who’s to say those silver pieces weren’t embezzled from the dock!" County Magistrate Zheng said.

Ruan Xiao Jiao’s face turned pale.

She kept telling herself not to panic, not to panic...

"Sir, since Mu Zhubu has made a mistake, you should punish him heavily! But could there be any changes in the evidence you collected before? I mean, is there any possibility that Mu Zhubu has been wronged in some aspect.

I’m not pleading for him; I just feel that since he was recommended by you, if he did commit those misdeeds, on one hand, he deserves death! But on the other hand, it could damage your reputation!

Would outsiders think you colluded with him and the silver is in your pocket?" Ruan Xiao Jiao said.

"Collusion? Silver? I have plenty! Zhi’er’s business is even beyond that of the Xue Family in the Capital!" County Magistrate Zheng said.

"Precisely because Zhi’er is also in business, it makes it easier for people to spread rumors! We all know that over the years, Zhi’er hasn’t relied on you, and on his own managed to grow his business to its current size.

His clothing store is frequented by the wealthy ladies and wives in the Capital who scramble to buy clothes! But outsiders won’t see it that way; they’ll think Zhi’er benefitted from your influence! If people of Qianzhou Prefecture find out, who knows how they’ll exploit this."

Politics are like battlefields.

County Magistrate Zheng has done quite well during his tenure in the county.

Several times, the Prefect of Qianzhou Prefecture has praised him in reports to the court.

The number of people envious of him is unknown.

Similarly, the number of people eyeing his position is unknown.

As soon as a mistake is made, a crowd will chase and bite, even willing to go to any lengths to bring him down!

County Magistrate Zheng is not afraid of trouble, but after all, he’s getting older and wants a few days of peace.

"If that’s the case, I will investigate again!" County Magistrate Zheng said.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sir! Quickly drink your chicken soup; it’s almost cold!" Ruan Xiao Jiao pointed at the chicken soup.

"Alright! I’ll drink the soup; you should also go to rest early!" County Magistrate said.

"Yes!"

Ruan Xiao Jiao left the County Magistrate’s study but did not return to her place.

Instead, she went to the kitchen to brew another pot of soup.

It was also chicken soup, but this time it was simmered with ginseng.

This pot of soup was made for Mu Dade.

Late at night, the jail’s dampness is heavy; without a bit of hot soup, one’s health could suffer.

The chicken soup was simmered for two whole hours.

In the end, the chicken became tender, and the soup was fragrant.

For many years, Ruan Xiao Jiao had been doing things in the County Magistrate Mansion.

She had helped and saved a few people, and there were those willing to risk their lives for her.

Not to mention other places, she could enter and exit the jail almost freely.

Otherwise, back then, Mrs. Jin wouldn’t have been trapped by her in jail without being able to get out.

The night was already very deep; carrying the chicken soup, Ruan Xiao Jiao appeared in the jail.

She was disguised, dressed as an arrest officer.

In the jail, she was brought in by a trusted government official.

When she appeared in the jail, Mu Dade was stunned.

"Jiaojiao, you... why are you here?" Mu Dade exclaimed.

After speaking, he looked around, then lowered his voice to ask, "No one spotted you, right? Between us..."

"It’s alright; I’m here to bring you chicken soup and tell you some of the news I’ve gathered!"

Upon hearing ’chicken soup,’ Mu Dade swallowed.

He took the chicken soup Ruan Xiao Jiao handed him and ate ravenously.

Ignoring the heat of the soup, he gulped down the whole pot in one go.

The chicken inside was all eaten with the soup.

Ruan Xiao Jiao had pre-removed all bones.

"It tastes good; is there anything else to eat?" Mu Dade looked at the food box Ruan Xiao Jiao carried and asked.

"Yes, but you wait a moment!" Ruan Xiao Jiao said.

"Wh-why?" Mu Dade was starving.

"I want to see Sister Jin!" Ruan Xiao Jiao said.

"You want to give her the food?" Mu Dade was stunned.

"No, I just want to look at her!" Ruan Xiao Jiao said.

"Back then, she snatched you from me, making me have to sneak around to see you; now that she’s in trouble, how can I not mock her?" Ruan Xiao Jiao said.

"This... isn’t it bad? What if she tells the County Magistrate about our relationship..." Mu Dade looked fearful.

"Relax, she won’t dare! If she speaks out, we’re not the ones who’ll die! She won’t have her life; not only she but also her treasured daughter will lose her name!

Moreover, now I hold her life in my hands; she won’t dare to speak the unspeakable."

Ruan Xiao Jiao said.

After hearing this, Mu Dade relaxed.

"Then go ahead! Remember to hurry back; I..." Mu Dade intended to say he was hungry.

But recalling something, he immediately changed his words, "I miss you, and also..."

He glanced at Ruan Xiao Jiao’s belly, and the rest of his thoughts were conveyed through his eyes.

In Ruan Xiao Jiao’s heart, a warm current slowly flowed, calming her restless heart instantly.

"I’m going first!"

Carrying the food box, she headed to the regular jail.

Mu Dade, a court official, naturally stayed in a different jail.

Inside the regular jail, Ruan Xiao Jiao quickly found Mrs. Jin crouching in a corner.

"Open the door—" Ruan Xiao Jiao commanded the government official.

The official quickly opened the door and then instinctively turned around to plug his ears with cotton.

Mrs. Jin noticed someone had entered, looked up, and saw Ruan Xiao Jiao disguised in male attire.

Her hatred surged instantly.

"What are you here for?"

"To see your disgrace! The once dignified Chief Clerk’s wife, now a mere prisoner, is a huge joke!" Ruan Xiao Jiao laughed into her hand.

"Shut up! You shameless woman!" Mrs. Jin cursed.