Chapter 83 - 82: An Innocent Man Gets into Trouble for Possessing a Precious Treasure (Update 2)

Chapter 83: Chapter 82: An Innocent Man Gets into Trouble for Possessing a Precious Treasure (Update 2)

The process of waiting for the search was destined to be long.

After all, there were officials here that were not to be trifled with. Although Huang Yougui and Su Qiuyue were distressed about their son’s studies being affected, they did not dare to neglect them. They went inside to fetch some stools, brewed some tea, and invited Deng Youwei and Xiao Yi to sit and wait.

Xu Jing initially thought that someone like Xiao Yi, a nobleman from the Capital City, would not be used to sitting on such stools. To her surprise, she saw him lift his robes and sit down elegantly, without any psychological pressure.

Unexpectedly, Xu Jing glanced at Xiao Yi twice.

How could Xiao Yi not notice Xu Jing’s gaze? He couldn’t help but straighten his back, frowning slightly.

Why was she looking at him all the time? Was there something wrong with his actions?

However, Xu Jing was just a bit curious and soon withdrew her gaze.

At once, Xiao Yi felt uncomfortable when she stared at him.

Now that she wasn’t looking at him, he felt even more uneasy, with a heavy heart.

He had deliberately sat up straight, so why wasn’t she looking at him anymore?

The others related to the case hadn’t left. Since the County Magistrate didn’t say they could go, they dared not leave.

Xiao Yi wasn’t wearing an official uniform today but was dressed in a dark-patterned, broad-sleeved robe, which accentuated his upright and handsome appearance. His inherent charisma was evident even though he hadn’t spoken much after arriving here. The presence of several young ladies stealing glances at him from time to time was apparent, and had the occasion been different, they might not have restrained themselves from approaching him.

Xu Jing sat diagonally opposite Xiao Yi and Deng Youwei. Seeing that they were just waiting, she signaled with her eyes to Chen Hu.

Although Xu Jing was wearing a veil, preventing others from seeing her appearance, this only drew more attention to her, especially since she was seated in a wheelchair. However, because the county government officials were clearly protecting her, no one dared to say anything.

Seeing the situation, Chen Hu immediately ran over, approached Xu Jing, and she whispered something in his ear. Chen Hu nodded, ran back to Xiao Yi and Deng Youwei, and repeated what Xu Jing had instructed.

Xiao Yi raised his eyes to glance at Xu Jing and nodded.

Deng Youwei was somewhat surprised. Earlier, when Miss Xu conveyed Chen Hu’s questions, he got a sense that Miss Xu could truly investigate a case!

Now, she had Chen Hu convey questions to him that he had already planned to ask during the interrogation. He had intended to wait for the search results before questioning.

But asking now wasn’t out of the question.

Deng Youwei nodded as well, and Chen Hu immediately stood up, cleared his throat, and looked at everyone in the courtyard, asking, "Does Lady Zhuo have any enemies? Or is there anyone who might want to harm Lady Zhuo?"

Everyone was taken aback, and Mr. Zhuo was the first to speak, "Our Yu is always gentle and obedient. Even when she quarrels, she can’t squeeze out a harsh word for half a day.

How could such a child actively make enemies? Besides... Yu rarely even leaves the village; she stays home managing household chores and farm work, taking care of two nephews, and frequently seeing the same few people, with no chance of making enemies!"

Ye Anqiao nodded, "This humble woman can testify. I grew up with Yu, and she has the best temperament among us sisters. It’s exactly because she’s too nice that she’s been trampled on by some vile people."

As she spoke, she cast a venomous glance at Zhu Yan and Miao Xianglan sitting across from her. Since the peculiar Butterfly Pearl Silver Hairpin was found on her head, Zhu Yan had been sitting with her head lowered, looking utterly ashamed.

Miao Xianglan stayed close to Zhu Yan, and upon noticing Ye Anqiao’s gaze, she turned pale but said nothing.

Suddenly, Ye Anqiao paused and said, "However, because Yu is beautiful, many in the village covet her. As far as I know, there’s Wang Mazi from the village head and Chen Aizi, whose wife ran away with someone a couple of years ago. Every time those two see Yu, they look lecherous, which is disgusting!

Especially that Chen Aizi, who once, under the pretense of brushing past Yu, tried to... tried to take advantage of her! Fortunately, Huang Erlang was there and nearly broke Chen Aizi’s hand. Such a despicable and disgusting man, no wonder his wife couldn’t take it and left with their son!"

"But ever since then, Chen Aizi always looks resentful whenever he sees Yu, as if he harbors a grudge against her."

Chen Hu was slightly taken aback.

A woman called Rong, sitting nearby, also spoke up: "Indeed, when I was with Yu, I’ve encountered those two several times. Every time, their eyes were sticky, making one feel very uncomfortable. It’s because of this that Yu is usually very cautious and rarely goes out alone.

Wang Mazi, at over thirty, hasn’t found a wife yet, and he leers not only at Yu. Any woman in the village with a bit of beauty hasn’t been spared his harassment.

I remember once Yu told me she delivered a meal to Mr. Zhuo in the fields and was alone on the return trip. Wang Mazi followed her the whole way, and she was so scared that she practically ran home. Since then, whenever delivering meals, she would take her sister-in-law or one of her nephews."

Ye Anqiao was stunned, her eyes even redder, "Yu never mentioned this to me. She’s always been strong-minded and scarcely complains. It must have really frightened her to confide in you that time..."

Suddenly, Su Qiuyue let out a derisive laugh, "What strong-mindedness? I think she’s just a restless siren! She deserved whatever happened to her this time! If it weren’t for her, my Erlang wouldn’t be disturbed at such a crucial time..."

"Mother! Shut up!"

Huang Qingchuan, who had been a picture of despondency, suddenly glared at his mother with swollen, red eyes, shouting in collapse: "I’ve always respected you, and usually, I wouldn’t mind you badmouthing Yu. But now... now Yu is gone, can’t you at least remember her good qualities?"

Su Qiuyue, chastised by her son in front of so many people, felt disgraced. But desperate not to upset her son further, she finally snarled, "You’re bound to be ruined by that woman sooner or later!"

And she fell silent.

The courtyard briefly returned to silence.

Chen Hu muttered softly, "What kind of people are around Lady Zhuo that she managed to live peacefully all these years. It seems almost miraculous."

Xu Jing vaguely overheard him and glanced at him.

As the saying goes, "An innocent man gets into trouble because of his wealth." In this world, if a woman lacks the ability to protect herself yet has conspicuous beauty, she’s destined to have a harder life.

Just like the original owner who ended up in Hutou Village.

However, even now knowing about Wang Mazi and Chen Aizi’s existence, without evidence linking them to the case of Zhuo Yuting, it’s simply frustrating hearsay.

Deng Youwei immediately instructed Chen Hu to relay to the officials outside searching, to specifically investigate those two’s whereabouts that day.

But they couldn’t make it too obvious because if they truly were the culprits and found out that the county government suspected them, they might be spooked into evasive actions.

After more than an hour of waiting, with the sun halfway down the mountain, a deputy finally returned. He saluted Deng Youwei and Xiao Yi, approached them, and whispered, "We’ve questioned everyone currently in the village, and everyone said they hadn’t seen Lady Zhuo that afternoon.

They also said that after Lady Zhuo disappeared, her father and brothers searched the whole village for her, and if anyone had seen her that day, they would have spoken up long ago!"