Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 461: Are the Things Ready?

"So, how did you manage to escape later on?"

Li Qingmu glanced at Wang Qi rashly; he knew he had made a faux pas, quickly smiled apologetically and obediently waited by the side.

The past suffering should not be mentioned so as not to make the child sad. Li Qingmu just wanted to know, where is that place located? Where exactly is this base?

"I... I don’t even know how I escaped. I remember at the time, I was locked in a small room, alongside several others. Someone came in to rescue one person, then got discovered by those bad guys, and a fight broke out. I took advantage of the chaos to run away."

Li Qingmu was speechless for a moment. What kind of situation was this?

"Since you’ve escaped, isn’t that good? Why do you seem so unfriendly upon seeing officials?"

Those who harmed you are unrelated to us, right? Why do you call me a corrupt official upon seeing me? Apparently, we don’t even know each other well?

Not to mention Li Qingmu, Wang Qi nodded repeatedly; he was perplexed by this question as well.

The youth looked up, chuckled lightly, glancing at the few present. "One among us escaped and reported to the authorities, but the government not only didn’t punish those people, they arrested the person reporting and sent them back!

They collude with each other; the government even provides them with conveniences. Tell me, are they not corrupt? Should I not hold a grudge against you all?"

In an instant, Li Qingmu fell silent, having nothing to say.

To think there are such things? He didn’t even know!

No wonder the youth harbors such hatred against them.

"Do you know where that place is?"

The youth raised his head to look at him, then glanced at Wang Qi and Nan Haitang.

"Rest assured, everyone here is trustworthy. Just speak freely."

"It’s thirty miles from Guyang County, at the Liu Lin Slope. There’s a large underground chamber there specifically for holding various children."

Li Qingmu: "Are the children inside bought, or perhaps kidnapped?"

"Yes, many! Most are kidnapped, only locals are purchased."

In that case, there’s no mistake!

This place is indeed an evil ground for child trafficking and transformation!

"Mr. Li, what do you think should be done about this matter?"

Wang Qi listened to the youth’s account, sweating profusely, unsure of how to proceed, so he passed the issue to Li Qingmu.

This person is truly clever!

"Split into two groups; tomorrow, you take people to the local county government to ask questions, and I’ll take people to inspect that place."

Wang Qi was a bit taken aback: "Just merely asking questions?"

It doesn’t seem quite suitable, does it?

Li Qingmu said: "Yes, just ask questions. Chief Clerk Wang, what do you think should be done?"

Wang Qi promptly shut his mouth.

After several days of interactions, Wang Qi has also figured out Li Qingmu’s personality. Normally calling him "Mr. Wang," it’s a mutual courtesy, giving him face. But if you provoke him, he would call you "Chief Clerk Wang."

If you dare complain at such a moment, you’ll inevitably face his wrath.

"I understand. I will go tomorrow." After a pause, Wang Qi thought of something important, unable to resist saying, "Mr. Li, given our arrival this time, could it be that the people of Guyang County have already caught wind of it?"

Li Qingmu looked at him, smiled, and said, "The County Magistrate at most treats us as imperial envoys, coming here for inspection! Tomorrow when you show up, he’ll definitely greet you with good food and drink.

If he knows our purpose for coming, then either someone among us has betrayed us and leaked the information to him, or someone back in the Capital City is in cahoots with them!"

Uh, this mindset is spot on. Wang Qi broke out in a cold sweat, hoping everything goes smoothly tomorrow; otherwise, there might be more trouble.

"Then... I shall take my leave now!"

"Take care, Mr. Wang."

With a simple farewell to Wang Qi, Li Qingmu went outside where Nan Haitang was waiting for him.

"You check Liu Lin Slope overnight to see if that place really exists, and survey the layout to prevent any mistakes later."

"Yes, understood!"

Mhm... Watching the other’s departing figure, Li Qingmu rubbed his chin.

Originally thought a younger one, who also liked dressing up, wouldn’t be as useful as a spy, yet it turned out to be surprisingly effective.

What exactly is the Emperor’s plan here?

...

The next day, Li Qingmu and Wang Qi split ways, one headed to Liu Lin Slope, the other to the county government of Guyang County.

The weather gradually heated up, and being near the south made it even hotter.

Guyang County government, several government officials were dozing off at the gate.

Early in the morning, awoken by the heat, after a tumultuous start, they felt sleepy when it was time for Upper Court.

But no one said anything about them; life was comfortable for officials at Guyang County government, with a high sky and a distant emperor - who can do anything to them?

As for the local common people?

If you dare say a word too much, they’ll come and raid your house!

With this strategy, the people were angry but didn’t dare speak.

However, this morning, someone rushed in and kicked awake the dozing officials, shouting, "Get up! All of you, get up! Stop sleeping! People from the top have come, saying they’re here to inspect the place!"

Instantly, the two officials still dozing off woke up, shocked: "From above?"

"Yes, the Imperial Envoy from Shengjing City!"

"I... damn!"

One of them shouted, quickly stood up, and straightened his back!

These people are particularly smart, especially those able to survive this muddied bureaucracy, they’re quite sharp, knowing who can be pissed off and who can’t.

While they’re local bullies, not afraid of outsiders, face-saving measures are a must, right?

We give you face, you give us face, everyone is happy - how splendid!

"Be spirited, all of you, be spirited, don’t look like you haven’t eaten - who are you showing this to?"

Inside the county office, County Magistrate Fan Yongchang’s voice could be heard furiously scolding his subordinates; his wrath was evident, as if his people had done something wrong.

"Sir, your official hat is crooked, it’s crooked!"

A clerk promptly reminded him.

Fan Yongchang quickly straightened his hat, raised his head, looking at them. "Is it okay now?"

"Good, very good, Sir’s majestic presence is impressive!"

"Heh heh!"

Fan Yongchang was a middle-aged man in his forties, who had been living well for years, making him rich and oily. His belly was large, paired with the heat, wearing less - one could immediately see layers of fat overflowing, akin to stacking towers of meat.

He wobbled to the gate, looking out.

"Sir... report, Sir, the Imperial Envoy is only three miles away from us, about to arrive!"

A clerk, like a scout, reported the situation.

Fan Yongchang wiped his sweaty forehead, panting, "Thankfully, people from the post station informed us in time; otherwise, if they saw, I’d likely lose a fortune!"

"Heh heh, indeed, Sir is favored by fortune!" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Subordinates quickly smiled and flattered.

Fan Yongchang waved his thick hand, turned, "All of you, be attentive and ready, also... who’s that, have the gifts for Lord Imperial Envoy been prepared?"