Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Landlord Du Dares to Threaten the County Magistrate?

’Fugui?’

Shen Ningning blinked her round, dark eyes. "Aunt Liu, what do you mean?"

Sister-in-law Liu pulled her hand and started walking toward the village.

"A few carriages drawn by tall horses just arrived in the village. Chief Wang brought them."

"Do you remember last time, when Lai Zi hired two men to kidnap you, but we caught them and reported it to the government?"

"You were right back then! The government followed the trail and found the children they had kidnapped and sold. One of them was from a wealthy family, and they specifically asked to thank you in person!"

As she spoke, she and Shen Ningning had already reached the village entrance.

A dense crowd of villagers had already blocked the road, making it impassable.

Four neat carriages were parked to the side.

Deng Fugui was the first to spot Shen Ningning and shouted happily, "Little Wolf Sister is here!"

The next second, before Shen Ningning could react, a noblewoman adorned in bright pearls and jade rushed up to her.

"You must be Miss Shen?" Her face was filled with unconcealable joy.

Shen Ningning nodded lightly.

The noblewoman grabbed her small hand, her eyes crinkling into a smile. "You saved my son. I came here specifically to thank you."

With that, the noblewoman waved her hand.

Four maids came forward, holding mahogany trays.

When the cloth covers were lifted, the trays were revealed to be piled high with silver.

A rough estimate put it at 200 taels!

The villagers watched in stunned admiration!

A shimmer rippled through Shen Ningning’s watery eyes.

’So much silver! I can buy jade!’

She was about to reach out her little hand but silently stopped herself.

The little one shook her head. "Thank you, Madam, but Village Chief Grandpa and the others were the ones who caught the traffickers."

The noblewoman immediately looked up and ordered magnanimously, "Reward everyone in Xiangyun Village with five taels of silver!"

After speaking, she looked down at the little one with a beaming smile. "I heard from Chief Wang that you’ve had a difficult life. Please, take this silver. It’s just a small token of my appreciation."

It was an offer too kind to refuse, so Shen Ningning no longer declined.

After leaving the things behind, the noblewoman left.

She also invited Shen Ningning to visit the Meng Family in the Capital City when she had time.

After the noblewoman left, the villagers who had received the reward silver crowded around Shen Ningning.

"Ningning! You’re truly a little Fuxing! We didn’t do a thing and still got a silver reward. This is all thanks to you!"

"Ningning, did you know? That lady just now is the matriarch of the Meng Family from the Capital City! The Meng Family are Imperial Merchants, and their silks are incredibly expensive!"

"First you earned the County Magistrate’s favor, and now you’ve caught the eye of the Meng Family. Ningning, you’re truly going to be rich and powerful in the future!"

Faced with so much praise, Shen Ningning’s round eyes shimmered like starlight, and the expression on her small face was shy and sweet.

"It was everyone’s effort, not just mine." She still refused to take the credit.

The little one turned her gaze and saw Chief Wang quietly watching her from the side. She quickly walked over.

She took out an ingot from the silver Mrs. Meng had given her and offered it to him.

"Uncle Officer, this is for you."

Looking at her pure and adorable face, Chief Wang felt a little ashamed.

He clasped his hands and declined, "This is Miss Shen’s merit. I cannot take credit for it."

"Last time... Landlord Du was there. I’m just a lowly arrest officer, and the power disparity was too great. So I wasn’t able to speak up much for Miss Shen. Please don’t blame me."

Shen Ningning’s voice was soft and sweet, and she didn’t mind at all. "Uncle Officer, you don’t need to explain. They were the ones who tried to use their power to bully people. They ended up in jail, and they deserve it!"

Hearing the little one’s adorable tone, Chief Wang couldn’t help but smile.

"Your aunt, Wang Guihong, gets a beating with the rod every day. The County Magistrate specifically ordered it to make sure she learns her lesson."

"However, Landlord Du kept sending people to visit her time and again. After the County Magistrate found out, he strictly forbade any more visits to Wang Guihong."

The hot sun flushed Shen Ningning’s cheeks a bright red.

Listening to Chief Wang’s words, her eyes sparkled. "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Officer."

The little one felt no pity for Aunt Qin.

’A bad person like her should suffer and know how much it hurts to be beaten!’

’It’s what she gets for bullying Grandma!’

「Meanwhile.」

In Guangyang County, an unexpected guest arrived at the residence of County Magistrate Fu Yuansong.

The housekeeper led Landlord Du to the main hall to wait. A short while later, Magistrate Fu, whose face was both kind and stern, appeared at the doorway.

"Lord County Magistrate!" Landlord Du quickly rose and bowed. "I have come uninvited. It is quite presumptuous of me. I hope you will not take offense."

Fu Yuansong gestured for him to sit.

Then, he asked calmly, "Landlord Du, is there a reason for your sudden visit?"

Landlord Du’s servant immediately presented a brocade box with both hands.

When opened, it revealed a Longevity Lord statue made of pure gold.

Fu Yuansong immediately furrowed his brow.

Landlord Du smiled obsequiously. "Lord County Magistrate, to be honest, I’ve come today about my sister-in-law, Wang Guihong."

"My wife found out her own sister is suffering and being beaten in jail every day. She’s lost her appetite completely and has now fallen ill."

"Although Wang Guihong did indeed do wrong, I can’t bear to see my wife tormented with worry. So, I’ve taken the liberty of coming to plead with the County Magistrate."

"You see, Wang Guihong has been locked up for nearly half a month. Could you perhaps release her early? I guarantee she will never dare to bully others with her connections again."

Fu Yuansong immediately scoffed. He raised a hand and pushed the brocade box right back.

"If you’ve come to plead for this matter, then you can give up that notion right now."

"Wang Guihong not only beat a young child, but she also abandoned the Qin Family’s elderly mother on a mountain. Such a vicious heart is rare in this world!"

"Do not try to persuade me further. Now that I am aware of this matter, I will see it through to the end! Her punishment is one month, and not a single day will be cut short."

Seeing his resolute attitude, the fawning smile on Landlord Du’s face instantly turned cold.

’This old stubborn fool, Fu Yuansong, is truly impossible to reason with!’

He said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "Lord County Magistrate, you and I are both officials. We should help each other out. Why must we make things so unpleasant?"

"Today, I am the one asking for a favor. In the future, if you are ever in need, I will certainly be at your beck and call."

"Besides, I have some connections with Chief of Staff Wei. I originally didn’t want to trouble him with such a small matter, which is why I came to negotiate with you, Lord County Magistrate."

"If I have to ask Chief of Staff Wei to speak on the matter, I’m afraid it might become awkward for you, Lord County Magistrate. Don’t you agree?"

Fu Yuansong immediately glared at him. "Are you using Chief of Staff Wei to threaten me?"

"Not at all, not at all. I am merely speaking the truth. I hope you won’t blow this small matter out of proportion, Lord County Magistrate. It would be unfortunate to stir up trouble." Landlord Du chuckled.

Fu Yuansong’s expression was tense. "I handle public matters with impartiality! No matter who comes today, the answer is the same!"

"Landlord Du, we have nothing more to say to each other. Please leave! Housekeeper, show our guest out!"

Saying this, Fu Yuansong stood up directly, flicked his robes, and left.

Landlord Du stared at Fu Yuansong’s departing back, secretly grinding his teeth in hatred.

’That old codger Fu Yuansong is completely impervious to reason.’

’Since he refuses to be sensible, he can’t blame me for what comes next!’

「The next day.」

The pharmacy manager came to pick up Shen Ningning as usual.

The little one packed five jin of Aconite for him, and the two returned to the pharmacy to settle the account.

"Little Miss, we agreed before on one hundred taels per jin, and I’d add an extra twenty taels myself. Last time you gave me six jin of Aconite, so this is seven hundred and twenty taels. Please count it and put it away safely."

Shen Ningning opened the bundle, revealing a dazzling pile of white silver.

She lifted her dewy eyes. "Grandpa Shopkeeper, could you help me exchange this silver for silver notes?"

’Today, she had other uses for this money!’