Chapter 34

Rich?

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

Aunt Liu took her hand and led her towards the village.

"Just now, several carriages with tall horses arrived in the village, led by Captain Wang."

"Do you remember the incident when the leper and two others tried to kidnap you, and we reported it to the officials?"

"You guessed right then. The officials followed up and found the children they had kidnapped before! Among them was a child from a wealthy family who specifically asked to personally thank you!"

As she spoke, they had reached the entrance of the village.

A crowd of villagers had already gathered, making the road impassable.

Four neatly arranged carriages were parked to the side.

"Deng Fugui was the first to spot Shen Ningning, exclaiming joyfully, 'Little Wolf Sister is here!'"

"The next second, before Shen Ningning could react, a beautifully dressed noblewoman hurried over to her."

"'Are you Miss Shen?' Her face was filled with uncontrollable joy."

"Shen Ningning nodded gently."

"The noblewoman grabbed her small hand, smiling with curved eyes: 'You saved my son. I’ve come specifically to thank you.'"

"With that, the noblewoman waved her hand."

"Four maids approached, carrying redwood trays."

"Upon lifting the cloth cover, the tray revealed it was filled with silver."

"Roughly estimated, there were about two hundred taels!"

"The villagers watched in astonishment and envy!"

"Shen Ningning’s eyes sparkled."

"'So much silver! I can buy jade now!'"

"She was about to reach out her hand but then hesitated."

"The little girl shook her head: 'Thank you, madam, but it was the village chief and others who caught the traffickers.'"

"The noblewoman immediately looked up, commanding generously: 'Give five taels of silver to every person in Xiangyun Village!'"

"After speaking, she looked down at the little girl with a warm smile: 'I heard from Captain Wang that you live a hard life. Take this silver, it’s a small token of my gratitude.'"

"Unable to refuse such generosity, Shen Ningning no longer declined."

"After leaving the gifts, the noblewoman departed."

"This also gave Shen Ningning the opportunity to visit the Meng family in the capital."

"After the noblewoman left, the villagers who received the reward money crowded around Shen Ningning."

"'Ningning, you really are a lucky star! We did nothing and still received this reward, all thanks to you!'"

"'Do you know, Ningning, that lady just now is the lady of the Meng family from the capital! The Meng family is an imperial merchant; their silks are very expensive!'"

"'First favored by the county magistrate and now noticed by the Meng family, Ningning, you’re destined for wealth and honor!'"

"Faced with all the praise, Shen Ningning’s round eyes twinkled like stars, and her face showed a shy and well-behaved expression."

"'It's all thanks to everyone, not just me,' she modestly declined to take credit."

"The little girl turned and saw Captain Wang watching her quietly, and she quickly approached him."

"From the silver given by Madam Meng, she took out a silver ingot and handed it to him."

"'Uncle Captain, this is for you.'"

"Looking at her innocent and adorable face, Captain Wang felt somewhat ashamed."

"He respectfully declined: 'This is Miss Shen’s merit; I cannot claim it.'"

"'About last time... with Officer Du present, I, being just a lowly officer, couldn’t do much. I hope you don’t hold it against me.'"

"Shen Ningning spoke softly and nonchalantly: 'Uncle Captain, you don’t need to explain. They tried to abuse their power and got what they deserved by ending up in jail!'"

"Captain Wang couldn’t help but smile at the little girl's cute tone."

"'Your aunt Wang Guihong is beaten daily. The county magistrate has specifically ordered to make her remember this lesson.'"

"'However, Officer Du still sent people to visit her several times. After the magistrate found out, he strictly ordered that no one should visit Wang Guihong in prison anymore.'"

"Shen Ningning’s cheeks were flushed with the bright sun."

"Listening to Captain Wang, her eyes sparkled brightly: 'Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Captain.'"

"The little girl felt no pity for Aunt Qin."

"Such a wicked person deserved to suffer and learn how painful it is to be beaten!"

"After all, she had bullied her grandmother!"

"Meanwhile,"

"in the residence of County Magistrate Fu Yuansong in Guangyang County, an uninvited guest arrived."

"The butler ushered Officer Du into the main hall to wait, and soon, the benevolent yet authoritative County Magistrate Fu Yuansong appeared at the doorway."

"'Magistrate!' Officer Du quickly stood up to greet him: 'I apologize for the intrusion without an invitation. I hope you won’t take offense, Magistrate.'"

"Fu Yuansong gestured for him to sit down."

"He then calmly asked, 'Officer Du, what brings you here so unexpectedly?'"

"Officer Du’s servant immediately presented a brocaded box with both hands."

"Upon opening it, inside was a longevity idol crafted from pure gold."

"Fu Yuansong immediately furrowed his brows."

"Officer Du smiled ingratiatingly: 'Magistrate, to be frank, my visit is again regarding the matter of my sister-in-law, Wang Guihong.'"

"My wife has been unable to eat and has fallen ill, knowing her sister is suffering in jail every day."

"Although Wang Guihong did commit a crime, I can't bear to see my wife tortured by worry. Therefore, I boldly come to ask the county magistrate for mercy."

"Look, Wang Guihong has been locked up for almost half a month now. Is it possible to release her earlier? I assure you, she won't dare to bully others with her power again."

Fu Yuansong immediately scoffed coldly and pushed the brocade box back.

"If you've come to plead for this matter, then you might as well save your effort."

"Wang Guihong not only beat a young child but also threw Qin's elderly mother into the mountains. Such malevolence is rare in this world!"

"Don't bother persuading me anymore. As an official who knows of this matter, I must see it through! A one-month punishment cannot be reduced by even a day."

Seeing his firm stance, Du Yuanwai's apologetic expression instantly cooled.

Fu Yuansong is such an old mule, absolutely intractable!

He said with a forced smile, "Magistrate, we are both officials and should assist each other. Why make it so unpleasant?"

"If you need anything in the future, I will certainly be at your service, ready to help in any way I can."

"Moreover, I have some connections with Minister Wei. I didn't want to trouble him with such a trivial matter, so I came to negotiate with you."

"If Minister Wei were to intervene, I fear it might be embarrassing for you, don't you think?"

Fu Yuansong immediately looked at him, "Are you threatening me with Minister Wei?"

"Not at all, not at all. I'm just stating the facts. I hope you won't make a mountain out of a molehill and cause unnecessary trouble," Du Yuanwai said with a laugh.

Fu Yuansong's expression was stern, "As an official, I handle affairs impartially. No matter who comes today, my answer remains the same!"

"Du Yuanwai, we clearly don't see eye to eye. Please, you may leave now! Steward, show the guest out!"

Saying this, Fu Yuansong stood up abruptly and left, sweeping his robe behind him.

Du Yuanwai watched Fu Yuansong's retreating figure, seething with hidden rage.

This stubborn old man, Fu Yuansong!

Since the other party is so unreasonable, then don't blame me for being impolite!

The next day.

The pharmacy shopkeeper, as usual, came to pick up Shen Ningning.

The little one packed five jin of monkshood for him, and they went back to the apothecary to settle the account.

"Young Miss, as we agreed earlier, one hundred taels per jin, and I'll add an extra twenty taels personally. Last time you gave me six jin of monkshood, so here are seven hundred and twenty taels. Please count and keep it safe."

Shen Ningning unwrapped the package, revealing dazzling silver coins inside.

She lifted her moist eyes, "Shopkeeper Grandfather, could you please exchange these coins for silver notes for me?"

Today, she had another use for this money!