Chapter 49: Settling the Case Swiftly (2)

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi was quite satisfied with the outcome, so she did not say anything.

The county magistrate ordered, “Rong Yufan, give Chu Qingzhi a hundred taels of silver immediately.”

Rong Yufan did not dare to challenge the authority openly, or the sentence would be even heavier. Hence, helpless, he gave Chu Qingzhi a hundred taels of silver.

Chu Qingzhi accepted it with good conscience. He caused her to be arrested and made her family worry about her. It was only right for her to be compensated.

Then, the constables locked Rong Yufan and the four hooligans up.

Chu Qingzhi thought for a while and planned to rely onTang Jinghong’s power again. “County Magistrate, I have something else to say.”

The county magistrate said politely, “Go ahead.”

Chu Qingzhi probed, “I wonder if the county magistrate remembers Shen Qiuyue?”

The county magistrate looked deep in thought. After thinking for a long time, he still couldn’t remember. He glanced at Chu Qingzhi and asked, “I don’t remember this name. I think Miss Chu won’t mention this name for no reason. Please be direct.”

In this era, it was really useful to have status and power. With Tang Jinghong around, the county magistrate had to treat her with respect. Chu Qingzhi said with a serious expression, “This woman was wronged.”

The county magistrate was terrified. “Miss, you have to be careful with what you say. I have always handled cases meticulously. I won’t wrong anyone.”

Chu Qingzhi said, “Your Lordship, don’t be anxious. I didn’t say that it was your fault.”

A thin layer of sweat seeped out of the county magistrate’s forehead. “Miss, what do you mean?”

Chu Qingzhi briefly explained Shen Ruyue’s situation and then said, “I’ll find evidence to prove Shen Ruyue’s innocence.”

The county magistrate then remembered Shen Ruyun. That girl poisoned Madam Xia because she hated her. Madam Xia was almost poisoned to death, but during the trial, they couldn’t find any evidence that Shen Ruyue had poisoned her. Hence, Shen Ruyun was only locked up in the prison.

“Are you sure she’s innocent? How can you prove her innocence?”

Chu Qingzhi did not answer the county magistrate and only said, “Please invite the madams who ate persimmons that day to the county office tomorrow. We’ll know the answer then.”

Could this girl be an expert at solving cases… The county magistrate cherished talent. “Alright, I promise you.”

Chu Qingzhi bowed to the county magistrate. “Thank you, Your Lordship.”

“Wontons, wontons…” The sound of peddling came from afar.

Chu Qingzhi asked curiously, “It’s already so late, but there are still people doing business.”

Tang Jinghong nodded. “Yes, there’s a night market over there. The market will only end at midnight. You haven’t eaten dinner. Let’s go and eat some.” As he spoke, he brought Chu Qingzhi towards the night market.

Chu Qingzhi followed and smiled. “My treat.”

Tang Jinghong asked jokingly, “You’re willing to spend money?”

I’m not a miser… Chu Qingzhi suddenly felt that Tang Jinghong seemed to think that she was a miser. “Tang Jinghong, what do you mean?”

Tang Jinghong smiled. “It’s on me. Let’s celebrate your release from prison. You can order whatever you want later.”

Chu Qingzhi glanced at Tang Jinghong. “Didn’t you say that you don’t have money?”

Tang Jinghong said calmly, “I have it now.”

Chu Qingzhi was speechless.

On both sides of the street, there were dense stalls selling everything. Pedestrians were eating and walking in the middle of the street. It was very lively.

Tang Jinghong leaned towards Chu Qingzhi slightly and lowered his head to ask, “What do you want to eat?”

There were too many people here and it was noisy. If he did not get closer, she would not be able to hear his voice.

Chu Qingzhi quite liked such a lively scene. She swept her gaze across the stalls in front of her and walked towards a shop selling fish skin dumplings. “I’ll eat this. What do you want to cat?”

Tang Jinghong was not too picky about food. When he was fighting at the border, filling up his stomach was the most important thing. “It smells quite fresh. It should taste good. I’ll eat this too.”

When the stall owner heard Tang Jinghong’s words, he walked over and greeted him warmly, “My fish skin dumplings are delicious. It definitely won’t disappoint you.”

Tang Jinghong walked to the stool and sat down. “Give me two bowls.”

The stall owner replied loudly, “Alright.”

Chu Qingzhi sat opposite Tang Jinghong and looked up at the man in front of her. Although he was born in the countryside, his every move was very stable and imposing. His eyes were deep and sharp like an eagle in the sky.

Tang Jinghong looked up and met Chu Qingzhi’s clear and bright eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Chu Qingzhi was not embarrassed at all. “I’m admiring you.”

This was the first time he had seen a girl staring at a man like this. Tang Jinghong reminded her, “Don’t stare at men like this. It’s not good for a girl to do this.”

If a woman stared at a man, people would think that she was trying to seduce him.

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “I understand.”

The stall owner quickly brought over two bowls of fish skin dumplings and said with a smile, “Please enjoy. Call me if you need anything.”

Chu Qingzhi thanked him and took the chopsticks from Tang Jinghong. She ate one and her eyes instantly lit up. “It’s delicious.”

Seeing that Chu Qingzhi was eating so happily, Tang Jinghong smiled. “Take it slow. You have enough to eat.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled at him and nodded.

After dinner, the two of them rushed back to the village.

The Chu family was still waiting at the entrance of the village. Although Chu Qingzhi had only been back to her biological family for a few days, everyone already treated her as family. Now that something had happened to her, they were very worried..