Chapter 789 - 406: Countermeasure (2)

Chapter 789: Chapter 406: Countermeasure (2)

After saying this, she called outside, "Pu Pao, go to my parents’ house. Tell them I need to see my brother about something and to have him come over quickly."

’Relying on Zhang Huai alone for this probably isn’t enough,’ she thought. ’Zhao San is just a farmer, as he said himself. He’s just not equipped for this. It’s better to get Qingmu to help.’

Pu Pao answered from outside and scurried out of the courtyard.

Huai Zi nodded. "That’s a good plan. Dad, Mom, Third Uncle, don’t you worry. I’ll go to the village school now and ask about Mr. Zhou. Once Qingmu gets here, we’ll head to Xiatang Market."

With that, he turned and left.

Juhua went to He’s side and placed Cong in her arms. She then took out a handkerchief, wiped away He’s tears, and said comfortingly, "Mom, don’t panic. Forgive me for being blunt, but we villagers tend to believe any rumor we hear. How can you take such gossip seriously? Yangzi and the others definitely weren’t just dragged away like people are saying. I bet we’ll have news in a day or two. After all, the three of them are Scholars. How could they be arrested so casually?"

He felt a little calmer after hearing Juhua’s words. Hugging Cong, she nuzzled her small cheek and said in a hoarse voice, "I’ll listen to you. I don’t believe it either."

Zhao San added, "That’s right. Why would anyone arrest them for no good reason? We don’t have any money or power, we’re just farmers..."

Though he said this, he lacked conviction, and his expression faltered. ’It’s precisely because we have no money or power that they can be taken away. The wealthy and influential only get fawned over.’

Juhua saw his expression and offered a few more words of comfort to the three elders.

Just then, Fatty Liu burst into the courtyard with his three sons, rushing over to Zhang Dashuan and Zhao San and unleashing a torrent of words.

Seeing his panicked state, Zhang Dashuan and Zhao San became agitated all over again, their voices rising in a clamor of incoherent questions. Right on his heels, Qingmu arrived at the Zhang family’s home.

Seeing how utterly panicked everyone was—with only Liu Ershun and Liu Sanshun remaining somewhat composed—Juhua had no choice but to repeat her earlier reasoning, urging them to wait patiently for Huai Zi to return.

After hearing Juhua, Qingmu mulled it over for a moment, then nodded. "Let’s wait for Huai Zi to get home before we discuss it further. I’m afraid Scholar Zhou doesn’t know much about this, either. Sanshun, we’ll head to Xiatang Market together in a bit. Uncle Zhang, Uncle Liu, Uncle Zhao San, you all need to calm down. Panicking will only give people something to gossip about, which will just make things more distressing."

Liu Sanshun nodded. "Right. Let’s get to the bottom of this before we do anything else. Dad, please don’t add to the chaos. If you ask me, the story has definitely been twisted in the telling."

He had also asked people returning from the market, but there was no new information—just the same story about three Scholars from Qingnan Village being arrested, which was being passed around like some strange novelty.

Juhua served them tea, and the group made small talk while anxiously waiting for Huai Zi to come back.

In less than an hour, Zhang Huai rushed back. He had barely stepped inside before the group surrounded him, bombarding him with questions all at once.

Qingmu quickly intervened. "Uncle Zhang, how can Huai Zi answer with everyone talking at once? Let’s all sit down and give him a chance to catch his breath. Let him speak."

Huai Zi waved his hand. "There’s no time to rest. We need to get to Xiatang Market. Mr. Zhou isn’t clear on the details either; he told me to go to the market and ask around properly. But he also thinks Yangzi and the others will be fine. They’re disciples of Ding Xuezheng and have scholarly titles. Unless they committed some major crime, they can’t just be arrested for no reason."

Zhao San quickly asked, "Did you ask Scholar Zhou about the Mr. Zhou who used to teach in our village? Who exactly is he?"

He had arrived earlier and overheard what Juhua had said to Huai Zi, so unlike the Liu Family, he wasn’t completely baffled by the question.

Zhang Huai’s eyes flickered. He sighed. "Fine, I might as well tell you. Mr. Zhou was once the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer. After being framed by a treacherous official, he requested to retire and came to our village to live in seclusion, teaching here for all those years. Someone came and took him away before the new year. Even Scholar Zhou doesn’t know what his situation is now. Oh, and Scholar Zhou is his nephew."

Hearing this, everyone stood in stunned silence for a good while. Finally, Fatty Liu spoke up. "They’re about the same age. How can Scholar Zhou be his nephew?"

Qingmu gave a wry smile. "Uncle Liu, after my mother gives birth, won’t Hulu and Banli be the baby’s nephews? And they’ll be older than their uncle."

Zhao San chimed in, "You’re asking such silly questions. ’A grandson on crutches and a grandfather in a cradle’—is that really so strange? Huai Zi, that... that ’Sacrificial Officer’ title? What in the world is that? What kind of job is it?"

Huai Zi gave a wry smile. "It’s a type of official. It’s too complicated to explain in a moment. That’s why I didn’t say anything at first—I was afraid you wouldn’t understand. And another thing, Scholar Zhou said it’s best if this information doesn’t get out."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Huai Zi added with a serious tone, "Everyone, don’t be impatient, and don’t listen to all the baseless talk in the village. I’m sure Yangzi and the others will send a message. It will likely arrive in the next day or two. We’re going to Xiatang Market to get a clearer picture of things, mainly to set our minds at ease and stop Dad and Mom from worrying themselves sick." Everyone nodded.

Liu Sanshun urged them, "Alright, let’s get going. The sooner we leave, the sooner we’re back. Any more delays and it’ll be dark."

Seeing how composed his son was, Zhang Dashuan felt more at ease himself. He urged them, "We understand. You all go now, and be quick about it."

And so, with Qingmu driving the horse cart, the three men set off together for Xiatang Market.

Back at the house, though everyone was still weighed down with worry, they exchanged a few more words of comfort before going their separate ways. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit qidian.com to vote with recommendation and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)