Zhan Feiyu wanted to leave but couldn't. Four guards in grey clothes from the crowd blocked her path without a sound. Although they were only in plain clothes, it was evident that these four guards were not ordinary.
"Miss Zhan is also a witness, why the hurry to leave?" the noble young man in brocade said coldly, walking over with arrogance. The guards blocking Zhan Feiyu's path then retreated to the side, and it was clear they were his family's guards.
She tilted her head slightly to size up the uninvited guest. He wasn't tall, but his noble and arrogant demeanor clearly indicated he came from a prominent family. Although his intentions were not good, he looked like a scholar.
"Investigating cases is the duty of the yamen, and it has nothing to do with a young girl like me," Zhan Feiyu said crisply, raising her eyebrows slightly as she retorted, "In broad daylight, does this young master intend to force my hand?"
If there were to be a witness, there were many onlookers around, several of whom had followed from the pastry shop to the medical hall. There was no need for Zhan Feiyu, a child of half-grown age, to testify.
The noble young man sneered, looking down at the unyielding Zhan Feiyu, and gave a forceful and domineering answer, "What if I insist on forcing your hand?"
If anyone else had harassed a young girl on the street like this today, the surrounding onlookers would have spoken up righteously. However, the noble young man in brocade before them clearly had an extraordinary background. Coupled with the guards behind him, not only ordinary people but even Constable Miao dared not speak.
...
Not only were there grains, but also dry rations for the journey, and even three bolts of cloth were prepared.
"Old Master Zhao and Shopkeeper Zhao are indeed kind people," the onlookers couldn't help but say, with a hint of envy on their faces. This pile of goods was worth at least seven or eight taels of silver, not to mention that Old Master Zhao had also asked Doctor Hu to prescribe tonics, even using ginseng and lingzhi.
"However, the Tu family of three are also kind people." At first, they thought Tu Da Niu was extorting money, but seeing Old Madam Tu firmly distancing herself, only saying that she was ill because her end was near and it had nothing to do with the pastries from the Zhao family's shop, the onlookers believed that the Tu family were not swindlers, and this was just a coincidence.
"Mother, slow down," Tu Da Niu said in a deep voice. He got into the carriage first, intending for Old Man Tu to help Old Madam Tu up, supporting her from below and lifting her into the carriage.
But who would have thought that Old Madam, just holding on with one breath, would collapse to the ground before she even reached the carriage, her hunched and frail body suddenly going limp.
The scene instantly became chaotic. Doctor Hu rushed forward to check, but as soon as he took the old lady's pulse, his face suddenly darkened.
"Second Uncle," Shopkeeper Zhao's face was also extremely grim. Why did something happen at this critical juncture? If the person had gotten into the carriage and left the county, even if she had died, the Zhao family could have suppressed the matter.
Old Master Zhao narrowed his eyes, his gaze flashing with sharp light. Even if the Tu family behaved normally, Old Master Zhao would have believed them. But with the old lady's death, Old Master Zhao couldn't help but doubt again.
Constable Miao also had a headache. As long as the person was not dead, everything was fine. But now that she was dead, Constable Miao stepped forward, "Doctor Hu?"
Shaking his head, Doctor Hu stood up. The old lady was already nearing her end, and then in the morning, she had eaten something bad and vomited and had diarrhea, losing her last bit of vitality. Thus, she couldn't hold on and died in a foreign land.
"Mother!" Tu Da Niu's mournful cry rang out. He knelt on the ground with a bang, holding the old lady's still warm body and weeping.
Old Man Tu beside him was also stunned, as if he couldn't believe that the old woman who could still speak moments ago had suddenly passed away.
"You killed my mother, you have to pay with your lives for my mother!" He suddenly looked up, his murderous gaze fixed on the Zhao uncle and nephew. His bloodshot eyes were filled with anger and hatred, as if he had already decided that the Zhao uncle and nephew were the murderers.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Constable Miao quickly stopped the frenzied Tu Da Niu with his two subordinates. He had already beaten the Zhao uncle and nephew black and blue. Now that his mother was dead, Tu Da Niu, who had lost control of his emotions, might actually kill someone.
"Let go of me, let go of me!" a roar erupted. Tu Da Niu struggled furiously, and even the three constables Miao almost couldn't hold him.
"You scoundrels colluding with officials, you killed my mother, you will die a terrible death!" Unable to break free, Tu Da Niu roared hysterically. The forty-something-year-old man now shouted until his voice was hoarse, his eyes bloodshot, making people feel unbearable.
Just then, Old Man Tu suddenly reacted. Seeing his son going mad, he raised his hand and slapped him fiercely. "Are you done being crazy? Da Niu, carry your mother, let's go home, don't let your mother die with regret!"
Old Man Tu's voice trembled at the end. He raised his hand to wipe his eyes and looked at his son, who finally stopped shouting. He continued choked, "Your mother is gone, Da Niu, don't make a scene."
After speaking, Old Man Tu walked towards Old Master Zhao and Shopkeeper Zhao. "Gentlemen, please forgive us. My Da Niu is just stubborn. The doctor has already said his mother's time was up, and it's no one's fault."
How could Old Master Zhao let Old Man Tu bow and apologize? Not to mention that the deceased should be respected, the Zhao family's shop was involved in this matter. It would be a blessing if the Tu family didn't cause trouble.
"Old uncle, you are too kind, please..." Old Master Zhao quickly helped up Old Man Tu, who was already bowing, completely unaware of the fierce glint in Old Man Tu's wrinkled old face.
It was too late to say anything, but it was too fast!
When Old Master Zhao saw the fleeting silver light, he was stunned. He wanted to dodge, but Old Man Tu's left hand grabbed his arm like a vise, and the blade in his right hand was already stabbing towards his heart.
Not only did Old Master Zhao not react, but Shopkeeper Zhao, standing beside him, didn't even notice the danger his second uncle was in.
But at the moment of danger, a hidden weapon flew through the air. It was so fast that the moment Old Man Tu drew his blade, the sharp edge flew out.
With a clang, as the sound of the blade falling to the ground echoed, Shopkeeper Zhao finally saw it, his pupils suddenly widening. "Second Uncle!"
Constable Miao looked back and saw that Old Man Tu had quickly picked up the blade on the ground. Constable Miao turned around and kicked him.
The unprepared Old Man Tu was kicked away.
Old Master Zhao also staggered as Zhao Ling pulled him, and he retreated several steps in a panic, finally creating distance from Old Man Tu.
"I'm fine," his voice trembled. Leaning on Zhao Ling, Old Master Zhao felt like he had narrowly escaped death for the first time.
Zhao Ling was also pale with fear. Who would have thought that this seemingly honest old man Tu was hiding a sharp blade and dared to attempt murder!
This turn of events also shocked the surrounding onlookers. Looking at Old Man Tu struggling to get up but being firmly pinned to the ground by Constable Miao, his ferocious eyes were nothing like those of a simple country farmer; he was clearly a fierce bandit!
A young man fiercely wiped his face and said to his wife, "My father said I was a fool and would be cheated if I went out. I even argued with my father. I'm such an idiot!"
Liuxian County had many workshops and many merchant caravans coming and going from all directions. Compared to working in the workshops for wages, it was more profitable to follow the caravans. The young man had argued with his family over this, and for the past two days, he had been staying at his father-in-law's house with his wife.
Thinking that he had even sympathized with the Tu family of three, the young man felt that his sympathy was not as good as feeding dogs. This person was too good at pretending. If the old man hadn't drawn his knife in the end, who would have believed that this old man was actually a bad person?
"Arrest these two and take them back to the yamen!" Constable Miao ordered sternly, apologizing to Old Master Zhao. Because of his negligence, he had almost caused Old Master Zhao to be killed.
The constables were also very annoyed. In full view of everyone, they had been tricked by this father and son. Their dignity as officers had been lost.
Just then, a clear and cold voice came from outside the crowd, "They all say that Liuxian County has good public order, where the roads are not cleared of lost items and the nights are not closed. I never expected to witness such a grand drama of official-business collusion and disregard for human life in broad daylight."
"Who the hell is talking nonsense!" the hot-tempered young constable couldn't help but curse. Collusion, what a joke! They were all tricked by this father and son!
Thinking of this, the young constable's suspicious gaze suddenly fell on Doctor Hu, who was standing nearby. If Old Madam Tu hadn't died,