Qi Xiao Bawang did not expect Shopkeeper Tu's emotions to suddenly erupt. He was so startled by being yelled at that he fell back onto his stool and couldn't recover for a long time.
"I... I didn't let them do that! Really! How could I do those things? I just like to eat good food. My father and elders are all officials. I wouldn't do things that oppress the common people!"
Qi Xiao Bawang's face was a bit vacant, and he kept muttering, repeating that he wasn't that kind of person and wouldn't do such things. It was unclear if he was explaining to others or to himself!
Seeing Qi Xiao Bawang's dejected appearance, Su Muqing kindly offered him a hint. "What's so difficult for you to understand? It must be that your subordinates were outwardly obedient but inwardly rebellious, doing all sorts of evil things in your name. However, the townspeople don't know that these things have nothing to do with you, and in the end, they all blame you. You're taking the blame for them!"
At this point, Qi Xiao Bawang also figured it out. He tightly gripped his thighs, his eyes bloodshot as he looked at Shopkeeper Tu. "Tell me everything else you know!"
Shopkeeper Tu actually regretted yelling after he had done it. Even if Qi Xiao Bawang hadn't done those things, his status was not something a commoner like himself could yell at.
After his emotions calmed down, Shopkeeper Tu felt a sense of fear. Seeing that Qi Xiao Bawang had no intention of getting angry with him, he sat down and slowly recounted the excessive things that Li Ge and Gong Ye had done over the past few months.
Robbery, extortion, harassing decent women, beating people at will – there were many, many more. The bad deeds they committed were so numerous that they couldn't be finished even if one talked for three days and three nights. Their actions were truly heinous and infuriating.
Every time they finished their misdeeds, they would loudly claim to be acting on behalf of Young Master Qi. They knew in their hearts that the good-for-nothing young master who only knew how to eat and drink would never inquire about these matters, which is why they dared to be so brazen!
The more Shopkeeper Tu spoke, the redder Qi Xiao Bawang's face became. He never imagined that the subordinates he trusted would commit so many bad deeds behind his back and then pin all the blame on him.
When Leng Ren and the others came in with the freshly roasted secret recipe lamb legs, they saw that everyone's complexion was not good. Especially the little chubby guy, whose fat face was as red as if he had a high fever.
Given Qi Xiao Bawang's usual personality, he would have been drooling at the sight of the sizzling, greasy roasted lamb legs. However, at this moment, due to the actions of Li Ge and his gang, he felt too angry to even eat. He lost all appetite for his favorite delicacy.
According to Shopkeeper Tu, Old Man Li and his wife were still bedridden because their granddaughter had drowned herself. They were barely holding on with a few doses of cheap Chinese medicine and the injustice they couldn't swallow.
"Do you know where Old Man Li lives? Take me there!" Qi Xiao Bawang suddenly stood up from his stool, his eyes fixed on Shopkeeper Tu.
"You, what do you want to do? Those two old people are already pitiful enough, you..." Shopkeeper Tu thought Qi Xiao Bawang was becoming angry and was about to harm Old Man Li and his wife. If that happened, wouldn't his good intentions lead to bad results?
"I, I just want to find a doctor for them and tell them personally that I will bring justice for their granddaughter!" Qi Xiao Bawang's voice was very soft, and he lowered his head in exhaustion.
Due to his negligence in managing his subordinates, such a tragedy had occurred. Now that the bullied girl was dead, there was so little he could do for her. Curing her grandparents and punishing the villains who bullied her could only be an atonement; it couldn't change anything.
"Shopkeeper Tu, is that old man's home far from here? You mentioned that both elders are very ill. I happen to know a bit about medicine, so why don't you take us to see them?"
Su Muqing hadn't expected that Qi Xiao Bawang's subordinates would actually cause a death. Thinking of the two pitiful old people, she felt a pang of compassion and decided to go with Qi Xiao Bawang to see them.
Shopkeeper Tu had wanted to visit Old Man Li for a long time, but he couldn't get away and didn't want to get into trouble. Their relationship was only because their family used to supply vegetables to the restaurant, and occasionally they would secretly send some hunted game. However, after his granddaughter had the accident, they stopped sending anything.
He glanced worriedly at the sky. The sun was setting, and even if they arrived, they wouldn't be able to see much. "Their home isn't too far. It's about fifteen li past the west city gate to Lijia Village. But I only know the general location; I'm not very clear about the specific place."
"That's not a problem. As long as you know the general location, we can ask around when we get to the village, and someone will surely know his specific location." Huo Qiyuan saw that Su Muqing also wanted to go and said that these were not issues.
"But it's getting darker and darker, and the ox carts are long gone. By the time we walk there, it will probably be dark." Shopkeeper Tu still had some concerns. He was afraid that if he suddenly took this young master to their home, it might worsen Old Man Li's illness.
"Why do you have so many concerns! We'll ride horses instead of taking an ox cart! Is there a place to rent horses in Yong'an Town?" Qi Xiao Bawang had never ridden in an ox cart before! And fifteen li would take several hours by ox cart, making it truly too late.
Upon hearing that they wanted to ride horses, Shopkeeper Tu's eyes suddenly lit up. "Yes! I know of a place on North Street that rents horses. They are always the last ones to close each day."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Qi Xiao Bawang said, standing up and rushing out of the restaurant. He felt the restaurant was too stuffy, and his mood was also heavy.
"I'll pack some things from the kitchen. You guys wait for me outside! I'll be back soon." Su Muqing greeted them and led Leng Ren to the back kitchen. Huo Qiyuan guessed what she intended to do and waited for her outside the restaurant with Shopkeeper Tu.
"Young Master, should we accompany you?" Leng Ren didn't know where they were going and, seeing their demeanor, didn't seem to intend to bring the Leng Zi team along.
"No need. You continue cooking! Eat after you're done; don't wait for us to return."
As Su Muqing spoke, she took out some food suitable for the elderly from her space, along with some rice and flour. She also bought a piece of pork with both lean and fatty parts from the restaurant.
She then packed the remaining whole chicken and a fish from lunch. Since lamb was a warming ingredient and could cause internal heat in this weather, she didn't pack it.
After quickly packing the items, Su Muqing arrived outside the restaurant. Qi Xiao Bawang had been pacing back and forth at the entrance, occasionally tapping his head with his fan, looking very anxious.
Seeing Su Muqing arrive, they wasted no more time and hurried towards the horse rental place at the north gate.