Li Hong was very angry. These two people looked noble and extraordinary, but what was the meaning of them bringing the murderer to visit the victim? Did they think the victim was not sad enough and wanted to come and mock them personally?
His fists were clenched tightly, unwilling to let these people enter the village. However, he remembered that he was just an ordinary villager. What weight could his words carry in front of powerful and influential people? "Who are you people? Old Man Li's family has just lost their granddaughter, and they are already heartbroken. If you..."
Li Hong's words were not finished, but Huo Qiyuan clearly saw the hostility in his eyes. "Young man, please don't rush. We sincerely want to visit Old Man Li's family."
For the next period of time, neither side spoke. Qi Xiaobawang scratched his head somewhat impatiently, tightening his grip on the reins. This person was truly troublesome. If he knew, he knew; if he didn't, he didn't. Why so many questions?
He really wanted to, but he thought about the scapegoats he had taken for his subordinates, which had already made everyone in Yong'an Town fear him. If he didn't restrain his temper a little more, who would believe that those things had nothing to do with him? Thinking of this, he slowly loosened his hand.
The stalemate between the two sides did not last long. Shopkeeper Tu came back after spitting. He had already tidied himself up, so apart from looking a bit dispirited, he did not appear particularly dishevelled.
"Brother Hong, these two are distinguished guests. They heard about the misfortune of Old Man Li's family and learned that the old couple are still bedridden, so they came specifically to visit."
Seeing the person who suddenly rushed over, Li Hong looked carefully and realized he knew him. Since he also delivered local products to Shopkeeper Tu's restaurant during his free time, they had interacted before.
Li Hong recognized Shopkeeper Tu and pulled him aside to speak in a low voice. "Brother Tu, did you bring them? Why did you bring that person? Even if others don't recognize him, don't you recognize him, Brother? He is the one who killed Li's daughter, that Qi..."
Seeing Li Hong's pointing finger, Shopkeeper Tu grabbed his hand and said in a similarly low voice, "Brother Hong, don't be in such a hurry. Of course, I know who he is. Actually, there is some misunderstanding in this matter."
After giving Su Muqing and the others a look that said "wait a moment," Shopkeeper Tu pulled Li Hong along and continued, "Actually, Young Master Qi doesn't know about many of the things that have happened in town these past few months. It was his subordinates who did those wicked deeds behind his back, and he was kept in the dark all along. Today, after learning about Old Man Li's situation, he immediately asked me to bring him to visit."
"You believe this? You actually believe him? A second-generation rich young master like him, who only knows how to bully the locals and oppress us poor common people all day long! He caused Li's daughter to lose her life, and now he can get away with it by simply saying he didn't know?" Li Hong's anger grew as he spoke, and his voice involuntarily rose.
The surrounding villagers who heard Li Hong's words all retreated a little, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Qi Xiaobawang. Although these villagers did not often go into town, they had all heard that a young master had come to town a few months ago. They did not expect this plague god to show up in Li Family Village today.
The voices of the two men speaking were not small, and Qi Xiaobawang could hear them clearly. Coupled with the fearful glances from the villagers, he was furious to the point of exploding!
However, he was not angry at the villagers, but at himself, at his subordinates who did bad deeds and made him bear the blame, and at the fact that he couldn't explain himself even with a thousand mouths, and no one would believe him even if he tried to explain.
"Brother Hong, please don't get so agitated! If Young Master Qi is truly the kind of person you say he is, aren't your words and your attitude towards him now causing trouble for yourself and Li Family Village?"
Shopkeeper Tu's words instantly sobered Li Hong. He had indeed been too agitated just now. His face looked somewhat displeased. How could he have overestimated himself and dared to criticize that young master? It would be bad if he caused trouble for his family and the village.
Li Hong wanted to do something to remedy the situation. Shopkeeper Tu pointed to the two people on the white horse. "See the two on the white horse? These are distinguished guests! The one in front is skilled in traditional Chinese medicine, and the one behind can control the young bully. Hurry and take us to Old Man Li's house. Perhaps that person can really cure the old couple's illness."
Seeing Shopkeeper Tu's confident expression, Li Hong frowned. He thought of Old Man Li and his wife, who had been lying in bed for over half a month. Most importantly, these people had already come to their door, and even if he didn't lead them, others would do so under coercion.
Finally, Li Hong sighed softly and turned to walk into the village. No matter what their purpose was, he was powerless. Seeing this, Shopkeeper Tu beckoned to the few people behind him and followed.
Huo Qiyuan and Su Muqing exchanged glances, then dismounted and carried the items for Old Man Li in their hands. Seeing this, Qi Xiaobawang also dismounted. The group glanced at Li Hong's retreating figure, handed the reins to the groom, and followed them into the village.
The villagers had nothing else to do and saw that there was more excitement to watch, so they swarmed after them. Those people really didn't look like they were there to cause trouble. Who would carry a basket of things when looking for trouble?
It was a pity they couldn't see what was inside. They didn't expect Old Man Li's family to have such good luck. Was this considered a blessing in disguise?
Thus, almost half of Li Family Village followed behind the group, heading towards Old Man Li's dilapidated courtyard.
Li Hong walked for about the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, then stopped outside a mud-brick courtyard. He raised his arm with some difficulty and pointed towards the courtyard gate, saying, "This is Old Man Li's house. All that's left of their family are the old couple and a simple-minded son..."
Shopkeeper Tu patted his shoulder, then stepped forward to knock on the door. However, he hadn't used much force before the wooden door was pushed open directly. "Why isn't this door locked?"
"It's a rural place, and we don't have so many formalities. People often leave their doors unlocked at night. Besides, the old couple have been sick during this time, so they might have forgotten to lock it," Li Hong said as he pushed the door open and went inside.
A man, who had likely heard the noise, poked his head out from a mud hut. The man was relatively tall compared to others, appearing to be over 1.75 meters. Although his body was somewhat thin, his frame was quite large.
His face was covered in a white, powdery substance, which looked a bit like the bran fed to chickens and ducks by farmers. His clothes were short and dirty, and their original color was no longer visible.
His hair was also messily tied up, and his expression looked somewhat dull. His eyes seemed lost as he stood barefoot, looking at the group of people who had suddenly appeared at his doorstep.
It was likely, as Li Hong had said, Old Man Li's simple-minded son.