"Doctor Lin..." Tie Dan's mother looked at Rong Zhi, her expression a little guilty. "What personal vendetta? I didn't do anything. That was just childish play."
"Play?" Rong Zhi pointed at Ji Dong beside her. "Do you think this kind of play is funny?"
Ji Dong understood, pressed Tie Dan to the ground, clenched his fist, blew on it, and grinned at Tie Dan's mother while swinging his fist. His expression was as provocative as it could get.
"My son!"
Tie Dan's mother shouted and rushed to shield Tie Dan, afraid the punch would land.
Ji Dong stumbled back a step from the impact, gasping. How could this woman be so strong?
Rong Zhi's voice came coldly from behind, "Is this amusing?"
Tie Dan's mother's tension eased slightly when she saw her son was safe. Looking at the accusing faces around her, she knew she was in the wrong this time.
She quickly said, "I know I was wrong. I was spreading rumors, I was gossiping, I was corrupting children. Punish me, but please don't lay a hand on my son."
"No, debts must be paid, and lives must be accounted for. Your son caused trouble for others. A beating is for his own good. Don't try to protect him!" Ji Dong, still annoyed from being bumped, took the opportunity to retort. He then reached out to grab Tie Dan. Tie Dan's mother held on tightly, and the two were locked in a stalemate.
Tie Dan was crying so hard his face turned red. Tie Dan's mother's strength was no match for Ji Dong, a grown man. Seeing Tie Dan about to be snatched away again, Tie Dan's mother had no choice but to look at Rong Zhi for help.
Rong Zhi glanced at Liu Hong and Gu Xinlan and said meaningfully, "The main party concerned hasn't spoken yet. You haven't wronged me, so there's no need to seek my forgiveness."
Tie Dan's mother then realized Rong Zhi wanted her to apologize to Liu Hong's family.
At this point, what was a few soft words? She quickly stood up and went before the three of them, bowing deeply.
"I'm sorry, Hunter Liu, Xinlan girl, Sister Wu. I was confused and said those foolish things outside. I will call Tie Dan home and discipline him properly. I've caused trouble for your family these past few days. I'll go back now and prepare gifts, and I'll come to apologize in person later. Please don't be angry, and say a few good words to the village chief and Doctor Lin to let my son go!"
Liu Hong's expression relaxed. He was about to speak, but Gu Xinlan let out a soft hum beside him. Liu Hong paused, his face stern, and did not reply.
"Xinlan girl, you're magnanimous. Tie Dan was wrong before, and I'll make him apologize to you now."
"Tie Dan, hurry over and apologize to Sister Xinlan."
She turned and urged Tie Dan. Ji Dong had to release Tie Dan, and Tie Dan's mother breathed a sigh of relief. Without bothering if Tie Dan was still crying, she pushed the child's head down to the ground and made him kowtow to Gu Xinlan, several times.
Even Yu Rong couldn't stand it. "Alright, alright. Since you know you were wrong, and Xinlan isn't that petty, if something like this happens again, others won't care about his age. If you don't discipline a child when he's young, he'll break the law when he grows up and end up in prison. You'll have plenty to cry about then."
Tie Dan's mother's face turned a mottled purple. She didn't dare say a word and slunk back into the crowd.
Yu Rong seized the opportunity and shouted to everyone, "Does anyone else want to use this opportunity for personal revenge? I've tied up Hunter Liu's family. If anyone is holding a grudge, speak up now!"
Despite his words, no one dared to voice their displeasure. The scene they had just witnessed was clearly a warning.
"What revenge? We're all neighbors. What kind of deep hatred could there be?"
Someone in the crowd said, and then quickly stepped forward to untie the ropes binding Liu Hong and his family.
In fact, the ropes weren't tied very tightly and came undone with a gentle tug.
Yu Rong nodded. "That's more like it. You were unhappy about Zhang Chu's matter, and now you feel there's no new official to replace him in the yamen, so you want to use Zhang Chu's matter to incite public anger and seek personal revenge. I know these little schemes. You think this is a small matter, but if it really escalates, don't think no one will report it to the authorities. A group of people in the county town went to Zhang Chu's house and caused a scene, scaring Zhang Chu's wife to death. The prefect is now arresting people all over the city. If you push it too far, you'll end up in jail too!"
After this speech, everyone looked at each other. Yun Shui Village wasn't too far from the county town, but it wasn't close either. Such news hadn't spread in the village yet. Hearing the village chief say this, they were naturally shocked.
"If anyone causes trouble like this again, don't blame others. I'll be the first to deal with them. See this big willow branch? Anyone who doesn't mind getting hurt can try to provoke me!"
Yu Rong grabbed the willow branch and swished it in the air a couple of times. The rest of the crowd retreated, afraid the branch would hit them.
"Alright, those with nothing else to do can go home. Those young people who went to the mine, stay behind."
The crowd dispersed. Tie Dan's mother originally wanted to leave with them, but unfortunately, her words had offended many people. Several people she usually associated with gave her dirty looks.
Tie Dan's mother left, crestfallen and embarrassed.
Yu Rong turned to look at Liu Hong and his family of three, a hint of guilt on his face. "Hunter Liu, are you alright?"
"We're fine." Liu Hong shook his head. "Doctor Lin's idea was excellent. If the village chief had only defended our family, others would have thought he was making a fuss. This serves as a warning to everyone in the village and also resolves our family's troubles. Doctor Lin is truly clever."
Rong Zhi said, "It was a small matter."
Most people are indifferent to matters that don't concern them. If it affects their own interests, they will naturally pay more attention. Elevating Tie Dan's mother's actions to the entire village means that in the future, countless eyes will be watching whatever Tie Dan's mother does.
While the two exchanged pleasantries, Yu Rong looked at Ji Dong, his expression darkening again.
"Tell me, who else is in cahoots with you?"
How could such a large house be set on fire by him alone? Moreover, Ji Dong wasn't the only one who went to Swallow Mountain last time. The others who went must also harbor resentment towards Doctor Lin, and there might be accomplices.
Ji Dong hesitated and glanced at the crowd. He gritted his teeth, preparing to take all the blame himself. But his gaze flickered to Rong Zhi, who was watching him with a threatening look. He suddenly felt his cheekbones ache again, so he suppressed the thought and pointed at several people in the crowd.
"They were with me."
Yu Rong saw that these people were indeed mingling with Ji Dong, and like Ji Dong, they were usually undisciplined.
He said to the remaining people, "Then you can go back!"
The remaining people then seemed to be granted amnesty and left in twos and threes.
Yu Rong politely said to Rong Zhi, "Then these people are yours to deal with."
Rong Zhi said, "There's no need to deal with them. Village Chief, as I said, neither my husband nor I intend to pursue this matter any further. I only have one thing to say to everyone."
Rong Zhi turned to look at these young men who looked unconvinced and said, "After going through Swallow Mountain and Ling Shui County, I believe you all know who you should truly hate. Those who only attack their own people are not true heroes. I won't pursue this matter this time, but if you continue to act like this, no one will lend a hand in similar times of crisis in the future."
Yu Rong listened beside her, suddenly feeling nervous, afraid Rong Zhi would still report them to the authorities.
"I won't hold it against you this time. If you need medical treatment or medicine in the future, you can find me at the house near the mass grave."
Everyone was surprised and exchanged glances. They thought they would get a beating, so why was she not holding this against them at all?
Rong Zhi turned to Liu Hong and Gu Xinlan. "You can also find me if you need anything. It won't be long before I have to leave here."
"Mm." Liu Hong and Gu Xinlan nodded, their eyes filled with reluctance.
Wu Gui Xiang said, "Doctor Lin, thank you for your care during these days."
"It's my duty."
Rong Zhi smiled.
As they left Yun Shui Village, Rong Zhi felt like there were a few tails following her. When she looked back, she saw nothing.
She tried to discern the footsteps and roughly figured out who was following her, but didn't expose them.
Although these young people looked about her age, in reality, she was more than thirty years older than them. In her eyes, they were just a group of children.
As they got further and further away from the village, the footsteps behind them suddenly stopped.
A young man asked Ji Dong, "Were we too much? It was her husband who saved us back then."
Another said, "How were we too much? That big傻瓜 (shǎguā - idiot) led us into the mountains, and we almost lost a layer of skin. Wasn't it all this woman's idea?"
Ji Dong turned and touched his face, saying hesitantly, "She also beat us. This time, we're even. No one is allowed to cause trouble from now on."
These words did not reach Rong Zhi's ears. She returned to the house newly arranged by Xia Yunting.
This house was not as grand as the ghost house, just a simple courtyard. The main house had two bedrooms and a central hall. It was already dusk when she returned. The left bedroom had a faint light emanating from it, casting two tall figures. It seemed Xia Yunting and Chen Xing were talking.
"General, should we warn that prefect so he doesn't let anything slip?"
"No need. He didn't know our identities originally, and he wouldn't dare to speak carelessly."
"Yes."
The two shadows separated in the light. One of them came out of the room and happened to meet Rong Zhi.
Chen Xing bowed and saluted, "Madam."
"Mm."
Rong Zhi nodded in response. Seeing Chen Xing's worried expression, it was likely he had some news to report to Xia Yunting.
She entered the room and found Xia Yunting standing by the window, his ink-black hair cascading down his shoulders, making him appear even more tall and distinguished.
His gaze fell on the doorway. When he saw Rong Zhi, Xia Yunting raised an eyebrow. "Took you so long, did you have some heartfelt talks with Liu Hong and the others?"
Rong Zhi sighed. "Not many heartfelt talks, but I did put on a show."
She didn't elaborate, thinking Xia Yunting wouldn't be interested in such trivial matters.
Rong Zhi took off her outer garment, poured herself a cup of tea, and asked Xia Yunting, "What did Chen Xing say?"
Xia Yunting said, "Xiao Yao has arrived in Changping County and is looking for my whereabouts."
Xiao Yao?
Rong Zhi searched her mind. "Is it that Princess Xiao's daughter?"
"Precisely." Xia Yunting was surprised that Rong Zhi was so well-informed about the relationships within the court. For a young lady from a noble family like this, outsiders wouldn't easily know her name; they would only know she was a princess.
"Xiao Yao has a good relationship with Xing Jiahui. She might be here for Xing Jiahui, but it could also be Xing Jie's doing."
Rong Zhi asked, "Are you afraid?"