"As long as you can keep my son alive, I’ll tell you everything." The woman said without hesitation.
"Who found you?" Meng Yao asked.
The woman shook her head, "It was a little beggar who passed on the message, telling us where to go. As long as we followed their instructions, there would be a large sum of silver. I...I didn’t want to, but my son overheard and insisted he had to..."
As she spoke, the woman began to wipe away her tears.
Meng Yao roughly understood; it was the young man who wanted to leave some silver for his parents.
"Can you still find that little beggar?" Meng Yao asked.
As expected, both the husband and wife shook their heads, "The little beggar was disheveled and filthy..."
"Then who directed you to the County Government?" Meng Yao asked again.
"It was the village chief," the woman said, "The village chief said this was a malicious injury and should not be tolerated."
After asking, Meng Yao understood that they did not know the people involved with beating the Qian Family’s steward. They just happened to be at the place when Qian Yuanxing went to find those people, and the young man was mistakenly thought to be the one who beat the steward. Although there were many flaws, and it couldn’t withstand scrutiny, once people were there, Qian Yuanxing’s fist landed on the young man. That was their goal.
As for the village chief, he might have been problematic.
But he directed this family to report it to the authorities, so there was nothing wrong with that.
"Please ask the County Magistrate and Arrest Officer Xu to come over," Meng Yao said.
Some matters needed to be stated in front of Ren Zhong. Meng Yao didn’t dare leave because she feared something might happen to the young man while she was away.
At that point, even if she had a mouth, it would be hard to explain.
Although the woman probably wouldn’t abandon her son for silver, Meng Yao couldn’t take the risk.
Arrest Officer Xu and Ren Zhong arrived shortly after.
Meng Yao had them repeat what was said earlier to Ren Zhong.
"It’s a fact that Qian Yuanxing beat someone," Ren Zhong said.
"Therefore, we’re willing to pay for the medical expenses," Meng Yao said.
"It still depends on whether they want to pursue it." Ren Zhong said.
If the people voluntarily withdrew the charge, Qian Yuanxing indeed could be released.
"And on their side..." Meng Yao asked.
"Qian Yuanxing’s matter won’t affect the outcome of the whole incident," Ren Zhong said.
In other words, this was just an insignificant part, or perhaps it was to deliberately embarrass the Qian Family.
"Will they be in trouble?" Meng Yao asked.
"They’re considered victims too, so the other side probably won’t hold anything against them," Ren Zhong said.
"Will you still treat my son?" the woman asked urgently.
"You should go directly to Hundred Herbs Hall," Meng Yao replied. "As for the expenses, you needn’t worry; the Qian Family will cover them."
Hundred Herbs Hall was Lu Luoxing’s place, where neither the Li couple nor Li Tanyun should be able to interfere.
It would be safe there.
She would heal them, and then let them leave, leaving those people without anything to talk about.
After all, a healed person suddenly having an accident is much harder to deal with than someone already seriously injured.
The couple exchanged a glance, "Our family isn’t wealthy, but we’re willing to give everything we have for the treatment. In reflection, we share some responsibility for this incident. It can’t be entirely shouldered by Qian Yuanxing and the Qian Family."
Had they not gone, perhaps Qian Yuanxing would have been fine.
Even if something happened, if they hadn’t participated, at least they would have a clear conscience.
"We can discuss the treatment fee later," Meng Yao said.
Ren Zhong promptly closed the case, and Qian Yuanxing was released from jail.
As for this family of three, Ren Zhong had Arrest Officer Xu hire a carriage to take them back in person, with Qian Yuanxing accompanying them.
"What do you plan to do?" Ren Zhong asked Meng Yao.
"I’m planning to go to Qingzhou Prefecture, but Dajiang and his wife don’t want to go. So, if convenient, brother-in-law, please watch over them. As for An’er, it’s still safer with you." Meng Yao said.
"I’m worried that An’er might not want to," Ren Zhong said.
"But if I go to Qingzhou Prefecture, I might encounter some danger." Meng Yao said helplessly.
"Leave him with me when you leave. As for Zhao Dajiang, I’ll have Arrest Officer Xu inform the village chief. If there’s any trouble, the village chief can contact me directly. As long as it’s within my ability, I’ll look after them for you." Ren Zhong said.
"Thank you very much, brother-in-law." Meng Yao said.
Initially, she wanted Ren Zhong to look after Zhao Xiaoshu, but she decided to take Zhao Xiaoshu to Qingzhou Prefecture after all—it might be a good choice.
"Brother-in-law, has there been any word from Young Master He?" Meng Yao asked.
Ren Zhong looked at Meng Yao with a meaningful gaze, "I thought you wouldn’t ask."
"In this matter, I’m a victim too, so I fervently hope to catch all those people." Meng Yao said righteously.
After all, she wouldn’t admit she cared about He Yan.
"All is going well," Ren Zhong said. "Just these four words."
These four words implied he had infiltrated the group.
Which was good news, after all.
Meng Yao didn’t ask further questions, not because she didn’t want to, but because she thought that even if she asked, Ren Zhong might not know.
"I’ll head back now." Meng Yao said goodbye to Ren Zhong and hurried back.
The carriage moved slowly, and soon after leaving the city, Meng Yao caught up with Arrest Officer Xu and the others.
Meng Yao had to slow down and travel with them.
By the time they reached the town, night had completely fallen.
Meng Yao knocked on Hundred Herbs Hall’s back door and settled the family of three in a room Lu Luoxing set aside for her. She also asked Doctor Su to prepare some medicine, teaching the woman how to brew it and how to administer it after it was ready.
Arrest Officer Xu and the coachman drove back to the county overnight.
After a day’s travel, Meng Yao was also very tired, but she couldn’t rest yet; she had to visit the Qian Family to inform Madam Qian, lest she remained worried.
"I’ll be back at night, so Doctor Su, please have someone keep the door open for me," Meng Yao said. "Also, have someone feed the horse for me."
She was tired, and her horse must have been even more exhausted.
Doctor Su agreed to everything without asking further questions.
The employer had instructed that as long as Madam Zhao’s requests didn’t compromise Hundred Herbs Hall, they should be met.
Though Qian Yuanxing wanted to go home, he went to the Qian Mansion with Meng Yao first.
Upon seeing Madam Qian, he immediately knelt, "Ma’am, it was my impulsiveness that caused such trouble, making you run around . I am sorry, ma’am."
Hong Xing, with reddened eyes, knelt as well; she was also constantly worried after Qian Yuanxing was arrested.
"It’s good that you’re safe. There’s no big concern with your father either, but he’s thinking of you, so you should go see him quickly. We can discuss any issues tomorrow," Madam Qian said. "Hong Xing, go with him to help take care of things."
After Qian Yuanxing woke up, his wife relaxed, but then fell ill herself. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⚑fire.net
During the day, Hong Xing had been there taking care of him.
Now that Qian Yuanxing was back, but having been on edge for the past few days, there might still be unforeseen incidents at night. Hong Xing going along meant there would at least be someone to take charge if something did happen.