The old man’s daughter also wore a bitter expression on her face.
"Old man, if you are having any difficulties, feel free to share. I would offer help if I can." Yang Chuxia said, "I happened to be here today, so I would help in any way I can."
Upon hearing this, the old man thought for a while, then shook his head and said to Yang Chuxia, "Miss, you have already offended the boss of the tavern today while helping me. I really should not involve you any further. We shall find a place to stay elsewhere."
"Old man, where are you planning to take this lady? With her beauty, she might easily come to harm."
Yang Chuxia’s words hit the old man’s heart.
The old man’s daughter burst into tears, "Father, it’s all my fault!"
"Silly girl, you can’t be blamed for a pretty face bestowed by her parents."
The old man sighed and said, "Honestly, we are not locals of Quanya County. We are from a county next to Quanya, and my surname is Shen. My son is a scholar." The old man was proud when he spoke of his son, "My son is very smart and good at studying. Last year, his tutor took him to the prefecture city. He is planning to attend the county exam this autumn and the capital city for next spring’s exam. Unfortunately, after my son left, a rich man in our hometown took a liking to my daughter and wanted to make her his concubine. This man is almost my age, how could I send my daughter to such a place?"
"So, I brought my daughter to Wangquan Town." The old man shook his head more, "Unfortunately, after we arrived in Wangquan Town, I barely let my daughter out. The only time she went out was on a rainy day to help me pack up the stall. That day, she encountered the young master of the Li Family in town. My daughter won’t be a concubine. Why should a good girl be sent to such a place to wait upon the madam and the old master?"
As the conversation came to this point, Yang Chuxia understood their situation: they couldn’t stay in the town anymore, so they brought their daughter to the county. After spending some peaceful days, they encountered worse luck. If it weren’t for Yang Chuxia, perhaps the old man might have been put in jail, and his daughter might not have fared well either.
Yang Chuxia thought for a moment and suggested, "How about this: you and your daughter come back with me to our village. The young lady can stay in the village. If you want to set up a bean stall, you can do so at my shop’s entrance. They wouldn’t dare to cause trouble. Oh, I forgot to tell you, our village is Yangshu Village on the outskirts of Wangquan Town. We have two shops in town, and one of them bears the name written by the current County Magistrate. Our family also has some connection with the county officer, and the well-known Constable Hong of our county is also from Wangquan Town. He often interacts with my family, rest assured, the Li Family wouldn’t dare to intrude casually."
Upon hearing this, the old man was overjoyed but still worried, "Won’t this cause you any trouble?"
"Not at all! These days, even marrying or taking concubines should be based on mutual consent, isn’t it? I don’t believe they would dare to openly snatch at our village?"
"Miss, thank you! Thank you!"
The old man expressed his gratitude happily.
After a while, Fugui, who had left earlier, came back, "Miss, Constable Hong is currently interrogating a case and couldn’t make it here, so he sent two brokers instead."
Indeed, there were two brokers behind Fugui.
"Miss Yang, do you know where that thief is?"
The two brokers looked at each other, seemingly unaware of any thief.