Where is the perpetrator?
Could it be that upon hearing the commotion, they knew you were coming and fled?
The two officers exchanged glances: "Which way did the perpetrator go? Where’s the back door of this shop?"
They were just about to give chase.
The shopkeeper hurriedly called out to the officers, "Officers! Officers! Don’t leave! The perpetrator is right here! It’s her—"
Lady Fang, who was nearby, poked her head out from the corner when she heard the officers, "Officers! It’s her! Quick, take her to the Yamen!"
The two officers’ faces turned dark immediately. In broad daylight, you expect us to believe this nonsense? The only person here is a delicate and neat little lady. By the looks of it, she’s probably scaring herself silly and hasn’t even run away. And you say she’s the perpetrator? Might as well say she robbed herself!
One of the officers sheathed his drawn sword with discontent and said, "I say, shopkeeper, we’re busy people. We don’t have time for your jokes! If there really were a robber or thief, we’d chase them without a word, but you casually point at a young girl and say she’s the perpetrator. Do you take us for fools?"
Saying that, he glanced at Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu looked back at him, appearing innocent and fragile.
The two officers became more irritated seeing the young lady . Even if they were regularly well-treated, it didn’t warrant this kind of mockery, did it?
Though they were merely errand-runners for the Yamen, they represented it after all! If this became common practice, how could they tolerate it?
The shopkeeper jumped anxiously, swearing, "Officers! Really, it’s her! She’s the one who wrecked our shop ! I swear!!"
Lady Fang and the shop assistants nodded repeatedly in agreement.
The officers, still doubtful, looked at the delicate Wang Yongzhu and then at the red-faced, furious shopkeeper and Lady Fang, and they couldn’t quite believe it.
One of them thought for a moment, then turned and asked Hu Laoer, "Hu Laoer, you’ve been watching here for a while. What’s the situation?"
Hu Laoer’s smile froze on his face, and he involuntarily glanced at Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu looked back at Hu Laoer emotionlessly.
A chill ran down Hu Laoer’s neck, and he quickly laughed awkwardly, "Well, when we arrived, it was already . We didn’t see anything—"
The shopkeeper and Lady Fang became anxious, especially Lady Fang, who found her courage with the officers present. She burst out from the corner, "You’re lying! She was smashing our shop, and you were outside watching! How can you speak for her now? Officers! Officers! They are all in cahoots! Arrest them all!"
Hu Laoer also became anxious. Even idle men have their principles. They enjoyed watching a spectacle, but not being the spectacle!
Seeing the officers’ suspicious looks, Hu Laoer could only offer a bitter smile and explanation, "Officers, we are truly being wronged! We were just here to watch the commotion! If you don’t believe it, ask these folks around here. We didn’t even step into the Tian Family Shop, we just stood at the door watching!"
This group of idle men like Hu Laoer were locals, known by the old neighborhood. Despite their occasional mischief, they’d never harmed the neighbors, and their presence even deterred protection rackets.
The old neighbors, very aware of this, viewed Hu Laoer and his men as if they were their own mischievous nephews, holding some affection for them.
Seeing the Tian Family Shop was now accusing Hu Laoer and his men, the old neighbors couldn’t stand it and spoke up, "Indeed, Hu Laoer and his men didn’t step inside! We all saw it!"
"I saw it too! We ran out from inside, and Hu Laoer and his men were just outside talking, never went in!"
The two officers listened to the voices defending Hu Laoer and his men, and their expressions softened. Honestly, they didn’t want to clash with Hu Laoer and his men unless necessary. Seeing the neighbors vouched for them, they nodded in understanding.
Turning back to the shopkeeper and Lady Fang, their faces darkened, "The neighbors all testify that Hu Laoer and his men never entered the shop! Stop falsely accusing people, or we’ll charge you with slander!"
Lady Fang bit her lip, "Even if Hu Laoer and his group weren’t involved, it was still this wild maid who wrecked our shop! Officers, if you don’t believe me, ask the people outside; many were frightened away by this wild maid’s madness!"
The officers glared at Lady Fang, "We enforce the law. Who are you to comment?"
Lady Fang wanted to say more, but the shopkeeper, sensing the officers’ displeasure, quickly intervened, "Yes, yes, we were too hasty!"
The officer then looked at Wang Yongzhu, his tone softening, "Young lady, you heard the shopkeeper and that woman accuse you of wrecking their shop. Do you have anything to say?"
Wang Yongzhu’s eyes reddened instantly, tears welling up, looking aggrieved and with nowhere to go for help.
The officers felt sympathetic, "Young lady, if you’ve been wronged, tell us! We’ll stand up for you!"
Lady Fang was furious. Were these officers out of their minds, or were they so taken by beauty they forgot she was the victim here?
Asking Wang Yongzhu if she was wronged?
How could she be? She destroyed their shop completely and yet felt wronged?
Lady Fang was about to argue but was held back by the shopkeeper.
Wang Yongzhu, looking aggrieved, began to speak, describing the events succinctly. She claimed Lady Fang lured her into the shop, despite knowing she was in mourning and insisted on selling her rouge and powders. When she refused, Lady Fang insulted her deceased mother, causing her a momentary lapse leading to the shop’s wrecking.
The two officers listened in bewilderment till the end, surveying the thoroughly trashed shop. Taking a cold breath, they thought it might be an understatement that her "momentary lapse" turned into this complete devastation. If she had done it carefully, the four walls might be the only thing left standing.
However, considering she was provoked over matters of filial piety and insult to her deceased mother, it was understandable for anyone with a sense of honor and emotion to go berserk!
To some extent, this young lady showed commendable filial piety!
The officers exchanged looks, seeing each other’s dilemma. The Tian Family Shop indeed provoked first, and her retaliation, though excessive, was consequential. What to do?
The shopkeeper, noticing their hesitation and struggle, had a gleam in his eye. If no one took responsibility today, they were in deep trouble.
Better Hu Laoer and his group than us!