Wu Caiwei was stunned for a moment before she reacted. She had initially worried that the young master might forget easily, but seeing these two girls, she was overjoyed. She would never have to live in constant fear again.
“Since they dared to set fire to someone’s house, of course, the authorities should decide. We’ll report it to the officials as soon as it’s light,” Wu Caiwei said, her voice full of spirit.
Before long, the vicinity of the Liu family’s house was surrounded by curious neighbors drawn by the commotion. Most villagers were simple folk. While they might occasionally bicker with others, it was usually trivial. They had never encountered anything like someone trying to burn down a house.
“Heavens, isn’t that Zhang Laosi and Er Mazi from the village?”
“That’s right. I can’t believe they were so audacious as to try and set a fire, and in the dead of night too. If the residents hadn’t been alert, they might have lost their lives. To think we live in the same village as such people, it’s frightening.”
“What grudge could the Liu family possibly have against them to resort to arson and murder?”
…
Listening to the villagers’ discussion, Liu’s father quickly stepped forward, cupping his fists in greeting. “Esteemed neighbors, we have lived in Qingshan Village for many years. I, Liu, have always been peaceable and have offended no one. Yet, someone wishes to end the lives of our family of three. Today it’s us, but who knows about tomorrow. Therefore, we must rid ourselves of this menace and hand them over to the officials at first light. Let the magistrate investigate thoroughly.”
Since these two were also from the village, most people had some connection to them, and a few were inclined to plead for them. However, upon hearing Liu’s father’s words, and considering the unprovoked attempt at murder and arson, they realized that offending such people, even by accident, could lead to an unknown fate. The villagers nodded in indignation, agreeing to testify if the magistrate sent for them.
In front of everyone that day, Qiushuang and Dongzhi bound the two men hand and foot and threw them into the woodshed.
Seeing the villagers’ curious gazes fixed on Qiushuang and Dongzhi, Wu Caiwei quickly explained to avoid drawing undue attention, “These two are my distant elder sisters. Don’t let their gender fool you. My distant uncle runs a镖局 (biao ju – security escort agency), so his daughters naturally know some martial arts. It’s thanks to them today that our family wasn’t in much greater peril.”
The villagers’ expressions shifted to one of understanding. They had indeed wondered how ordinary women could be so formidable. But it was fortunate they were there; otherwise, the village might have seen a death.
As the night deepened and the excitement waned, the crowd gradually dispersed. Those who had come to watch the spectacle were buzzing with excitement, eager to return home and share the gossip with their families. This was a significant event, after all.
The next morning, the Liu family of three, along with Qiushuang and Dongzhi, rented a ox cart from the village and headed towards the county yamen, taking the two captives with them.
It is worth noting that Liu’s eldest son went out early to fetch water. Someone with a nose for gossip, recalling his relationship with the Liu family, discreetly asked him, “Do you know what happened at the Liu family’s house?”
Liu’s eldest son looked bewildered. “What happened?”
“You don’t know?” the gossip exclaimed, and with an eager expression, recounted the events of the previous night at the Liu residence.
Upon hearing this, Liu’s eldest son quickly fetched two buckets of water and hurried home to inform his mother.
Liu’s mother was alarmed. “They’re definitely going to the county yamen this morning!” she declared, and immediately woke Liu Yixuan, who was still asleep.
Liu Yixuan was initially very impatient. But when his mother explained the situation, he sat up instantly, all traces of sleepiness vanished. He broke out in a cold sweat, quickly got dressed, and ran towards the village entrance.
Meanwhile, Wu Caiwei was already boarding the ox cart, ready to depart. Liu Yixuan, disregarding his disheveled hair and clothes, feigned ignorance. “Esteemed teacher, what’s going on? Where are you all going?”
Before the Liu family could respond, a curious bystander piped up to explain, “Master Liu and his family are going to file a complaint and seek justice from the county magistrate. You wouldn’t believe it, but last night these two tried to set their house on fire. If not for Xuefei’s sisters arriving late at night, something terrible might have happened.”
“They tried to set fire to your house? Are you alright?” Liu Yixuan clenched his fists, his face filled with concern as he looked at Wu Caiwei.
Wu Caiwei inwardly scoffed at his feigned ignorance. He was clearly agitated but pretended to be nonchalant and even showed concern for her. In front of the crowd, Wu Caiwei refused to give him an opening. “Thank you for your concern, Master Liu. We are unharmed. They are the ones who are in trouble.”
“We are all neighbors, why go to the magistrate? If people from other villages learn about this happening in our village, how will we ever show our faces again?” Liu Yixuan tried to remain calm, expressing his worry analytically.
Immediately, some villagers nodded in agreement. For a long time, the villagers had held the belief that it was better to resolve matters within the village than to involve officials. Any disputes were usually settled by the village chief. Furthermore, with sons needing to marry and daughters needing to wed, a tarnished village reputation would affect their children’s prospects.
“So, our family has to suffer just because of that? They came to our doorstep to commit murder, and we’re not supposed to seek justice?” Wu Caiwei sneered.
“You can go to the village chief!” Liu Yixuan quickly interjected.
“Can the village chief sentence them to death or twenty years in prison? Liu Yixuan, you need to understand. You are my fiancé. Why do I feel like you’re on their side?” Wu Caiwei looked at him, her tone implying a casual probe.
Liu Yixuan’s heart sank. He glanced guiltily at Liu’s father. Seeing everyone looking at him, he quickly distanced himself. “How could that be? How could I possibly be involved with them? You must be joking. I’m only worried about you. You’re outsiders, and I fear you’ll be ostracized by the villagers after this incident.”
“Don’t worry. This matter is not our fault. If the villagers cannot distinguish right from wrong, then this village is not worth staying in. We’ll move to town,” Wu Caiwei’s gaze swept over everyone, making them lower their heads.
She felt a sense of relief when she said this, realizing it was also what the original owner of this body had wanted. When she had faced her troubles, the villagers had not spared any effort in adding fuel to the fire with their gossip, and their scorn and disdain in person had brought the girl to tears.
Initially, the villagers had intended to mediate. But upon hearing Liu’s father mention moving to town, they all urged Liu Yixuan to dissuade them. Without Master Liu teaching the village children, who would?
Liu Yixuan was surrounded by people and unable to break free. Wu Caiwei, meanwhile, instructed the cart driver to proceed quickly. Liu Yixuan had intended to stop them, but with so many people deliberately blocking his way, he could only watch them gradually move away.
By the time Liu Yixuan disentangled himself, they were already far gone. He weighed his options and eventually took an ox cart towards town. He had to inform Miss Li in advance and prepare her.
Miss Li, upon hearing the news, casually waved her hand. “Don’t worry. The magistrate is my uncle, everything will be fine. It’s just that Liu Feixue is truly lucky to be alive, no matter what they do, they can’t get rid of her.”