After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 267 The Officials Have Arrived

Shen Liangmu said coldly, his face expressionless, "This lame excuse might fool a three-year-old, but I advise you to save your energy and explain it to the county officials when they arrive!"

The group went to the village compound in a large procession.

Rong Laosi and Qiu Shi were still arguing with Liu Guangyao and his group.

As soon as Shen Liang entered the door, he excitedly said, "Township Chief, Village Chief, the child has been found! They stole the child and hid him in the wilderness outside the village. Luckily, Gouzi is very clever and followed the scent to lead us there."

"Hiss!" Liu Guangyao and Shen Ying glared fiercely at Rong Lao Si and his wife, wishing they could devour them.

Rong Laosi and Qiu Shi frantically protested, "We're innocent! We've been busy at the stage all night, how could we possibly steal a child? It's clearly a staged act by you!"

"Hmph! Master Rong, I advise you to stop struggling. Your men witnessed the process of finding the child with us. You all know whether we wronged you or not!" Shen Liang said irritably.

Rong Laosi glared murderously at Chunxiang and Dongfeng in the courtyard.

Chunxiang shook her head frantically, her face pale. "Master, I don't know. We've been waiting for news here, we haven't gone anywhere."

Before Rong Lao Si's expression could calm down...

Shen Mu then said, "Everyone else saw it except for those two. We have already taken them into custody and reported it to the authorities."

"Do you know who I am? My brother-in-law is the owner of the biggest gambling den in the county. If you dare to mess with me, you will definitely come to a bad end!" Knowing that he couldn't avoid it, Rong Laosi started to make threats.

Liu Guangyao was indeed somewhat intimidated, but Rong Laosi had indeed stolen the child, and the angry villagers wouldn't care about that. He waved his hand with a headache and said, "Tie up Rong Laosi and his wife and lock them up. We'll talk about it when the officials arrive."

"Wait!" Su Tai stood up and, amidst the villagers' watchful eyes, instructed Shen Mu and the others: "Gag them all, lock them up in separate rooms, and don't let them exchange statements."

Also, when reporting to the authorities, first tell the town magistrate that it was my idea, and when you go to the county government office, look for County Magistrate Lu, and also bring some gifts with you.”

The villagers didn't understand what was said next, but they knew they had to separate Rong Laosi and his group, so they did it immediately.

Liu Guangyao said worriedly, "I heard that the owner behind the biggest gambling den in the county is no ordinary person. If we really offend him, we'll be in endless trouble in the future."

Su Tai laughed, "Mayor, if the owner of that big gambling den really is Rong Lao Si's brother-in-law, he wouldn't be in such a miserable state! He's still traveling around with his opera troupe. Besides, even if what Rong Lao Si said is true, so what? It's true that they stole children, and we are the victims. Moreover, there are so many people in our township. Do you really think they can take on the whole township? You can just wait and see."

Shen Ying deeply agreed, "Xiao Tai is right, Township Chief, this kind of cancer cannot be let off lightly. I believe the County Magistrate will handle the case impartially."

The previous magistrate was promoted and left after achieving political success. The new magistrate has not been known for his diligence and love for the people, but he has not done anything out of line either.

County Magistrate Lu Tong is a decent person. Even though he has the common flaws of officials, he cherishes his reputation and values ​​his image. Moreover, he needs political achievements to try his luck at becoming the county magistrate. Right now, she is betting on Lu Tong's courage.

After all, this case could be big or small, and if Lu Tong really wanted to make a name for himself, he couldn't miss such a good opportunity.

Su Tai became calmer and calmer as she thought about it. She sat down unhurriedly, took a sip of water, and said, "Township head, village head, you can rest for now. I'll go back and get my things."

Shen Liang said, "Sister-in-law, we'll take you back, and then set off to the county to report to the authorities tonight."

Su Tai agreed.

After they left, Liu Guangyao sighed deeply, "You know, this whole mess, really has no impact?"

Shen Ying snapped out of her daze and waved her hand impatiently. "Hey, township head! You're supposed to be the head of a township, can't you have a little more guts? We're the victims!"

Liu Guangyao was extremely frustrated. "I also want to be decisive, but you know how the town official treats me. If he finds out that something happened in our village, won't he turn around and kick me when I'm down?"

Shen Ying: "."

He Shi became increasingly uneasy as she listened, and hurriedly said, "Township Chief, let's go to the guest room and rest for a while. We can talk about it again when the people come tomorrow. Don't worry, Shen Yi from our village has a good relationship with the town officials. This matter didn't go through you. You just need to show up tomorrow and go through the motions."

Liu Guangyao was relieved.

After everyone left, only Chunxiang and Dongfeng remained in the courtyard.

The two were like small flowers and grasses on a cliff, silently enduring all the wind and rain, isolated and helpless.

Madam He stepped forward, her attitude towards the two quite kind. "It's getting late. Don't run around or say anything before the matter is clarified. We'll treat you to good food and drinks, and you can take this opportunity to take a nice hot bath and relax for a couple of days. As long as you have a clear conscience, you'll definitely be fine."

Apart from Rong Lao Si and Qiu Shi, the other children in the opera troupe did not look very healthy, and were obviously abused. Moreover, having had contact with them a few times, He Shi did not think they were bad people.

"Thank you so much, Auntie! Thank you so much, Auntie!" Chunxiang cried and was about to kowtow to Madam He.

Mrs. He quickly stopped them and took the opportunity to inquire about the backgrounds of the other members of the opera troupe. This commotion lasted until the middle of the night.

When Ms. He returned home, she found that Shen Ying was also awake.

She hurriedly said, "I asked them all. Chunxiang said that the girls in the opera troupe were all sold into brothels when they were young, and stayed there for two or three years before being chosen by the opera troupe. But Huagu said that she's not in a brothel. Could it be that she was sold into a brothel again? Or is it that..."

Mrs. He dared not think too much about it, fearing that if she thought too much, she would not be able to stop her tears.

Shen Ying sighed, "Forget about it. Even if we can't find the people, we'll still take down this opera troupe to prevent it from continuing to plague the village."

Mrs. He clenched her fist and nodded emphatically.

Su Tai handed a brocade box to Shen Liang and the others, then closed the door, yawned, and wearily went back to her room to rest.

The next day, before noon, Liu Tiechui led his men into the village.

Liu Guangyao noticed that Liu Tiechui instinctively tensed up, but Liu Tiechui didn't even give him a proper look, only asking Shen Ying, "Where are the people? Where are the things?"

Shen Ying hurriedly led Liu Tiechui to see the magistrate. "Governor, we have kept the people under our guard. Apart from tying them up so they can't move, we haven't done anything else, and we dare not use any torture. We have also brought back the box that contained the children. Please take a look."

Liu Tiechui was surprised by Shen Ying's arrangement, and his eyes showed a hint of appreciation. "Not bad, you did a great job."

Shen Ying chuckled sheepishly and scratched his head sheepishly, "Oh, it's all thanks to Shen Yi's wife; she's the one who made us do it this way."

Liu Tiechui suddenly realized that if it was that woman, he wouldn't be surprised at all. "Shen Yi's wife isn't here?"