Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 210 Don’t believe it
Madam Zheng shook her head, and Chen Rong pressed her for more information. He immediately realized that they were so happy to see each other that they had forgotten to welcome their sister-in-law into the house.

"Sister-in-law, come inside and tell me slowly."

Chen Rong's dwelling was less of a house and more of a shack built against the mountainside. The rocks here were very hard, just enough to shelter him from the wind and rain, and people who fled into the mountains used trees to build their shelters.

This place is a bit far away, and it's usually used for exercise. You have to walk another two or three miles to reach the place where most people live.

"On weekdays, a few men take turns living here, and the things are all rather simple."

They take turns keeping watch, and it just so happens to be Chen Rong's turn right now.

Chen Rong used a wooden cup to serve water to Zheng.

After drinking a cup of water, Madam Zheng said, "We've had a good year. Not only do we have enough to eat and drink in the village, but we've also been able to save money to send over, all because... Madam Xie told us to sell lotus root charcoal."

Chen Rong was unaware of these things; he only heard Zheng recount the cause and effect.

Zheng recounted their experiences over the past few months.

Chen Rong said with gratitude, "Madam Xie has been kind to Chenyao Village. If we have the opportunity in the future, we will definitely repay Madam Xie."

Few men survived in Chenyao Village. They regarded the villagers, young and old, as their own family. Only when the village was doing well could they have hope and continue to endure.

Zheng wanted to continue Chen Rong's conversation, but hesitated to speak.

Chen Rong noticed his sister-in-law's unusual expression and said, "Sister-in-law, just say what you want to say. What is there to hide between us?" They had been through life and death together. His sister-in-law's hands were in that state because she saved him. If it weren't for the government's heavy-handed arrests, he would have stayed in the village to take care of his sister-in-law and her child.

Madam Zheng took a deep breath: "Now Madam Xie has been murdered."

Chen Rong exclaimed in surprise, "What?"

Madam Zheng said, "It must be Prefect Liu and his men. Madam Xie's lotus root charcoal and clay stoves are selling well, so those people have their eyes on them. They want to take over the business, so they came up with a way to frame Madam Xie."

"It's these people again." Chen Rong was filled with anger, his eyes filled with endless hatred.

“Those people do whatever they want in Daming Prefecture, and they have harmed countless people.”

“If only Brother Han had made it to the capital back then,” Chen Rong said, then changed his mind, “No, maybe he would have ended up the same way. They were all corrupt officials, not a single one of them was any good.”

Madam Zheng said, "Ping-ge'er's teacher is also trying to seek justice for Madam Xie. This time it seems a little different. Those scholars are very good at writing articles. They have all been engraved on a piece of paper and are being circulated outside."

"There is also Inspector He, who is not on the same side as Prefect Liu and his men. He has always helped Madam Xie. This time, they took advantage of Inspector He's absence from Daming Prefecture to attack Madam Xie."

Zheng spoke earnestly, but Chen Rong remained indifferent; to him, all the officials of Daliang were the same.

Wasn't that Tongpan of Xingren Prefecture famous back then? Everyone said he was brave and skilled in battle, and loyal and devoted. Han Erge thought that finding him would definitely be enough to shake up the heavens of Daming Prefecture.

The results of it?
The eldest brother rescued the second brother Han and hid him in Chenyao Village, but the village head reported them, and the entire Chenyao Village suffered.

Although Chen Rong didn't believe it, he could still sense that Madam Zheng had other thoughts. He raised his head and asked, "What are you thinking, sister-in-law? Do you want us to go find Inspector He?"

That was exactly what Madam Zheng was thinking. Madam Zheng nodded: "After discussing it with everyone, we all felt that this was the right thing to do. It would help Madam Xie and maybe even help your brother and the others get justice."

Upon hearing this, Chen Rong's expression immediately changed. He looked at Zheng Shi with some suspicion and asked, "Sister-in-law, have you been deceived?"

“Those people will use any means necessary. Why would Madam Xie use us villagers to sell water? We can’t fathom their intentions. They’ll betray us in the blink of an eye.”

"Was it Madam Xie who sent you here this time?"

Before Zheng arrived, she had already guessed that this would be the outcome. They were so afraid of being cheated that they didn't trust anyone at all. So, even though she worked for Madam Xie, she never mentioned this matter.

Even though she saw how Madam Xie used those methods to deal with the Yang and Xie families, she was tempted... to ask Madam Xie for help to seek justice for them, but she quickly suppressed that thought.

It wasn't that she didn't believe Madam Xie, but she knew it would be difficult to persuade Chen Rong and the others. Besides, those officials were untrustworthy, especially since the case was so big that it could easily drag Madam Xie down with them.

Madam Zheng said, “I did not mention these things to Madam Xie. I only came to find you on my own initiative after seeing Madam Xie being arrested. I will not ask you to come forward. I just want to take the evidence to Inspector He first. If that doesn’t work… then you can pretend that this matter never happened. If it succeeds, then it’s not too late for you to come out of seclusion.”

Chen Rong said coldly, "Sister-in-law, can you tell whether Inspector He is sincere or not? Before Brother Han and the others were dealt with, they still believed that the corrupt official would take them to the capital to file a complaint."

When this was mentioned, Zheng didn't know how to defend himself.

This really happened; it cost those lives, so it's no wonder Chen Rong didn't believe it.

For some reason, Zheng felt that Madam Xie was different.

“Those clever people are beyond our reach,” Chen Rong said. “They are either born into prominent families or are well-educated. With just a thought, they can outmaneuver us.”

Zheng wanted to tell him about the charcoal, but then she heard a sudden burst of urgent bird calls outside.

There were no birds around at that time; it was clearly someone delivering a message.

Chen Rong stiffened and looked at Zheng Shi: "When you went up the mountain, are you sure no one was with you?"

A look of panic flashed across Zheng's face. She nodded, "No, I... I took a detour and only managed to sneak up in the dark." Having lived in the village in fear for many years, she was certain that the officials were no longer watching Chenyao Village, which was why she dared to run out.

Chen Rong was convinced that Zheng had been deceived, but he did not blame her. He hurriedly instructed, "If it is confirmed that someone has sneaked up the mountain, sister-in-law, head west and escape with the people in the mountains."

After saying that, Chen Rong rushed out.

Zheng was unwilling to run away like that, so she followed Chen Rong to see what was going on.

Two ragged men stood at the entrance. One of them said, "Someone has come up the mountain. From a distance, it looks like a man and a woman. There are some people behind them, but they stopped at the foot of the mountain and didn't come up with them."

Zheng came alone, and she had a red cloth tied around her arm, as they had agreed beforehand, so the people guarding the foot of the mountain did not disturb the crowd.

Now things are different. Zheng has just arrived, and yet another person has come. This is clearly unusual.

I heard it was a man and a woman.

For some reason, Zheng's mind conjured up the image of Xie Yuyan. Could it be that Chen Rong's words had come true, and that Madam Xie intended for her to lead the way?