Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 90 - 88: Released from Prison

Xiao’er glanced towards the direction of the main door, upon hearing Xiao Fuzi’s voice, and was somewhat puzzled. Hadn’t he returned to the Imperial Capital with Shangguan Xuanyi? But it’s good that he actually turned up here.

"Father, mother, we can get out now."

Upon hearing Xiao’er, everyone looks at the direction of the cell door. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Outside the cell,

"Hurry up! Can’t you be quicker with unlocking the door? How on earth did you become a constable?" Xiao Fuzi was practically itching to kick him.

Urged by Xiao Fuzi, Constable Zhang’s hands were shaking even more and he couldn’t open the cell door for quite a while.

Xiao Fuzi snatched the key and unlocked the door himself.

"Go on, lead the way."

"Yes, sir, this way," Constable Zhang bends his waist, making a gesture of invitation.

The three of them came to the cell where Xiao’er and her family were. This time, without any urging, Constable Zhang promptly moved forward to open the door.

Seeing the family, although in the cell, still standing straight with composure, with a look of candor in their eyes, showing no signs of fear or worry, Xiao Fuzi respectfully bowed deeply, "Mr. Shen, Madam Shen, Miss Xiao’er and young masters and young mistresses, I apologize for my late arrival."

"We should be thanking you for coming to rescue us. There is no need for apologies," Shen Chengyao quickly stepped aside to avoid the courtesy.

"Were it not for the book my master sent, your family wouldn’t have suffered this disaster. I should apologize. If not, my master will blame me when I return," Xiao Fuzi’s words had a double meaning.

The county magistrate understood, and also bowed deeply, "I really had no idea that my men arrested Mr. Shen and his family. I hope you won’t hold it against me." Who is Shen Chengyao and why is he so important to them?

The dignitaries apologized, while the main culprit who arrested them bowed even lower, "I hope you forgive me, Mr. Shen. I was misled into arresting your family. I’m really sorry."

"Who exactly reported that Mr. Shen’s family had "Qimin Yaoshu"?"

"It was Shen Chengguang."

As expected, it was the work of the main family, Shen Chengyao felt even more disappointed and chilled towards his older brother.

"Let’s leave first!" Xiao’er really didn’t want to stay in this place any longer!

"Yes, let’s go!" the county magistrate quickly agreed.

After leaving the cell, Doctor Luo and Shen Chengzu were waiting outside. Seeing the group emerge, Shen Chengzu hurriedly greeted them, "Third brother, are you all right?"

"We’re okay, just stayed there for a while," Shen Chengyao shook his head.

"Let’s go to the restaurant to freshen up and have a meal. I’ve booked a table there," said Doctor Luo with a guilty conscience. The Third Prince had asked him to take care of the Shen family, but they were put into jail without his knowledge. He had really failed in his duties.

"Magistrate Lin, after clarifying the matter, report to us at the restaurant," Xiao Fuzi instructed.

"This official understands," Magistrate Lin eagerly nodded in agreement.

The group boarded the carriage and headed for the restaurant.

Although everyone was hungry, they had just come out from such a place and could hardly have an appetite. Thus, they merely nibbled at their food to fill their stomachs.

The county magistrate, Lin, arrived quickly. The story was that Shen Chengguang had gone to see Constable Zhang before dawn, claiming that he had discovered someone secretly keeping a banned book. His son had said that the school teacher mentioned that it was a book "not to be owned by anyone other than those of the court". Shen Chengyao’s entire family, not being part of the court, was guilty of the crime for keeping this book. Even though the culprits were his own brother, in front of righteousness, he felt he had no choice but to act against his own kin.

He also complained that his brother had recently earned some money and started disrespecting him, hoping that Constable Zhang could teach his brother a lesson, fine him some silver taels, which the two of them would split, and then lock him up for a few days.

Was "not to be owned by anyone other than those of the court" to be interpreted this way? After all the years he had studied, it was a misunderstanding. This referred to the fact that good versions of the "Qimin Yaoshu" were hard to come by. It did not mean that anyone not of the court should not possess it!

He was truly hurt by the ignorance of some people. Xiao’er had endless doubts and frustration in her heart. How could he have passed the examination to become a student?

"How could uncle be so ruthless? First was Yun’er, and now this. Just because we didn’t argue with him, he thinks we are to be bullied?" Mrs. Liu said angrily.

"Locked up for a few days, how could he have the audacity to say it! Doesn’t he know that Xiaomei is still young? Spending a few days in jail, she wouldn’t survive!" Jinghao was furious when he heard this. He didn’t even call his big uncle by his title anymore and replaced it with a general pronoun. He hadn’t heard his little sister cry so pitifully in a long time.

"Did they mention how much the fine would be?" Xiao’er asked.

"A fine of 1,000 taels, of which Constable Zhang will receive 300 taels." Magistrate Lin didn’t initially want to share this information, but the prince had plenty of talented people under his command. There was no way to prevent them from investigating. He didn’t dare to take any chances and had to explain everything clearly. Hopefully, he would not be dismissed this time.

"1,000 taels! It seems like all they see is silver!" Jingrui was furious. To sell a niece for 100 taels and to cheat his own brother out of 1,000 taels, such people were really despicable.

"Master Shen, what are your plans for this matter? If you want to retaliate..." Xiao Fuzi tactfully asked, as after all, the person who had caused them to be put in jail was his own big brother.

Everyone understood what Xiao Fuzi meant and turned to look at Shen Chengyao.

"Let’s treat them with their own medicine!" Jinghao retorted angrily.

"Hao’er has grown up, he even knows how to use ’fight fire with fire’." Xiao’er praised.

"Didn’t my sister just teach me this a few days ago! The things my sister teaches me are the most memorable." Jinghao didn’t forget to express his heartfelt gratitude.

"Or, we can fine them some silver. After all, didn’t Rui’er also say that besides silver, they don’t care about anything else? If we fine him silver, it should hurt him. He will learn a lesson the next time." Shen Chengyao hesitated before speaking.

Shen Chengyao felt uncomfortable. If it were just him being jailed by his elder brother, he could withstand it. After all, he could somehow make his peace and move past it. But when his wife and children were also thrown into prison, showing no concern for his infant daughter, why should they accommodate him, why should they continually tolerate his repeated harms?

Mrs. Liu was also furious, having been in jail, what reputation could their children have left? What prospects could they dare to hope for? It was likely that even the children of decent families wouldn’t want to have a marriage alliance with them in the future. Ever since marrying into the Shen family’s branch, she had been treated unfairly and oppressed. Although there were times of distress, her husband loved her and was devoted to her. His kindness outweighed everything else, so she easily forgot many of those incidents. But when it came to exacting revenge, she hesitated.

If they ended up sending their uncle to jail for this matter, Jingwen’s future would truly be ruined. The child was still young and had been studying hard these years... Mrs. Liu also felt a moment of reluctance in her heart. "I also think it’s enough to fine them some silver."

Upon hearing these words, the siblings felt disappointed. They had not taken action the last time with Yun’er, and this time it was no different. Jingrui wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.

Xiao’er understood Shen Chengyao and his wife. Even though their elder brother had done such things to their family, they would be angry, upset, and would curse for a while, or even ask for an explanation. But all these were things without substantial harm. When it came to real revenge, to hurt the other party, they would feel tormented afterward, even if they did it out of rage. It was better not to do it at all.

She would rather they always remember that the main family was not to be trusted, and always be on guard against the main family, rather than take revenge and then feel guilty and sorry for the main family.

Living a life consumed by guilt and torment, how could anyone call that happiness? In order to feel happily as a person, the most important requirement is a clear conscience. Living a life with a clear conscience is to live an easy life. Once you add hard work to that, to build up wealth and improve your lifestyle, happiness will naturally follow.

"Both Master Shen and Mrs. Shen are kind-hearted." In his view, such people should be taught a lesson. Even if they were not to be severely punished, they should at least step on their sore spot so they would never dare to provoke them again!

As they left the restaurant, Xiao Fuzi quietly spoke beside Xiao’er, "Master Shen and his wife are simply too kind. If we don’t teach a lesson to people like that, who knows what they will do next time?" He had seen many such people in the palace.

"Let it be. Good and evil will eventually pay off. Let’s bear with him, ignore him, and see what happens in a few years. If we retaliate ourselves, we will be the ones left with a bad reputation, won’t we?"

"Miss Xiao’er indeed possesses great wisdom."