Chapter 94: You Must Help Qiao Girl

Feng Neng was summoned, so how could Zhang Jizhou and his companions still dare not be summoned? Their household money simply doesn't match what they normally earn; if examined, the surplus would be discovered.

"Zhang Yun, what else do you have to say now?"

Town Magistrate questioned Zhang Yun.

With both witness and material evidence, what else can Zhang Yun say?

Zhang Yun lowered his head and said, "Sir, I plead guilty."

Signed and sealed.

Town Magistrate pronounced the sentence on Zhang Yun: because his crime was heinous and he even had an accomplice, he not only sentenced him to exile a thousand li, but also barred his return for three years and fined three hundred taels of silver.

Feng Neng, as an accomplice, unable to distinguish right from wrong, aiding tyranny, and attempting to confuse the public, was sentenced to three years in prison and forty lashes.

Zhang Jizhou and the others were also sentenced by the Town Magistrate; everyone except the little girl received prison time and lashes, but compared with Feng Neng it was much lighter—at most half a year in jail.

The Town Magistrate asked the little girl about her situation and ordered that she be escorted home tomorrow.

Everything was settled, and it was almost dawn.

Qiao Sheng felt rather embarrassed, thanked everyone at the Yamen, and took the freshly awakened Xiao Shitou to buy buns and porridge for the Yamen staff.

Yun Tian took the buns and porridge from Qiao Sheng and said, "Qiao Sheng, you really don't need to be so polite; these matters were originally our duty."

"I just want to thank you all."

Qiao Sheng didn't stay at the Yamen long before sending her own son off to school.

Today Na Lan Ruo Lan opened the door for them again; when she saw Qiao Sheng she sensed something was off and said, "Qiao girl, what's wrong with you today?"

Before Qiao Sheng could speak, Xiao Shitou chattered away, recounting what happened last night to Na Lan Ruo Lan.

Na Lan Ruo Lan said angrily, "This is beyond law and order; to ruin your restaurant, you resorted to such tactics!"

"Grandma, don't be angry; their family has already received retribution."

Qiao Sheng spoke up.

Now it finally gets there.

After Qiao Sheng left, Na Lan Ruo Lan approached Feng Qingyang and said, "Sir, you must help Qiao girl; otherwise their restaurant will have no business, will close, and where will I eat?"

"If it closes, that's perfect; I'll invite her to my home to cook for you."

Feng Qingyang said solemnly.

Na Lan Ruo Lan glared at him.

Feng Qingyang grabbed her hand and said, "Alright, stop being angry; I will help, isn't that enough?"

Not even half a day later.

The deeds of the Zhang family spread throughout the town, and some even claimed that their ingredients and goods were laced with poppy.

One person saying it might not matter to anyone.

When many say it, the false becomes true.

The Zhang family once had some business, but now they have none; passersby avoid their shop, don't buy anything, and even spit at the storefront.

This made Zhang Dezhu extremely angry; within a few days he suffered a stroke and was left bedridden.

Qiao Sheng learned of this, thought it over, and decided to ask Na Lan Ruo Lan, "Grandma, did you help…?"

"It wasn't me; Xiao Shi Qi hired someone to do it."

"If you want to thank someone, thank him."

Na Lan Ruo Lan said with a smile.

Qiao Sheng immediately went to thank Shi Qi.

Shi Qi said expressionlessly, "You don't need to thank me; if you must, thank my master and master's wife. If they hadn't made me do this, I wouldn't have interfered in your affairs."

"Even so, you did help, so I still want to thank you."

(End of Chapter)