A Good Country Wife
Chapter 316 - 310: Turning the Tables_1

Chapter 316: Chapter 310: Turning the Tables_1

Zhao Yunxiang left, but Chunxi still couldn’t let her off the hook. This malicious woman, who had repeatedly schemed against others, could now taste the torment of imprisonment. Without Silver Coin to bribe the officials, the suffering a woman would endure in there would surpass even the torments Zhao Jingui and the Wei Family could inflict.

Chunxi originally thought that since Lin Yue had even forgiven Zhao Yunxiang, who pushed her over the cliff, she could at most be considered an accessory to the crime. Although she planned the entire event, she hadn’t physically carried it out. Lin Yue ought to forgive her as well, but to Chunxi’s anger and despair, Lin Yue insisted on involving the government.

"Yueyue, you’ve forgiven Zhao Yunxiang, so why can’t you forgive me? I didn’t physically do anything, did I? We were sisters once. Please, spare me this one time." In terms of pleading for mercy, no one did it better than Chunxi. No matter how much she hated Lin Yue, she was able to beg so humbly, hoping Lin Yue would show mercy and let her go.

Lin Yue sneered coldly, "Chunxi, Zhao Yunxiang is my husband’s elder sister. She offset her past kindness to my Erhu and that’s why I spared her. But what are you? Why should I spare you? Even if I were blind, I wouldn’t recognize you as my sister with such a black heart and even blacker guts. No one in our Zhao village has as venomous a mind as you."

Realizing that Lin Yue truly would not let her go this time, Chunxi screamed, "Lin Yue, you wretched woman, don’t be so smug. One day, I will kill you. Don’t think you’re safe just because you’ve thrown me in prison. I will never let you off!"

Hearing Chunxi’s venomous words, Zhao Erhu considered whether to reach out to Zhao Xinglin to pull some strings and have Chunxi disposed of in jail. Her crimes were not severe enough to warrant the death penalty; at most, she would be sentenced to a couple of years. A woman as mad and extreme as Chunxi could become a constant threat if she ever got out. Zhao Erhu felt that one could never be too cautious when it came to his wife’s safety.

"Young Master, now that Miss Lin’s business is settled, should we also be on our way?" A carriage was parked beside the crowd, gone unnoticed because everyone’s attention had been on Zhao Yunxiang and Chunxi’s affair.

"Yes, let’s go. Wait at Zhao Erhu’s doorstep for them." Jiang Ziqi lowered the carriage curtain and sat inside with his eyes closed.

"These two women are ultimately a curse. You’ll take care of it later." The carriage hadn’t gone far when suddenly a voice drifted from inside.

"Yes, Young Master." The young man driving the carriage respectfully acknowledged, clearly understanding the meaning of "taking care of it" as spoken by his young master—eliminating future threats. The best method was only one, and such tasks were usually entrusted to him, primarily back in Capital City. This was the first time the young master had entrusted him with such a task outside, a sign of Miss Lin’s significant weight in the young master’s heart.

The young man, named Axin, was a servant of Jiang Ziqi. Although he appeared to be just a servant, how could someone who was always by the side of Family Head Jiang Ziqi be simple? Jiang Ziqi entrusted him with many matters, so upon hearing Jiang Ziqi’s instructions, Axin did not show the slightest bit of surprise or hesitation. What was a life in the eyes of others was considered the least valuable in Aristocratic Families.

At that time, everyone was at the village ancestral hall, with only Li Chang’an deliberately staying behind at home. Without other options, Li Chang’an had chosen this time to act. When Dongjia was still around, he frequently summoned him to do work. With Dongjia’s wife having fallen down the mountain, he thought that a good opportunity had arisen. With only a few children at home, he had wanted to sneak into Dongjia’s room in search of the recipe Wei Family was after. But those extremely sharp children guarded the home all day, not going out to play. Whenever Li Chang’an tried to approach Dongjia’s room, the children stopped him, threatening to call for help if he came near again.

Helpless, Li Chang’an dared not offend Dongjia’s children too much, fearing they might complain to Dongjia and leave him unable to explain himself. Now that the entire village, including the long-term workers, had gone to the public trial at the ancestral hall, he made up an excuse to stay behind. Seeing everyone gone, Li Chang’an sneaked into Zhao Erhu’s courtyard.

Before she left, Lin Yue had locked her room door and secured the windows from the inside to prevent those with ulterior motives. Li Chang’an knew that Dalang and the other rooms, the kitchen, and the storage room would not have what he sought. To find the desired items, he had to enter Dongjia’s room.

Li Chang’an even tried the windows, which were locked from inside and barricaded, utterly unopenable. The most convenient option was to break in, although it would surely be discovered by Dongjia. However, as long as he found what he was looking for quickly and then left without allowing anyone to realize it was his doing, he could maybe even grab some Silver Coin. Dongjia made so much money; surely not all of it was carried on his person but hidden in the room. Human greed is relentless. Although initially motivated only to steal the recipe, Li Chang’an allowed his greed to give rise to other intentions. It’s no wonder he was the only one among the several workers who had been bribed by the Wei Family.

"Li Chang’an, what are you doing here in Dongjia’s courtyard? This is not your place to be." Just as Li Chang’an was about to pry the door open, a voice from behind startled him, making his whole body shiver in fear. He had thought Dongjia had returned. Those with a guilty conscience are especially susceptible to panic, not even recognizing the voice of someone they had interacted with for so long. When he saw that the person behind him was Liu Aniu, Li Chang’an’s frustration turned to anger.

Liu Aniu, who seemed earnest and hard-working on normal days, also turned out to be scheming, appearing in Dongjia’s courtyard at this time and questioning him. How ridiculous! At the very least, he was still valued by Dongjia, while what was Liu Aniu? Nothing but a lifelong hired-hand.

"What I am doing here is none of your business, and what are you doing here? Could it be that you want to take advantage of Dongjia’s absence to do something shameful?" Li Chang’an counter-challenged aggressively, playing the blame game.

Liu Aniu ignored Li Chang’an’s accusation, feeling no need to explain his presence to Li Chang’an, "Get out, Dongjia’s courtyard is not for you."

"I’m not leaving. It’s you who should. If I leave, how would I know what you’d do here? I must stay on behalf of Dongjia." Li Chang’an said and sat down heavily on a large stone by the doorway, inwardly frustrated that his rare opportunity had been spoiled. Liu Aniu, understanding Li Chang’an’s intentions and seeing his actions, had no choice but to find a spot to sit and keep watch as well.