The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 813 - 791: Confession (Part 2)

Chapter 813: Chapter 791: Confession (Part 2)

"Just talk about Zhou Yin, for instance, how he was as a child, how he grew up, how he sold himself that year, how he left home, and what the scene was like when he returned home. What did he bring back for his family, what did he say, and what had he done?" County Magistrate Tang tapped the table, "If you tell me the truth, and I find that the matter indeed has nothing to do with you, I will let you go. But if you lie, and I go to Qili Village to inquire, and find discrepancies with what you’ve said, then..."

Just as he planned to portray Zhou Yin in a negative light to absolve himself, Lai Tou hesitated for a moment and then honestly said, "Zhou Yin, he has been smart since his childhood..."

Lai Tou was only two years older than Zhou Yin, but he had lived in Zhou Yin’s shadow since childhood, always envying him.

Because he had a better life and was too likable.

More than twenty years ago, his family had been better off than Zhou’s family, although now Lai Tou’s family was in the worst condition, while Zhou’s family was the best off.

In his childhood, Lai Tou’s family had a much better life than Zhou’s, who were the poorest at that time.

Because his family only had one son, while Zhou’s family had too many children, all half-grown, children at that time didn’t work much, but ate a lot, so they were very poor.

But despite such hard times, Zhou Yin managed to live well, which made Lai Tou envious.

Of course, living well did not mean eating or dressing well, but that Zhou Yin was very comfortable; his sister-in-law, Ms. Qian, was very indulgent with him.

Which child at the age of six or seven could follow adults to the county city?

Yet Zhou Yin could, as long as Ms. Qian or Zhou Jin went to the city to sell or buy things, Zhou Yin could always go with them.

And every time he went to the county city, he would surely buy a piece of candy.

Therefore, all the children in the entire Qili Village envied him.

And when he was eight or nine years old, Zhou Yin could go to the county city to play on his own, and he even learned to read by himself. Moreover, because Zhou Yin was good-looking and smart, the adults in the village liked him, and during the New Year, when everyone visited to offer New Year’s greetings, he received more pastries than other children.

Knowing that County Magistrate Tang would ask the villagers, Lai Tou dared not hide it and talked about the drought in the eleventh year of Dade, during which Zhou Yin sold himself and also found work for people in the village.

Lai Tou said, "Because of this, people in the village were grateful to him. In the third year of Dazhen, he came back to the village with his wife and children, and everyone went to his house to see him. When he said he intended to settle in the village, the village chief even said he would select a good piece of land for him, and everyone would help build his house together. It was for this reason that originally everyone had conspired with Zhou’s family to conceal this from the officials."

County Magistrate Tang asked, "What did he bring back when he returned to his hometown?"

"Just two bundles. He came back with a merchant caravan because he was worried about the safety on the road and that it would be difficult to travel with his wife and children, so he only took two bundles on the road. The rest of his belongings were brought back by a friend separately because there were many items and they were left behind. He also mentioned that he had brought gifts for the villagers," Lai Tou said, "Then he stayed in the village for two days before leaving with his wife to retrieve the items, but they never returned. It was the villagers who were out hunting and gathering wild vegetables who saw them hacked beyond recognition and carried them back."

"What about their luggage?"

"It was gone. At that time, they just had their clothes on, and nothing else."

"Did he ever talk about what he did for a living while he was away?"

"He did. He said he also farmed, occasionally engaged in small trades," Lai Tou hesitated before adding, "He told us that his father-in-law was a learned scholar. After he left with the merchant caravan, he fell ill mid-journey. He had no choice but to stop in some state. When he was near death, the learned scholar took pity on him, gave him some rice and water, and also prescribed some medicine, which barely pulled him through."

"Then he often went to help out at the learned scholar’s house, running errands. Seeing his diligence, the scholar took him in," Lai Tou said with some doubt and envy, "That scholar had only one daughter and eventually married her off to him. They only came back after they had taken care of the scholar and his wife until their last days. The scholar’s entire family business was left to him."

However, County Magistrate Tang’s mind quickly flashed through an official document, asking, "Shangzhou?"

Lai Tou’s eyes lit up, nodding vigorously, "Yes, yes, just Shangzhou, exactly."

County Magistrate Tang’s suspicions grew. He asked, "Who said Zhou Yin was a bandit? Did they say where he committed robbery, and whom he robbed?"

"We wouldn’t dare ask the lord, let alone us. Even Zhou Jin’s family doesn’t know."

County Magistrate Tang then asked, "What about Zhou Yin’s accomplices?"

Lai Tou replied, "I don’t know. I’ve never seen them. Maybe it was that friend of Zhou Yin’s? But we also don’t know him, have never seen him."

Following this was a series of ’I don’t know.’ He knew about what Zhou Yin did before he sold himself, and he knew about Zhao Man being raised in the Zhou family afterward, but for the period in between, Lai Tou knew nothing at all.

In and out of his inquiries, County Magistrate Tang found that he truly knew nothing and waved his hand to have him taken away.

Lai Tou grew fearful and quickly asked, "My lord, I didn’t lie. You’ll know once you ask in the village. Could you please release me first?"

County Magistrate Tang looked at him and asked, "Are you sure you want to go back to the village? If the villagers knew you confessed everything..."

Lai Tou turned pale; his family would surely be driven out of the village.

Lai Tou swallowed hard and asked, "Isn’t it said that concealing criminals can be treated as accomplices?"

"True, but Zhou Yin’s guilt has yet to be established, so I will not hold the people of Qili Village accountable," County Magistrate Tang knew he might not understand if put too vaguely, so he bluntly stated, "But your confession about the village’s long-hidden secret is a fact."

Lai Tou immediately burst into tears, crying out, "My lord, all this confession was per your order, please don’t harm me."

"I won’t harm you," County Magistrate Tang said, "So for now, you should stay in the County Government Office. Keep your mouth completely shut, unless I ask, no matter who else asks, don’t speak more. Once I investigate and clarify the matter, regardless of whether Zhou Yin is guilty or innocent, I will grant you a way out. But if you speak nonsense and spoil my plans..."

Lai Tou immediately assured, "I definitely won’t talk nonsense. From today onward, unless you ask, my lord, I will act as if I’m mute."

County Magistrate Tang nodded in satisfaction and had him taken away.

Jiang Qi presented the recorded statement to County Magistrate Tang for review.

After reading and confirming it was correct, County Magistrate Tang signed it, then put the statement into his sleeve.

Jiang Qi silently watched him, but County Magistrate Tang ignored his gaze and said, "Jiang Qi, go find the list of those who came for official duties in Tang County from the third year of Dazhen, and the notices issued that year. I want the sources too."

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