Upon hearing Chen Daqiang's idea, Chen Ermao on the ground became excited, as at least he wouldn't have to suffer at the county yamen.
However, Chen Xiaobei shook his head slightly, "No, we can't indulge his bad habits. Hongyu was kidnapped today, and we used Chen Ermao to trade for her. What if someone else is kidnapped tomorrow? Who would we use then?"
Chen Xiaobei was absolutely right. To solve this problem once and for all, they had to go through official channels.
Chen Daqiang pleaded and cajoled, but seeing that he couldn't persuade Chen Xiaobei, he dared not say more. He was afraid that if he continued, he might reveal some flaw.
Chen Xiaobei called Chen Xiaobo and Chen Xiaowen to accompany him to the county yamen, leaving the others behind in the village.
Chen Xiaobei hitched up the donkey cart, tossed the bound Chen Ermao onto it like a zongzi, and set off for the county yamen.
Although Chen Xiaobei appeared calm, he was anxiously strategizing in his mind.
He had a general impression of the bandits from Wugong Ridge; they usually robbed the rich to help the poor and never harassed ordinary folk.
This time, their target was him, and it was related to Chen Yutian and his wife. Now that Chen Ermao was captured, they had to be reunited with their entire family in prison to reflect properly.
But how could he rescue Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiaoer?
What if these bandits turned their backs and refused to cooperate? It would be difficult, especially since he was the one who personally sent Yang Dazhi to the county yamen.
And later, the village head sent another person. The blame for this crime would likely fall on him.
He felt a headache coming on as he thought about it.
Just then, as he moved his arm unintentionally, he touched something in his embrace.
It was the waist token given to him by Liu Rumei.
Right, Liu Rumei.
Didn't the Liu family have considerable influence in the county town?
Upon this realization, Chen Xiaobei became excited. There was finally a glimmer of hope for a solution.
Arriving at the county yamen, Chen Xiaobei briefly explained the situation to He Laoqi.
Of course, he only mentioned Chen Ermao's past theft at his home and did not disclose that Chen Ermao had colluded with the bandits of Wugong Ridge to kidnap Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiaoer.
The main reason was that Chen Xiaobei did not want to escalate the matter.
After hearing his account, He Laoqi chuckled, "Brother, don't worry. As long as they're in my prison, I'll strip them of their skin even if they don't die."
Chen Xiaobei understood the implied meaning and quickly took out a silver ingot from his sleeve, quietly stuffing it into He Laoqi's hand. "Since that's the case, I'll trouble you, Brother He."
Leaving the county yamen, Chen Xiaobei found a noodle shop, ordered two bowls of noodles, and told Chen Xiaowen and Chen Xiaobo to eat there while he hurried to the Liu residence.
Arriving at the entrance of the Liu residence, Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists at the guard, "Excuse me, is Miss Liu at home?"
The guard looked at Chen Xiaobei, seeing his shabby appearance, and couldn't help but frown slightly. His tone became naturally cold, "Miss Liu is out. Perhaps you should come back another day."
Chen Xiaobei felt helpless and walked a few steps to the side, finding a corner to squat down and catch his breath.
At this moment, the guard waved at him again, "Go further away."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei understood. He was looking down on him because of his shabby appearance. Perhaps Liu Rumei hadn't gone out at all.
Thinking this, he became a little anxious. He took out the waist token from his embrace, "Sir, I really have an urgent matter and need to see Miss Liu. Please inform her!"
The guard remained stubborn, shaking his head and saying, "I already told you, the young lady is out. Having a waist token is useless. You should come back another day!"
Alright, perhaps she really was out.
Chen Xiaobei sighed, "Heaven is not helping me!"
"Then I'll have to take my leave. When Miss Liu returns, please tell her that my name is Chen Xiaobei and I ask Miss Liu to help rescue people at Wugong Ridge."
"Certainly, certainly, I understand." The guard waved his hand impatiently.
As Chen Xiaobei walked away, another person couldn't help but ask, "Zhao Er, why didn't you inform her?"
He spat on the ground. "Look at his shabby appearance. He wants to see Miss Liu? That waist token, who knows where he picked it up."
While they were talking, they heard footsteps. The maidservant Xiao Qing came out from inside. "What are you talking about, Zhao Er?"
Zhao Er quickly put on a smiling face. "Nothing, nothing. A beggar just said he wanted to see the young lady, and I sent him away."
"Oh, who wanted to see me?" As she said this, Liu Rumei slowly walked out from inside.
Seeing Liu Rumei, Zhao Er immediately put on a smiling face. "Miss, it was a beggar, and he said his name was Chen Xiaobei. I told him, there's no such family as Chen in the county town, he must be a fraud."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei, Liu Rumei's face turned cold. "What? Chen Xiaobei? Where is he?"
Seeing this, Zhao Er inwardly cursed, realizing he really knew her.
"Miss, he's gone. He said he'd come back another day!"
Liu Rumei frowned. "Did he say what it was about?"
Zhao Er hesitated for a moment, shaking his head like a rattle drum. "No, no. I said you weren't home, so he left."
Seeing Zhao Er lying, the person opposite hesitated and finally held his tongue.
But how could his expression escape Liu Rumei's eyes?
"Alright, I understand." Liu Rumei turned and walked into the courtyard, beckoning to the person. "Come here for a moment, help me with a task."
Liu Rumei walked about ten zhang forward before stopping and turning to the person behind her. "Ma Xiaoyi, I ask you, what was Chen Xiaobei's business just now?"
Ma Xiaoyi cupped his fists and respectfully said, "That Chen Xiaobei asked you to go to Wugong Ridge to rescue someone. He seemed very anxious, but Zhao Er blocked him at every turn, so I couldn't say much."
A hint of coldness flashed in Liu Rumei's eyes, a deep killing intent. "Alright, I understand. You can go back and rest. You don't need to be on duty today."
The look frightened Ma Xiaoyi, making his legs tremble.
Liu Rumei put her little finger in her mouth and let out a sharp whistle.
A few moments later, Steward Liu rushed out and came before Liu Rumei.
"The inside traitor is likely that Zhao Er at the door."
Upon hearing this, Steward Liu looked surprised. "Zhao Er has been following you for many years, he..."
Liu Rumei sighed, "Lock him up first. Also, you need to handle an urgent matter for me."
Steward Liu bowed. "Miss, please instruct."
"Take a few people to Wugong Ridge. Chen Xiaobei seems to be in some trouble."
Hearing this, Steward Liu also showed a hint of hesitation.
"Before we came, the master strictly forbade us from interfering in local affairs."
Liu Rumei's face remained grim. "We're not interfering, just helping Chen Xiaobei."
"However, because of Liu Tie's injury, the master is already displeased with you. If this matter reaches the master's ears, you might be replaced by the second young master," Steward Liu said with a solemn expression.
Steward Liu nodded. "Catching this informant is extremely urgent, but Miss, are you absolutely sure it's Zhao Er? What if?"