Huang Ying, Xiao Qing, and Xiao Hong naturally had to descend the mountain with him.
Huang Ying was extremely reluctant to descend the mountain the day after arriving.
Chen Xiaobei spread his hands helplessly, "If you really don't want to go down, you can stay here, but I have to go."
Her words choked Huang Ying into a fit of coughing. She glared fiercely at Chen Xiaobei, "Chen Xiaobei, you scoundrel, what am I supposed to do if I stay here when you leave? Sister Hongyu said I was supposed to keep an eye on you."
Hearing Huang Ying's insult, Chen Xiaobei looked wronged. "Alas, I'm wrong no matter what I do."
Watching their exchange, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong exchanged glances and covered their mouths, giggling. They seemed to have noticed something?
As the sun set, Chen Xiaobei returned, bringing back Chen Lidong's corpse.
This plunged the entire Hetou Village into a somber atmosphere once more.
Cui Hongyu also buried her face in Chen Xiaobei's embrace, tears welling up.
"Husband, Lidong is gone like this. I feel so stifled."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Yes, I feel terrible too. I've returned specifically to report this to the county yamen."
Cui Hongyu nodded. "Husband, you should rest early."
When they finally separated, they noticed Chen Qiao'er watching them with tearful eyes from not far away. Perhaps the sight of them crying together had frightened her, and she dared not move or approach.
Chen Xiaobei walked over and picked up Chen Qiao'er. He raised his hand to wipe away her tears. "Qiao'er, your brother will be going out often these few days. You must be good at home."
Chen Qiao'er nodded. "Qiao'er understands."
Meanwhile, in Liu Rumei's residence.
Seeing Liu Ce return safely, Liu Rumei was overjoyed and tears streamed down her face. She wiped the corner of her eyes.
"Miss, when I was coming down the mountain, Zhang Qian and the others mentioned wanting to trap Sima Wushuang and Jueding Daoist. Do you think it's feasible?"
Liu Rumei did not commit, only snorted, "Sima Wushuang and Jueding Daoist deserve to die. It would be best if they could be trapped. Even if they can't be trapped, keeping them on Qingniu Mountain will lessen the pressure from the Crown Prince."
Liu Ce nodded. "Yes, as long as the dragon脉 is not destroyed, the Grand Tutor will have no grounds for accusation, and there will still be room for maneuver."
"By the way, Miss, what's the situation at Wugongling?"
Liu Rumei smiled faintly. "Wugongling is no longer a concern. Sun Jian is dead. Even if those people come out, they won't pose a significant threat anymore."
Hearing this, Liu Ce was shocked. "What? Sun Jian is dead?"
Liu Rumei nodded. "Almost face-to-face. All ten repeating crossbow bolts hit vital points. How could he survive?"
"Who? Who is so formidable?" Liu Ce was also taken aback.
"Chen Xiaobei did it, because Sun Jian killed Chen Xiaobei's village captain."
Liu Ce sighed with emotion upon hearing this. "I never imagined that an ordinary farmer could do something so brutal when provoked."
Liu Rumei, however, showed a pleased expression. "No, he is not an ordinary farmer. He is both brave and resourceful."
Hearing Liu Rumei's words, Liu Ce's thoughts stirred. "Miss, it seems you admire this Chen Xiaobei greatly."
"Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince is in need of capable individuals. This Chen Xiaobei..."
"Miss, assisting the Crown Prince requires more than just ruthlessness. A mountain dweller, I fear, cannot rise to prominence."
Liu Rumei glanced sideways at Liu Ce, her expression turning stern.
"So mountain dwellers cannot rise to prominence?"
"Did the former Emperor not establish the Great Cang Kingdom with a group of mountain dwellers?"
Her words silenced Liu Ce.
"Alright, there is still one more thorny issue." Liu Rumei changed the subject. "My second brother's coffin was lost in Fengjia Town."
"Ma Biao has already rushed there. I have a feeling there's more to this matter than meets the eye."
"Miss, you mean..."
"Transporting my second brother's coffin was supposed to be a highly confidential matter, yet I feel they were being watched from the moment they set out."
"Are you suspecting someone within our ranks?" Liu Ce's eyes widened.
"No, everyone in Hetou Village is a suspect, including those from the capital, the villagers of Hetou Village, and even Yang Zhi and his men."
Liu Ce clasped his fists and said, "I understand. I will arrange for people to secretly investigate everyone, striving to resolve this hidden danger as soon as possible."
Liu Rumei, however, shook her head slightly. "If you investigate like this, you won't find anything in three years."
"Miss, then what should we do?"
"It's simple. If we capture Sima Wushuang, will the other party make a move?"
Liu Ce frowned. "Miss, according to the agreement I made with Zhang Qian and Chen Xiaobei before going down the mountain, each person has three days. It will be my turn in six days."
Liu Rumei shook her head. "Six days from now will be too late."
"Then three days from now? I'll discuss with Chen Xiaobei about swapping."
"Why bother swapping? Wouldn't it be more convincing if Chen Xiaobei cooperated with us?"
Liu Ce admired Liu Rumei upon hearing this.
The next morning, Chen Xiaobei woke up early.
First, he loaded the apples, then the vegetables.
Although he was going to report to Hu Fan, these matters could not be neglected.
Cui Hongyu also thoughtfully packed his brand new official uniform in a bundle.
After all, he was reporting for official duties, and he still needed to wear his village head's uniform.
As for Xiao Jia Town, it had been completely handed over to Chen Xiaobo. Chen Xiaobei truly couldn't spare the energy.
In the county town.
Old Wu was also very happy to see Chen Xiaobei arrive.
"Brother, you haven't been here for a while."
Chen Xiaobei smiled and gestured to the apples and vegetables behind him, "How much do you think I can sell today?"
Old Wu was quite magnanimous. "However much you leave, I'll sell."
"Alright, you said it yourself. I'll leave a little more for you today."
While unloading the vegetables, Old Wu lowered his voice and said to Chen Xiaobei, "You kid, you're really blessed with beauty. The first time you came, I thought you didn't have a wife, but you have a beautiful woman at home."
Chen Xiaobei chuckled. "Alright, Old Wu, stop being envious."
"Brother, there's one more thing I need your help with."
"I knew you were acting sneaky, something good must be brewing," Chen Xiaobei laughed.
Old Wu immediately got to the point. "Brother, do you remember Steward Cao?"
"Yes, from Zhao Yi's mansion. He bought my pheasants back then. A straightforward fellow."
"Let me tell you, Steward Cao came again a few days ago. This time, he wants to buy some rare items. Do you think you can help find them?"
"Then tell me, what exactly does he want?"
"He told me he wants four things: a large snake over five feet long, a bird with entirely red feathers, a large tiger, and a hundred-year-old turtle."
"If you can get all four, you'll get at least several thousand taels of silver."
"Even if you can get one, it will be worth several hundred taels of silver."