CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 143: CAPTURED

Zhao Zhitong wasn’t scared at all. She ran over, hugged Sun Mei’s leg, and acted coquettishly until Sun Mei’s irritation melted away. Then she scampered off to play with her brother Zhao Yu and the others.

Sun Mei quickly boiled water for tea and prepared some snacks, serving them to Boss Feng and his companions.

Pei Yuanqing smiled as he ate the snacks, his eyes lighting up. He praised them generously before his gaze fell upon the vegetable garden in the courtyard. He immediately laughed and said, "Sister-in-law, I came here today specifically for your cooking. You must stir-fry several vegetable dishes for me at noon."

While most guests would request lavish dishes of meat and fish, he was an oddity, desiring only a few plates of stir-fried vegetables. He was really craving this, as Guang Ju Restaurant only sold a tiny amount each time, and it was incredibly difficult to obtain. It was only because he and Boss Feng were friends that he had more opportunities to taste it. However, even that wasn’t enough; he found himself constantly thinking about it.

Feng Qihong chuckled as well. "You don’t have to tell me, I’m craving it too! No need for rich meat or fish dishes; a few simple vegetable plates will be perfect." As the boss, he naturally looked out for his own interests. Every time Zhao Dong delivered vegetables, he would give Feng Qihong an extra cabbage. However, Feng Qihong felt that one cabbage was nowhere near enough to satisfy his craving! The crucial factor was Mrs. Zhao’s outstanding culinary skills. The refreshing vegetables, prepared by her, were a match made in heaven. After tasting them once, he couldn’t forget them.

Sun Mei readily agreed with a smile.

Just as Sun Mei stepped out of the living room to prepare the meal, someone started pounding loudly on their front door—BANG! BANG! Immediately, a voice boomed from outside, "Who’s inside? Open the door! Open it quickly!"

The voice sounded menacing. Zhao Zhitong, who had been bragging to her brother Zhao Yu about all the new things she had learned recently, immediately tensed. Upon hearing this voice, she jumped to her feet, ran to Sun Mei, and clutched her hand, crying out worriedly, "Mother!"

"It’s alright," Sun Mei reassured her, then walked to the front door and asked, "Who is it?"

The aggressive voice boomed again, "Stop dawdling! Open up, quickly! We’re bailiffs from the County Government Office!"

Hearing "County Government Bailiffs," Sun Mei’s heart leaped. The pounding on the door grew even more insistent, forcing Sun Mei to open it cautiously. As soon as the door creaked open, a team of bailiffs in official uniforms, armed with long sabers, swarmed in. They immediately surrounded Sun Mei and Zhao Zhitong, brandishing their long sabers, and demanded coldly, "Is this Zhao Dong’s residence?"

Startled by the bailiffs who had suddenly cornered them, Sun Mei nodded.

The lead bailiff waved his hand. "If it is, then good! Arrest everyone here!"

Sun Mei immediately pulled Zhao Zhitong behind her, shielding her, and cried out, "Officers, we are law-abiding citizens! What are you doing?"

The lead bailiff sneered. "Law-abiding or not, we’ll find out at the County Government Office! Men, arrest them all, young or old!"

"Stop!"

Just as the bailiffs were about to seize them, a stern male voice suddenly rang out. Then, Pei Yuanqing emerged from the living room, followed closely by Zhao Dong and Boss Feng. Seeing Pei Yuanqing’s distinguished attire and extraordinary demeanor, the lead bailiff hesitated for a moment.

Zhao Dong hurriedly ran over, pulling Sun Mei and Zhao Zhitong behind him protectively.

Pei Yuanqing then spoke coldly, "Why are you arresting people without reason? Is there no law in this land?"

The lead bailiff glanced at Zhao Dong’s family, then at the imposing Pei Yuanqing, and became somewhat uncertain.

At this moment, the head servant—the same one who had previously led men to demolish their house—stepped forward and declared arrogantly, "The County Magistrate is the law! Officer, arrest them quickly! They are the ones who stole our master’s design schematics! You must arrest them all and interrogate them with torture!"

The chief bailiff looked at the head servant, then turned to Zhao Dong and the others. "The Qin Clan accuses you of stealing their design schematics. Do you plead guilty?"

Pei Yuanqing looked towards Zhao Dong.

Zhao Dong immediately stepped forward and stated composedly, "I have been wronged. Those design schematics are my own creation. They were lost at Master Zhang’s house. Afterwards, the Qin Clan falsely accused me of stealing their schematics. I am innocent, and I implore the magistrate to investigate thoroughly!"

Hearing this, Pei Yuanqing had a clearer understanding of the situation. He looked gravely at the chief bailiff. "You claim the Zhao Family stole the Qin Clan’s design schematics. Do you have any evidence?"

The head servant was growing impatient and snorted. "Of course, there’s evidence! They injured the Qin Clan’s servants just the day before yesterday. That adds to their crimes! Officer, what are you waiting for? The County Magistrate himself said to arrest them all and throw them in prison! Hurry up and take them away!"

Remembering the County Magistrate’s instructions and the influence of Landlord Qin, the chief bailiff hesitated no longer. He waved his hand and ordered, "Take them all to the County Government Office!"

Zhao Dong and Sun Mei wanted to argue, but the bailiffs, with their drawn sabers, gave them no opportunity to protest. Furthermore, Pei Yuanqing gave them a subtle look, so they complied and allowed themselves to be arrested. Even Pei Yuanqing and Boss Feng were arrested due to their close association with the Zhao Family.

Throughout the ordeal, Pei Yuanqing remained composed. As they were being led away, he sneered, "I’m keen to see how this County Government Office, where the magistrate supposedly *is* the law, handles this case!"

Feng Qihong knew Pei Yuanqing’s true identity and was also confident in his own status. Therefore, he wasn’t worried in the slightest. He played along with Pei Yuanqing, allowing the bailiffs to arrest them all.

And so, nearly half a year after their transmigration, Zhao Zhitong’s entire family was taken to the prison at the County Government Office. Almost the entire village witnessed them being led away. Those on good terms with Zhao Dong’s family were shocked, wondering what had happened. Meanwhile, people like Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Zheng were practically bursting to set off firecrackers in celebration.

At that moment, many villagers had gathered under the big pagoda tree at the village entrance, watching the Zhao Family being taken away and murmuring amongst themselves.

Mrs. Zheng was so delighted she could barely suppress her laughter, gloating, "Tsk, tsk. Just moments ago, some were saying the Zhao Family had struck it rich and befriended important people. Well, look at them now—a real slap in the face! Arrested right alongside those ’important people’! It’s hilarious!"

Her words, however, drew little response.

Instead, the Village Chief’s second daughter-in-law, from the Liang Clan, sighed. "This time, Zhao Dong’s family might truly be finished. They’ve been taken to the County Government Office’s prison. I’ve heard the torture methods there are brutal. Even if you survive, you’re as good as skinned alive!"

Mrs. Zheng grew even more gleeful. "Heh, it’s their own fault. Who did they think they were, daring to offend Landlord Qin? They absolutely deserve it!"

At this, several other women chimed in, some feigning pity, others openly gloating.

However, Shi Tou’s wife and Zhang Qiang’s wife, who were in the crowd, could no longer bear it.

"Pah!" one of them spat. "Mrs. Zheng, all you know is how to suck up to Mrs. Wang and kick people when they’re down! What else are you good for? You venomous-tongued shrew! Your own malice will be your downfall one day!"

After delivering this sharp rebuke, they turned and left the crowd.