Chapter 30: The Lesson of Blood! (3) Carefree

  "Village head, fellow villagers, you all know what kind of person I, Cuihua, am. Normally, I don't gossip about others or interfere in their business. But today, I must speak up for the sake of Daliu's siblings. Everyone in Linjia Village knows that Daliu's mother was kind to me back then. If it weren't for her, not only would my poor child not be here, but even I myself might not be alive today.

  Later, when Lindalang joined the army and left home for many years, I fell ill and took to bed. Dashan is a man, and Old Lin thought that his helping Daliu's mother would affect their family's reputation. After I recovered slightly, the old doctor said I couldn't see wind for three years because when I fell from the mountain, not only did I miscarry and hurt my body, but I also broke several bones and almost became a cripple.

  If I were to catch wind, it would be difficult for me to recover later on. But I was worried about Daliu's mother and children, so even in the sweltering summer heat, I wore padded clothes to visit Old Lin's house and bring them some rice and grains. You all know what kind of life Daliu's mother led in Old Lin's household.

  But after Old Lin accepted our gifts, he scolded me for being sickly and feared that I would bring illness to their home, telling me not to come often. My heart was filled with sorrow because I had a falling out with Old Lin, and from then on, I didn't visit Daliu's mother again until... I regret it to this day, hating myself for abandoning the person who showed kindness to me just because of Old Lin's cruelty.

  Later, when Liu'ermama broke Daliu's leg, my husband Dashan and I secretly helped them while openly providing assistance. We continued to do so even after we cut ties with Old Lin's household. From then on, my husband and I treated Daliu's siblings like our own children. Seeing the three siblings finally encounter good fortune and live a good life filled me with joy.

  But who would have thought that Old Lin and Liu'ermama's households would be so ungrateful? They... No! These two families no longer have hearts or lungs; their hearts and lungs have been eaten by pigs! Today's outcome is their retribution. People like them will surely end up in the eighteenth level of hell after they die!" Cuihua spoke, wiping away tears as she grew more indignant and her tone turned harsher.

  "Magistrate Shi, the village head, the precious token that was lost by Dà Yā's family must be on one of these people. Dà Yā and her three siblings have already cut ties with them, and Dà Yā's mother was also divorced by Lín Lǎo Tóu to marry Lín Dà Láng. I hope you will handle this case impartially and not give a light sentence just because Dà Yā has a blood relationship with these two families!" Cùi Huā suddenly knelt down in front of Shī Wén, startling both Shī Wén and Lín Chún.

  Lin Chun's heart ached as she listened to Cui Hua's words, and tears streamed down her face. Da Shan, standing beside them, handed Cui Hua his handkerchief to wipe away her tears, then turned around and used it to wipe Lin Chun's tears as well. Lin Chun had previously thought that after Lin Daliang left, Da Shan had taken care of their family for a long time, but later switched to Cui Hua due to avoiding suspicion with Pei Wuxian. However, not long after, Cui Hua also stopped coming, which ultimately led to Pei Wuxian's death from illness, hunger, exhaustion, and suffering. Lin Chun had even blamed Cui Hua for this, but it turned out that Lin Lao was behind it all. Lin Chun's resentment towards the two families grew stronger, determined to make them suffer forever.

  Da Tou and Er Ya saw Lin Chun crying and immediately went to comfort him. The village head and Shi Wen were listening on the side, not daring to believe it. Shi Wen wanted to quickly resolve the matter and then comfort Lin Chun properly. He immediately ordered someone to search Lin Lao Tuo and Liu Er Niang's bodies, and unexpectedly found the token seal that Qian Ye Li had given to Lin Chun at the Fu Tong Money House in the county town, hidden in Lin Lao Tuo's hair bun. This was something that Lin Chun had arranged with one of the yamen runners beforehand, who had hidden it on Lin Lao Tuo's body when he was taken from his house. Even if Lin Lao Tuo denied it, the evidence would be clear and he wouldn't be able to deny it. However, Shi Wen didn't know about this, so as not to make him feel embarrassed. The yamen runner also understood human nature and handled things well, but Lin Chun didn't know that the yamen runner's true master was Qian Ye Li.

  Shi Wen sentenced Lin Lao Tou to six months in prison for theft, but considering his advanced age and the difficulty of flogging him, he was spared corporal punishment. Lin Er Lang and Lin Da Zhuang were sentenced to five months in prison for attempted theft and trespassing. As for Liu Er Niang, she was sentenced to nine months in prison for arson and attempted theft, taking into account her current abnormal mental state.

  Lin Chuan didn't know much about the criminal law of Tianyang Country, but for a rural farmer like him, this prison disaster was already a great sin and calamity. Lin Chuan was also very satisfied. After Lin Lao Tou and Liu Er Niang's imprisonment period ended, his family's wall had been built, and the guards had been hired. Today, they were allowed to see blood, which could be considered as a lesson. Even if they had evil intentions in the future, with their own strength growing, it would be difficult for them to threaten Lin Chuan again. Moreover, it was uncertain whether the villagers of Linjia Village would allow them to stay. Perhaps Lin Da Fu and the village head could be asked to drive Lin Lao Tou and Liu Er Niang's families out of Linjia Village, so that his own family could truly be at peace.

  "Just adults, I don't know how to deal with Ruhua?" Da Shan Bo Bo saw that Shi Wen didn't mention Ruhua, the troublemaker, and asked.

  "Don't worry, this Ruhua has returned home with Lin Er Lang, but she is still a slave and belongs to Cuihong Tower. The official will naturally take her back to Cuihong Tower, as for punishment, Ruhua instigated others to steal money and property, and also lured others into selling innocent girls into prostitution. She even fled with stolen goods when the case was discovered, which is a serious crime. After returning, the official must report to the county magistrate and severely punish her to warn others of the crime of human trafficking."

  Shi Wenyi's words made Ruhua more and more afraid, she fainted again after just waking up from a daze, and her bundle on her shoulder was opened by the constable, with things scattered all over the ground. There were silver coins, new clothes, and a piece of silver jewelry. Lin Lao Tou and Lin Er Lang immediately recognized that these were their family's belongings. Even if others didn't know that these goods belonged to Lin Lao Tou's family, they could guess that they weren't Ruhua's. If Ruhua had this money and jewelry, why would she follow Lin Er Lang back home?

  The county magistrate, Shi Wen, ordered the yamen runners to take Lao Lin and others back to the county government office, leaving only two people behind to clean up. The villagers, seeing that the matter had been settled, also returned home in twos and threes to prepare for the New Year's celebration. Da Shan and Lin Dafu stayed behind, and the second son of the village head, Lin Dagui, came over to take Lin Tianliang back home, instructing Lin Dafu on his way out to see off Magistrate Shi properly. This matter should have been handled by him, but now he was drenched in cold sweat and still seething with anger; if he didn't return home to calm down, take a bath, and change his clothes, he would surely catch a chill. Shi Wen was considerate of Lin Tianliang's advanced age and also knew that Lin Dafu was aware of his relationship with the Lin family, so it was convenient for him to help out here.

  The crowd dispersed, and the matter finally settled, but this year's New Year's Eve in Linjia Village made the villagers lose their former joy and excitement. The remaining people worked together to help clean up Lin Chuns' home and restore it to its original state. Shi Wen and Lin Chun talked for a while in the small courtyard, and after the house was cleaned up, they took the horse-drawn carriage back to the county. Due to these events, Lin Chun's three siblings eventually went to their uncle's house in the mountains for New Year's, but the food was all made by Lin Chun himself, and the three siblings ate alone in a small room in their uncle's house, setting up a table. After finishing eating, Uncle Dashan sent the three back home.

  The night was cool and refreshing, Lin Chun and Da Tou Er Ya were staying up late at home to usher in the new year, discussing things they wanted to do and new hopes for the coming year. As the long night wore on, Linjia Village gradually quieted down, with only distant sounds of firecrackers and the occasional bark of a dog breaking the silence. The secret guards who had been sent by Qianye to protect Lin Chun and his siblings also hunted some wild game, eating their fill and drinking icy liquor before finding a place to rest under the trees.

  A new year, a new beginning, the departure of those annoying relatives also means a brand new life for Lin Chun's family is steadily moving forward...