Chapter 17: The Evil Spirit in the Color

  (Four updates sent, sorry to trouble everyone to collect them. Everyone knows the starting point rules, and the growth of new book collections will directly decide whether there will be recommendations in the future. Thank you, Swallow.)

  Ma Bo spoke with a gaze that was fixed on Ding Xiang, his eyes hazy and mesmerizing, causing Ding Xiang to hastily retreat behind Shi Wei's back.

  Someone like Sima Bu, a spoiled young master, relying on the power of his father-in-law, takes a fancy to which family's daughter, and makes up a reason to forcibly occupy her is not surprising at all. Shi Wei didn't believe what he said at all.

  "Old Ding, is this true?"

  Shi Wei's gaze shifted towards the stuttering Old Man Ding, calculating how he would get rid of this guy surnamed Ma after saying "no".

  Unexpectedly, Lao Ding nodded and said in a low voice: "It's true."

  "Huh?"

  Shi Wei was taken aback and stared at Old Man Ding with a frown.

  "Did you hear that? This old guy has admitted it."

  Shi Wei secretly resented this old man Ding for being too honest. This verbal agreement, without any witnesses, can be denied even if it exists. Now look what's happened, you've forced me into a passive position.

  "Mr. Ding, what's going on here?" Shi Wei's tone was already somewhat displeased.

  Ding Lao Han hurriedly told this old thing.

  In his early years, he worked as a long-term worker in the Ma family. At that time, his son was seriously ill and had no money for treatment. Old Ding had to borrow money from the East House with a hard heart. Ma Bo took advantage of people's difficulties and bluntly said that borrowing money is possible, but after a few years, when Ding Xiang grows up a bit, sell her to him as a maid.

  Old Ding had no choice but to agree. Who would have thought that after borrowing the money, before he even had a chance to invite a doctor, his son was gone.

  "At first, I borrowed a small amount of money from Old Man Ma the day before yesterday, and then returned it to him without spending a single penny the next day. I thought that this deal was also settled, but who would have thought that Old Man Ma would come knocking on my door today."

  Old Ding stuttered and told the whole story of how he came and went, and Shi Wei finally understood everything.

  This old man Ding is also a honest person lacking a mind, letting this surname Ma take advantage of him. Although he didn't do things thoroughly, it's not his fault in the end. This guy with the surname Ma had taken a liking to Ding Xiang, even if there wasn't this matter initially, he would have used other means to get Ding Xiang into his hands.

  Shi Wei turned around, looked straight at Ma Bo without fear, and said with a serious expression: "It seems that this matter is not wrong with Old Man Ding. Since he returned the money to Young Master Ma intact at the time, it's been many years since then, and now Young Master Ma comes to demand it back forcefully, which seems somewhat inappropriate."

  "I don't care if you haven't paid me back yet, he's already agreed to it, so this little girl is mine." Ma Bo's nostrils flared with arrogance.

  "Shi Wei's face slightly sank: 'Young Master Ma, this is somewhat like using strong words to seize the truth.'"

  Ma Bo laughed loudly, his expression even arrogant, "What if I'm being unreasonable and forceful? What can you do to me?"

  Ma Bo's arrogant tone really annoyed Shi Wei, and his two sword-like eyebrows suddenly became horizontal.

  "Shi Langzhong, I'll give you some face today. How much did you buy this little girl for? I'll pay the original price and that's it. Don't interfere in other people's business anymore. Otherwise, we'll settle accounts in court, and be careful or I'll make you lose both your wife and your soldiers."

  Ma Bo thought he had stunned Shi Wei, and for the sake of Xiong Qingye's face, he decided to give Shi Wei a so-called step down.

  At this time, Ding Xiang behind him kept lightly tugging at his hem, anxiously and in a soft voice pleading: "Young master, please don't sell me to him, I beg of you..."

  To mention Ding Xiang, she was just a poor and humble girl. If it were in the past, Shi Wei would not have bothered to make things difficult for her and someone with the surname Ma.

  But now she is her own maid, if he sends her away like this, where will Shi Wei's face be?

  Moreover, sending such a beautiful and lovely girl to be ruined by that scoundrel with the surname Ma makes him feel sick just thinking about it.

  Having thought it over, I have made up my mind.

  Shi Wei turned around and gave Ding Xiang a reassuring smile, softly comforting him with "Don't worry, I'm here."

  When she saw his calm yet firm eyes, her panicked emotions finally subsided slightly.

  "How about it, Shi Langzhong? I think you're also a sensible person. If you understand, then hurry up and hand over the goods. Today, I'll take the person away, and tomorrow I'll send someone to deliver the money to you."

  Ma Bo became even more pleased with himself, that self-satisfied look, seemed to be very certain that Shi Wei would not dare go against his wishes.

  At this time, Shi Wei coldly smiled and gazed at him, lightly replying: "If Master Ma wants to sue, then go ahead and sue. The worst that can happen is that I, Shi, will have to confront you in court."

  As soon as this statement came out, not only Ma Bo and his subordinates were surprised, but also the onlookers in the neighborhood.

  "That's the county magistrate's nephew, and yet Shi Langzhong dares to confront him like this, his audacity is truly not small..."

  The crowd on the street suddenly started discussing it.

  Ma Bo was also taken aback, he had been rampant in this city for many years, and it was the first time he encountered someone who dared to oppose him. In a fit of rage, he pointed at Shi Wei and shouted: "Stone surname, don't think that just because someone is backing you up, you're not afraid of me. I'll tell you, even the Bear Gang leader has to put on a few smiles when they see me. If you go against me, you'd better think clearly about the consequences."

  Shi Wei didn't engage in a war of words with him either, but just smiled: "Thank you, Mr. Ma, for reminding me, I've taken note."

  "Alright, you wait for me."

  Ma Bo dropped a threatening remark and left with his servants.

  The villain left, the good show dispersed, and the surrounding onlookers also dispersed while discussing.

  That old man "thud" and immediately knelt down to Shi Wei, tears streaming down his face as he knocked his head on the ground: "It's all my foolishness, causing trouble for Master, I deserve to die."

  Shi Wei let out a soft sigh and helped the old man up, comforting him with kind words: "This isn't your fault. This guy surnamed Ma has ill intentions towards Ding Xiang. Even if it weren't for what happened before, he would have found another excuse."

  "Little one begs Master Gongzi, please don't let Dingxiang be given to that Ma Ye, or else Dingxiang will be finished for this lifetime." Old Man Ding begged anxiously.

  "With me here, nothing will happen."

  Old Ding saw Shi Wei nodding, with a mix of sadness and joy, and hastily pulled Ding Xiang to kneel down: "Don't you quickly kowtow to thank the young master, our ancestor and grandson are lucky to meet the young master, it's truly the blessing of eight lifetimes."

  "Clove will spend her whole life repaying Master's great kindness and virtue, thank you, Master, thank you, Master..."

  Dingxiang was also tearfully following Grandfather, constantly kowtowing to Shi Wei.

  Shi Wei received their several bows, helped them up, and comforted them again.

  Because he was afraid that the surname Ma would secretly cause trouble, Shi Wei had already given Ding Xiang a month's wages in advance, and asked him to rent another secluded room for Old Man Ding, to avoid the surname Ma for now.

  That night, Shi Wei brought Ding Xiang back to Ping An Tang and told the whole thing to Fan Pei Lan. As soon as Fan Pei Lan heard it, her expression changed at once.

  She let Tingxiang go to rest early, and after seeing Tingxiang leave, she said to Shiwei: "We absolutely cannot sell Tingxiang to that man surnamed Ma. If Tingxiang falls into the hands of Mr. Ma, it will be a fate worse than death."

  "Ma Bo is a bit of a lecher."

  Shi Wei's words were laced with a hint of skepticism. In this day and age, when customs are as they are, it's not shameful for the sons of officials to be romantic and fond of beauty, nor is it uncommon for young masters from wealthy families to toy with their maidservants. So why did both Old Man Ding and Shi Wei say that if Tingxiang were to fall into Ma Bo's hands, her life would be in danger?

  This time, Shi Wei was somewhat surprised.

  Fan Peilan hesitated for a moment before speaking: "If that surnamed Ma was just a lecher, it would be fine. But I've heard he's not only a lecher but also an evil spirit who uses various means to torment the maidservants he fancies. It's said that in recent years at least four or five maidservants have been tormented to death by him. The reason no one dares to investigate is because he's the county magistrate's nephew."

  "Could this really be happening?" Shi Wei's eyes widened in astonishment.

  Fan Peilan sighed, "Although this is just a rumor, I think it's likely that Old Man Ding sold his granddaughter to our humble household instead of the Ma family because he used to work for the Mas and knew their character."

  Fan Peilan's analysis made Shi Wei suddenly enlightened.

  Feng Liu Hao Se Zhī Tú Shí Wé Jiàn Dé Duō Le, Lián Tā Zì Jǐ Yě Bù Dé Bù Chéng Rèn Yǒu Jǐ Fēn Feng Liu, Kě Shì Sì Mǎ Bó Zhè Bān Biàn Tài De Kuáng, Què Hái Shiǒu Yī Sǎo Pèng Shàng.

  Damn it's disgusting.

  Just thinking of the scene where the clever and capable Ding Xiang was bullied by that surname Ma, Shi Wei's heart had a surge of nameless anger.

  It seems that this time he stood up for Miss Ting and her father in vain.

  Fan Peilan sighed and then looked worried: "Although that's the case, this Ma is the county magistrate's nephew. If he really makes things difficult for us, I'm afraid it won't be easy to deal with."

  Shi Wei snorted, "When the car reaches the mountain, there will be a way. I can even resolve the death penalty, so why should I fear him, a demon in the guise of a beauty? Master's wife need not worry, I'll go to the Xiong manor tomorrow."