From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!-Chapter 920 - 916: Leave Directly, Ignore Mrs. Jin (First Update)
"What? The arrest officer is here..." Mrs. Jin panicked.
It was only now that she realized the seriousness of the situation. Putting aside the fact that she hadn’t stolen anything, with no one to vouch for her innocence, given Ruan Xiao Jiao’s status, imprisoning her would be a piece of cake.
"Mr. Dan Dan, let’s not argue anymore. Let’s... let’s deal with this matter first, okay?" Mrs. Jin glanced around before speaking.
"Deal with it? How am I supposed to handle this? I’m not part of the government."
Mu Dade replied impatiently.
As they were talking, the arrest officer had already entered the tavern and immediately asked about the situation.
"Who stole the item? And who reported the case?"
One of the women who had been holding Mrs. Jin stepped forward and pointed at Mrs. Jin, saying, "It’s her, this woman, claiming to be a scholar’s wife. But in reality, she does all sorts of debased things. She stole my pearl earrings. If I hadn’t noticed in time, they’d be gone."
"Nonsense! Your earring fell to the ground by yourself, conveniently next to my feet. I merely picked it up out of curiosity, not intending to take your belongings!" Mrs. Jin retorted loudly.
"Rubbish! You’re talking nonsense. My earring was securely on my ear; how did it end up by your feet? We were sitting at separate tables for our meal, clearly your claim of theft is a mere excuse!"
The two women, because of the theft accusation, argued incessantly.
They even ignored the arrest officer who had come to solve the problem.
It’s often said that three women make a drama, but these two women alone were enough to heat up the situation.
The arrest officer couldn’t stand it any longer.
"Alright, both of them will be taken back to the prison for detention. Any matters will be settled by the County Magistrate for questioning and verdict tomorrow morning." The chief arrest officer concluded decisively.
Two constables alongside him stepped forward, one in front of and one behind, and began to escort Mrs. Jin and the other woman towards the county government.
Mrs. Jin, once restrained, grew increasingly frightened, fearing she would indeed end up imprisoned, so she turned her head and shouted:
"Da De, save me, save me, I don’t want to go to the county government, this matter has nothing to do with me..."
Mu Dade’s expression turned sour, not only because Mrs. Jin’s issue implicated him, but also because Mrs. Jin was foolish beyond measure.
In such situations, she thought to plead with him instead of Ruan Xiao Jiao.
Ruan Xiao Jiao is the County Magistrate’s concubine; wouldn’t her words carry more weight than his?
Mu Dade turned his head, gently and softly speaking to Ruan Xiao Jiao: "Jiao... Aunt Ruan, please save her. I believe there must be some misunderstanding in this matter!"
At this critical moment, Mu Dade couldn’t even voice that Mrs. Jin was his wife, fearing Mrs. Jin’s trouble would bring disgrace upon himself.
But it was precisely because of the mention of Aunt Ruan that the arrest officer noticed Ruan Xiao Jiao, who had been standing silently by the side.
"Aunt Ruan, why are you here? Weren’t you... in the countryside?" The officer asked politely.
The County Magistrate didn’t have many concubines, counting Ruan Xiao Jiao, there were merely two.
They were especially gentle women, and in the County Magistrate’s backyard, there had never been incidents of women quarreling.
Everyone lived peacefully; you don’t bother me, I don’t bother you.
"Chief Liu, this here is... my friend. May I ask if you can release her? She would never steal anything." Ruan Xiao Jiao said.
"This..." Chief Liu looked awkward.
According to protocol, government affairs shouldn’t be dictated by a concubine.
However, the person before him was the County Magistrate’s favorite, given leave whenever for New Year’s celebrations, able to set her return date at her will, as long as the concubine was happy.
Even the senior wife in the backyard didn’t receive such freedom and privileges.
If he opposed this concubine, and if she ever sought revenge, his days ahead would be tough.
But the County Magistrate always took his public duties seriously and responsibly, where the people’s affairs were of utmost importance.
As the arrest officer for the county government, he couldn’t easily indulge in favoritism, at least not in front of everyone.
Ruan Xiao Jiao recognized Chief Liu’s difficulties.
Todays’ situation was a trap she had set up.
It was all planned before heading to the county.
All to let Mrs. Jin experience the prowess of Ruan Xiao Jiao.
"Chief Liu, is this matter truly so difficult? Help me release this lady as if nothing happened, alright?"
Ruan Xiao Jiao’s words sounded genuine, as if she really wanted to help Mrs. Jin.
Unfortunately, in this matter, it wasn’t only Mrs. Jin involved.
The woman whose earring was "stolen" by Mrs. Jin complained about Chief Liu’s handling, deliberately shouting loudly: "No way, you either take us both or take this woman, she’s a thief!"
"Right! We can’t let the thief go, or we’ll seek justice from the County Magistrate..."
Among the onlookers, some started to chant, and the crowd surged forward, all claiming to go find the County Magistrate.
Chief Liu found himself helpless and had to raise his voice: "Alright, let’s take everyone to the government office! Anything to discuss can wait until tomorrow morning!"
Taking Ruan Xiao Jiao aside, Chief Liu apologized with a face full of guilt: "Aunt Ruan, I truly don’t have the authority to release this person. If the townsfolk cause trouble with the County Magistrate, I... I can’t continue as arrest officer."
"If you have any grievances, please direct them at me. I only wish to keep my job, to provide for my family of five."
Ruan Xiao Jiao smiled faintly, "Chief Liu, I’m just joking with you, I didn’t truly want you to release her, I understand your plight."
"Aunt Ruan, let me be honest with you, this person can be released, just not right now, not in front of the townsfolk.
I’ll release her later when no one is watching." Chief Liu said.
His intentions were clear, he was willing to offer a backdoor to Ruan Xiao Jiao.
"Release? Who said anything about releasing?" Ruan Xiao Jiao’s lips curved into a subtle smile.
That smile, like the spring breeze in March, left Chief Liu stunned, unsure of what to say next.
"Aunt Ruan, weren’t you... weren’t you just asking me to release her? Why... why change your mind now? Or do you have any instructions? Please let me know, I’ll certainly do what’s needed, as long as Aunt Ruan provides a livelihood."
"I already said, I was joking earlier, whether to release her or not, matters like these, someone like me, a mere woman, where do I have the standing?
However, there is indeed a matter where I need your help. Later go and inform that man, his wife might be detained for around four or five days.
If proven innocent after four or five days, she can then be released, understand?"
Chief Liu nodded frantically.
"I understand!"
Following Ruan Xiao Jiao’s words, Chief Liu relayed them to Mu Dade, then proceeded to escort Mrs. Jin in front of everyone.
Ruan Xiao Jiao asked with concern: "What should we do now, Sister Jin will be detained, who will accompany you to the Capital for the exam?"
Mu Dade was pondering over this issue.
Four or five days, he couldn’t afford to wait.
If Mrs. Jin couldn’t be released, not only would his journey be delayed, but it would also fail to rescue her.
"Jiaojiao, I think I’ll just go, not concerned with Mrs. Jin anymore!"
