Although Second Lang insisted on going to school, Qin Yao still granted him and Si Niang two days off.

After sending Jinhua, Jinbao, Da Lang, and Sanlang to school, she took Second Lang and Si Niang, who had calmed down quite a bit, and continued driving towards the county town.

There was a dead person in the carriage, but for Second Lang and Si Niang, it was nothing, as the death was quite peaceful.

However, this method was not Mother’s usual style. Second Lang suspected that Mother spared the corpse intact out of consideration for them, her children.

It was the still-living Wang Wu that was more frightening.

But with Zhang San as a precedent, Second Lang and Si Niang did not entertain a single bit of useless curiosity along the way.

One leaned against Mother’s back, sitting obediently.

The other took out a book and started reading.

A scout who doesn’t want to escape isn’t a good scout, so it was impossible that Wang Wu didn’t want to escape.

But these two little imps in the carriage never gave him a chance to run. With the straw in his mouth reinforced tightly by Qin Yao after Zhang San’s incident, breathing was even difficult.

Wang Wu tried to find an opportunity to escape all the way, but unfortunately, he couldn’t find a suitable chance until they reached the county government office.

Now, he could only pray that his superiors had realized something was amiss and would come to his aid.

Qin Yao let the siblings wait at the government office entrance, kicked Wang Wu through the door, and carried the stiff corpse of Zhang San inside with big strides.

The government officers only showed a momentary surprise before returning to their usual expressions.

After all, Miss Qin’s ability to catch thieves was evident to the whole county, so bringing in a dead person was nothing new.

Upon receiving the news, the County Magistrate hurried over, just as Qin Yao "thumped" Zhang San’s corpse down from her shoulder, landing straight at the County Magistrate’s feet.

"Hiss~" The County Magistrate gasped and hurriedly took a big step back before looking at the tightly bound Wang Wu, "Village Chief Qin, what is the meaning of this?"

Qin Yao didn’t answer, her eyes scanning the room as she frowned and asked, "Is Mr. Song not here again? How about Lord Imperial Censor? Also not here?"

Her sharp gaze seemed to pierce through the thick walls of the high hall, scaring the two behind the walls into a cold sweat.

Song Zhang wiped the sweat off his forehead and tentatively suggested, "My Lord, why not go out and meet her?"

Wang Jin waved his hand dismissively, "No need. I will keep my promise and grant her peace."

Nodding toward Song Zhang, "Handle these two that were brought in. By the way, keep the living one; we might get something useful out of him later."

"But..." Song Zhang hesitated, "Should we still seek her help?"

Lately, things had been progressing smoothly; he and Wang Jin already had the crucial evidence in hand.

But Wang Jin’s authority only extended to dealing with Zhao Ta; as for the one behind Zhao Ta, it involved the Imperial Family, which he did not dare decide on his own.

Therefore, Wang Jin had to take the evidence immediately to the Capital, to be presented to the Emperor for judgment.

This was not a difficult task, but Wang Jin’s men outside Zijing Mansion had all been killed.

Now traveling alone back to the Capital, it was uncertain if he could even leave Zijing Mansion alive.

Nonetheless, Wang Jin had backing from some high personage, who had already sent people en route, whom he only needed to meet at the Zijing Mansion dock.

But!

Song Zhang only had some privately-employed guards and government officers, insufficient to deal with professional assassins.

And there were only a few soldiers in Kaiyang County; losing even half hurt, not to mention that escorting Wang Jin was certain death, and Song Zhang couldn’t reconcile that with his conscience.

Therefore, Song Zhang suggested, "My Lord, your martial arts are excellent. Traveling incognito alone would be easier and should pose no problem reaching Zijing Mansion safely." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Wang Jin: "That’s a great suggestion, don’t suggest it again."

"I need someone to help carry the luggage." This was Wang Jin’s sole fallback demand.

The luggage consisted of the evidence he and Song Zhang had collected, which must be taken to the Capital for the Emperor to see, for it to be convincing enough.

The luggage was heavy, and he wasn’t a strongman. Traveling alone, he couldn’t protect both himself and the luggage.

Hence, Song Zhang brought up asking Qin Yao for help.

Of course, out of pride and for his own sake, Wang Jin was still hesitating.

Seeing Qin Yao arriving first at the government office, made Song Zhang feel it was now or never to speak up.

Always disappointing people is not a good thing.

Although Wang Jin had already dealt with those two scouts’ superiors and their superiors, Qin Yao was unaware of this!

No one acknowledges what they don’t know.

The main concern was that if Song Zhang didn’t make himself known now, Liu Family Village’s doors would permanently shut against him once Wang Jin left, leaving him to clean up the mess.

Without Qin Yao’s presence, Song Zhang felt a cold sweat on his neck.

"We owe thanks to Village Chief Qin; without her distracting a good portion of the attention, it would have been hard for us," Song Zhang earnestly reminded.

A thirty-man elite team wiped out was enough to cause the ones behind the scenes deep apprehension of Qin Yao.

Though Song Zhang and Wang Jin knew Qin Yao didn’t partake, the ones behind the scenes didn’t.

After all, Qin Yao’s actions appeared to be helping them in outsiders’ eyes.

So the other party focused most of their attention on Qin Yao, monitoring her every move, which allowed them many chances to maneuver.

This was why Wang Jin hadn’t dealt with the two scouts at Liu Family Village earlier.

Song Zhang said, "My Lord, we need to have some dignity; Village Chief Qin isn’t a fool. She’ll soon realize you used her again..."

Wang Jin raised his hand, signaling Song Zhang to stop, "I am not one to be shameless."

Song Zhang smirked, never have I seen such a person more shameless than you!

In the front hall, Qin Yao finished telling the County Magistrate a load of nonsense seriously, ready to leave.

Anyway, those two hiding knew what was going on; there was no need for regular procedures.

"Village Chief Qin, please stay."

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, turning back to see Wang Jin and Song Zhang stepping out from behind the hall in casual attire.

Song Zhang gave her a friendly smile, to which Qin Yao returned a small smile.

But when that smile turned to Wang Jin, it vanished instantly, replaced by a courteous bow, "Lord Wang."

Rising, she gave him a meaningful gaze, get to the point; I have no patience for dawdling.

"Ahem!" Wang Jin awkwardly coughed into his fist, signaling to Song Zhang.

Song Zhang pretended not to notice, stepping forward, looking outside the door, and asked with concern, "Aren’t the kids going to school today?"

Qin Yao pointed to Zhang San lying on the ground, "There was a little mishap on the way; the kids were scared. I plan to take them home to rest for a couple of days."