bayedsolid Chapter 281 Kill two birds with one stone
Chapter 281 Kill two birds with one stone
After a night of "war", the Banshan Tea House finally ushered in peace.
The mountains were shrouded in mist. If it weren't for the people from the government office carrying corpses in and out, this place would have looked like a paradise.
All the corpses had been cleared away, and the servants and maids were well-trained in washing the floor, wiping away the blood, and trimming the flowers and trees, as if there had only been a lively banquet last night and they were now cleaning up the aftermath.
"I'm sorry to have frightened my lady. It's truly my fault that something like this could have happened under my watch."
When the prefect Qian Wuyong received the report from the servant of the villa, he was so shocked that he jumped out of bed. He didn't even have time to put on his official uniform and called a sedan chair to go straight to the tea mountain.
Qian Wuyong was a short man, his face greasy and his belly paunchy from a long life of luxury. He was untalented and mediocre, but his family was wealthy and he had a capable brother and sister-in-law who supported him, so he had a smooth career in the officialdom.
Everyone in Lin'an Prefecture is rich and the public security has always been good.
The only major case was five years ago, when the Qian family's cruise ship was hijacked and killed by a group of pirates who had come to the area. The Qian family's second son was paralyzed, and the youngest son disappeared.
Afterwards, the pirates disappeared.
Five years later, the case remains unsolved.
Unexpectedly, when he arrived at the teahouse today, his men informed him that it was these pirates who attacked the villa last night. And the leader was actually his own nephew!
At the moment he was shocked and frightened, with sweat pouring down his fat forehead.
Su Li sat in the main hall, looking at Qian Wuyong who was wiping his sweat frequently, took a sip of tea and said softly:
"Why do you say that, Lord Qian?"
"This group of roving pirates had already targeted my wife and me when we were heading south, and they followed us all the way here. Last night, under the cover of darkness and strong winds, they attempted to rob us and kill us. Fortunately, Lord Qian is a capable leader, and he was able to detect the thieves' whereabouts early on and set an ambush. Lord Qian, with his wisdom and courage, was able to capture the entire gang of thieves, saving my wife and my life and our property."
"Master Qian's great kindness and generosity will be forever unforgettable to me and my wife. One day we will prepare a generous gift and come to your house to personally express our gratitude."
"what?"
Qian Wuyong was not only expecting the general's wife's wrath, but was also worried about whether this matter would implicate the Qian family and even affect his career. If he got it wrong, he could lose his position.
He was nervous, having already thought through all the possibilities, even calculating how much money he would need to settle the matter. But he never expected to hear Su Li's words suddenly.
He was a little overwhelmed by the reaction.
Su Li smiled,
"Master Qian has performed such a great service, eliminating a local scourge for the people of Lin'an Prefecture and protecting the people. Such achievements are truly remarkable. It is our honor that the Pei Mansion can cooperate with Master Qian as bait this time. Do you know how to write Master Qian's closing statement?"
This time, Qian Wuyong finally understood.
Su Li never mentioned Qian Jinru from beginning to end, clearly intending to let the Qian family off the hook. She even attributed all the credit for eliminating the gang of thieves to Qian Wuyong.
This is a blessing from the sky!
"understand!"
Qian Wuyong's pale face finally showed some color. He was not stupid after all. He immediately stood up and walked outside to call his men and gave them instructions.
This ambush at the villa became a joint operation between the Pei Mansion and the government.
Su Li looked at Qian Wuyong who was busy giving instructions outside the door, and turned her head to glance at Huan Ge'er.
"Is everything I said correct?"
Huan Ge'er nodded and gave her a thumbs up.
Su Li felt very happy to receive praise from her son.
These words were, of course, the result of a discussion between the mother and the son.
The pirates attacked the villa, but were wiped out in an instant. If the truth were to reach the ears of Emperor Jingde, who knows what kind of suspicions and changes would arise.
Now, Qian Wuyong has gained the credit, and the Pei family can continue to hide. Moreover, after this incident, the Qian family has been firmly tied to the Pei family and has also gained the ally of the Qian family, the richest family in Jiangnan.
It really kills three birds with one stone.
"Hahaha, Madam Pei, I have already made all the arrangements. I will always remember your kindness. If you need me in the future, I will go through fire and water to help you."
Back in the main hall, Qian Wuyong had regained his demeanor as the prefect.
"Master Qian, you are too polite. Have some tea."
Su Li smiled, and a consensus was reached on this matter amid the laughter of both parties.
……
Qian Mansion Ancestral Hall.
All the elders of the Qian family were invited out and sat on both sides with expressionless faces.
Qian Jinru was brought in tied up.
"Beast! Get down on your knees!"
The elderly, white-haired head of the Qian family stomped his dragon-headed cane in anger.
Qian Jinru was kicked hard in the knee and fell to his knees with a thud.
"You beast, do you know your crime?" the patriarch shouted angrily.
"Humph!"
Qian Jinru snorted coldly, "Winners are kings and losers are bandits, what else is there to say?"
"You beast! You actually colluded with pirates and attacked the Pei family. As if that weren't enough, five years ago, you even murdered your own brother and younger brother! The Qian family has wasted all these years raising you. How can you be worthy of our ancestors by doing this?"
"Raise?"
Qian Jinru glanced coldly at the clan leader and spat at the rows of lofty tablets in the ancestral hall.
"How did my mother die? And how did I grow up all these years? Have you forgotten everything?"
The patriarch was choked by the rebuttal, and after a while, he shook his snow-white beard and shouted angrily:
"Back then, Aunt Liu refused to remain a widow and cheated on her husband with another man. She was caught red-handed and drowned in a pig cage. It was her due. The clan, mindful of your youth, has provided you with food, clothing, and education over the years, raising you to adulthood. They've done the most they can. You don't even think about thanking them for their kindness, and are now spouting such outrageous words. It's sheer treason!"
"My mother didn't cheat on me!"
Qian Jinru suddenly stood up and roared at the clan leader, scaring the clan leader so much that he took a few steps back and almost fell.
"My mother didn't cheat on me!"
Qian Jinru's face turned ashen, and he repeated it again with gritted teeth.
"It was the coldest time of winter, and we were still wearing thin autumn clothes. There wasn't even a piece of charcoal in the house to keep warm. Mother went out to sell the handkerchiefs she had worked so hard to embroider in order to save money to buy charcoal."
"When I left in the morning, I said I would come back and buy me some candy, but in the evening you tied me up and threw me into the ancestral hall."
"She has been crying out for justice, but which of you listened? Which of you investigated? In your eyes, reputation is more important than the truth."
Qian Jinru struggled to stand up from the cold bluestone slabs. The Qian family was unfair to him. Why should he kneel to such an ancestor!
"You! You! You are so stubborn!"
The clan leader stomped his crutch several times, and the metal head of the crutch collided with the hard bluestone slab, making a sound of gold and jade clashing, which echoed throughout the ancestral hall.
"Someone come! Ask for family discipline!"
Four big men came in carrying spinal canes as thick as their arms.
The clan leader looked around at the elders in the ancestral hall and slowly announced:
"Qian Jinru colluded with pirates, murdered his brothers, and plotted to murder nobles. He was brutal and inhumane, yet refused to confess his guilt! After discussion within the clan, he will be expelled from the Qian family tree and sentenced to caning until death! Elders, do you have any objections?"
After the elders talked to each other for a while, they all raised their hands to vote in agreement.
The Qian family is a century-old family and will never allow any stain to occur.
Following an order, the sound of sticks beating could be heard in the courtyard of the ancestral hall.
Outside the ancestral hall, Mrs. Qian was standing at the door pushing a wheelchair.
The sound of sticks hitting each other fell into her ears, and her eyes were filled with hatred.
"Xiu'er, you and Wen'er have finally had your revenge."