Divorcing your wife might feel good for a moment, but seeing me make money will make you regret it f

As if grasping at a straw, Qiuqiu turned around and rushed towards Xu Qing:

“I remember, Madam Xu. Let’s go to the courtyard right now to identify her. I’m sure I’ll recognize her as soon as I see her.”

Xu Qing nodded and helped Qiuqiu up, saying, "The magistrate's wife had an accident at my house, so I can't shirk my responsibility either. Don't worry. As long as we find the thief, we'll be fine."

Xu Qing took Qiu Qiu back to the courtyard. Because the host's voice was loud and pleasant, Xu Qing asked her to relay the message.

The host felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing the relayed content.

What bad luck! How could something like this happen?

Seeing that she was trembling and seemed unable to speak, Xu Qing slipped her a piece of silver: "Are you feeling better now?"

The host put the broken silver in his mouth and bit it to confirm that it was real. Immediately, his legs stopped shaking and his back straightened up.

"It couldn't be better, boss, just you wait and see."

This time, the host didn't even need to clear his throat; he nimbly climbed onto the stage and began speaking with measured intonation:

"The thief who murdered the magistrate's wife is in the courtyard. Everyone, point out any unfamiliar faces..."

Upon hearing the host's words, the crowd below erupted in chaos.

"What do you mean? You're locking us in the yard and saying there are thieves. Who knows if you're telling the truth?"

"Could it be that they're reluctant to part with this feast and are deliberately locking us up so we'll bring gifts?"

"You yourselves said that coming to eat was enough, no need to bring gifts, so why are you doing this now?"

"I have no money, but you can take my life, hmph."

Looking at the noisy crowd, the host helplessly took out a gong and banged it hard.

"I haven't finished speaking yet. The boss said that as long as someone provides clues to catch the murderer, he will reward them with two taels of silver."

"What? Not about collecting gifts? There really is a thief among us?"

"Two taels of silver, if we use them sparingly, will be enough for my family to live on for a year..."

In order to get the money, the villagers stopped making trouble and started looking around with sharp eyes.

The bandit's family was completely dumbfounded. How did things turn out like this?

If things continue like this, they will soon be caught, even though they did not murder the magistrate's wife.

But they were relatives of bandits, making them the most suspicious group.

They panicked and tried to shrink themselves into the back of the crowd to minimize their presence.

In order to find unfamiliar faces, the villagers were looking ahead and walking forward one by one.

The bandits' families were retreating; everyone was on the same level, so the number 3 wasn't obvious.

The host, standing on the stage, made this group of people particularly eye-catching.

She excitedly asked Xu Qing, "Master, if I find it, will the reward money still apply?"

Xu Qing: "Of course it counts."

The host jumped for joy; he'd really hit the jackpot today.

At first, no one wanted to come, saying it was too bizarre. They said there was no such thing as a wedding like that.

Unfortunately, she hadn't received any business for a long time, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

Who knew I'd snag such a great deal!

The appearance fee was 400 coins, and the loose silver from earlier was probably 4 qian, plus this 2 liang of silver.

I've got my living expenses covered for this year!

The host called Xu Qing onto the stage and pointed to the group of people who were quietly backing away, saying:

"It must be them. They were acting suspiciously; they don't look like good people."

Xu Qing gave Zhao Dazhi and Xu Gong a wink.

The two men, each leading a dozen or so construction teams and workers from a squat toilet workshop, seemingly unintentionally squeezed through the crowd, separating the villagers of Xujia Village from the bandits' families.

“I know who it is! The woman who was having dinner with me just now, I don’t recognize her face.”

We were all engrossed in eating, but she kept looking around. Hey, Qing, look!

She was just next to me, but now she's backed up there. There's definitely something wrong with her!

Aunt Tian excitedly raised her hand to report, pointing to the bandit's family members who were already surrounded by Xu Gong, Zhao Dazhi, and the others.

She never expected that the person she had just been chatting with could actually help her earn 2 taels of silver.

Aunt Tian couldn't stop smiling.

The bandit's family members, realizing they had been discovered, grabbed the short knives tucked in their waistbands and prepared to attack.

Xu Gong and his men were ready to surround and capture the group, but Aunt Tian suddenly interrupted them.

Seeing these people make a move, they were not afraid. They brandished their long sticks and began to beat up the bandits' family members who were surrounding them.

The families of bandits were few in number, mostly women, and not everyone was equipped with a dagger.

Surrounded by Xu Gong, Zhao Dazhi, and more than thirty other strong men, they quickly surrendered.

Seeing that the situation was under control, Xu Qing said to Qiu Qiu beside him, "Take a look among those people and see if anyone has asked you for directions."

Qiuqiu walked up to the bandits' family members who were tied up in a string, and pointed to a woman who looked honest and simple:

"She's the one who asked me. She must have been the one who drugged the lady. Madam Xu, hand her over to the magistrate."

Xu Qing turned around and said to the two people beside her, "Second brother, you stay home and arrange for the guests. Zhao Dazhi, you take a few brothers and load this group of people onto the oxcart and take it to the yamen."

Qiuqiu finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the murderer was caught, the madam would probably spare her life...

The bandits' families, however, angrily stated:

"On what grounds are you arresting us? What evidence do you have that we murdered the magistrate's wife? You're trying to frame innocent people with baseless accusations. Is there no law left?"

Xu Qing glanced casually at the person who spoke and said indifferently:

"Don't worry, our county magistrate is the upright and just official of Datong Town."

If you haven't done it, your innocence will definitely be cleared. The premise is that you are truly innocent.

You are now suspects. Go to the yamen (government office) and they will release you once the matter is cleared up.

After saying that, Xu Qing gestured to Zhao Da to take the man to the yamen to report.

Qiuqiu wanted to move the magistrate's wife to the carriage and send her back to the yamen.

Xu Qing said, "I'll go with you. The room where Madam lives is close to the back door. Go and tell the coachman to bring the carriage in through the back door."

Qiuqiu left with gratitude, while Xu Qing went to the room where the county magistrate's wife was lying.

The magistrate's wife was still lying on the bed in the same position. Xu Qing glanced at her, sat down at the coffee table next to her, and poured himself a cup of tea.

Consider this a small amount of interest I charged because you look down on it.

Qiuqiu moved quickly, and the carriage stopped at the door. Qiuqiu wanted to carry the magistrate's wife into the carriage.

The magistrate's wife, who had been drugged, felt weak all over and was 100 times heavier than when she was conscious.

Qiuqiu was so anxious that she didn't know what to do, as she couldn't ask a man for help.

Xu Qing offered, "You squat down, and I'll help Madam onto your back."

Qiuqiu nodded gratefully to Xu Qing, then squatted down beside the bed: "Thank you, Madam Xu."

Xu Qing forcefully lifted the magistrate's wife off the bed.

He was exhausted halfway through the kick.

"Boom."

The magistrate's wife fell heavily onto the bed with a dull thud.

Upon hearing the noise, Qiuqiu immediately turned around, patted her heart, and said with a hint of reproach:

"Be careful, Madam Xu. There are no cushions on this bed. Be careful not to let the lady fall and get hurt."

Xu Qing said apologetically, "I'm so sorry, I didn't expect Madam to be sleeping so soundly. I'll be more careful this time."