Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter 93: The Solution

Everyone fell silent, and Ji Meiqing subconsciously looked at Lu Yu.

“That’s impossible,” Lu Yu immediately retorted.

Ji Meiqing lowered her eyes and said calmly, "Leave it here for now. Whoever is willing to guard it will be paid five taels of silver per night."

"I'm willing." Hearing that there was money to be made, everyone below perked up. Ji Meiqing let Li Ming make the decision and went back to continue resting.

Lu Yu took two steps and followed.

Ji Meiqing didn't say much along the way. Only after entering the house did she say without turning her head, "Get some rest."

"I……"

Ji Meiqing didn't want to hear his explanation for Xiao Cui, so she went straight back to her room. Lu Yu followed her to her room, and when Ji Meiqing tried to close the door, he blocked her with his hand.

"Is there anything else?" She asked helplessly, not stopping him, but rubbing her eyes wearily.

Lu Yu hesitated, but his expression remained resolute. Ji Meiqing immediately understood what he wanted to say, and simply chuckled twice, "This is the last time. I don't care whether you believe it or not."

"I……"

Taking advantage of his inattention, she closed the door and called out, "You go and rest first, I want to sleep."

Finally, there was no more noise outside, and Ji Meiqing breathed a sigh of relief, went back to bed and fell asleep fully clothed.

She struggled to get up when it was light. Her head was spinning, like it contained a globe. She rubbed her head as she left the room.

Lu Yu hadn't slept much because of what happened last night, and when he saw her come out, he immediately came over. Ji Meiqing pretended to be fine and didn't show anything.

When she saw Lu Yu, she remained calm and said, "Brother Lu."

"Let's go."

"Mmm..." She nodded gently and followed slowly behind him. Lu Yu didn't pay any attention to her walking behind him, occasionally glancing back at her, but his reaction was normal and he didn't show any other reaction.

Ji Meiqing smiled faintly and followed him to the wine shed.

A number of people had already arrived. Qiu Shi sat in a chair with a gloomy expression, and did not show much reaction when she saw Ji Meiqing coming over.

She looked at Li Ming and went straight over to him, "Is there anything unusual? Have you found Qiu Jiaming?"

Li Ming shook his head, looking very regretful, "There's still no news."

She glanced at Qiu Shi on the chair, sighed softly. Being used and manipulated was indeed pitiful.

Seeing her expression, Li Ming hesitated to speak. He wanted to ask about Xiao Cui, but ultimately stopped himself.

"The clan leader is here, make way, make way." A commotion broke out outside, and the two of them turned around to look at the path that had been cleared. Ji Meiqing was lost in thought for a moment, and when she saw the crowd pushing in, she was still in a daze. Seeing this, Li Ming pulled her back a little.

She bumped into Li Ming's arms, waking him up. Their position was somewhat awkward, and Ji Meiqing suddenly lost all interest in wild speculation. At an age when hormones should be raging, she felt utterly uninterested.

Li Ming, on the other hand, seemed a little awkward, scratching the back of his head and chuckling dryly, "I just saw you..."

"It's nothing." She shook her head, chuckled, and walked to stand beside him. When she looked up at the opposite side again, she noticed Lu Yu's gaze, and immediately looked away, watching the clan leader enter.

The clan leader was followed by members of the Qiu family, indicating that the Qiu family had specifically sought out the clan leader before their arrival.

Qiu was lifted from her chair and thrown to the ground, and the wine stall became a makeshift trial location. Ji Meiqing wasn't allowed to sit down, so she could only stand, her head spinning more and more. She could only secretly pinch her palms to try and clear her head.

Seeing that she seemed unwell, Li Ming, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." The confusion in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by clarity. Li Ming examined her for a while, and seeing nothing amiss, he listened to everything being said again. But as soon as his gaze shifted away, the clarity vanished once more.

Ji Meiqing lowered her head, listening to their sanctimonious words. Suddenly, she felt much calmer.

"The wicked woman, Qiu, has been divorced after discussion within the Qiu family. Furthermore, according to clan rules, she will be punished by being drowned in a pig cage." The clan head finished speaking authoritatively, then looked kindly at Ji Meiqing, "Ji, what do you think of this?"

"Huh?" Ji Meiqing raised her head, looked around, then looked at the clan leader, and said slowly, "Um... please do as you please."

She lowered her head and began to space out again.

She didn't care what was said above. Qiu, on the other hand, desperately tried to plead for leniency. But no one reached out; everyone watched coldly. The verdict was handed down, and it was no longer their concern. The crowd dispersed, and Ji Meiqing followed the others to leave.

Suddenly, Qiu called out to her, and almost pounced on her like a mad dog, but fortunately Li Ming blocked her way.

Ji Meiqing stared at her blankly. "Is there anything else?"

"This wasn't my idea, it was Xiao Cui's! Why didn't you talk to her?!" She questioned him immediately, leaving everyone stunned. Ji Meiqing, however, quickly recovered and said coldly, "If you had no intention of harming anyone, how could you listen to others' opinions? Qiu Shi, ask yourself honestly, since Qiu Jiaming came to work for me, have I ever treated him unfairly or sought revenge? If you hadn't repeatedly challenged my bottom line, do you think you would be in this situation today?"

She froze, unsure what to say. Ji Meiqing glanced at her one last time, "I will plead for you, but while you may escape the death penalty, you will not escape punishment. The final outcome is up to fate."

After saying that, she didn't want to stay any longer and walked straight out of the tent. The warm sun was shining brightly outside, and her vision was momentarily blurred, but thankfully someone was there to support her.

She opened her eyes and saw Lu Yu. She immediately broke free and thanked him in a distant and indifferent manner: "Thank you."

Li Ming followed behind and saw Lu Yu standing beside her, looking somewhat bewildered. Not knowing what had happened between them, she gave him an apologetic look before following him.

"What do you plan to do about this?" Li Ming asked.

Ji Meiqing shook her head, looking dejected: "I don't know yet, but even if I plead for her, I'm afraid it won't end well. The Qiu family might even think I'm just putting on an act. By the way, Qiu Jiaming is very likely being hidden away by the Qiu family, so keep an eye on him."

"Hmm." Li Ming smiled.

Ji Meiqing swayed and suddenly stopped. Li Ming noticed that she was not in good condition and looked anxious and confused.

He reached out to help her, but she swatted him away. Looking at the bruises on her hand, Li Ming grew even more anxious. "What happened to you?"