During my escape from famine, I survived by eavesdropping on the whispers of food.

Qin Shuangshuang said with a hint of sarcasm, "If you dare let me in now, it's uncertain who will go hungry later."

Upon hearing this, the eldest wife sneered at Qin Shuangshuang, "Do you think someone as poor and pathetic as you has the courage to threaten me? I think you should just go back to where you came from. Just like your mother, you're disgusting to look at."

Qin Shuangshuang's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "I'll only give you one more sentence."

Hearing Qin Shuangshuang speak so arrogantly, the eldest son was even more disdainful, "What big talk are you spouting? You're nothing but a rat crossing the street now, hated by everyone."

Those who used to follow you are now in my household, treated like slaves by me, living much better than they did with you.

If you had been like them, working like a slave for me back then, things would have been much better. You refused the marriage proposal I made to you before, and now you're throwing a tantrum in front of your aunt. What's wrong with you? Don't you want to live anymore?"

Qin Shuangshuang said no more and simply stated bluntly, "Go and call your master here. If you don't, I will send the government officials in to arrest him."

She brought an official travel pass with her, so she naturally dared to shout in front of the gate.

Qin Shuangshuang's words startled the man in front of her.

She knew that because Qin Shuangshuang had military merits, there were probably still some people in the military camp who listened to her, but her sudden desire to pull people away was quite surprising.

"What do you mean?" the eldest son asked tentatively.

Qin Shuangshuang said, "That contract is fake. If you don't come out now and give me a clear explanation, I will have no choice but to let the soldiers go in and drag the person who forged the contract away. Then it's hard to say who will lose face."

Just then, the fat rich man came out and saw Qin Shuangshuang and Lu Jun at the door.

He coughed lightly and asked in a mocking tone, "What are you doing here?"

Qin Shuangshuang said, "We're here to verify the authenticity of the contract you have."

Upon hearing this, the fat landlord narrowed his eyes, his gaze darting around before he stubbornly denied it, replying, "That contract was genuine from the start. Your people already verified it at the time. Why are you trying to come up with another one now?"

"I think you just want to take this opportunity to tear that thing up and then seize this government office for yourselves, right? Little girl, even if you have nowhere to live, you don't need to resort to such despicable means. You really are a little slut."

Upon hearing this, Qin Shuangshuang immediately became quite angry.

Did you provoke her?

She pulled a token from her pocket and said to the fat man, "We are here to inspect on the orders of the soon-to-be-appointed Magistrate Lin. Is that not allowed?"

The fat man looked at the token in her hand, examined it carefully, and then gave her a look of doubt.

The eldest wife was also examining the token. She looked at the portly man beside her with suspicion and said, "Husband, could what she's holding really be real?"

The fat man hesitated for a moment.

He had never seen such things in officialdom before, and now, looking at the token in her hand, he was somewhat suspicious. He said to Qin Shuangshuang, "Are you really sent by the county magistrate?"

Qin Shuangshuang raised her head and said, "Since I have previously earned military merit, it is only natural that I can meet with you, sir."

The fat man thought that Qin Shuangshuang would probably try every means to get him out of the county government office today. Since there was no one else in the office, he might as well bring them in first.

If the token is genuine, it will be able to handle things on its own once no one is inside.

The fat man's face immediately lit up with a smile. "Since you want to see my contract, let's go in first and take a good look at it."

Then, the fat rich man deliberately made a gesture of invitation.

Lu Jun and Qin Shuangshuang were a little uncomfortable, so they went inside with the others.

Seeing this, the eldest wife clung to the fat master's arm, looking suspicious, "Husband, why did you let them in? Won't they just dirty our place?"

This time, the fat landlord was truly unexpected. He completely disregarded her feelings and angrily scolded, "Why aren't you going inside to pour tea? What nonsense are you spouting here? Do you really think you're the mistress of this house?"

The eldest son was scolded mercilessly. He was already worried that he would be abandoned at any time, but he never expected that he would speak to him with such a bad temper.

This made her even more worried.

Around the main house, many passersby, mostly villagers, were discussing him.

The eldest son's wife wasn't going to tolerate them. She threw a tantrum, befitting the mistress of the house, "What are you looking at? If you keep staring, I'll gouge your eyes out! Get back to work!"

The villagers, their faces covered in ash, silently went about their work.

When Qin Shuangshuang and Lu Jun arrived at the main hall, they saw a very large "longevity" character. The place was decorated lavishly, giving the impression that a grand event was about to be held.

The portly man hurried in, smiling and rubbing his hands together as he greeted Qin Shuangshuang. “Since you’re here, we’re all family. Sit down and have a cup of tea.”

Qin Shuangshuang was sitting in a chair when she looked up and immediately received a look from Lu Jun.

Seeing this, the portly landlord almost dropped his teacup. He put it down and said frankly, "Now that there's no one else here, let's have a frank talk. That thing was fake, but what I said is true. This land originally belonged to him."

Their hometown is right here. It belonged to them before the government office was built; it was just requisitioned by the government later. I don't believe this place doesn't belong to them, and I wasn't wrong when I spoke. So you have no reason to take me to the county magistrate to be questioned.”

Qin Shuangshuang casually picked up the teacup beside her and said to him, "Based on what you just said, I guess that since this place doesn't belong to your brother,

Furthermore, this place belongs to the public. You knowingly and deliberately drove me, my family, and everyone in my village out in such heavy snow.

Do you know that because you locked them up, many elderly people have frozen to death on the streets? Why shouldn't I settle accounts with you for this heinous act? Do you really think I'll let you get away with this?

Seeing her determined to settle accounts with him, the fat man, whose carefree lifestyle had long since faded, suddenly became anxious, his face etched with wrinkles. He said impatiently, "What do you want? Just say it! Do you want money or something else? Just say it! We're all business people, there's no need to beat around the bush."

Qin Shuangshuang discussed it with him, tapping her fingers lightly on the table, "If you really want to settle this matter, fine. First, tell me what crime you committed. Don't forget that the seal on it is a forgery of the government's; that's a crime in itself."

Furthermore, your insults towards the people of my village and your forced expulsion of them are also a sin.

It's clear that these charges combined have probably kept you in jail for several years.

Lu Jun, standing nearby, said slowly, "That can't be decided like that. These additional clauses he added are at least ten years old. They are stipulated by the imperial law. If you don't believe me, you can check."

While everyone was still talking, the eldest son's arrogant tone reached their ears.

“Let’s see who dares to drive us away today! This place originally belonged to my husband’s brothers, why should they drive us away and try to convict us?”

"Qin Shuangshuang, I think you're impersonating the government's orders too. You're just a young girl, how could they possibly give such an important seal to a girl like you?"

The fat man suddenly changed his attitude, turned around, and said to Qin Shuangshuang, "Madam is right, but how could it be that those officials wouldn't come, but instead sent a young girl like you? I bet the token you have is fake! Guards! Arrest them!"

"Who dares!"