Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1212: So Happy

Section Leader Jiang, irritated by their wailing, berated them, "What use is crying? Your Wu family isn't the primary offender, merely an accomplice. Simply cooperate diligently in court to expose the Chang and Gao families, and you'll naturally receive a lighter sentence."

"R-really?" The Wu brothers' eyes brightened with anticipation as they inquired.

Section Leader Jiang shrugged, "Believe it or not."

He then addressed Section Leader Hong and the two Government Officials, "Daozi, you three keep an eye on this gold—I'll manage the rest."

Company Commander Qin had previously directed that since they were soldiers and this was a governmental affair, Government Officials must oversee the gold once the Gao Family's hidden riches were discovered. This was to preserve the relationship between the governmental and military offices and avoid friction with the brothers of the Government Officials.

"Brother Jiang, rest assured, we will safeguard the gold meticulously," Section Leader Hong pledged, with the two Government Officials nodding in agreement, appearing still dazed by the sight of the three gold jars.

Section Leader Jiang, approaching thirty, had been a junior Section Leader for many years. He handled matters with swift efficiency, concluding all tasks within forty-five minutes.

He also dispatched two soldiers to Hukang County, instructing them to notify the Hukang County government to keep watch on the Miao family and prevent their departure from the county.

Subsequently, he called out to Section Leader Hong and the others, "Daozi, let's head back to the county government immediately; with such valuable property, we cannot linger here long."

"Yes," Section Leader Hong responded. They, along with their respective soldiers and the two Government Officials, hurried back to the county overnight, not even casting a backward glance at the Gao Family in Xianggui Town.

...Mrs. Gao Huang, who had been anxiously awaiting news at home, eventually succumbed to sleep. Upon waking at dawn, her anxiety intensified as she resumed her vigil.

When the time passed the second hour, she could no longer restrain herself and asked the food-delivering woman, "Have the Hong family members arrived?"

As per her initial arrangement, the Hong family was to inform her of the operation's success under the guise of visiting her daughter, shortly after the gold had been transferred.

The woman replied, "No, no one has come this morning."

"No one?" Mrs. Gao Huang's brow furrowed. She mused that perhaps it was still too early and the Hong family would arrive within another hour.

Suppressing her mounting unease, Mrs. Gao Huang continued to wait. After another hour elapsed, she inquired again of the woman, "Have they arrived yet?"

The woman shook her head, "No, no one has visited the Gao family today... and two of the Government Officials watching over the Gao family have also departed."

"Two Government Officials are gone?" Mrs. Gao Huang’s voice sharpened. "Were they summoned back to the county government? When were they called away? And why? Did the villagers storm the government office?"

The woman stated, "This old servant does not know. I only observed this morning that two patrolling Government Officials were absent."

Mrs. Gao Huang, a woman of considerable perception, felt a premonition of impending disaster upon hearing this news.

She began pacing anxiously back and forth in the room, breaking into a cold sweat. "Go fetch Mrs. Gao Hong for me immediately," she commanded.

"Yes," the woman responded obediently and went to find the requested person.

Mrs. Gao Hong, a mere twenty-two years old, still possessing youthful beauty, greeted Mrs. Gao Huang with a formal bow, "Mother."

Mrs. Gao Huang fixed her with a glare, "You restless wretch, did you tell your father anything?"

Startled by Mrs. Gao Huang’s furious tone, Mrs. Gao Hong recoiled in fear and hastily knelt, "Your daughter-in-law did not; your daughter-in-law dares not."

She feared implicating her own family because Mrs. Gao Huang had previously threatened her: if she or her kin dared to defy her, she would disown her own death and sell her into prostitution in Jiangnan!

Mrs. Gao Hong understood that Mrs. Gao Huang was not merely issuing empty threats; this wicked woman was truly capable of such actions, which compelled her to remain exceedingly compliant.

Observing the timid demeanor of Mrs. Gao Hong, Mrs. Gao Huang recognized that this **useless** girl would never dare to act against her. However, the question remained: why had the Hong father and son not appeared?

"Kneel in the courtyard until your family arrives!" Mrs. Gao Huang surmised that the Hong family's delay was a ploy to distance themselves from her influence, sensing the Gao family was in trouble. Ha! She would show the Hong family that even with the Gao family facing difficulties, she could still torment Mrs. Gao Hong. If they wished for her to cease her suffering, they must continue to obey implicitly!

Mrs. Gao Hong did not dare to utter another word and resigned herself to kneeling in the courtyard.

With escalating anxiety, Mrs. Gao Huang, alongside Chang Taohua and Mrs. Gao Wu, found themselves in a state of dread, fearing their family's actions might jeopardize their planned escape.

Their mother-in-law had assured them that securing the gold would guarantee a life of comfort, ensuring they could live like young madams even if the Gao Family faced ruin.

Yet, as noon approached, no sign of the Hong Family appeared. Instead, Captain Jiang of the county government arrived with official enforcers, his voice booming, "Mrs. Gao Huang, Ms. Gao Chang, Mrs. Gao Wu, the evidence is conclusive regarding your collusion with the Old Chang, Old Wu, and Old Hong families to conceal and transfer gold. You will now accompany us to the government office for trial!"

Without waiting for a response, he turned to the officials, ordering, "Seize them and bind their hands and feet."

He then sternly warned the women, "Cooperate and do not resist, or you will face consequences for our methods."

The threat struck fear into Chang Taohua and Mrs. Gao Wu, causing them to collapse, crying out, "This is unjust, Captain! We are being framed!"

Captain Jiang scoffed, "What injustice? Your fathers and brothers have already confessed and await you at the government office. Proceed quickly to reunite with them."

The sheer ruthlessness of these women, especially Mrs. Gao Huang, was unexpected. County Magistrate Zheng, upon hearing the details of her schemes, remarked with a sigh, "Such intelligence in a woman is remarkable, yet tragically misplaced."

Mrs. Gao Huang, overhearing this, maintained a cold, dignified posture, refusing to shed tears or beg for mercy; she held her head high in defiance.

Her attention then shifted to Mrs. Gao Hong, her gaze sharp as she questioned, "Why is this woman not being apprehended? Is it because her Hong Family implicated the other two households?"

Indeed, the woman's sharp observation had pinpointed the very reason.

Captain Jiang offered no confirmation, merely instructing the officials, "Bring Mrs. Gao Hong along as well."

Hearing this, Mrs. Gao Huang visibly relaxed.

Just as they were about to depart, the door to a side room creaked open, and Mrs. Gao Wei, the wife of Boss Gao, emerged. She inquired, "Captain, what is to become of me and my children?"

"The government office is currently handling numerous cases," Captain Jiang replied. "His Lordship has decreed that as your family was not involved in this matter, you and your children are to remain here until your maternal family returns."

"My maternal family will return?" Mrs. Gao Wei's eyes welled up, her voice trembling with emotion.

She recalled how her father had been incensed by her marriage into the Gao family, considering it a disgrace. Shortly after her wedding, he had moved their family to Linhe Prefecture, seeking solace in teaching at a private school and severing ties for over a decade.

Captain Jiang continued, "With the Gao Family's current predicament, as a daughter of the Wei Family, it is only natural that your family would be summoned back. Remain patient; the County Magistrate will not cause you undue trouble."

He then turned to the officials, calling out, "Expedite our return to the county government; His Lordship awaits!"

"Yes!" The officials responded with alacrity, quickly exiting the Gao residence.

While County Magistrate Zheng was keen to conclude the investigation, he could not help but feel a sense of satisfaction at this turn of events.