Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1216: Li Qiangzi

Outside the government office, Elder Lin continued to offer his apologies to Qin San Lang.

Qin San Lang, being quite busy and pressed for time, didn't engage in a lengthy conversation. He simply advised, "You should return first. Elder Zhou and the others will be back in some time."

Luo Wu emerged and informed Qin San Lang, "We've given Zhou Sanlang a proper beating. Elder Zhou fainted upon seeing the situation. They appear to be thoroughly intimidated now."

Qin San Lang acknowledged this with a nod and then addressed Elder Lin, "Rest assured, once the Zhou Family members return, they will undoubtedly be reformed."

If he couldn't set them on the correct path, he wouldn't be worthy of his name.

"Oh, San Lang, Brother Wu, I am deeply grateful to both of you," Elder Lin expressed, his heart filled with relief. The idea of the Zhou Family members reforming was something he prayed for, as they were, after all, fellow refugees who had fled famine together.

He then inquired, "Might Zhou Laoer and Li Kuihu be released?"

Qin San Lang's reply was firm: "No. The evidence against them is irrefutable; their lives are ruined."

For some years, Zhou Laoer had been covertly assisting Li Kuihu in minor criminal activities, primarily because his own daughter was involved with Li Kuihu. This time, their apprehension at the Gao Family's premises, coupled with their involvement in spreading rumors intended to incite unrest in Niugou Town, meant their conviction was certain.

Upon hearing this, Elder Lin's face contorted with sorrow. He finally shook his head and departed with a heavy sigh.

Just as he stepped outside the county's gate, he was intercepted by Li Kuihu's wife and son. "Elder Lin, how is my husband? Will he be released soon?"

Elder Lin's brow furrowed as he gazed at Mrs. Li Qian and her son. His eyes then fell upon Miss Zhou, the young girl standing behind them. She was barefoot, thin and haggard, with conspicuous slap marks on her face. Elder Lin's eyes welled up with tears; this child was also a victim of misfortune.

"Grandpa Lin," Miss Zhou greeted Elder Lin, gently pulling her own child along and shifting her weight awkwardly. Her lack of shoes was clearly a source of embarrassment.

"Great-grandpa Lin," Miss Zhou's son chimed in. He was fond of Elder Lin, who offered him food without scolding, unlike his aunt and brother.

"Ah, Brother Shu, it's good to see you," Elder Lin replied with a smile.

Mrs. Li Qian, however, grew impatient. She began shouting at Elder Lin, "Elder Lin, I'm asking you. Did it work out? The Zhou Family claimed you had connections within the government office, that the Company Commander of this county was your subordinate, respecting you immensely. They said as soon as you stepped forward, my husband would be saved. So, where is he now? Where is he?!"

Mrs. Li Qian was clearly a shrew, showing Elder Lin no deference as her words erupted from her.

With passersby casting curious glances, Elder Lin preferred to avoid a public spectacle. He moved toward the undergrowth by the roadside. As Mrs. Li Qian swaggered closer, he finally stated, "Li Kuihu was apprehended for aiding Gao Sanxiong in his wicked deeds. The evidence of his crimes is concrete, and both he and Zhou Laoer will be convicted; they cannot be saved."

"What? Can't save them? Why not? Surely they can be saved; you must not have tried hard enough!" Mrs. Li Qian shrieked, placing her hands on her hips.

Elder Lin's frown deepened. People often remarked on the gentleness of women in the South, but why was Mrs. Li Qian proving to be fiercer than any woman from the Northwest?

"If you doubt my words, feel free to consult the government office. However, do not blame this old man for failing to warn you: the Zhou Family members were apprehended by Company Commander Qin due to the commotion they caused, and Zhou Sanlang himself was interrogated."

"What? The Zhou Family members were caught!" Mrs. Li Qian, upon hearing this, finally showed signs of fear. However, she remained unwilling to concede. If Li Kuihu wasn't released, the assets he had unjustly seized would be reclaimed by the villagers, leaving her and her son to face hardship.

Miss Zhou's face turned ashen as she asked, "Grandpa Lin, were my grandparents truly apprehended?"

Elder Lin nodded. "Yes. Company Commander Qin was highly displeased with the chaos your grandparents instigated and arrested them all. However, Company Commander Qin merely intends to teach them a lesson; they will be released after a period."

"Released? My husband is convicted, and yet the Zhou Family members are expected to be set free?" Mrs. Li Qian railed harshly, grabbing Elder Lin's arm. "Absolutely not! You old fool must not have exerted your best efforts to plead for them. Come back into the city and plead once more for me."

Mrs. Li Qian, a woman of considerable strength, forcefully dragged Elder Lin several meters away.

Witnessing this, Li Qiangzi's eyes darted around. He then ran to grab Miss Zhou, pulling her towards the city gate. "You fled the famine alongside the Luo and Qin families. You must know Squad Leader Luo and Company Commander Qin; you have to plead for them too."

As he spoke, he took advantage of Miss Zhou.

"Ah! Stop, Li Qiangzi, you beast! If you continue this, I will die right in front of you!" Miss Zhou cried out. She had been subjected to Li Qiangzi's advances before, but never in broad daylight and so publicly.

Miss Zhou yearned for death, a feeling of helplessness washing over her as her strength proved insufficient to break free.

"Ha, die in front of me?" Li Qiangzi let out a laugh, glancing back at Mrs. Li Qian and Elder Lin before leaning in to whisper sinisterly to Miss Zhou, "My father has been apprehended and will never return. The Li Family is now mine, and so are you."

With parents like Li Kuihu and Mrs. Li Qian, it was no surprise that Li Qiangzi had turned out to be a scoundrel, having pilfered and trespassed since his youth, even peeking at young women by climbing walls.

Miss Zhou, blessed with striking beauty, had been the object of Li Qiangzi's unwelcome attention ever since she joined the Li Family.

What began as furtive glances evolved into taking liberties when Li Kuihu was absent. Now, upon learning of Li Kuihu's permanent absence, he was ecstatic and openly lecherous.

He sneered, "Behave yourself, or tonight, when we return, I'll deal with you!"

"Li Qiangzi, you beast!" Miss Zhou cried out in desperation. She had believed her hardship would end with Li Kuihu's capture, only to face the emergence of Li Qiangzi.

The horrifying thought of being forced to serve Li Qiangzi and potentially defiling her son's lineage sent her into a spiral of despair, leaving her feeling as debased as a common prostitute.

Unable to bear it any longer, she bit down hard on Li Qiangzi's hand, forcing him to release her. Snatching her son, she bolted forward, desperate to escape the clutches of the Li family.

"You shrew, daring to run? Stay right there!" Li Qiangzi bellowed, giving chase and quickly apprehending Miss Zhou.

Whoa!

A carriage barreled down the main road, its driver's skillful maneuvering narrowly avoiding a collision with Li Qiangzi, Miss Zhou, and her son.

"Damn it, who is it? Who dares to startle this young master's carriage?" Young Master Dou, heavily occupied these past few days, had just returned from Qingfu Town to the county seat to finalize preparations for the grand opening of the new bank the following day. Exhausted, he had drifted off to sleep within the carriage, only to be jolted awake by the sudden stop, which nearly sent the carriage tumbling.

Young Master Dou was violently ejected from the carriage by the abrupt halt, tumbling twice on the ground and soiling his expensive attire.

Enraged, Young Master Dou felt murder in his heart. He leaped to his feet, furiously tidying his disheveled hair and bellowing out, "Who dares disturb this young master's carriage? Come forth at once to kneel and admit your transgression!"