Affiliation
Mrs. Liu remarked, "I have a rough idea why they have come." The Qianwei Dam has burst. The Qianwei Dam undergoes annual maintenance, especially during the first year of the Da Zhen era when the court allocated a substantial sum of eighty thousand taels solely for its repair. How could it have burst this year, and with such ferocity?
Mr. Bai felt a chill run down his spine as he tried to describe the relentless downpour that had been ongoing for over half a month.
Yet, Mrs. Liu continued, "Even in the face of a deluge, the severity should not be this extreme." You are aware that beneath the Qianwei Dam, only one out of every ten survives.
Mr. Bai's throat went dry as he inquired, "How could you know this so precisely, aunt?"
How does she know?
Of course, she dispatched people to observe and gather information!
For someone as affluent and influential as Mrs. Liu, this task was not daunting.
Mr. Bai himself realized this point and altered his query: "Is Ziqi involved because of the Qianwei Dam?"
"Yes, he once mentioned in his letters that the repairs to the Qianwei Dam were facing significant challenges," Mrs. Liu said. She withheld further details, but for Mr. Bai, this was sufficient.
In other words, Bai Qi's death was connected to foul play, and it was related to the Qianwei Dam.
What other components could be linked to a large-scale hydraulic project?
Nothing more than embezzlement, bribery, and substandard workmanship.
Mr. Bai fell into silence for a considerable duration before asking, "What connection does this have with Zhou Yin?"
Mrs. Liu's gaze turned profound. "When Qi tried to escape, he encountered a couple who assisted him." I've been searching for them all along. Although Qi didn't survive in the end, it's only right to express gratitude, but I never expected them to perish as well.
Naturally, the villagers of Qili kept tight-lipped to avoid arousing suspicion. Zhou Yin sold himself into servitude and never returned.
Apart from the villagers of Qili and the maternal relatives of the Qian family, no one else in the remote countryside was aware of this incident. Even Zhou Yin's maternal uncle's family remained unaware.
Fortunately, he had only returned for two days at that time and planned to settle permanently in his hometown. He was preoccupied with family and village matters and had not yet informed relatives and friends from other villages, thus managing to keep the matter under wraps.
Today, if it weren't for Mrs. Liu's inquiries, Mr. Bai would never have divulged it.
Neither the elderly Mrs. Bai nor Mrs. Bai knew about it despite living here for so long.
Mrs. Liu contemplated sending someone to investigate, but naturally, nothing substantial would be uncovered.
Mr. Bai knew Mrs. Liu was keeping many things from him, but this particular matter was too significant, and he wasn't even sure if he wanted to know.
Because knowing too much was evidently a danger.
Mrs. Liu said, "Let's keep this matter between us; it's sufficient that we are aware."
"Yes, I won't mention it to my mother either," Mr. Bai inquired, "How does Aunt intend to deal with these people?"
Mrs. Liu fell silent.
Mr. Bai had a foreboding feeling and hastily added, "Aunt, harboring such individuals is inviting trouble; you can't consider keeping them as evidence."
"So, do we kill them?"
Mr. Bai's complexion paled.
Mrs. Liu's expression soured as well.
Neither of them had ever killed or witnessed a killing.
Although Mrs. Liu had encountered many clandestine dealings, she never interfered in matters of life and death. Taking three lives, even if they came for them, was beyond Mrs. Liu's capabilities.
After a prolonged silence, Mr. Bai suggested, "What if we incapacitate them, render them mute, and send them to a small village?"
Mrs. Liu remained silent.
This idea was hardly feasible.
She lowered her gaze, pondered for a while, and then said softly, "What do you think about handing them over to Lord Wei?"
Mr. Bai was taken aback.
Mrs. Liu glanced at the teacup in her hand, unconsciously fidgeting with it, and murmured, "With the Qianwei Dam bursting, Lord Wei's visit isn't merely for disaster relief, is it?"
Mr. Bai asked, "Does Aunt have any other evidence?"
Mrs. Liu shook her head, "None." Everyone who followed Qi back then is gone. "When Zhou Yin was brought back, you said there was nothing on them, didn't you?"
"Yes, nothing."
Mrs. Liu nodded thoughtfully.
But handing them over to Lord Wei…
Mr. Bai gritted his teeth and whispered, "Aunt, I need to think this through."
"It's something to ponder." "I need to consider it as well."
"Grandmother, grandmother—"
The voice of Bai Shanbao grew nearer, prompting Mrs. Liu to glance at the door. However, the person was intercepted, and a maid's voice came from outside, "Young master, the old lady is talking with the master."
"Let him in."
Upon hearing the old lady's voice, the maid allowed him to enter.
Bai Shanbao rushed in, first paying his respects to his grandmother and uncle before approaching Mrs. Liu. He clutched her arm and said, "Grandmother, I want to go to Manbao; her room lost many roof tiles last night."
"Are you merely seeking excitement?"
"Not at all." Since you won't let me go to school, let me visit her. Furthermore, her father is injured, her brothers are hurt, and you always emphasize the importance of helping our neighbors. I need to assist them.
"Very well," Mrs. Liu said after a brief consideration, "Many people in their household are injured. Please have Daji bring some medicinal ointment."
She then instructed the maid, "Prepare some silver." No, use copper instead. Please send some to each household affected by yesterday's injuries. Zhou Jin's family suffered the most, so give them five taels of silver, and the others, two hundred wen each.
It wasn't much, merely enough for medical treatment, but it was a token of her goodwill.
She could sense that these three individuals weren't just here for Zhou Yin; they were also seeking her out. She detected danger emanating from them.
And there was something she hadn't disclosed to anyone, including her daughter-in-law, Zheng.
The Zhou family was also discussing financial matters.
Unlike Mrs. Liu's casual distribution of aid, the Zhou family presented a chest filled with money. Upon seeing the copper coins inside, Old Zhou knew they were insufficient, and everyone else did too.
So, little Qian brought out their private savings. ###
Upon witnessing this, the second and third branches also contributed from their personal funds, while Fang persuaded Fourth Zhou to come back and contribute money as well.
Upon witnessing this, Fifth and Sixth Zhou sneaked away to find Manbao. "Where are our savings?"
If anyone in the family was affluent, it was Fifth and Sixth Zhou.
Manbao handed them their money box. Despite their reluctance, they carried it to the main house.
Manbao also brought her own money box.
Every little bit helps. Seeing this much money, especially the savings of Fifth and Sixth Zhou, both Old Zhou and Mrs. Zhou couldn't help but widen their eyes.
Old Zhou examined the money, then glanced at it again before he couldn't help but slap Fifth Zhou's head, "Impressive, saving up so much." How did you manage?
After all, he occasionally checked their private funds, and he didn't hesitate to take money from them regularly. He knew they had savings with Manbao, but he didn't expect it to be this much.
Didn't they spend a lot on building the new house last year?
Fifth Zhou rubbed his head and exclaimed, "This is the money I saved to marry a wife."