Chapter 27: The Villagers’ Misfortune Turns to Blessing

“What? You say the bandits who came this time were sent by the Ning family? How is that possible? Isn’t Ning Yumo the new top scholar? Just recently appointed, and now he wants to ruin his own future?” The fat head of the local precinct looked utterly incredulous.

The fat precinct chief didn’t believe Zhu Lizheng’s words. At that moment, Wang Shun recalled the rumors circulating in the neighborhood. He stepped forward quietly and whispered into his uncle’s ear, “Uncle, I heard that Ning Yumo has gained favor with the powerful in the capital—someone called the Lady of Pingle County.”

“So…” Before Wang Shun could finish, the fat precinct chief’s expression changed several times. The Lady of Pingle County was the beloved legitimate daughter of the Elder Princess, an extremely noble status—far beyond what a mere small precinct chief could provoke.

“Brother Zhu, consider what you said as if I never heard it. Today was just a normal bandit raid on the village. Since Qinghe Village was the first to resist, you will receive a reward of five hundred taels of silver. Come to the precinct office tomorrow and see me. As for the rest, I advise you to forget it.”

“Bring those still breathing and bind them up. Drag the dead onto the cart.”

Zhu Lizheng was worried that if his plan failed, the Ning family might try again, and his fear grew. He hurried to catch up, saying, “Precinct Chief, what if they send more people? You have to send someone to protect us.”

The fat precinct chief glanced meaningfully at the Su family and sighed deeply before lowering his voice: “Brother Zhu, even if I report this, the message will be intercepted. We might even alert the enemy and get ourselves in trouble.”

“The precinct’s manpower is limited, mostly temporary hires without martial skills. Besides, distant water cannot quench nearby fire. We were prepared this time because we sensed it early, but if next time…”

“Ah, you must be more vigilant yourselves. Another way is to go to the capital and file a formal complaint.” With that, the precinct chief left with his men.

The villagers all gathered around the Su family, racking their brains for solutions.

But deep down, they knew that even if they sent a report, it would likely be blocked. As for filing a formal complaint, that was pure fantasy—they didn’t even have the means to get to the capital.

Su Fu sat alone in a corner, feeling both angry and afraid, yet helpless.

Ning Yumo was no longer the person she once knew—he had become a demon-like Asura, terrifying beyond measure. If it weren’t for Ji San noticing the anomaly early, their lives might have been lost already.

“Mr. Ji, we owe you our thanks,” Zhu Lizheng led the villagers in kneeling before Ji San. Ji San, however, looked helpless. “Everyone, stand up. It was my disciple who noticed it first.”

For a moment, the villagers began to praise Su Wan as well. For such a young child to have such keen alertness was truly rare. Coupled with her being an extraordinary martial arts talent, the villagers felt a glimmer of comfort in their hearts.

At this moment, the villagers remembered Ji Sang’s status as a general and wanted to ask him to take their petition to the capital.

Ji Sang smiled bitterly and shook his head. “I was a subordinate of General Rong, but General Rong was persecuted by villains and killed. I too am being hunted and have had no choice but to flee to Weishan to hide.”

“What?” Hearing this, everyone’s hearts sank. Just like that, even their only hope was shattered.

“That Ning Yumo is truly heartless and cruel! To climb the ranks, he doesn’t hesitate to kill people from his own village. Such a man in office brings suffering to us common folk!” One villager exclaimed, tears streaming down his face.

This struck a chord with many villagers.

“Are we really just waiting to die? Is it impossible for us to report Ning Yumo?”

“Why don’t we try to find the County Lord of Pingle? She surely wouldn’t agree to marry such a heartless scoundrel,” another villager suggested.

Zhu Lizheng shook his head repeatedly. “It’s too late. Setting aside whether we can even safely reach the capital, the dangers on the road are too many. Even if we get to the capital, those two may have already married. Who knows if the County Lord would then side with the Ning family?”

“High-ranking nobles care most about their face and would never allow such scandal to leak. Especially from a powerful household like the Rong Guogong Mansion.”

Zhu Lizheng’s words hit the villagers like a heavy hammer.

At this moment, Su Fu spoke, “I think after this, the Ning family will lie low for a while.”

The villagers looked at her puzzled, but she continued, “When I left, the Ning family’s treasury was mysteriously robbed. They don’t have much leftover money to hire assassins.”

“Their plan failed, and they can’t sit still. They can only rely on distance and neglect from the imperial court to numb themselves. This gives us breathing space.”

“I believe, with the children’s talents, they will surely protect Qinghe Village.” Su Fu’s hopeful gaze fell on Su Wan.

The three watched by everyone suddenly felt as if they had become the strongest warriors in the village, their hearts boiling with pride and courage.

Zhu Wa beat his chest, promising, “Uncles, aunties, don’t worry. As long as Zhu Wa, Shanyu, and Sister Wan are here, those bandits won’t get into Qinghe Village.”

Ji Sang cleared his throat and said, “As long as I don’t leave, I will protect the villagers. You needn’t worry too much. My disciple’s talent far surpasses ordinary people.”

Having already witnessed Su Wan’s extraordinary ability, the villagers’ worries were somewhat eased.

“Alright, for now, we can only take it step by step. From now on, everyone must be vigilant—don’t let any beggars into the village again. Even if it’s just a dog, kill it and throw it into the mountains.”

“How about this, village head? Starting tomorrow, we send two people to guard the village entrance every day. That way, we can prevent trouble early.”

“I think that’s a good idea!”

The villagers chatted back and forth and quickly settled on this plan.

Then one villager said, “Mr. Ji, tonight’s wine seems weaker than usual. Did you mess with it beforehand?”

Ji San was clearly caught off guard and looked at Su Wan, then laughed, “I guess my disciple diluted it with water.”

Su Wan grinned, “I just didn’t want you all to get too drunk and be useless if bandits attacked.”

“Hahaha…”

“What a clever little one,” the villagers laughed heartily.

After sitting for a while longer, the villagers gradually left. Only the Su and Xia families remained inside.

Worries showed on everyone’s faces. Su Xinyao and the two little children had already fallen asleep.

The two families sat together, sighing, not knowing what else to say.

Eventually, after tidying the room and picking up fallen dishes, they went to bed.

Though they lay down, no one slept. They all worried about how to prepare for the dangers that might come next.

The village had been disturbed, the courtyard in chaos. The next day, Su Fu didn’t plan to go to the shop and intended to take a day off.

Village head Zhu Lizheng went to the captain’s residence and received a reward of five hundred taels. He returned and gave the full amount to the Su family. Without the Su family, they would never have handled such a fierce bandit attack.

Zhu Lizheng said, “Miss Su, you’re wrong to think this way. If you hadn’t married into the Ning family, someone else would have. Ultimately, it’s Ning Yumo’s greed that caused this.”

“Our entire village witnessed your marriage. Even if you died in the capital, that black-hearted villain wouldn’t spare us out of caution.”

“Ning Yumo is truly malicious. Don’t blame yourself too much.”

“Yes, sister, Zhu Lizheng is right. Even without you, that evil dog wouldn’t spare the people of Qinghe Village because we all witnessed it,” Xia Xian also comforted her.

“Fu’er, all of this is the Ning family’s fault. Why do you carry the blame yourself?” Su Old Madam, her eyes red, said.

Su Fu was moved that the villagers did not blame her and cried uncontrollably.

In the end, after Su Fu’s repeated insistence, the silver was divided according to household accounts.

There were over thirty households, each getting about fifteen taels. Some clever villagers had already taken the silver bags from the bandits before the fat captain arrived.

In total, there were over four hundred taels.

The villagers also took out their shares.

This silver was their savings accumulated over many years.

It could be said they were blessed in misfortune.