Chapter 246: Chapter 246: Must You Marry Your Savior After Being Rescued from the Water? (Part 17)

When Ah Chen went over, the bones were nearly sold out, but there were still a few left.

Her father indeed had some savings; when he said he would sell at a low price, he truly sold cheaply without a care, and this wasn’t the first time.

She first tossed a bone to Xiangfu, then tied the remaining bones together with straw and handed them to Shen Xuan, “Second Young Master Shen, these are for Xiangfu.”

Xiangfu was happily gnawing on a bone on the ground, wagging its tail at Ah Chen and occasionally glancing up at her.

She reached out to touch its head, and its tail wagged even faster.

Shen Xuan took the bones and asked, “How much Silver Coin for these?”

He was the County Magistrate’s son, how could he take advantage of the common people? Besides, he wasn’t short of money.

He glanced at Xiangfu wagging its tail and chewing on the bone, his expression complex, a disgraceful dog. It’s not as if it doesn’t eat well, yet it acts like it hasn’t eaten meat in ten years.

“No money needed, it’s a reward for Xiangfu, such a smart dog deserves a reward, doesn’t it?” Ah Chen said to Lin Daming, “Right, Dad.”

Lin Daming quickly nodded, “Indeed, Second Young Master Shen’s Xiangfu is smart. Without its guidance, we wouldn’t have found that place quickly. Just a few bones, no need to be polite, Second Young Master Shen.”

This dog is clever, and he quite likes it.

With things said this way, Shen Xuan didn’t refuse further; at worst, he’ll take more care to patronize Lin Daming’s shop in the future.

He’ll tell the kitchen, from now on all the pork will be bought from Lin Daming’s meat shop.

This was merely an interlude; the group still needed to head to the County Government.

Facing the pressure from Shen Dai, the County Magistrate, the limping man confessed everything.

The limping man was named Tian Daniu, a fugitive who nearly starved to death outside Lanru County, saved by a stranger. After being fed, he was taken up the hill to cook. Even knowing they were bandits, he didn’t care, so long as he had food, he was sick of hunger and cold.

Whoever fed him was a benefactor; he’d help with whatever tasks needed.

“Today the chief got urgent news and went down the hill with the second-in-command, telling us to watch them,” Tian Daniu honestly recounted what happened afterward.

“As for bringing them back, naturally the chief and second-in-command wanted to find two beautiful ones.”

“The chief ordered me not to let them run away, I’d do my best to catch them.”

Qin Cheng and Shi Wen were furious hearing this; so that’s why they were hit with stones?

Unknown how many injuries they had now, Tian Daniu was careful not to hit their faces, so their faces weren’t hurt.

The main injuries were on the legs and back; they grimaced in pain now, having limped in earlier.

For this, the County Magistrate even exempted them from formalities, yet didn’t bring any joy.

With these injuries, it would take some time to heal.

Tian Daniu was naturally imprisoned, the bandits’ whereabouts unknown, further investigation needed.

Ying Bairong didn’t leave, planning to report his findings.

“I, as a student, feel there are loopholes everywhere but can’t guess the purpose behind it,” he said.

Shen Dai pondered, unable to discern it; the events indeed seemed strange throughout.

“You should return, study well. I will arrange a search around Lanru County; the bandits shouldn’t dare act recklessly for now.”

“The provincial exam opens next year, don’t make any mistakes, and avoid remote places; if you must go, take several people and don’t wander before dawn.” Shen Dai admonished; Ying Bairong was Lanru County’s most outstanding scholar, talented and well-behaved, and he had great expectations for him.

Upon learning Ying Bairong and Qin Cheng had foolishly gone to the mountain before dawn to await the sunrise, he was amused and angry.

Had they forgotten how the bandits roamed rampant in Lanru County not many years ago?

Feeling awkward, Ying Bairong realized his carelessness and hurriedly admitted his fault.

Leaving the County Government, he carefully rethought the events and paused suddenly, realizing he initially had no intent to see the sunrise; it was all due to Qin Cheng’s repeated mentions.

He furrowed his brows, sensing a crucial piece missing, unable to figure it out for now.

He shook his head, letting it go.

He never imagined Shi Wen and Qin Cheng would get mixed up with the bandits, making it incomprehensible. Who would usually have anything to do with bandits?

At this moment, a loud voice came from ahead, causing Ying Bairong to halt instantly.

“Spend less time with that Shi Family girl,” said Lin Daming’s voice, “Chenchen, trust your father once; being with her won’t bring good things. This time was nothing, but what about next time? It worries your father; she’ll ruin you.”

Combining today’s events with the previous sense of Shi Family’s gaze, Lin Daming had pieced things together.

Today’s incident, he presumed, was related to Shi Wen.

He couldn’t directly tell his daughter about Shi Wen’s connection to bandits, as there was no evidence.

He yearned for ordinary life, reluctant to reveal too much.

Yet Shi Wen scheming against his daughter required clarity; he decided to discreetly investigate.

If Shi Wen was involved, she would inevitably meet the people behind it.

He just couldn’t figure out why they had to scheme against his family, Chenchen.

They even kidnapped Scholar Ying, probably to scheme against him, right? What’s the relationship between the person behind this and Shi Wen? Why go through so much trouble to help her? So many mysteries.

But it doesn’t matter; he only wants to find out who the person behind this is and then catch their weakness, bringing them all to justice.

Ah Chen smiled and replied, “Okay, Dad, I won’t go out with her anymore. You’re right; nothing good ever happens when I go out with her.”

“That’s right.” Uncle Lin heaved a sigh of relief. “Even though it might not be possible for her to conspire with mountain bandits this time, after all, she’s also in quite a pitiful state, but every time you’re with her, things get complicated. Previously, her mother even tried to blame you, when it was clearly her who dragged you to pray to the Buddha, really trying to shift the blame. Over the years, hasn’t that Shi family taken advantage of us just because of her relationship with you?”

He’s quite confident that the mountain bandit incident is related to Shi Wen!

As long as that person comes again, he absolutely won’t stand idly by; he must catch them. Lin Daming looked serious, repeatedly harming his precious daughter — a person’s tolerance is limited.

Who Shi Wen schemes against, he doesn’t care, but they just had to come after his Chenchen.

Ah Chen tugged on the stern-faced Lin Daming: “Dad, I won’t go anywhere with her anymore, really.”

Shi Wen, if she plots again, probably wouldn’t dare to drag her along.

Looking at how her cheap father looks, he’s probably planning to take action and find out the person behind it.

Lin Daming felt a bit better, leading Ah Chen into the courtyard. As she turned around, she saw Ying Bairong passing by.

Ying Bairong gave a slight nod and quickly walked away.

Shi Wen and Qin Cheng, cousins.

They indeed couldn’t have connections with mountain bandits, or maybe those weren’t mountain bandits?

Somewhat suspicious, indeed.

He hopes not… but if it is, Ying Bairong’s gaze darkened.

The next day, Lin Daming’s shop, Shen Xuan came over with a dog.

He said to Lin Daming, “Ever since he ate bones from your shop, Uncle Lin, my dog Xiangfu won’t eat bones from anywhere else. This dog is really picky.”

“Uncle Lin, would you pick out a bone for me?”

[Lin Daming’s Butcher Shop Check-In Successful! Reward: 1 tael of Silver Coin, 10 potatoes. Hehehe, host!] The system’s cheeky voice chimed in.

Shen Xuan, who usually didn’t care about these, suddenly responded: [Potato braised ribs.]

[Host, could it be that these potatoes are meant for you to plant? These potatoes are seeds, with many eyes on them, not suitable for cooking.]

Shen Xuan: [Then keep them.]

Whether to check in or not, he’s indifferent. Whatever, the silly dog insists on coming here, and he can’t help it.

“Dad, I’ll take the bone.” Ah Chen saw Lin Daming was busy and said with a smile.

Lin Daming naturally agreed; the more his daughter got hands-on with these tasks, the more at ease he felt. A daughter not only needs to have skills but also the ability to support herself; he’s figured it out.

He didn’t pay much attention to Shen Xuan, just greeted him, and continued to cut meat.

Because he was pondering that peculiar gaze from the Shi family, unsure if it’s because of recent tensions, and the portrait the government drew based on Tian Daniu’s description, the owner of that gaze still hasn’t shown up.

Ah Chen handed over the bone, Shen Xuan took it and threw it to Xiangfu, “Greedy dog, eat up.”

After he paid the Silver Coin, Ah Chen handed him another bone, tied with a straw rope, clearly for him to take back.

“This is for Xiangfu.” Ah Chen’s eyes were smiling.

Shen Xuan stammered, “Isn’t this inappropriate?”

Xiangfu got up wagging its tail, humming at Ah Chen, as if to say, this is for me, master, you quickly take it.

“It’s for Xiangfu, not Second Young Master Shen, what’s inappropriate?” Ah Chen said.

Shen Xuan lightly nudged Xiangfu, this dog really has good fortune, needs to thank him for its name.

He took the bone, lightly coughed, and said, “I plan to buy something else.”

“What does Second Young Master Shen want?” Ah Chen asked.

Shen Xuan randomly pointed at a few pieces of meat, “All of it.”

Lin Daming couldn’t help but look over, “Is Second Young Master Shen hosting a banquet at home?”

Shen Xuan said expressionlessly, “That’s right, family relatives are coming!”

When they walked far away, the servant asked, “Young Master, which relatives are coming home?”

Shen Xuan: “Don’t worry about it.”

“Take the meat to the County Government and say it’s my filial offering to my parents, don’t say anything else, understand?”

Servant: …

Receiving the meat sent by his youngest son, Shen Dai sighed. Could he not send something else from the farm? Those vegetables are quite nice, but he didn’t want to dampen his son’s filial intentions.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep