Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Don’t Try Moral Blackmail

Lu Xiao’s words were grave, and Hu Lili was no three-year-old; she understood exactly what he meant.

Burning some herbs was nothing compared to the crime of attempted murder.

If they discovered she had murderous intent, it could mean a death sentence.

Hu Lili’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground. “No, it wasn’t like that! I didn’t!”

’She had only wanted to destroy Su Tang’s herbs to stop her from winning everyone over.’

’How could she ever dare to do something like murder?’

“Hu Lili, come with us.”

The investigator went straight over and helped Hu Lili to her feet. She was so terrified she couldn’t utter a single word.

She was dragged away in a daze.

The pointing and muttering of the crowd drained Hu Lili of any strength to try and explain herself.

After Hu Lili was taken away, Su Tang promised everyone she would find replacement herbs as soon as possible.

Before, when they hadn’t used the herbs, no one would have said anything.

But now that they had used them, found them effective, and suddenly they were gone, people were certainly not going to stand for it.

Fortunately, people were willing to listen to Su Tang now.

After a few complaints, they dispersed.

Su Tang sat in the courtyard, gazing at the pile of herbs that had been reduced to ashes, and sighed in resignation.

“Lu Xiao, this is all because of your admirers.”

The words had barely left her lips when Lu Xiao clamped a hand over her mouth.

“If anyone else heard you say that, it could be deadly.”

Su Tang tilted her head up, blinking her large, innocent eyes. In their clear depths, the only reflection was of Lu Xiao leaning over her.

He saw a tiny reflection of himself in her eyes.

“You know Hu Lili’s background. She’ll probably be treated leniently, so you should be prepared for that.”

Lu Xiao put it delicately, but Su Tang understood what he meant.

As things stood, it was only a matter of property damage; Su Tang’s personal safety had not been threatened.

So Lu Xiao figured Hu Lili would most likely just have to pay compensation and make a public self-criticism at a general meeting.

Jail time was unlikely.

Su Tang nodded, showing she understood. Seeing the look on his face, she tilted her head and leaned in closer. “In your eyes, am I really that petty?”

’Lu Xiao had always thought his cold expression was quite intimidating.’

’But for some reason, it had no effect on Su Tang whatsoever.’

’He had assumed this young lady from a capitalist family would be as delicate as water, unable to handle any real trouble.’

’But Su Tang was nothing like he’d imagined.’

’She was bright and bold, and even her occasional temper tantrums weren’t annoying.’

“No, you’ve misunderstood.”

Lu Xiao’s face flushed red. He stood up and moved to the side.

Seeing his reaction, Su Tang’s smile grew even brighter.

’Such an innocent man really was fun to tease.’

Hu Jianjun found Su Tang on the evening of the third day after Hu Lili had been taken away.

At the time, Su Tang was in her courtyard, sorting freshly picked dandelions and plantains.

She now regarded these common weeds, found everywhere in the mountains of the Northwest, as treasures.

Aunt Wang had told her that large patches of Fogwater Vine grew on the shady slope of the back mountain, and its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties were no less effective than mint.

Su Tang planned to go try her luck before dawn the next day.

As for the irreplaceable traditional Chinese herbs, Su Tang had asked Lu Xiao to help her contact someone so she could buy them from the provincial capital.

Lu Xiao told her she was selling these things at a loss and worried she was losing money.

But Su Tang just pointed to the items in her house, explaining that she had traded the herbal packs for many things.

Some of which were things you couldn’t even buy at the community service station.

More importantly, Su Tang was now on pretty good terms with everyone.

Although some people’s impressions of her hadn’t improved all that much, they at least no longer ostracized her.

For Su Tang, that was the best possible outcome.

If their attitudes changed, her life in the family compound would be a little more comfortable.

“Comrade Su, Comrade Su.”

Hu Jianjun’s voice, laced with a deliberate urgency, came from outside the courtyard gate.

As he pushed the gate open, he was carrying a grease-stained enamel mug, looking as if he’d come straight from the mess hall.

Su Tang straightened up, her gaze sweeping over Hu Jianjun’s stiff, forced smile.

He was hunched over, looking as wilted as a frostbitten eggplant.

“Mr. Hu, what is it?”

She wiped the green stains from her hands and looked at Hu Jianjun.

’People don’t visit without a reason. For him to be so obsequious now, who else could he be here for but Hu Lili?’

Hu Jianjun cleared his throat twice and set the enamel mug on the stone table. “Comrade Su, about my sister… please, be the bigger person…”

He suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud, before Su Tang could even react.

Hu Jianjun continued, “She’s young and doesn’t know any better! Just think of it as being bitten by a mad dog, and please don’t hold it against her!”

Su Tang took half a step back, dodging his outstretched hand.

“Hu Jianjun, what are you doing? Let’s talk this out properly.”

“Comrade Su, I’m begging you! I’ll kowtow to you! I’m begging you, please be magnanimous.”

Hu Jianjun knocked his head on the ground again and again, THUMP, THUMP, and soon, beads of blood appeared on his forehead.

“If she goes to jail, how can I face my parents? Their dying wish was for her to marry into a good family…”

Seeing Hu Jianjun like this, the onlookers from the family compound once again shot looks of contempt at Su Tang.

’They knew it. How could this pampered young lady ever let things go?’

’The sister burns her things, and she forces the brother to kneel and apologize.’

’How cruel.’

“Hu Jianjun, I wasn’t the one who had Hu Lili taken away. I’m not the person you should be seeking out.”

“She was the one who burned my things out of jealousy.”

Su Tang’s tone wasn’t condescending, but prejudice is like a great mountain in the hearts of men.

Even though she was the victim, they would only see it as her fault.

“You can ask Doctor Zhang about the value of those herbs. What she burned wasn’t just medicinal ingredients; it was my heart and soul.”

’So we’re comparing sob stories now, are we?’

’Well, medical students are excellent actors, too.’

With that, Su Tang covered her face with her hands, adopting a sorrowful expression.

“I came to the Northwest just to live a peaceful life with Lu Xiao. I never once provoked Hu Lili.”

“From the very beginning, it has always been Hu Lili bullying me.”

Su Tang wasn’t wailing loudly; she just covered her face, her shoulders trembling.

Zhang Cui couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She went to Su Tang and took her by the arm. “The eyes of the masses are sharp. If there’s anyone whose eyes can’t distinguish right from wrong, they should hurry up and donate them to someone else.”

Hearing Zhang Cui’s words, the onlookers all took a step back.

Aunt Wang stepped forward, swept her gaze over the crowd, and said, “Xiao Su is a good child. You can’t buy the herbs she prepares anywhere on the outside.”

“She never worries about profit or loss, and she only trades for common household goods. Have none of you benefited from her kindness?”

After finishing, Aunt Wang looked at the kneeling Hu Jianjun, her gaze turning cold. “Just because someone is weaker doesn’t mean they’re in the right.”

No one was a fool. It was obvious that Hu Jianjun was acting this way because he thought people’s opinions of Su Tang hadn’t changed, and he wanted them to speak up on his behalf.

He probably thought that city folk were thin-skinned and that if he made a scene, he might be able to lessen Hu Lili’s punishment.

“Sister-in-law Zhang Cui, Aunt Wang, thank you for speaking up for me.”

“That being the case, I will not participate in the decision-making for this matter. I trust that with the investigators on the case, I will receive a satisfactory outcome.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep