Chapter 2048: Chapter 2048: Being Stalked

Typically, the villagers go to the river to wash clothes and bedcovers early in the morning, allowing them to dry in the courtyard throughout the day, just in time to be collected.

Ms. Lou used to do the same, but after being beaten by Ruan Kewei, going to the river to wash clothes would inevitably expose her wounds. The riverbank was filled with chatter and gossip, and while many supported Ruan Hai, there were some hot-tempered ones who cursed at Ruan Hai and Ruan Kewei.

After hearing the rumors, Ruan Hai advised Ms. Lou not to go out when there were many people around.

The Ruan family was well-off, not like some poorer villagers who needed to dry their clothes during the day to wear them the next. Thus, even washing at night was not an issue.

Conveniently, Ms. Lou also preferred not to be the subject of public discussion and felt more at ease going to the river when no one was around, allowing her to relax.

The Zhang Clan understood this well, and Ruan Chengqian’s eyes lit up after hearing it. Wasn’t it perfect? With no Ruan family members around, he could have a good talk with Ms. Lou.

Thinking of this, he said to Shu Yu, “County magistrate, please rest at home. I’ll head to the river now.”

Shu Yu was about to nod when Ying Xi said, “There’s someone watching out there.”

Shu Yu chuckled, “It seems Village Chief Ruan is quite uneasy about me.”

“No problem,” Ruan Chengqian waved his hand, “I have a way.”

He went to the warehouse, grabbed a fish basket, changed into some gray clothes, and headed out the door.

As soon as he left, someone asked, “Chengqian, where are you headed?”

“Well, the county magistrate heard that the fish from our village is good and is quite interested, so I’m going to the river to catch a couple.”

The neighbor enthusiastically replied, “Does the county magistrate want fish? Well, no trouble for you. We’ve got some at home; my spouse caught them yesterday, and they are still lively in the water tank.”

Ruan Chengqian chuckled, “You keep your fish. I want to catch them myself to show sincerity.”

Everyone understood right away; indeed, the Second Ruan was clever, eager to please the county magistrate who finally settled in their house.

However, they did not doubt Ruan Chengqian’s intentions, though the two villagers instructed by Ruan Hai exchanged glances, and one got up saying, “I’ll follow him and take a look.”

Unexpectedly, just as he got up, another person from the Ruan family came out, it was the Zhang Clan, carrying a basket, and she said to Ms. Wang inside the house, “I’ll go to the vegetable plot to pick some fresh veggies. You start cooking.”

The spying villager could only squat back down; with two people from the Ruan family coming out, which one should they follow?

The other villager pulled him and said, “The village chief told us to focus on watching the county magistrate and her maid. Since Ruan Chengqian is just fishing and picking vegetables, there’s no need to watch them. Otherwise, when the county magistrate comes out, we’ll be gone.”

“Alright.”

Unexpectedly, just after the two finished talking, some more people from the Ruan family came out, it was Shu Yu whom they had been discussing.

Shu Yu said to Ruan Chengchun, “Earlier when I arrived, I saw a sunflower field, and it reminded me that Ruan Dali said your family had planted a few acres. I wonder if that’s them.”

“Yes, that’s ours. They are growing quite well,” Ruan Chengchun excitedly replied, “Dali brought back the seeds. Initially, I didn’t know how to plant them, but Dali specifically asked Steward Lu. We’ve already harvested two crops. Would the county magistrate like to take a look?”

“Sure,” Shu Yu nodded, and the group set off.

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