The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 317: The Actor’s Stage

At this moment, an old acquaintance accompanied by an armed warrior with a sword came to the front.

Tong Huaqiong looked closely and saw it was County Magistrate Liu.

With County Magistrate Liu present, Tong Huaqiong felt somewhat relieved.

County Magistrate Liu said, "His Majesty is most concerned with agricultural affairs and always advises officials that the people rely on food, and farm work must not be delayed. When promoting agriculture, I often remind everyone of His Majesty’s concern for farming, and this villager has remembered it well, so his mind is full of crops. Villagers do not understand the matters of Shengjing, so please do not blame him, Lord Liang."

Lord Liang arrived at Tong Huaqiong’s door, where a plaque reading "Selfless Fairness" shone brightly.

Lord Liang raised his head and looked at the inscription above, asking, "Was this plaque issued by the government?"

County Magistrate Liu pointed to Tong Huaqiong and said, "Yes, it was awarded to this lady, in recognition of her contribution to agriculture."

Lord Liang glanced at Ergouzi and Tong Huaqiong, waved his hand, and signaled the soldiers to sheath their swords.

Tong Huaqiong’s back was drenched in sweat, yet she did not feel cold when the chilly wind hit her.

County Magistrate Liu asked Liu Tieshan, "Village Chief Liu, have there been any strangers entering your village recently?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Liu Tieshan replied, "Reporting to Lord County Magistrate, aside from a few passersby, there have truly been no strangers coming in."

Lord Liang gestured to the officer behind him, who produced two portraits.

Tong Huaqiong’s heart raced as she glanced at the portraits, but she was relieved.

Su Chengmin did resemble it, but the child’s portrait looked nothing like Xiao Long.

Tong Huaqiong speculated that the Crown Prince, in order to protect Xiao Long, never allowed him to show his true face.

The officer asked, "Village Chief, have you seen these two people?"

Liu Tieshan scrutinized them for a moment, shook his head, and said, "No, I haven’t."

"Have you really never seen these two people?"

"Oh my, why is there a child? How could a child commit treason?"

"Well, let me tell you, Royal children raised in the palace have many schemes."

The villagers had no real concept of treason or its remnants and came out one after another to catch the commotion. Upon seeing the two portraits, they began whispering and discussing.

No matter what everyone said, the core consensus was that nobody had seen these two people.

Lord Liang didn’t care whether people had seen them or not and began a village search.

The soldiers dispersed.

The villagers were unconcerned, munching on sunflower seeds and looking on like spectators; since they weren’t hiding anyone at home, there was nothing to fear.

County Magistrate Liu confidently stated, "There’s absolutely no way Aunt Tong’s home has any strangers."

Lord Liang glanced at Tong Huaqiong a few times, assuming this woman also did not have the audacity to harbor strangers.

Considering the plaque on the door, the soldiers only walked around the courtyard, checked the chicken coop and vegetable garden, and then left.

Tong Huaqiong let out a sigh of relief, almost wanting to grab County Magistrate Liu’s hand to express gratitude.

Even though she and her family had made thorough preparations, she still feared the unlikely.

Now, they didn’t even fear the unlikely.

Tong Huaqiong, still composed, instructed Ergouzi to unload the corn into the courtyard, then joined Gu Dahuan, Gu Jingzhe, and others to spread the corn in the sunlight to dry.

While the soldiers were searching the village, Old Woman Huang and Yan Pozi joined forces.

Yan Pozi said, "Last night, I went out for a walk to aid digestion and saw Widow Tong returning from the provincial city, carrying someone off the carriage. I heard Widow Tong saying something about being careful with the wound."

Old Woman Huang said, "Now that you mention it, it reminds me that I seemed to see an extra child at her place in the morning."

Old Woman Huang and Yan Pozi exchanged glances.

They didn’t believe treasonous remnants would appear in Qinghe Bay, nor did they believe Tong Huaqiong dared to harbor such people.

They just wanted to seize the opportunity to cause trouble for Tong Huaqiong, to disgust her.

The soldiers conducted a widespread search in the village but ultimately found nothing and decided to withdraw.

Just as the drum was sounded for retreat, Old Woman Huang hurried over on her small feet.

Old Woman Huang said, "I’m telling you officers, you were deceived by that Widow Tong."

The soldier who had drawn his sword against Tong Huaqiong listened to Old Woman Huang’s words and asked sharply, "Aunt, what do you mean by this?"

Old Woman Huang grinned and said, "Widow Tong, whom you just saw, is a widow who employs workers. A few days ago, she went to the provincial city and seemed to have brought back an injured stranger, and her home also has an extra child."

The soldier frowned and said, "Is this true?"

Old Woman Huang boldly said, "If the officers search, they will know."

Liu Tieshan had been keeping Liu Family members on alert to watch the villagers’ actions. Upon receiving the news of Old Woman Huang engaging with the soldiers, he hastened over and heard Old Woman Huang inciting the soldiers to search Tong Huaqiong’s home.

Liu Tieshan, furious, shouted, "Old Woman Huang, what nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean by two extra people at Widow Tong’s home? This is no jesting matter that could cost one’s head; even if you usually have grudges with Widow Tong, you cannot joke about this."

Old Woman Huang jumped in shock, brazenly saying, "What is Village Chief afraid of? Searching solves everything and clears Widow Tong of suspicion."

Liu Tieshan was so angry, he almost wanted to hit Old Woman Huang.

This woman didn’t understand that if indeed Widow Tong were harboring treasonous remnants, not only the entire Gu Family but the whole Qinghe Bay would lose their heads.

Old Woman Huang would also suffer the same fate.

The soldiers did not listen to Liu Tieshan’s explanation at all and rushed into Tong Huaqiong’s home.

County Magistrate Liu was discussing matters with Lord Liang at Tong Huaqiong’s doorway when they saw the soldiers encircling the courtyard.

County Magistrate Liu was shocked beyond words.

A soldier stepped forward, saying, "Lord Liang, Lord Liu, we’ve just received news that the woman we saw earlier went to the provincial city a few days ago and brought back an unfamiliar adult and child."

Lord Liang’s eyes darkened as he looked at County Magistrate Liu.

County Magistrate Liu was sweating profusely.

Although he didn’t believe Tong Huaqiong would house treasonous remnants, if her home indeed had two strangers, it would be hard to explain.

"Search," said Lord Liang.

A band of soldiers entered Tong Huaqiong’s house.

What left Tong Huaqiong dumbfounded was not the group of soldiers who entered but Xiao Long.

Xiao Long, seemingly irrational, suddenly clung to Gu Dahuan’s leg, wailing loudly before the soldiers rushed in.

"Father, why have you abandoned me? You said our family lacked descendants and you were ashamed before the ancestors. You worked outside, deceived my mother to give birth to me, and now though my uncle has brought me to find you, you refuse to acknowledge me."

"Boo hoo... You’re a big liar... Boo hoo... If it wasn’t for coming to find family, my uncle wouldn’t have been hit by a carriage."

This Xiao Long clung to Gu Dahuan’s leg, crying with genuine emotion, and even switched his accent from Shengjing to Pingchuan County seamlessly.

So smoothly that anyone who heard it would think he had grown up here.

Gu Dahuan’s face turned red as he tried to loosen Xiao Long’s hold on his leg, wondering when he ever had such an older son.

Upon seeing the entering soldiers, cold sweat broke out all over him.

Is this child acting?

How should he cooperate?

What should he do? Wasn’t it agreed that this child’s uncle was their driver, the child was the driver’s nephew? How did it become his illegitimate child now?

"Gu Dahuan, you’re a bastard. When you went out to work, I still sympathized with your hardships; who knew you were doing this outside..."

"Boo hoo... I can’t live anymore. Having such a grown son show up has disgraced me completely."

Tong Huaqiong was still thinking of how to cooperate with Xiao Long’s acting under the watchful eyes of the soldiers, while Chen Sufen had already stepped onto the stage, claiming the role of actor.

Performing with great vigor.