Magistrate Li, having long coveted Ruan Shixin’s property, was intrigued. His niece’s comments about Ruan Shixin’s ill-gotten wealth and the threat to report him heightened his ambitions.
He slapped Ruan Qing’s thigh, declaring, “Wait and see. I’ll get justice for you by arresting your second uncle tomorrow!”
With an unsolved murder case in the dense forest, he could conveniently pin it on Ruan Shixin. To save him, his family would likely pay, allowing Magistrate Li to seize the Ruan family’s money while solidifying a murder charge against Ruan Shixin.
Ruan Qing was ecstatic. The second branch relied entirely on Ruan Shixin. Once arrested, her brothers and parents could seize everything, making Ruan Ning, who used a rosewood chamber pot, kneel and beg for mercy.
The next morning, Magistrate Li’s first act was to order bailiffs to arrest Ruan Shixin from his estate, citing suspicion related to four corpses found in the forest.
Ruan Shixin was caught off guard.
Fortunately, he had good relationships with officials. The bailiffs explained the reason for the arrest and advised caution, noting the bodies were unidentified and the cause of death had not been determined.
Chen’s mother and daughter wiped their tears as they sent him off. Ruan Shixin suddenly remembered, “You two stay at home, be on guard against the eldest and third, and protect the household!”
Based on Ruan Shixin’s reputation, everyone hoped it was a false alarm. However, after noon, Zhang Sansheng urgently sent news that interrogation had begun. Ruan Shixin hinted at resolving it with money, but County Magistrate Li firmly insisted that Ruan Shixin was the murderer and was determined to force a confession.
Chen’s wife cried and nearly fainted, feeling helpless. Ruan Ning, however, remained calm. How could an unidentified dead person be so firmly pinned on Ruan Shixin? Money couldn’t resolve the situation; someone was likely targeting them. Ruan Ning believed there was a connection between Ruan Qing’s visit yesterday and Ruan Shixin’s arrest today.
Ruan Ning gathered all the household servants and tenant farmers. The men were armed with clubs and hoes, while the women took up pestles and brooms.
