The tenants didn’t want to touch the smelly Ruan Shiming, so they used brooms and hoes to throw him out. They aimed at Ruan Shiqi, who was watching the commotion. Ruan Shiqi jumped to dodge but was instantly covered in the stench. Furiously, he said, “Big brother, couldn’t you be more careful? I finally had a clean set of clothes, and you’ve ruined them!”
“Owe you, my foot!” Ruan Shiming rolled up and said, “Ruan Ning, just you wait.”
“I’ll make sure you’re dead if I’m not a Ruan!”
His response was several piles of dirt thrown from the door. The tenants scraped the ground he had dirtied, scattering it all over him.
Ruan Shiming gritted his teeth and said, “Let’s go, I’ll change first. I’ll kill this girl if I’m not a Ruan!”
When Ruan Ning settled things and went to see Chen shi, her mother hugged her, crying, “Ning’er, you’ve been through so much…”
She had always believed that women should be gentle and kind, but today’s scene would have destroyed the family if her daughter hadn’t been so tough.
“Mother, I’ve arranged everything,” Ruan Ning said. “The new gate is being installed, and men who know how to fight are patrolling outside. Those guarding various areas inside will keep us safe. Don’t worry.”
Chen shi was startled and grabbed her hand, “You’re not staying home?”
“I’m going to the county yamen,” Ruan Ning replied, her eyes sparkling, “to meet the official behind Ruan Qing.”
County Magistrate Li summoned Ruan Shixin again at noon, immediately giving him thirty punishment sticks without a word. Although the bailiffs went easy, Ruan Shixin still suffered physical pain. The magistrate sat coldly and asked, “Speak. Did you kill those four people?”
“No!” Ruan Shixin denied immediately. “I’ve been at the manor these days. The tenants can all testify that I didn’t kill anyone.”
“Hmph, you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin. Bring the finger press!” The magistrate coldly threw down a sign.
Zhang Sansheng reluctantly brought the finger press, whispering to Ruan Shixin, “Endure it. I’ll try to be gentle.”
