CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108: NOT IN GOOD HEALTH? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

After all, someone died. Although the killer wasn’t directly responsible, it was still a tragedy because of him.

The Government can’t ignore this.

Someone needs to be arranged to properly handle the old woman Wang’s funeral arrangements, and her granddaughter cannot be ignored either.

So, Ren Zhong temporarily did not pursue the matter of the man riding wildly on horseback in the city.

Moreover, since the man voluntarily confessed to his whereabouts and because there’s a matter of reward silver, Ren Zhong wasn’t worried about him running away.

There’s a difference between someone who almost injured someone while riding recklessly and someone who actually hurt someone.

The former is just scolded a few times, while the latter gets beaten, fined silver, and detained.

Therefore, that man definitely wouldn’t run away.

Zhao Ting returned to the inn where he was staying, gave the innkeeper some silver, asked him to send water to his room first, and then asked him to order a meal from the best restaurant in the county to be delivered. Chasing that fugitive all the way, he truly didn’t eat or sleep well.

He wanted to take a good bath and then have a big meal.

Afterwards, he would consider his future with that young woman.

Perhaps they could discuss it, and he could have her stay with Ren Zhong, and he would take Zhao Ting’s children away? Anyway, she’s already had children with Ren Zhong, and she’s quite young, so she can have more children.

Throughout chasing the fugitive, he had saved quite a lot of money, and with the five hundred taels this time, could he give Lady Meng two thousand taels as a severance payment?

Severance payment doesn’t seem quite fitting? But, whatever, this silver just represents his attitude.

After Zhao Ting tidied himself up, the innkeeper brought the food.

Casually, he gave the innkeeper a corner of silver as a tip, in exchange for a wide grin and the promise, ’If you need anything, sir, just let me know, and I’ll make sure it’s done properly.’

"Then let me ask, how is our County Magistrate?" Zhao Ting asked offhandedly.

About Ren Zhong, the original Zhao Ting knew him, but they weren’t close.

As for himself, he just knew he was an unpopular illegitimate son of the Changping Marquis Mansion.

Now that Lady Meng is with Ren Zhong, he has to find out more.

The innkeeper was tucking the silver into his pocket, and upon Zhao Ting’s question, reluctantly handed the silver back, "I dare not say, us common folks, how can we casually discuss the County Magistrate? Please keep your silver, sir, I have other matters to attend to."

Zhao Ting extended his long arm, grabbed the innkeeper by the collar, "Who asked you to speak recklessly? Just tell the truth about his reputation, and don’t be afraid. I’m planning to do some small business in Huaiyuan County, so I’m just casually asking around. After all, some county magistrates in other places... you understand."

The innkeeper gladly put the silver back in his pocket, "Ah, in that case, sir, just rest assured and stay in our Huaiyuan County. Our County Magistrate has served several terms, and under his governance, life in Huaiyuan County is much better than before. Agriculture and commerce, everything is in order."

His reputation isn’t bad.

"He’s a good official, but what about in private? I’m asking if he’s easy to get along with in private because the business I’m doing needs to be reported to the Government Office." Zhao Ting said casually.

"It’s hard to say how he is in private, it’s just... our County Magistrate is basically always immersed in official duties every day." The innkeeper said with difficulty.

He’s just a small innkeeper, how could he possibly know about the private affairs of the County Magistrate?

Moreover, focusing on people’s private matters, isn’t that perverted?

"What kind of person is the County Magistrate’s wife?" Zhao Ting asked further.

The innkeeper didn’t hesitate, "We haven’t seen her, just heard that her health isn’t good and she can’t meet people."

What?

Not in good health?

Are you kidding me?

If she wasn’t in good health, could she have held a child and evaded the fugitive?

If she wasn’t in good health, could she have held a child in one hand and pulled him into the Government Office with the other?

Such strength, how could she possibly be unwell?

"Are you sure you’re talking about the County Magistrate’s wife?" Zhao Ting asked.

The innkeeper was utterly convinced, "Of course, it’s what the County Magistrate said publicly. Many people heard it, and some people, moved by the County Magistrate’s kindness, even went to the temple to pray for an amulet for the County Magistrate’s wife. It was sent to the Government Office, where the County Magistrate accepted it and thanked them on behalf of his wife!"

This left Zhao Ting baffled.

"Alright then, I don’t have any more questions; you go on with your business." Zhao Ting waved his hand.

The innkeeper left joyfully with his silver.

Zhao Ting fell into contemplation, seeing the size of the child, who appeared to be four or five years old.

According to his memory, that was shortly after Zhao Ting’s incident.

Maybe she was overly heartbroken at that time, which affected her health?

But that’s not right. From his memory, the couple had a good relationship. What happened that made Lady Meng immediately marry and have children right after her husband’s incident?

He couldn’t figure it out.

Could it be that Ren Zhong forced her?

The moment this idea came to mind, Zhao Ting felt that everything made sense.

After the original Zhao Ting’s incident, Lady Meng definitely would’ve reported it. With her good looks, Ren Zhong might have been tempted, and using his position, coerced her.

Lady Meng certainly wouldn’t want that, but as a rural woman, how could she resist the County Magistrate?

Additionally, with a pregnancy, Lady Meng ultimately could only succumb.

Women, once they have children, tend to compromise repeatedly for their children, right?

Zhao Ting stood up abruptly; he had to get to the bottom of this.

If Ren Zhong was indeed despicable, he would surely help Lady Meng deal with him. He would also ask her whether she wanted to stay with Ren Zhong, and if she did, he would arrange for someone to take care of her and protect her. If she didn’t want to, he wouldn’t mind taking her back to the Capital City. Since they had no emotional attachment, living together for the children’s sake was also an option.

Consider it as his way of compensating her for the original Zhao Ting.

As for the children, he would definitely fulfill his duties as a father.

On the other side, the doctor had finished examining Meng Yao and Ren Zi’an.

There was a slight scratch on Meng Yao’s elbow, which wasn’t serious.

But at Ren Zi’an’s insistence, Meng Yao had to accept bandaging.

As for Ren Zi’an, the doctor prescribed a calming medicine and it was a routine prescription.

Meng Yao chatted with Ren Zi’an for a while and found that this kid was very brave, not scared at all. During the conversation, she used psychological suggestions, and Meng Yao was certain that he wouldn’t have nightmares due to the daytime fright.

"Aunt, do you think Dad and that fierce uncle will catch the bad guy?" Ren Zi’an was very curious about this matter.

"Your dad is a very capable official, he’ll definitely catch him." Meng Yao said.

She didn’t know if Ren Zhong was capable, but that fierce-looking man had such good skills, there’s no problem.

It was Meng Yao’s first time seeing someone capable enough to catch two hooves of a horse.

He must have grown up eating the same spinach as Popeye, right?

"I hope dad can catch that bad man, so he won’t hurt others in the future." Ren Zi’an said worriedly, "Moreover, if it wasn’t for Aunt and me, that fierce uncle would definitely have caught the bad guy."

"Ang’er, it was just an accident, don’t dwell on it." Meng Yao rubbed Ren Zi’an’s little head, "Besides, think of it like this, thankfully that bad guy charged at us and we managed to dodge. If he had charged at someone else who couldn’t dodge, they would definitely have been hurt by him, right?"