Chapter 7, The Silver Speaks
Jiang Ruan stood quietly, while the girl beside her watched and suddenly burst into tears, sobbing as she said: "I didn't, I didn't steal the silver, mother, I didn't steal the silver!"
The woman grew increasingly angry: "What business is it of yours? I naturally have things I need to buy. As I have already stated, this money is for Qiao Jie'er. This old man claims it is his money, but is there any evidence or witness to support that?"
"Lianqiao," Jiang Ruan stopped her and said: "Does the old gentleman believe that I am unable to protect myself?"
What does the lady want to buy? With so much silver, there are too many things to purchase. Wouldn't Qiao Jie be unable to carry it all?
"Sir, please tell me how the silver was lost," Jiang Ruan said.
You old man, how ungrateful you are! My daughter saved you, yet you fail to appreciate it.
The old man turned to Jiang Ruan, furrowing his brow, and spoke in a stiff tone: "I do not wish to involve the young lady. These people are covering up their crimes, and I will stand firm against them. If the young lady takes action today, I will understand, but you are also in a precarious situation, so it is best to prioritize your own safety." When he uttered the words "young lady," the old man hesitated slightly; it felt strange to refer to a girl who could be his granddaughter as such. However, in the presence of this little girl, he felt as if he were facing an adult woman, making it impossible for him to regard her as an ordinary child.
The laughter around grew louder
"It is me." A dark-skinned middle-aged man stepped out, scratching his head, his gaze somewhat evasive as he said, "There are too many people buying pancakes, I can't remember them all." The atmosphere on West Street was rather desolate, and his words were clearly just a form of evasion.
In the crowd stood a little girl just over ten years old. Unlike her mature words that were akin to those of an adult, her stature was quite small. Despite her diminutive size, she was impossible to overlook. Perhaps due to her life experiences, her skin and lips were pale, yet her features were exceptionally delicate. With a graceful nose and cherry-like lips, the most striking aspect was her pair of long, glistening eyes beneath her dark brows, as refreshing as a mountain spring trickling over one's knees, deep and shallow, piercing straight into the depths of one's heart. Her eyes, pure to the extreme, had slightly upturned corners that inadvertently exuded a hint of allure. If she were to grow up and nurture her beauty well, it would indeed be a breathtaking sight.
The old man was so angry that his face turned red and his neck thickened. Suddenly, he heard a comforting voice, which was gentle and soft, carrying a refreshing coolness that penetrated the heart. Although it was winter, it felt like a summer breeze, sweeping away the irritability in his heart, and he gradually calmed down. In his astonishment, he began to scrutinize the person beside him just like everyone else.
The crowd expressed their astonishment, and the old man, upon seeing this, thought for a moment and said: "Today, I have just arrived here and bought an oil cake at the street corner. I took some coins from my money pouch and walked for a while when I felt someone touching my belongings. Upon looking, I saw a little girl walking beside me. I became wary and checked my money pouch, only to find that my silver had vanished without a trace. I then seized her and indeed found the silver on her. To my surprise, she turned the tables on me, which is truly despicable!" After saying this, he glared at the girl, whose face still bore traces of tears. To my surprise, she turned the tables on me, which is truly despicable!" After saying this, he glared at the girl, whose face still bore traces of tears.
The woman turned her head, embraced the girl, and said angrily: "Our Qiao Jie'er would not steal anyone's silver; this silver was given to her by me when I left in the morning"
In a situation where the tide is turning overwhelmingly, suddenly someone speaks up for the old man, and naturally, everyone's attention is focused on the speaker
None of the people around spoke; there was truly no evidence or witnesses. Even though the reasons behind the situation seemed to be deducible, no one was willing to stand up for the old man
You are colluding and conspiring together, engaging in a nefarious partnership... The old man was so furious that he jumped up and spat out a flurry of eloquent insults, but unfortunately, these flowery curses had no effect on the people around him
"Is it possible that you have a way?" The old man raised his voice, drawing the attention of those around him once again
"Shut up." Jiang Ruan cast a cold glance at the woman holding Qiao Jie. Under her indifferent gaze, Qiao Jie felt an involuntary fear in her heart and immediately fell silent, shrinking back into the woman's embrace.
Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao hurriedly positioned themselves in front of Jiang Ruan, preventing anyone from colliding with her
Everyone's gaze is unique, and Jiang Ruan does not hide; she simply stands in place, allowing others to scrutinize her
Amidst the commotion, a peasant woman in a floral cloth coat squeezed through the crowd, taking a few steps forward to shield the young girl behind her. She glared at the old man with the *illustrated* book and Jiang Ruan, and exclaimed loudly: "What do you intend to do to my Qiao Jie'er? Two of you bullying one, using strength against the weak, do you not feel any shame?"
The old man furrowed his brow; this little girl, accompanied by two maidservants, seemed to be from a wealthy family. However, her attire was rather too simple for a young lady of a prominent household. Conversely, if she were the daughter of an ordinary family, her overall demeanor and presence did not resemble that of someone raised in a modest household.
Where can I find the vendor selling oil cakes? Jiang Ruan asked
However, this naturally charming little girl exudes an indescribable chill from her entire being. She simply stands quietly, yet there is an inexplicable feeling about her that cannot be underestimated, even evoking a sense of unwarranted fear.
"There is no need for you to be anxious, sir," Jiang Ruan said
Since both parties hold their own opinions, Jiang Ruan gently said, "Let the money speak."
Lianqiao could not hold back, and without waiting for Jiang Ruan to speak, she jumped out first and said with a smile: "Madam, you have misunderstood. Our young lady merely stepped forward to speak a word of justice; how could she be bullying your daughter? So many people are watching, did our young lady hit or scold her? Moreover, as for the strong bullying the weak, I fail to see how our young lady is significantly older than your daughter. Who is it that is making a scene in public like your daughter? As for the strong bullying the weak and the many bullying the few, I wonder who is really bullying whom, I spit!"
"So much silver, yet you are at ease entrusting it to such a small child for safekeeping. Your confidence is truly admirable," Jiang Ruan said lightly, not knowing whether it was intentional or unintentional, placing particular emphasis on the word 'small.' Laughter erupted around her. This woman had just claimed that her daughter was young, yet she was handing over such a large sum of silver to her, which was indeed a somewhat forced argument.
The little girl and the woman, upon seeing this, looked at Jiang Ruan with glee, feeling that Jiang Ruan could no longer come up with any tricks.
I, I am the one who asked her to go out shopping. The woman was somewhat annoyed
The woman was taken aback, seemingly not expecting that the delicate-looking Lian Qiao could scold someone without taking a breath. For a moment, she did not know how to respond. When she finally understood and became furious, just as she was about to continue her tirade, Jiang Ruan spoke up: "Who bullies whom is not important; what matters is the money, isn't it?"
I did not steal his silver, I did not steal his silver!" The girl began to scream and cry again