Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Curse
After hearing what Du Changting said, Su Qing realized he must have guessed she was the one who sent the note.
Of course, she had no intention of admitting it. If she did, there were too many details she would have a hard time explaining.
"Are you asking if I’m that mysterious person?" Su Qing asked forthrightly when Du Changting just stared at her, waiting.
Du Changting nodded. "That’s exactly it. To be honest, without that mysterious person’s help, it would have taken us much longer to solve the case. We might not have been able to solve it right away. So, we’re very eager to thank them."
Su Qing gave a faint smile. "Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Captain Du."
"It really wasn’t you?" Du Changting was genuinely disappointed by her answer. Ever since he learned of Su Qing’s impressive skills, his intuition told him she was the mysterious helper. But now that she had denied it, he felt let down and a bit reluctant to accept it. He just couldn’t shake the feeling that his intuition was right.
"It really wasn’t me," Su Qing said. "I’m just an ordinary village girl. I’m a bit stronger than most people because I’ve done farm work since I was a child, and I’m more nimble from going into the mountains all the time. Other than that, there’s nothing special about me. I don’t know how this mysterious person helped you, but do you really think a village girl like me, who’s never been involved with a case in her life, has the ability to help you?"
What Su Qing said made sense to Du Changting, but for some reason, a part of him still refused to accept it.
But Su Qing adamantly denied it, and there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t just force her to confess. ’What if my intuition is wrong, after all?’
At this thought, Du Changting smiled at Su Qing. "In that case, I suppose I really was mistaken. My apologies."
"Don’t worry about it. I know you’re anxious to find that mysterious person, so I understand," Su Qing said with a smile. "Besides, I have to thank you, Captain Du, for bringing your men to help me handle today’s dispute. I was wondering... if the allegations against my third aunt are proven true, what will happen to her?"
"If the allegations are proven true, she’ll be detained for a few days and then be required to make a public apology to you."
Su Qing nodded. "Alright. Thank you for your trouble, Captain Du."
"We’re here to serve the people. It’s our duty."
When they learned the police had taken Tian Aixiang away, the villagers of Lihua Village were still reeling.
’You can get arrested for spreading gossip!’
This was the first time such a thought had ever occurred to the villagers.
As for the incident, everyone had their own opinion. Some felt Su Qing had done the right thing, while others thought she was being too harsh. After all, Tian Aixiang was her third aunt, a true relative.
Aunt Cuihua stood with her hands on her hips, directly confronting a woman who was bad-mouthing Su Qing. "What’s that? Why shouldn’t Tian Aixiang be arrested? When she was spreading rumors about Su Qing, did she remember that Su Qing is her own niece, a true relative?"
"No matter what, Su Qing still went overboard," the woman retorted, not to be outdone.
"Pah! Let’s see you say the same thing when a relative starts spreading rumors like that about your daughter. I hope you won’t make a fuss then either," Aunt Cuihua spat.
"What? What did you say? How dare you curse my daughter!" The woman was furious.
"Oh, so it’s not okay when it’s your daughter?" Aunt Cuihua scoffed. "It’s easy to talk when you’re not the one getting hurt, isn’t it?"
"Exactly," Aunt Tao chimed in, backing up Aunt Cuihua.
"You... you all..."
Before the woman could finish, Zhao Youcai bellowed, "Alright, that’s enough! Everyone scatter, go on home! Stop crowding around."
Since Zhao Youcai had spoken, the crowd dispersed. Su Qing said goodbye to Zhao Youcai, Aunt Cuihua, and the others, then returned to her own courtyard without so much as a glance at the members of the Old Su Family.
Meanwhile, in the Old Su Family’s courtyard, Old Man Su and Old Woman Su were beside themselves with rage.
’What a disgrace!’
In less than a year, their Old Su Family had been utterly humiliated in Lihua Village. First, Su Qing had caused a huge ruckus, not only breaking away from the family but also exposing all their dirty laundry. Then, Su Tao had murdered someone and been executed. And now, Tian Aixiang had been hauled off to the station by the police for spreading malicious rumors.
One incident after another—it was as if their family was being buried in a pit of shame.
Old Woman Su’s hands were trembling. She turned to Su Shunli. "Shunli, this time, no matter what happens, you must divorce that disgraceful woman, Tian Aixiang! The Old Su Family cannot have a daughter-in-law like her. She’s an absolute embarrassment!"
Su Shunli sullenly nodded. To be honest, he was completely fed up with Tian Aixiang. She couldn’t raise her daughter properly, and now she’d managed to get herself thrown in a police station. Having a wife like that was an utter humiliation.
Seeing Su Shunli agree without argument, Old Woman Su felt a little better. But then she remembered that the root of all these problems was Su Qing, and a fresh wave of fury surged through her. She didn’t dare to curse Su Qing out loud, so she went back into her room. From a nook in the kang bed, she pulled out a small doll made of cotton and cloth. Muttering curses under her breath, she began to stab it viciously with a needle.
On the doll’s back, written clearly, was Su Qing’s full date of birth.
Su Qing didn’t know why Fang Lutian was looking for her, so she went to East County Street the next day.
This time, Su Qing found the right courtyard, but after knocking for a good while, no one answered. ’He must not be home,’ she thought.
Su Qing had just lowered her hand when the gate to the neighboring courtyard opened.
It was A Feng.
"Miss Su, are you looking for Uncle Fang?" A Feng asked with a smile when he saw it was her.
"Yes, but it seems Uncle Fang isn’t home."
"Why don’t you come over to our place and wait for a bit?" A Feng said. "I’ll give Uncle Fang a call. He should be back soon."
Su Qing thought for a moment and agreed. It would be a good chance to check on An Zhihan. She felt quite sympathetic about what he had been through.
When A Feng saw that Su Qing agreed, he smiled brightly and ushered her into the courtyard. "Miss Su, please, come in."
A Feng was so warm toward Su Qing primarily because of An Zhihan. Honestly, ever since his young master’s family tragedy, A Feng had never seen him take the initiative to be friendly with anyone.
Su Qing was the first person in all these years. For that reason alone, A Feng’s favorable impression of her skyrocketed.
Su Qing nodded at A Feng with a smile. "And where is your young master?"
"He’s in the study reading. I’ll take you to him." Seeing Su Qing ask after his young master, A Feng’s eyes crinkled into a smile as he eagerly led her toward the house.
