Chapter 132: Collecting Evidence of Crime
Mother Qiao mused for a moment and said, "Well, that’s not entirely true. There are people in the world like a judge—upright, kind, and unafraid of authority. However, such people are very rare. If one emerges, it would be a blessing for the common folk."
Hearing this, Qiao Muchen pressed his lips together. After thinking for a while, he seemed to understand his mother’s meaning. He understood that the ’judge’ as a specific person didn’t exist, but people *like* a judge did, though such individuals were very hard to find. He took a deep breath. I won’t give up! he resolved.
Then he turned and went back into the study.
Watching her son’s retreating figure, Mother Qiao’s eyes revealed a hint of sadness and worry. She murmured softly, "Would he want his son to follow his path?"
Old Lady Qian, who was nearby, naturally knew that the "he" Mother Qiao referred to was Qiao Muchen’s father. She also knew that Mother Qiao wasn’t actually asking her, so she simply remained quietly by her side without speaking.
Afterwards, Mother Qiao sighed. She turned her gaze towards Old Lady Qian and said with a teary smile, "Chen’er is so much like him, isn’t he?" Looking up at the sky, she then added, "Mama Qian, let’s send some snacks in later. Don’t let Chen’er go hungry."
「 」
Meanwhile, after the Zhao Family had seen Qiao Muchen and the others off, Grandmother anxiously asked what had actually happened.
Zhao Dong and Sun Mei, afraid of worrying her maternal grandfather’s family, didn’t tell them the truth. They only said they had accidentally offended Landlord Qin, who had then taught them a lesson, but that everything was fine now.
Zhao Guifen glared at her daughter and son-in-law, retorting unhappily, "Still trying to fool me? What do you mean, ’fine’? If everything was truly fine, why would Mr. Meng say he’s staying for a few days?"
Sun Mei quickly took Zhao Guifen’s arm and said patiently, "Mother, it’s really alright. Mr. Meng is staying just as a precaution. Don’t worry. Besides, with someone as capable as Mr. Meng here, even if more of their household guards came, he could drive them all away."
Only after Sun Mei’s repeated reassurances did Zhao Guifen return home, still only half-convinced.