Li Suisui was quite lucky today.
Two constables happened to be patrolling the area and overheard the sharp-eyed woman’s words.
“You ignorant woman, what nonsense are you spouting?”
When the sharp-eyed woman saw the constables, she immediately fell silent like a frightened quail.
“Officers… why… why are you here?”
Li Suisui was stunned for a moment as well. She hadn’t expected to actually cry loud enough to summon officials.
She quickly climbed down from the ox cart, dropped to her knees with a thud, and began putting on a vivid performance.
“Officers, you must have seen what just happened. She bullied me because I’m young and alone, tried to snatch my belongings, and when she failed, she started hitting me. Look at my hands and face—see how badly they’ve been beaten.”
“You wretched girl, you hit me too just now!”
“Yes, I hit you, but I only lightly tapped your palm once and didn’t leave any marks. But look at my face and hands—you pinched me until I bled.”
“Nonsense! You also pinched my waist. It’s still burning with pain!”
“Words alone prove nothing. If you have the guts, then loosen your clothes and show everyone whether I really injured you.”
“What are you implying, wanting me to undress in public?”
“I didn’t ask you to undress in public. I only asked you to prove your injuries. Since you can’t, stop slandering me.”
“What do you mean I can’t prove it? I’ll undress right now and show everyone!”
“Pfft—” Laughter instantly erupted around them.
“This woman actually dares to undress in public. Isn’t she afraid her husband will beat her when she gets home?”
“Maybe she doesn’t have a husband and just likes showing off for people like us, hahaha!”
“Tch, she’s big and bulky, with a huge lump of fat around her waist. What’s there to look at? Let’s go, let’s go—before she dirties our eyes.”
Hearing the crowd’s comments only made the sharp-eyed woman more furious.
“You little brat, I’ll fight you!”
Li Suisui hurriedly stood up and hid behind the two constables. “Officers, look at her—so arrogant! She dares to threaten me right in front of you. She doesn’t even respect you.”
“You little brat, I’ll tear your mouth apart today. Officers, step aside and let me teach her a lesson.”
“Stop!”
“Didn’t you hear us tell you to stop?”
Under the constables’ shouting, the sharp-eyed woman finally halted.
“Officers, this wretched girl has gone too far. If I don’t teach her a lesson, I won’t be able to vent my anger.”
“Officers, look how bold she is—still talking about her anger in front of you.
Ordinary commoners like us swallow our grievances and go on living. But she claims her anger can’t be vented unless she hits someone.
If you officers angered her, would she try to hit you too?
You just stopped her—she must already resent you.
This is all my fault for dragging you into this.”
“What a clever girl, diverting trouble onto others,” Xie Guiyuan thought. It seemed he was fated with Li Suisui—just passing by and he happened to witness this farce.
“Go help that girl. Remember, don’t let her be bullied.”
Xie Hong was briefly surprised. His Fifth Master really treated this girl differently.
After escorting Xie Guiyuan away, Xie Hong quickly approached Li Suisui.
“Little girl, how did you get bullied again?”
Those casual words instantly made Li Suisui’s eyes light up. “Brother Xie Hong, I’m so wronged. This woman is terrible—she tried to steal my things and even hit me.”
This girl really knew how to push people into helping her. “Tsk, tsk, you’ve got quite a few injuries. I think you’d better go to a clinic.”
“Waaah… I don’t have any money. How could I afford a doctor?”
“Your injuries were caused by someone else. Why should you pay? The one who hurt you should cover the medical fees.”
Xie Hong stared fixedly at the sharp-eyed woman, clearly pressuring her to pay.
The sharp-eyed woman instantly bristled like a startled hedgehog.
“Who are you? This matter doesn’t need you interfering.”
“Hmph, who am I? Want to know? I’ll tell you.” Xie Hong turned to the constables. “Officers, I am Xie Hong, attendant to Fifth Master Xie. Our Fifth Master saw this girl being bullied again and asked me to check on the situation. Fifth Master Xie said this girl is very kind and must not be bullied.”
Xie Hong spoke plainly, making it clear that Li Suisui was under Fifth Master Xie’s protection—warning everyone to think carefully before acting and letting the sharp-eyed woman know she had offended the wrong person.
The constables’ stern faces instantly turned into smiles. “So you’re one of Fifth Master Xie’s people. Our apologies. We also felt this young lady was being bullied and were just about to punish this hateful woman.”
“Please handle the matter fairly, officers.”
“Rest assured. We will handle it impartially.”
At that moment, the sharp-eyed woman’s heart was in turmoil. Today she was truly unlucky. Not only did she encounter officers while scolding a little girl, she had also provoked someone connected to Fifth Master Xie.
Even if she didn’t want to yield, she had no choice.
“Oh dear, little girl—no, honored young lady—it was my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten emotional and scratched and hit you.
But it was all a misunderstanding. I thought you were going to hit me, so I struck back.
And I truly didn’t want to steal your things. I was just envious and wanted to see what nice items you bought.
Please forgive me this time. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Li Suisui’s eyes turned thoughtfully. “I can forgive you, but you still have to pay my medical fees.”
“What? You still want medical fees?”
“Of course. Look at my face and hands—see how badly you pinched them. You must compensate me. Officers, don’t you think I’m right?”
“You’re right. Compensation must be paid. Ignorant woman, will you pay willingly, or shall we take you back to the magistrate’s office for a flogging?”
“I’ll pay! I’ll pay willingly!”
“Oh, and we haven’t decided how much yet. Officers, how much do you think my injuries are worth?”
“Let her pay you one tael of silver.”
“What? One tael of silver?” The sharp-eyed woman jumped up instantly. “Her tiny injuries don’t cost that much! And I can’t even produce one tael of silver!”
“Hmph. If you won’t pay, then you’ll be taken back to the magistrate’s office.”
Sob… she had truly hit a brick wall today. If she were taken back, she’d lose even more money.
But she really couldn’t afford one tael.
“Officers, I’m Widow Kang from Anshan Village. Ever since my husband died, I’ve lived alone. I barely earn any money, so I can’t produce one tael of silver. I only have 100 copper coins on me. Would that be enough?”
“That depends on the victim. If the young lady agrees, then we’ll agree.”
Li Suisui also understood the wisdom of accepting things while ahead. “I’ll listen to the officers. If you think it’s acceptable, I’ll take it.”
The two constables looked toward Xie Hong. “Brother Xie Hong, what do you think?”
“Little girl, since that woman has sincerely admitted her mistake, let’s forget it.”
“Alright. Since Brother Hong says so, I’ll listen to him and accept just 100 copper coins.”
Xie Hong twitched at the corner of his mouth. “Brother Hong”… why did that sound so awkward? Were he and this girl really that close?