Chapter 257: Strange

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Herlyee Translations

Ji Zhao gripped the teacup in her hand tightly as her eyes flickered.

In other words, her appearance would not change the original plot of the book?

No, she had clearly interfered with the plot. Otherwise, something would have happened to the Shen family long ago.

“Sister Ah Tao, I’m really scared… If something really happens to

Brother-in-law, Sister will definitely not be able to take it!” Feng Chunyan grabbed Ji Zhao’s arm and voiced all the fear and worry in her heart. “Sister Ah Tao, what should I do?”

“Chunyan, calm down!” Ji Zhao suddenly looked into her eyes and reminded her, “Don’t think about anything. The most important thing for you now is to take good care of Eldest Sister-in-law.”

“Let’s close Shen Ji for the next few days. When Big Brother comes back, we’ll think about it at length.”

Ji Zhao instructed seriously. In the end, she carried two bags of pastries and rushed towards the county office—

She originally wanted to ask to see Ma Tong and find out more news, but she was rejected.

It turned out that Butler Ma had already accompanied Old Madam Ma back to the prefecture capital.

Ji Zhao thought for a moment and went to the county office to wait for news.

When Eldest Brother Shen was taken away by the bailiffs, Shen Yao also followed.

Shen Yao waited for an entire day. When it was almost dusk, he walked out alone.

Seeing the fatigue on his face, Ji Zhao’s heart ached.

“Shall we go back to the restaurant first?”

“Yes.” Shen Yao nodded. “Let’s talk about it when we get back”

When the two of them returned to the restaurant, Second Manager You immediately asked the waiter to serve two bowls of plain noodles.

Unfortunately, Ji Zhao and Shen Yao did not have much of an appetite.

“No matter how difficult things are, we still have to eat! Second Manager You quickly advised. “Ah Tao, Shen Yao, you guys eat your noodles first. We can discuss after you’re done, right?’

“Zhao Xu dug a big hole for my big brother early on.” Shen Yao pinched the space between his eyebrows in frustration and said in a low voice, “I’m afraid that Zhao Xu has already contacted that Master Qi in the county office. In addition, after my big brother signed the contract with him, he even went to the county office to prepare a case…”

“When both parties went to file the case, Master Qi happened to be present. He even repeatedly emphasized that Big Brother was willing to bear all the consequences after signing the contract. Big Brother agreed..

“With Master Qi’s evidence, I’m afraid Big Brother will definitely suffer this loss.”

“Lord Ma has deep trust in Master Qi. Over the years, he has been tyrannizing Dingyuan County!” Second Manager You snorted coldly. The sarcasm in his tone was self-evident. “‘lhwo days ago, I received a letter from the young master. I heard that our Lord Ma is about to be promoted! Therefore, the county magistrate definitely wants the big matter to be reduced to a small matter. However, this way, the losses that Eldest Brother Shen suffered are really too big.”

“I heard that Lord Ma’s political achievements have been mediocre all these years. Why did he suddenly get promoted?” Ji Zhao hurriedly asked.

“I’m afraid this matter is related to the Sun family,” Second Manager You said in a low voice. “Didn’t we know about Ji Huai’s matter previously? Now that the Sun family is rising in the court, our Lord Ma will naturally be able to climb up the ranks.”

“Ah Tao,” Shen Yao suddenly frowned and said, “I’m afraid this scheme against

Big Brother is directed at me.”

Ever since his leg recovered, the Shen family had been experiencing constant danger.

First, Second Brother Shen was almost killed by someone. Then, the Shen family was burned. Now, Eldest Brother Shen was also maliciously framed and imprisoned—

“I don’t think so, right?” Ji Zhao denied subconsciously. “Perhaps all of this is a coincidence?”

“Ah Tao, there won’t be so many coincidences in this world.” Shen Yao looked up at her and chuckled softly.

However, Ji Zhao could hear a bone-chilling coldness in his laughter.

“Ah Yao, what do you want to do?”

“Eldest Sister-in-law is still waiting for Big Brother, so nothing must happen to him.”

“Ah Yao, don’t act recklessly!” Ji Zhao hurriedly dissuaded him. “The worst outcome of this matter is that we bear the debt left behind by Zhao’s Rice Shop! At most, we’ll admit that we’ve suffered a loss. It’s never too late for a gentleman to take revenge!”

“But if you do something stupid on impulse, then there’s no turning back!”

Ji Zhao was extremely anxious. She knew that Shen Yao had originally planned to participate in the Fall Quarter Examinations this autumn!

Once he was tainted, he would no longer be qualified to participate in the Fall Quarter Examinations!

“Ah Tao, what are you thinking about?’ Shen Yao pinched her cheek helplessly and comforted her with a smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything illegal.”

“Really?” Ji Zhao confirmed again. “Then promise me that you won’t act rashly?”

“Alright, I promise you!”

“I think Young Master might be able to help in this matter!” Second Manager You thought for a moment and hurriedly stood up. “I’ll immediately write a letter and send the messenger pigeon to Young Master. I’ll see if Young Master can think of a good solution.”

“Alright.” Ji Zhao smiled gratefully. “Second Brother You, thank you so much.”

“Ah Tao, with our friendship, don’t stand on ceremony.”

At the beginning of the week, Shen Yao looked at the worried Ji Zhao and comforted him softly, “Ah Tao, don’t worry. I’ve already arranged for those bailiffs at the county office today. Nothing will happen to Big Brother in the next three to five days.”

“Shen Yao, does Zhao’s Rice Shop really owe so much money?’ Ji Zhao stood in front of the window and looked at the hazy moon hanging on the treetops. She asked softly, “The rice shop workers who went to Shen Ji to cause trouble today gave me a strange feeling. I keep feeling that they were instructed by someone.”

“Tomorrow morning, let’s go meet the workers at the rice shop?” Ji Zhao immediately suggested. “1 keep feeling that there’s something strange about those workers. ‘

“Yes.” Shen Yao caressed her tightly furrowed brows with heartache and said gently, “Don’t frown anymore.”

“I’m a little worried about Eldest Sister-in-law. Oh right, and Chunyan…” Ji Zhao briefly repeated what Feng Chunyan had said. Finally, she rubbed her chin and said thoughtfully, “Shen Yao, don’t you think that everything is interconnected?”

“Ma Tianxiang is a lecherous person. Big Brother must know about it as well,’

Ji Zhao analyzed calmly. “As one of the people who knew about it, Shopkeeper Zhao took advantage of Big Brother’s anxious mentality. First, he promised to help Chunyan arrange the marriage. Then, he lowered the price of the shop again and again. This way, he could completely dispel Big Brother’s guard and achieve his own goal!’

“Now that our courtyard has been burned down, if something happens to Shen JL..” Ji Zhao did not dare to think further.

The person behind the scenes was meticulous and did not miss anything.

“Shen Ji will be fine,” Shen Yao said firmly.

“Tomorrow morning, let’s find the shop workers to find out the truth.” After a moment of silence, Shen Yao said softly, “Ah Tao, do something for me tomorrow, okay?’

‘What?”