Bride Swap Backfire: My Cousin's Rebirth Made Us a Power Couple-Chapter 21 - 18: Delivering Medicine

It seemed the entire county was running toward Wo Laicai’s house. People shouted as they ran, swapping information with anyone they passed.

"They found the body inside a cellar wall! The flesh hasn’t even rotted away; you can still make out his face."

"Poor things. The merchant’s parents searched and searched. They couldn’t find him, dead or alive. The old couple was still looking for him elsewhere, holding out hope. This news will destroy them."

"That wicked Wo Laicai! He always seemed so friendly, and his two brothers are both Scholars. Turns out he was a murderer and a robber all along. I’m so lucky to be alive... he used to call me ’brother.’ I could’ve been his next victim!"

The crowd was immense. They were still half a street away from Wo Laicai’s house, but they couldn’t push any further.

Chen Wanqing was panting heavily. In contrast, Xiulan, Lianhua, and her own mother—though just as out of breath—didn’t seem tired at all. They were all buzzing with excitement, ready to dive right into the throng, baskets and all.

Chen Wanqing quickly pulled them back. "I’m... I’m not going any closer. I’ll wait for you all by that phoenix tree outside the alley. Mom, give me your baskets. I’ll watch them."

"Alright, hold on to them. We’ll just take a look and be right back."

"Wanqing is so considerate. Here, hold this for me. I’ll thank you properly after I’ve seen all the excitement."

"Enough with the pleasantries. I bought some candy; I’ll treat you to some later."

They tossed their three baskets to Chen Wanqing and quickly vanished into the crowd.

Chen Wanqing was speechless for a moment. She quickly picked up the baskets and headed for the spot they had agreed on.

But the spot under the phoenix tree was soon packed with people. Latecomers even scrambled up the tree, and before long, its branches were full of human figures.

There was no room for her there anymore, so Chen Wanqing had to find another conspicuous spot to wait.

She had only been there a moment when Dashan came over. A little while later, even Mr. Wang arrived.

Chen Wanqing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’Is every single person in the county here?’

"Zhao Jing isn’t here. He’s busy writing formal invitations for someone. I left my bookshop in his care. That boy has the focus to sit still; he’s destined for great things."

Hearing this, Dashan chimed in, "He’s destined for great things, all right. Jing is such a good student. He’ll have a bright future, for sure."

’Two complete strangers were now chatting away enthusiastically.’ Chen Wanqing found the sight even more ridiculous.

A short while later, all the constables from the county government arrived. They set up a cordon and started to disperse the crowd of onlookers.

Xu Su Ying, Xiulan, and Lianhua emerged from the crowd soon after.

They searched around for a bit before finding Chen Wanqing. Seeing Dashan keeping her company, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your mother was about to cry when she couldn’t find you under the phoenix tree."

"I told her a grown person wouldn’t just disappear. I said you must have moved away because of the crowd, and sure enough, one look around and we found you."

Xu Su Ying was filled with regret.

She had managed to squeeze into the crowd, but she hadn’t seen the crime scene at all—just a few constables.

The sight of those constables was enough to instantly cool her feverish excitement.

’If her husband found out about her reckless behavior, he would surely be furious.’

’When she hadn’t seen her daughter under the phoenix tree, her mind had gone blank, imagining all sorts of terrible possibilities. Now that she’d found her, Xu Su Ying swore to herself that she would never again go chasing after a spectacle, no matter how exciting.’

On the way back, Xiulan and Lianhua described the murder case in detail to Dashan.

"The Lord County Magistrate is personally handling the case, and Wo Laicai has been arrested."

"Wo Laicai is a tough one. He’s the type who won’t confess until he’s at death’s door. He still hasn’t said a word."

"Dashan, the trial will probably take a few days. We’ll be counting on you to bring us news from town."

"I think I overheard someone say it was Arrest Officer Chen who first found the body... Oh, Suying, could it have been your husband?"

Xu Su Ying feigned shock. "Really? I had no idea..."

With their return, news of the vicious murder in the county town spread like wildfire through the Zhao Village.

Many villagers who loved a good spectacle, paying no mind to the time of day, gathered their like-minded friends and immediately set off for the county town.

Even more people, however, flocked to Dashan’s home, Xiulan’s home, Lianhua’s home, and both the main and third households of the Chen family.

Going to the first few homes was expected. But people went to the third Chen household purely because that family went to the county town every day to sell their baked flatbread. The villagers hoped to ask them for more details, and also to encourage them to bring back more useful information in the future.

While everyone’s attention was fixed on the murder case, Chen Wanqing slung the basket over her back and slipped out the door.

She had originally intended to ask her mother to visit the Zhao family, but with so many guests at home, her mother was completely tied up. Worried about delaying Mrs. Zhao’s midday medicine, Chen Wanqing had no choice but to go herself.

Along the way, she ran into many of the village women, and Chen Wanqing always greeted them first. When they asked where she was going, she candidly explained that she was running an errand for Zhao Jing.

The women were only asking out of habit; what they really cared about was the murder case.

As soon as they heard her mother was at home discussing the incident, they rushed over to her house.

’After all, Chen Song worked at the government office. The information Xu Su Ying had was bound to be more complete.’

She walked and talked the whole way. By the time she reached the Zhao family’s gate, her mouth was completely dry.

Xiang’er was in the courtyard tending to the flowers and heard her voice. She quickly ran out to greet her.

"Qing’er, you’re really here! I thought you were just passing by. Quick, come inside! Mom, Qing’er is here!"

Mrs. Zhao hurried out of her room, still holding the garment she had been sewing. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Upon seeing Chen Wanqing, her sallow face first registered surprise, then delight. Her tired, haggard expression instantly brightened.

"Qing’er, you’re here! Come in, dear, have a seat. I’ll get you some candied fruit."

Chen Wanqing quickly declined the offer, then took the herbs from her basket and relayed Zhao Jing’s instructions.

Finished, she gently stroked Xiang’er’s soft hair. "Do you know how to brew the medicine? Do you need my help?"

"No, thank you. I’m used to this kind of work. I wouldn’t want to trouble you."

"Ah, well, in that case, I’ll just..."

"Please stay for dinner! I haven’t seen you in so long, and I have so much I want to tell you."

Mrs. Zhao also tried to persuade her. "Please, stay and eat with us. We butchered a chicken yesterday and still have half left. I’ll make some chicken soup for you."

"I couldn’t trouble you, Auntie. I still have incense to make at home. Maybe after I’m finished with this batch. You and Xiang’er should come visit my family then..."

It took some doing, but Chen Wanqing finally managed to politely decline the mother and daughter’s invitation. After another round of pleasantries, she was at last able to leave the Zhao family’s home.

Only when she was some distance away did Mrs. Zhao take her daughter’s hand and lead her back into the house.

"So, Xiang’er, you like Qing’er too?"

"Who wouldn’t like Qing’er? I’ve always dreamed of having a sister like her, but I was fated to only have an older brother... But having her as a sister-in-law would be just as good. Mom, what is Older Brother thinking? Qing’er is a thousand times better than Wanyue! When Wanyue’s grandmother proposed swapping the betrothal, why didn’t he just agree to it? Does he actually like someone like Wanyue? I really don’t think he does."

A sorrowful expression clouded Mrs. Zhao’s gaunt face.

"Tell me about it... But there’s nothing we can do. Your brother is a grown man now, and he’s headstrong. I can’t make decisions for him anymore. We’ll have to let him do as he pleases..."

But even as she said it, she wasn’t truly resigned.

She glanced back at the girl’s graceful figure receding into the distance and let out a long, heavy sigh of frustration.