Shuang Han Shi Si Zhou

Chapter 14 A Thorough Resolution for Chen Ermao

The rest of the monkeys and Er Leng stopped as soon as they saw them halt.

Seeing them stop, Cui Hongyu came to her senses. She took off running, heading down the main road.

Chen Er Mao, enduring the searing pain, shouted, "What are you gawking at? Chase her!"

Although Cui Hongyu had a head start, she was quickly overtaken by the monkeys and Er Leng.

Cui Hongyu knew that if she continued to run with the heavy sack of silk on her back, she would be caught soon. At this point, she had no choice but to sacrifice the goods to save herself.

With that thought, she untied the bundle from her shoulders and shouted to the monkeys, "There's some silk inside. Take it and exchange it for silver."

Saying that, she tossed it directly into the monkeys' arms.

It had to be said that Cui Hongyu's move was clever. When Er Leng saw the monkeys grab the bundle, he immediately abandoned Cui Hongyu and snatched the bundle from the monkeys, saying, "You can't keep it all for yourself. We have to split it equally."

While the two of them were pulling and tugging, Cui Hongyu seized the opportunity, turned a corner, and slipped into the nearby bushes.

When Chen Er Mao arrived from behind and looked for Cui Hongyu, she was nowhere to be seen. Enraged, he walked forward and kicked the monkeys and Er Leng to the ground, one after another.

"You two scoundrels! To lose her over such a small thing! How much silver is Cui Hongyu worth when delivered to Baihua Lou?"

Cui Hongyu, in a state of panic, ran back to the courtyard.

The sound of footsteps startled Chen Xiao Bei, who was taking a nap.

He clearly had no idea what had happened and looked at Cui Hongyu with a confused expression. "What's wrong?"

Qiao'er asked with even more surprise, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, weren't you going to your parents' home?"

Going to her parents' home? Chen Xiao Bei looked at Cui Hongyu with surprise.

Cui Hongyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, but I changed my mind halfway and came back."

Chen Qiao'er was easily fooled, but Chen Xiao Bei was not so easily deceived. Going to her parents' home was one thing, but to run back out of breath in such a panic? It was obvious Cui Hongyu was lying.

He subtly sent Chen Qiao'er away and pulled Cui Hongyu into the inner room. "Tell me the truth, where did you go?"

"Do you know? Seeing you so panicked just now, I felt truly heartbroken."

The sudden concern shattered Cui Hongyu's defenses. She suddenly threw herself into Chen Xiao Bei's arms and burst into tears.

From this action, Chen Xiao Bei knew that something had happened, and it was something serious.

Cui Hongyu finally told him the truth, and after listening, Chen Xiao Bei was filled with rage.

He pulled a kitchen knife from under the pillow. "I'm going to chop up that bastard."

Cui Hongyu quickly grabbed his arm. "Husband, don't go. They have too many people, and you can't beat them."

Just then, Chen Qiao'er also ran in from outside. "Brother, sister-in-law, what are you doing?"

Facing Chen Qiao'er's innocent gaze, Chen Xiao Bei had to suppress his anger and raise his hand to stroke her head. "It's nothing. I'm just showing your sister-in-law how sharp this knife is."

Chen Qiao'er pulled Cui Hongyu out.

Before leaving, Cui Hongyu turned back again and said softly, "Husband, I'm fine."

Chen Xiao Bei sat on the bed and punched his own head fiercely.

He was so useless, unable to even protect his own woman.

After punching himself, he also realized that if this continued, Chen Er Mao might find an opportunity at any time, and the consequences would be severe.

He then remembered the scene from that night when Chen Er Mao and his men had broken into their house.

Cui Hongyu had given them a piece of silk, which was just the beginning.

Given Chen Er Mao's character, he would surely still be eyeing the larger dowry in their home.

If he set a trap, and Chen Er Mao saw that their entire family was out, he would definitely come to steal.

With that thought, he had an idea.

Chen Xiao Bei took three wild eggs and put them in his sleeves. He left the house and strolled to the home of the village head, Chen An Bang.

Seeing Chen Xiao Bei arrive, Chen An Bang appeared very enthusiastic. He invited him to sit down and offered to pour him water.

Chen Xiao Bei quickly stopped him and pressed the three wild eggs into his hand. "Second Grandfather, I won't drink any water. I have something I'd like to ask your help with."

Chen An Bang's face lit up as he held the three wild eggs. "We are family, so just say what you need. Don't be so formal with me."

"Second Grandfather, a piece of silk that Hongyu was drying in the yard was taken today. I went to the county town this morning, and she was digging wild vegetables outside the village yesterday when someone took advantage of the opportunity."

Chen An Bang couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy upon hearing this. The missing item was part of his grandson's dowry.

With that thought, his expression became serious. "Hmph, what audacious villains! They dare to break in during broad daylight! If I catch them, I'll break their legs!"

Chen Xiao Bei shook his head. "Grandfather, I want to take Hongyu and Qiao'er out in the evening. If the thief sees that no one is home, they will surely come again."

Hearing this, Chen An Bang understood. He stroked his beard and nodded.

"I understand what you mean. I will personally lead the village guards and set up an ambush around your house. We must catch this detestable criminal."

Chen Xiao Bei couldn't help but feel a little emotional. In the past, Chen An Bang had treated him with indifference, but now, three wild eggs had won him over.

In reality, Chen An Bang's proactive enthusiasm was not solely due to the three wild eggs.

In the evening, after dinner, Chen Xiao Bei invited Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao to go for a walk with him.

Cui Hongyu was very surprised. "Husband, it's already dark. Where are we going?"

Chen Xiao Bei pointed outside the village. "Let's take a walk by the river and see if there are many fish. I'll catch fish for you to eat in the future."

Cui Hongyu shook her head helplessly. What was her husband thinking? He didn't go to see the fish during the day, and now at night, he wouldn't be able to see anything.

She was resigned, but Chen Qiao'er was very excited. "Okay, okay! Qiao'er loves fish the most! Sister-in-law, let's go!"

The three of them walked out of the courtyard hand in hand. Chen Xiao Bei even turned back to lock his door.

Then again, with his door, locking it made no real difference.

The three of them, chatting and laughing, left the village.

In the evening, there were a few people by the river, all of them fishing. After all, they had to work in the fields during the day, so coming to fish in the evening to improve their diet was not a bad idea.

Ahead of them, Chen Li Dong, who lived at the west end of the village, was there. "Brother Dong, how was your catch today?"

Chen Xiao Bei greeted him enthusiastically.

Chen Li Dong pointed to a fish creel beside him. "My luck was good today. I caught two large fish. I'll take them to the county town tomorrow and sell them for a good price."

Chen Xiao Bei squatted down and looked at the two fish, each over half a foot long, in the creel.

He remembered the grilled fish, hot pot fish, and spicy fish from his previous life.

He couldn't help but swallow hard.

"Brother Dong, how much can you sell these for in the county town?"

Li Dong sighed. "Alas, two dead fish, at most one copper coin."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao Bei's mind stirred. "What about live fish? How much can they fetch?"

"Live fish? At least one copper coin per fish. They are very popular at the restaurants in the county town."

Just then, a hurried sound of gongs and drums could be heard from a distance.