Cui Hongyu, displaying a rare composure, nodded and repeated the instructions, "Tell Li Dong to be wary of Chen Ping, bring Qiao'er along, and if you don't come out today, go stay at Da Chun's house."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and from his embrace, slipped a two-hundred-liang silver note to Cui Hongyu, "Here, keep this safe."
Chen Xiaobei felt at ease. Even though he was a transmigrator, he had developed a deep bond with Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er during their time together.
If he truly couldn't get out, at least Cui Hongyu would have money. He had given her two hundred liang today, and the thousand liang from Liu Rumei was also with Cui Hongyu. This money was enough for them to live comfortably for many years. Moreover, with Cui Hongyu's capabilities, she could easily support herself.
Chen Qiao'er, though she didn't fully understand, grasped one thing: Chen Xiaobei was going to be separated from them temporarily.
She hugged Chen Xiaobei's neck, "Brother, don't go. Qiao'er doesn't want brother to go."
Chen Xiaobei kissed his little sister's cheek, "Don't worry, brother will be back soon. You must listen to your sister-in-law."
With that, he turned and walked out of the room.
He had hidden the other nine repeating crossbows in Da Chun's woodshed.
He brought them out in one go and placed them before He Lao Qi.
He Lao Qi looked down at the repeating crossbows and sighed slightly, gesturing to the nearby constables.
Two constables stepped forward, picked up the repeating crossbows, and inspected them one by one. "Head Constable He, they've been checked. All are intact."
He Lao Qi looked at Chen Xiaobei again and said in a deep voice, "Let's go."
He then turned and walked away.
Chen Xiaobei glanced back at Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er one last time, then forced a smile and walked out of the courtyard.
After a few steps, he turned back again, looking at the newly constructed courtyard. He felt helpless. This brand new place, not even lived in yet, couldn't just be given to others. He hoped this time would pass without disaster.
By now, the village roads were lined with people.
Almost the entire village had come.
After all, they had just shared wolf meat in the morning, and now their village chief, Chen Xiaobei, was being taken away. The villagers were naturally reluctant.
The village elder stepped forward, blocking He Lao Qi. "Officer, may I ask what crime Village Chief Chen has committed? Why are you treating him like this?"
He Lao Qi was about to speak when Chen Xiaobei interjected, "Village Elder, I'm fine. I'll be back soon. Please ask everyone to disperse."
He Lao Qi looked at Chen Xiaobei with gratitude, secretly giving him a thumbs-up. He's a good man.
Seeing the situation, if he had said Chen Xiaobei had committed a crime, he probably wouldn't have been able to leave this village.
The village elder, upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, stomped his cane. "Child, you're still trying to deceive me at a time like this."
He then pointed to the assembled crowd with emotion, "Illegally possessing military weapons is a capital offense. We..." He couldn't finish.
However, this statement confused both He Lao Qi and Chen Xiaobei.
Who said it was a capital offense?
He Lao Qi looked at Chen Xiaobei, who shook his head vigorously, as if to say, "I didn't say that."
Just then, Chen Xiaobei saw a smiling face. Chen Ping, standing not far behind the village elder, looked at him triumphantly.
Chen Xiaobei instantly understood. It must have been Chen Ping spreading rumors.
Thinking of this, he stepped forward and bowed to the village elder. "Village Elder, although repeating crossbows are military weapons, I was not hoarding them illegally. It's not a capital offense. Don't listen to baseless rumors." He emphasized the words "baseless rumors."
Li Dong immediately understood Chen Xiaobei's hidden meaning and was about to speak when he felt someone tugging his sleeve. He looked over and saw Cui Hongyu. Cui Hongyu gestured outside, signaling him to talk later.
Li Dong followed Cui Hongyu as they squeezed through the crowd. "Sister-in-law, Brother Xiaobei he..."
Cui Hongyu raised her hand to stop him. "Xiaobei asked me to tell you that Chen Ping is behind all of this. Be careful of his schemes."
"Also, find a way to stall He Lao Qi and his men. I need to go to the county to get reinforcements."
At this point, the village elder clearly believed Chen Xiaobei's words. He cleared his throat. "Alright, since that's the case, let everyone disperse."
It was evident that everyone had a natural trust in Chen Xiaobei.
However, Li Dong suddenly shouted, "Wait."
The sudden shout startled He Lao Qi.
Upon realizing it was Li Dong, he relaxed. "It's Li Dong. What else do you need?"
Li Dong stepped forward and cupped his fists to He Lao Qi. "Constable He, you've had a long journey. Please allow me, on behalf of all the villagers of Hetou Village, to express our gratitude."
He Lao Qi was bewildered.
What did this mean?
Before he could speak, Li Dong continued, "I have already instructed someone to prepare some food and wine. Please, Constable He, fill your stomach before you go."
This? What was going on?
They were here to arrest someone, and now they were being offered a meal?
Not only was he confused, but all the villagers were bewildered.
The village elder angrily stamped his cane. "Li Dong, you... you must be mistaken."
Li Dong smiled. "Village Elder, am I wrong? It's almost noon now. We can't let the officers go to the county on an empty stomach, can we?"
Before the village elder could respond, Chen Ping, standing nearby, became excited. "Right, right. I have an old jar of wine at home. I'll go get it, I'll go get it."
He Lao Qi looked pleadingly at Chen Xiaobei, conveying his desire to leave quickly.
Unexpectedly, Chen Xiaobei also pretended to be confused this time. "Constable He, I think Li Dong is right. It's almost noon, we should eat before we go."
Hearing this, the village elder came to his senses. That's right, Chen Xiaobei hadn't eaten either.
With this thought, he hurriedly shouted to those around him, "Alright, everyone, quickly go prepare some dishes. Those with food, bring it out. Those with strength, help out. After a good meal, we'll see the officers off."
He then stepped forward and bowed to He Lao Qi. "Constable He, please."
Under the large locust tree, the dormitory of the village guard team was quickly tidied up and tables were set.
While everyone was in a commotion, Cui Hongyu quickly went home to pack, took Chen Qiao'er, and drove the donkey cart towards the county town.
The twenty-odd li journey was arduous, and Cui Hongyu drove herself to the brink of exhaustion.
But this hardship was nothing compared to saving Chen Xiaobei. She was willing to do anything.
Upon entering the county town, she asked for directions and arrived at the Liu Mansion.
Liu Rumei presented her waist token to Ma Xiaoyi, who was guarding the entrance. "Please inform your madam, I wish to see Miss Liu Rumei."
Ma Xiaoyi took the waist token, examined it, and handed it back. "May I ask who you are, miss?"
Cui Hongyu bowed again. "My husband's name is Chen Xiaobei, from Hetou Village."
Now, Chen Xiaobei was a household name in the Liu Mansion. Upon hearing that she was his wife, Ma Xiaoyi quickly ran into the mansion.