哈哈漫画

Chapter 5

“No.” Li Xia shook her head, very certain she didn’t see anyone go in. Of course not counting herself. She wasn't "anyone else".

"Big brother, what exactly happened?"

"Nothing. This is not a place for a young lady like you. Qing Zhu, send Miss Li back home." Li Hui didn't answer Li Xia's question. Instead, he ordered Qing Zhu to take Li Xia back.

Li Xia also knew it wasn't proper for her to stay here any longer. She briskly followed Qing Zhu back. No sooner had Li Xia left than Li Ming rushed over with a group.

"Father, there are 16 children inside." Li Hui's words greatly changed Li Ming's expression. Li Ming turned to the doctor who followed him and ordered, "Hurry in and take a look at the children!"

These children must not come to any harm. The doctor who came with them hurried inside with a medicine box to examine the children.

Li Ming asked Li Hui, "The human traffickers, did they reveal where their base is? How are those traffickers now? Chief Constable Zhang..." Before Li Ming could finish, he was interrupted by a burst of crying.

A woman suddenly appeared at the alley entrance, crying and shouting while trying to get in, "My child is inside. Let me in, let me in..." Her family also pleaded loudly, "Sir, our child was kidnapped. There could be our child inside. Please let us in to take a look!" The officers blocked them from rushing in.

Li Ming frowned. He had wanted to interrogate them for further clues and catch the masterminds. Now the parents of the missing children were here and it would startle the snakes in the grass.

Suppressing his emotions, Li Ming stepped forward and announced in a clear voice, "Everyone, I am Li Ming, the magistrate of Bailang County. Doctors are examining the children now. They will be taken to the county government office later. Parents whose children are missing can come to the county office to register and verify if you can claim your child back."

"Sir, please let me in to see if my child is in there..." Other parents who lost their children also wanted to go inside, saying "Sir, please let us in to find our children!"

... The cries of parents wanting to go in and find their children grew louder. And there were also onlookers trying to squeeze in. Seeing the chaos, Li Ming exchanged a look with Private Advisor Lin.

Understanding his meaning, Private Advisor Lin shouted, "Silence!" His loud voice stopped everyone. Li Ming tidyed his clothes and stepped forward to face the crowd, "As this official has said, doctors are looking over the children now. They will be taken to the county office later. You can go to the county office to register and verify if you can claim your child back. If there is further disturbance, I will charge all of you with obstructing official business!" After Li Ming spoke, the officers tightened their grip on their swords.

"If you want to claim your children back, go to the county office to register now!" Private Advisor Lin added behind Li Ming.

Hearing this, those who lost their children hurried toward the county office. Two who were reluctant to leave were blocked by officers and could only follow the others to the county office.

Li Hui stepped forward and told Li Ming, "Father, I will go in to see how Chief Constable Zhang's interrogation goes."

"Go quickly," Li Ming urged. Now they had to interrogate the traffickers for more information before their gang found out the news, so they could catch the rest.

Li Hui brought along a sword. Knowing his good martial arts skill would help, Chief Constable Zhang did not decline his offer. They left through the back yard, heading for the designated meeting spot.

Having returned to the magistrate's residence, Li Xia obediently stood inside the hall. She knew her recklessness today wasn't proper behavior for a young lady. Honestly bowing her head, she admitted her mistake, "Mother, your daughter has done wrong. Please punish me."

Mrs. Lu put down her teacup and looked at the very contrite Li Xia standing before her, "You were bold today, but considering you saved those 16 children, I won't punish you this time."

Li Xia revealed a smile hearing Mrs. Lu’s words. She raised her head to look at Mrs. Lu but seeing her solemn expression, Li Xia quickly hid her smile and lowered her head again.

Mrs. Lu shook her head slightly and looked toward a maidservant. The maid came forward and handed Li Xia a box, "This is a reward for you, just this once. Don't expect this again."

Li Xia didn't expect not only no punishment from Mrs. Lu but even a reward. She reached out and took the rather weighty box, hearing the pleasing sound of coins clinking inside. Li Xia felt very satisfied with this reward. She was lacking money. "Your daughter will bear your teaching in mind," Still, Li Xia didn't say she wouldn't intervene next time she encountered such a situation again.

Mrs. Lu could tell Li Xia didn't really take her words to heart, "You may leave now."

"Your daughter bids farewell." Li Xia curtsied and left. At the entrance she saw Li Xin walking over briskly.

"Big sister!" In high spirits, Li Xia greeted her.

Li Xin looked Li Xia up and down, "Second sister, you're not hurt, are you?"

"Why would I be hurt?" Li Xia shook the box in her hand, the clinking of coins inside was really pleasant to the ear.

Seeing Li Xia's expression, Li Xin felt relieved, "That's good then."

"Big sister, I'll head back first." Li Xia moved aside to let Li Xin pass.

Once inside, Li Xin asked Mrs. Lu doubtfully about rewarding Li Xia with money, "Why did you give second sister money, Mother?" To Li Xin, directly giving money seemed rather vulgar. For a daughter of the family, rewards should be fabrics, jewelry and the like.

"For Young Miss San, giving money would be inappropriate, but for Young Miss Er, only money will delight her." Mrs. Lu understood Li Xia well. She then told Li Xin about the things Li Xia had exchanged her red envelope money for over the years, as well as some unimportant items Mrs. Lu had rewarded her with that Li Xia sold off to buy food. Although Li Xia did these things furtively, how could she hide anything from Mrs. Lu? She had a clear grasp of everything happening in the magistrate's residence.

"Second sister is far too gluttonous!" Li Xin found it hard to understand Li Xia's immense love for food. The education she always received emphasized balance and restraint, not greed. Then doubtfully, she asked again, "Hasn't Auntie Mei disciplined her?"

"Auntie Mei just has a beautiful face." Among the three aunties, Auntie Mei did have the most outstanding looks, but compared to that, she had the least astute mind. Otherwise, Mrs. Lu wouldn't have kept her and let her give birth to Li Xia back then. Speaking of this, Mrs. Lu took the chance to teach her daughter, talking about many matters within the household concerning managing servants, concubines and more.