Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

So, Shao Yunduan selected a few respected elders from the community to help him search the room. As they began the search, Qiao Hongxi couldn’t help but feel a surge of envy at how well-liked Shao Yunduan was among the neighbors.

Inwardly, he started to entertain the idea that his grandmother might have been right – perhaps Qiao Xuan had stolen their family fortune and given it to Shao Yunduan. How else could he have such strong support and freedom to act as he pleased? Qiao Hongxi’s annoyance grew, and he glared at Shao Yunduan, determined to teach him a lesson.

Believing that finding his sister would prove Shao Yunduan’s deceit, Qiao Hongxi stormed into the room, accompanied by the others.

To their surprise, they couldn’t find Qiao Wei anywhere, leaving them dumbfounded. Qiao Hongxi didn’t realize the significance of this, but Shao Yunduan did. The idle men exchanged anxious glances, sensing that something was amiss.

Shao Yunduan knew exactly where they had come from, and his mind raced to understand the situation.

“How is this possible? How can she be gone?” Qiao Hongxi exclaimed in disbelief.

Recalling the letter he received, detailing Shao Yunduan’s actions the previous night and his supposed interactions with Qiao Wei, he had believed every word. Furthermore, he had even checked Qiao Wei’s room and found it empty. It was clear that she wasn’t there.

Qiao Hongxi had sought out the assistance of some passersby, asking them to join in the search. In his mind, Shao Yunduan must be hiding something, as he had repeatedly rejected their offers to help. But now, faced with the inability to find his sister, Qiao Hongxi’s frustration peaked.

“You must have hidden her!” he accused Shao Yunduan, his emotions getting the best of him.

Shao Yunduan’s voice turned cold as he retorted, “Qiao Hongxi, it seems like you’re the only one who’s vocal here, right? You believe what you say is the absolute truth? Fine, then take me to the governmental office if that’s what you think. Your sister’s disappearance is a serious matter, after all!”

Qiao Hongxi was already panicking. “Last night, she clearly…”

“You saw that?”

“No, but…”

“Heard that? Who did you hear this from?”

“….”

Qiao Hongxi had no idea who it was, and even if he did, he would not reveal the secret.

Neighbors could not stand that any more. They complained.

“That is so over the top! They are ruining Officer Shao’s reputation!”

“I knew it! Officer Shao is not like this!”

“I almost believed what that man said, but…”

“That man looks so mean and wretched. He is definitely not a good person!”

“….”

Qiao Hongxi’s face flushed with anger as he snapped, “I am not mistaken! My sister must have been here! You must have set her up!”

Shao Yunduan sneered in response to Qiao Hongxi’s accusation.

As they continued to argue, a team of guards entered the room, causing Qiao Hongxi to startle.

The onlookers’ hearts sank, sensing trouble was brewing.

Seizing the opportunity, Shao Yunduan pointed at Qiao Hongxi and said to the guards, “Thank you for your timely arrival. This man has falsely accused me, and I have no idea what he’s talking about. Please escort him to the governmental office and request the governor to interrogate him!”

The guards greeted Shao Yunduan respectfully and nodded in agreement.

Songshi, one of the onlookers, took this moment to recount the entire incident to the guards.

The leader of the guards seemed eager to please Shao Yunduan and showed no concern for Qiao Hongxi. He promptly ordered his men to fetch Shao Yunduan.

Furious at Shao Yunduan’s actions, Qiao Hongxi struggled and yelled, “Shao Yunduan, you set up my sister and attempted to frame me! You are a disgraceful son-in-law of the Qiao Family! My father must have been blind to accept you into our family!”