Ye Zhinan leaned in obsequiously, shaking Ye Yingfeng's arm. It was a rare display of coquetry from her.
"Dear big brother, just trust me this once. As for the rest, Qin Yihuai will figure it out."
She wasn't entirely certain either. She just wanted to take a bold approach and see what would happen.
There was no other way out at the moment. Even if they took the matter to the prefect, it would probably be a last - ditch effort.
Ye Yingfeng walked quickly. He returned from the supply station in less than half an hour.
The sweat on his face hadn't dried yet. He drank two big cups of tea before he caught his breath.
"It's quite strange. Not only was the Wei family's main gate tightly shut, but there were also two bolts on it. There must be something fishy going on."
It was like the proverb "He that denies all confesses all."
It seemed that no one in the Wei family was very smart.
"Let's just sit back and enjoy the show."
Ye Zhinan sat in the yard embroidering with Han Xiangmei, but her ears were practically perked up towards the Wei family's yard.
Before long, there were soft footsteps outside.
People were going door - to - door, knocking and saying they were going to search the houses.
"Open up! Routine inspection for prohibited items!"
Ye Zhinan couldn't help but snicker. Using one's position to create advantages for oneself was, in a way, a form of cleverness.
She faintly heard rustling sounds coming from the Wei family's yard. Wei Shishi was even loudly urging others.
It was obvious that they were hiding something.
But the Wei family's house wasn't that big. No matter how well they hid things, they would eventually show their flaws.
"Did you hear that? Their place is quite a lively mess."
Looking at the smug Ye Zhinan, Qin Yihuai couldn't help but smile with pursed lips.
Her mischievous look was quite amusing.
"I heard."
He didn't comment further. He bowed to Ye Shenyan and his wife and showed no sign of leaving.
Ye Zhinan was already eager to watch the show, but he seemed completely unfazed.
"Don't be impatient. Playing with the mouse is more fun than just catching it."
He wanted to see how they would react when their joy turned to sorrow.
This rather malicious thought popped into his mind, and it even surprised him for a moment.
But when he thought of Ye Zhinan's pleasure in others' misfortune, his sense of guilt instantly vanished.
"You make a lot of sense!"
Ye Zhinan rubbed her hands excitedly, unable to contain her excitement.
She always avenged every slight. It was a minor matter that Wei Shishi had isolated her, but it was the malicious gossip behind her back that really got on her nerves.
If others didn't provoke her, she wouldn't provoke them.
If others provoked her, she would happily watch them suffer.
It wasn't until the Wei family's yard was completely quiet that Qin Yihuai led his men over to search.
When they passed by the Ye family's gate again, the two exchanged glances, both with smiles on their lips.
"I think you and Constable Qin get along quite well."
Han Xiangmei suddenly spoke softly beside her, making Ye Zhinan jump.
She waved her hands repeatedly, pretending not to care.
"What are you talking nonsense about? He's at least a minor official. How could he take a fancy to us?"
Ye Zhinan waved her hand and turned around, not wanting Han Xiangmei to say more.
Ye Shenyan, who usually didn't want to get involved, suddenly perked up. Seeing Ye Zhinan's reaction, he showed a meaningful smile.
Overnight, the rumors about Ye Zhinan spread among the neighbors.
Han Xiangmei was so angry that she gasped for breath and threw the shovel on the ground.
Still not feeling relieved, she even stepped on it a few times.
"Those gossiping women outside are getting more and more absurd. Yesterday they only said that you were entangled with Zhao Qingfeng because of the greenhouse. Now they're saying that you're ruining someone's marriage."
Han Xiangmei wished she could say all the harsh words she had ever known in her first half of life to feel better.
Ye Zhinan, on the other hand, didn't really care. She wasn't a god and couldn't stop people from talking. She was bound to be gossiped about.
Moreover, everyone followed Wei Shishi's lead, so they naturally believed whatever she said.
Even if she tried to explain and told the whole story clearly, no one would believe her.
"Don't be angry. The best part of the show is yet to come. This is just a build - up."
If Wei Shishi didn't make her exit, how could the new act continue?
Han Xiangmei wiped her eyes forcefully and continued working stubbornly.
"I'm just so angry. The Wei family is really not a good bunch. This whole mess has something to do with them."
Han Xiangmei's words gave Ye Zhinan an idea.
She had been very careful in her interactions with the Zhao family, always afraid of being caught.
There had never been any rumors before, but as soon as Wei Shishi returned from the Zhao family, the rumors started spreading.
Even a fool could figure out what was going on.
"Don't worry. Those who deserve punishment won't get away with it."
She had given the Zhao family enough face, but if they didn't play fair, she wouldn't show them any mercy.
Just after noon, the Wei family's main gate was kicked open.
Qin Yihuai led his clerks in and headed straight for the backyard.
The Wei family had dug a cellar at some point, usually used for storing vegetables, but it was the perfect place to hide stolen goods in a pinch.
Looking at his efficient manner, Ye Zhinan always felt that he seemed to have known something all along.
Chen Zhenhai sneaked over to her side and grinned at her.
"Constable Qin was able to go straight for the target all thanks to me."
Looking at his self - congratulatory look, Ye Zhinan complimented him for the first time.
Actually, she wanted to know what kind of trick Chen Zhenhai had used.
He deliberately kept her in suspense, walked around her a few times, and then slowly said,
"I wore night - clothes and lay on your roof for a whole day and night. Finally, I found out where they hid the stolen goods. So, in a way, I should thank you guys."
Ye Zhinan's face darkened. There was so much information in Chen Zhenhai's words that she was stunned.
Lying on her roof?
For a whole day and night?
The scariest part was that she had been completely unaware. If Chen Zhenhai hadn't confessed, she might never have guessed.
Chen Zhenhai saw the change in her face and felt nervous.
He glanced at Qin Yihuai and suddenly felt a chill down his back.
"Didn't he tell you?"
Ye Zhinan didn't answer. Her face even turned uglier. Ye Yingfeng noticed the commotion and quickly came over.
"Don't be angry. Constable Qin told me, and my father agreed. We just didn't dare tell you for fear of scaring the snakes."
Ye Zhinan let out a sigh of relief, but then her anger flared up again.
What did he mean by "fear of scaring the snakes"?
"Do I look like someone who can't accomplish anything but only mess things up?"
Ye Yingfeng shook his head frantically, not daring to offend the young lady in front of him at all.
"No. It's just that you were so eager to watch the Wei family's misfortune. If I had told you there was someone on the roof, you definitely wouldn't have been able to hold back and would have wanted to find out what was going on."
Faced with her elder brother's explanation, Ye Zhinan was completely speechless.
She could only shrink into her chair like a quail and continue listening to the commotion in the Wei family's yard.
Wei Shishi was very stubborn. She straightened her back and argued with Qin Yihuai defiantly.
"This is something entrusted to me by a friend. If you take it away, I'll go to the yamen and sue you. Let's see who will end up in trouble!"