A ragged cub at the beginning

Tang Xu glanced at Jiang Xiaonan, but time was urgent, so she asked Jiang Xiaodong: "Do you know where I can buy a copper gong?

"I know." Jiang Xiaodong nodded.

"Take me there, and I'll give you ten cents, how about that?" Tang Xu glanced at Jiang Xiaonan again, not knowing whether she was born that way or acquired that way. Such a child is hard to take care of, and she has no mother. But except for her clothes being a little worn, she is very clean. Even her hair is neatly combed, showing that she is well taken care of.

Jiang Xiaodong was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook his head and said, "It's free, I can take you there." But when he cast his eyes on his sister, he suddenly whispered, "Can you buy a string of candied haws for my sister?"

Tang Xu looked at his blushing face due to embarrassment, and his heart softened. He said softly, "Of course, thank you for your help."

Jiang Xiaodong was a smart kid. Knowing that she was anxious, he pulled his sister and started jogging.

"Jiang Xiaodong! How dare you run away! Come back! I'm going to tell my mom!" Jiang Xiaobei's threatening words came from behind, but no one paid attention. Jiang Xiaodong just pretended not to hear and whispered to his sister to run faster.

It was a blacksmith shop, and the owner was swinging a hammer, sweating profusely. "Bronze gong? Two hundred coins."

Tang Xu didn't have time to lament whether it was expensive or not. After buying it, he found that he didn't know where the Zhu family was. Jiang Xiaodong hadn't left yet, and he also happened to know the location of the Zhu family.

Zhu's house was a bit far away, and the three of them were sweating all over their foreheads. Tang Xu took out thirty coins and stuffed them into Jiang Xiaodong's pocket, asking him to take his sister away quickly.

She's about to start causing trouble.

"Murder! Murder! Murder!" The sound of the gong was deafening. The residents nearby and passers-by looked around when they heard the noise.

When they found that it was a young girl standing at the door of Zhu's house and beating the gong, they all gathered around.

"Where did this girl kill someone?"

"The Zhu family killed someone! Zhu Tou saw that I was pretty and forced me to go to their house. After I ran away, they took my son and daughter away! My poor children! I don't know what's going on in there!" Tang Xu rubbed his eyes hard, revealing red eyes. "I made such a big noise because I want you to be witnesses. If I go in and the children don't come out, it means they don't keep their word. I'm a weak woman and I can't think of any other way. I can only ask all the villagers for help."

"You can't go, girl. If you go, your life will be ruined!"

“Who knows if it’s true or not?”

"What bullshit, what kind of girl would joke about such a thing?"

"Maybe they are greedy for money. There weren't many families like this before."

"Maybe it's true. My aunt's neighbor's husband came to ask for his daughter but was beaten so hard that he couldn't get out of bed. He died within two months. The woman also hanged herself. It was tragic. They were such a good family."

"Isn't it said that the Zhu family kidnaps women and children everywhere? My aunt's little son was lost before, maybe he was stolen by his family."

"My great aunt's little grandson is missing too."

"Isn't it really the Zhu family?"

The two gatekeepers saw that more and more people were coming to the door, and the girl was still beating the gong, shouting for her son and daughter to be returned to her.

One of them took out a stick and said, "Go away, go away. If you don't go away, I will hit you."

"Murder! The Zhu family is going to kill someone!" Tang Xu shouted while dodging and banging the gong hard.

The sound of the gong was shrill, and people passing by, living nearby, and running shops and stalls all slowly gathered around.

Seeing that something was wrong, the other doorman quickly pulled the man back and asked him to notify the housekeeper.

More and more people came. When Butler Zhu came out, the entrance was crowded with people, more lively than a temple fair. He looked at the girl in front, his eyebrows jumped, and he forced a smile and walked forward: "Miss, if you have anything to discuss, please come into the mansion and talk. Snacks and tea are all prepared for you."

"Look, look, here I come! I am a young girl, and I have entered your cannibalistic den. The folks present here may not see me come out."

"You can't go! Don't go! Quickly release the child! What are you going in for? Are you trying to kill him and silence him?"

Tang Xu was delighted to hear this. Yes, that's right. If your brother says something, just say more!

"Let the child go! Let the child go!"

People all have a herd mentality, and once they follow the crowd, their intelligence will be pulled to a unified level. At this moment, no one even tried to distinguish the true from the false. They didn't even know whose child it was, and they all shouted to release the child.

One after another, the voices became more and more uniform. Hundreds of people shouted in unison, and not only the Zhu family, but half of the town could hear it.

When Du Yun arrived, he couldn't even see Tang Xu's figure. He could only hear the clear sound of the gong, which, along with the shouts of the crowd, had a strong sense of rhythm that was compelling. There were too many people, and Du Yun couldn't get through at all. He stood on the periphery, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. This girl was really amazing, and she didn't care about her face at all.

He had to admit that although this method was reckless, it was somewhat effective. He thought about the Zhu family father and son and realized that they would not be able to come up with a better solution in a short period of time.

"Uncle Du." Jiang Xiaodong didn't leave but stood there watching.

"Xiaodong, why are you here?" Du Yun was surprised, and then said, "You are with your sister. It's not safe here because there are so many people. Don't get too close."

"I know." Jiang Xiaodong recounted everything that happened before and after in a clear and organized manner.

Du Yun shook his head and sighed. It would be much easier if he handled it. He looked around and walked towards the back door of Zhu's house.

The Zhu family would not enter through the side door if they intercepted someone. The best place would be the remote back door where there were few people. He remembered that there were two households there, and he wondered if they saw the two children from the Zhu family entering. By the way, he would guard the back door. If the Zhu family did not want to hand over the children, they would have to send the children away, and they would definitely go through the back door.

Zhu Wuqing finally couldn't sit still anymore, he kicked open his son's door. Zhu Tou was lying on the chaise longue, two maids leaned on him like bones, feeding him grapes. He looked happy, his hands wandering on one of them.

After the door was kicked open, the two maids rolled to the ground in fear. Zhu Tou was about to get angry, but when he saw his father, he curled his lips and complained, "What are you doing, Dad? When can I go out?"

"Beast, did you capture two children?" Zhu Wuqing asked directly.

"So what if I catch her? She's just a slut. Let's see if she doesn't come to my door obediently." Zhu Tou's trick always works, and he has a smile on his face that shows he is determined to win.

Zhu Wuqing was so angry that he had a headache. He took two steps forward and slapped him, pointing outside and said, "You're just delivering yourself to my door? Are you deaf? Can't you hear what they're shouting outside?"

"Dad! Why did you hit me!" Zhu Tou was slapped and rolled to the ground, falling on two kneeling maids. He was so angry that he got up and kicked the one on the right to the ground, "Get out!"

The two maids didn't even dare to cry, and ran out supporting each other.

Zhu Wuqing trembled his fingers, "You bastard! How dare you show off in front of me! You just stir up trouble for me all day long! Didn't I tell you to behave yourself these two days? Go out and see how many people are outside? Sooner or later, the Zhu family will be destroyed in your hands!"

"Who are you? What are you shouting outside?" Zhu Tou was used to being beaten, so he rubbed his face and got up. "Give me back my child? Whose child?"

"Idiot! You captured the child! Let her go now! That woman has made the whole town know about it! Before, you could say that it was a rumor that we were trafficking women and children! Now you can't clear yourself of this even if you jump into the Yellow River!" Zhu Wuqing said angrily.

Zhu Tou had no idea that the woman could make such a big fuss, but he was still unwilling to give up. He rolled his eyes and said, "Let's kill the child and bury him quietly, and then say that we never caught him and that she framed our family. At worst, we can let them come in and search."

Let someone come in and search? Can Zhu Tou's backyard be seen by others? Not to mention Zhu Tou, even the yard behind him cannot be seen by others. He gritted his teeth and slapped Zhu Tou again. He turned around and grabbed the boy at the door, "Where are the two children? Bring them here!"

"Dad, Dad, you can't let him go!" Zhu Tou chased after him.

"Lock the door, young master. No one in the yard is allowed to go out!" Zhu Wuqing was too lazy to waste words with his brainless son. The two children were pulled out of the woodshed, their faces were dirty with snot and tears, and their clothes were stained with a lot of grass leaves and dust. But the boy's big wet eyes and frightened eyes made Zhu Wuqing's chest shake. This child is so good-looking. If she is more scared, she'd better scream loudly and scream her throat out... He licked his lips and looked at the little girl. She was also good-looking. This little mouth, tut tut. Zhu Wuqing looked at the two children from head to toe with lustful eyes. He began to think about whether to let them go. What if he just said that he didn't catch them? Could they really rush in and search?

The magistrate is far away, and there are only two yamen runners in the town. The mayor is his cousin, and he will give him more money when the time comes, just like before. Thinking of this, Zhu Wuqing looked at the little boy again. He seemed to be even more scared, and cried and cried. Oh, he cried so beautifully.

Qiyue shrank back. The naked look of the grandfather opposite him made him feel sick and scared. He didn't know why the grandfather looked at him like this, but he wanted to run and hide. This was a bad guy! I want to go home, mother... Qiyue pursed his lips, tears kept pouring out.

Zhao Yunniang's legs were weak, but she gritted her teeth and trembled as she protected Qiyue behind her. Qiyue's brother had no father, so pitiful, she wanted to protect him! But she was so scared, she didn't know where this was, she missed her mother so much! She missed her father so much! Mother! Dad! Come and save Yunniang!

"Master! The mayor is here!" Butler Zhu came over and said.

"So soon?" Zhu Wuqing came back to his senses, "Take care of these two kids."

"Yes." Butler Zhu looked at the two children and sighed. They couldn't escape after all.

Walking into the front hall, Zhu Xiaoting was standing in the middle with a dark face, and two maids were tremblingly persuading him to sit down.

Zhu Wuqing stepped forward with a flattering smile and asked the maids to leave. He took out a rolled-up banknote and stuffed it into Zhu Xiaoting's sleeve, "Greetings, mayor. I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person. I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person."

"The troubles your family has been getting into are getting bigger and bigger recently?" Zhu Xiaoting calmly put the banknotes into his sleeve pocket, his expression softened a little.

"It's all trivial matters, trivial matters. I'll ask someone to ask the girl to leave right away." Zhu Wuqing said.

"Where are the children?" Zhu Xiaoting asked.

Zhu Wuqing quickly denied it, "We didn't arrest the child, that bitch was the one who lied."

"Who else could it be if not you! Your servant carried two children on his shoulders and paraded through the streets! Someone saw it! You..." Zhu Xiaoting paused, his eyes sharp, "You wouldn't have already...?"

Zhu Wuqing waved his hand, "No, no, I'm fine."

Zhu Xiaoting said angrily, "That woman is so crazy. If something happens to the child, what do you think she will do? The people sent by the county have heard about this. I advise you to put the child back quickly and don't cause any more trouble!"

Seeing Zhu Xiaoting angry, Zhu Wuqing felt sorry for him, but he kept agreeing, "Okay, okay, I'll let him go right away."

"Bring the child here." Zhu Xiaoting waved his hand, then sat down and took a sip of tea.

Zhu Wuqing sent someone to go, and when he saw Zhu Xiaoting's face calmed down, he came over eagerly and said, "Cousin, those two children are really good-looking, especially the boy..."

Zhu Xiaoting's eyes were stern, and he looked at Zhu Wuqing threateningly, "Shut up!"

Zhu Wuqing slapped his mouth and laughed dryly: "Shut up, shut up. What should we do with that bitch?"

"Don't touch her for now. She's famous now. The Du family's top scholar even asked me to do justice. He brought a witness and said he saw your servants catch the child." Zhu Xiaoting smiled but didn't smile. His eyes were cold and gloomy, like a poisonous snake quietly waiting for its prey in the dark night. "Wait for a while..."

Zhu Wuqing swallowed his saliva and silently took a step back. "Why is Du Jieyuan still involved with her?"

"We just live in the same alley. It shouldn't matter." Zhu Xiaoting was thinking about how to kill Tang Xu. When the two children were brought up, he narrowed his eyes. Then he showed a kind smile, "You must be scared. This grandfather likes children, so he invited you to be his guests. Your mother is here and is waiting for you outside. You can go back now."

Although the man in front of her was smiling amiably, Zhao Yunniang's hair stood on end. She held her brother's hand tightly, her palms full of sweat. Qiyue hugged her arm, and the two children pressed tightly together.

"Come on, follow me to find your mother." Zhu Xiaoting glanced at the little boy obscurely. What a beautiful pair of eyes. It was such a frightened look. If it were wider and filled with fear, it would be more beautiful. The twisted thoughts in his heart did not affect his expression. He still had a smile on his face, looking like a gentle and amiable neighbor next door. "Remember? Grandpa Zhu likes children, so he lets you come over to play, and gives you beautiful clothes and delicious snacks, right?"

The two children were like frightened quails, not daring to make a sound. They just looked at him timidly, trying to shrink themselves and hide.

"Right?" Zhu Xiaoting was slightly excited and turned back to ask again, his eyes fixed on July.

July was so scared that his little face was expressionless, with only his constricted pupils trembling slightly, revealing his fear.

"Yes, yes." Zhao Yunniang responded tremblingly.

"Don't be afraid, grandpa will take you back to find mom." Zhu Xiaoting looked at the girl with dissatisfaction, thinking she was talking too much.

Tang Xu was waiting outside anxiously. When the mayor came, he comforted him with a few words and said he would go in to ask about the situation.

The waiting time was too painful, and the crowd was buzzing with discussion. Many people calmed down at this moment and came to ask her if the child was really taken away by the Zhu family, or if he went somewhere else for fun.

Tang Xu was very sure that the children were taken away by the Zhu family. Jiang Xiaodong just squeezed in and said that Du Yun had asked around and someone saw the Zhu family servants holding the two children in their arms and covering their mouths, getting off the carriage and entering the Zhu family's back door.

At this time, there was a creaking sound. The scarlet door of the Zhu family opened, and Zhu Xiaoting walked out with two children. The wealthy family was like the open mouth of a monster. The two children trembled and hugged each other, finally escaping from the monster's mouth.

Seeing Tang Xu, they ran towards him like young swallows. When they were going down the stairs, someone's legs went weak and the two children fell down together. Tang Xu rushed over and helped them up.

Zhu Xiaoting pretended to be anxious and concerned about them like a kind person.

They actually made the Zhu family bow their heads! Release the child! The crowd cheered! It turns out that the rich are not unshakable!

Some people who had been harmed covered their eyes and cried bitterly, saying that if someone had helped them at the time, maybe their children would have come back and they wouldn't have lost their family.

After Tang Xu helped the children stand steadily, Zhu Xiaoting raised his hand and pressed it down, "It's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. I just thought the two children were cute, so I invited them to my home to play. Look at these two children, they don't look like they've been tortured."

Tang Xu laughed. Was the mayor really stupid or was he in cahoots with the Zhu family? She pulled the children into her arms and touched them to make sure they didn't look painful. Then she pulled them behind her and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, fellow villagers, for saving my two children's lives. I have no way to repay you for your kindness."

Qiyue and Zhao Yunniang were still in shock, and they each held one of Tang Xu's legs, clinging tightly to him and refusing to let go.

"As long as the child is okay."

"Okay, go back quickly."

"Yes, take the child back quickly."

Suddenly, a discordant voice came from the crowd, "I've never heard anyone say that someone takes a child away without saying goodbye to the adults. How ridiculous."

Big brother! You can talk more!

The mayor's words were full of loopholes, but Tang Xu couldn't embarrass him in public, so he had to remain silent. He didn't expect that there was an honest guy among the crowd, and he said it in front of the crowd. The mayor didn't know who said it, and even if he wanted to retaliate, he couldn't find the person.

Zhu Xiaoting knew that this reason was not sufficient, but he was sure that Tang Xu would not dare to expose it. Unexpectedly, there was still a troublemaker. He said with a dark face: "Let's go, let's go, don't you have anything to do?"