The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

This was reason enough for Ding Gaochang to believe that Zhuang Qingning had a well-thought-out plan.

“Miss Zhuang, is there anything we need to prepare?” Ding Gaochang asked.

“Find two or three strong swimmers, and prepare a small boat and a bamboo cage large enough to hold a person.” Zhuang Qingning instructed, “Also, make sure that the fraudster who swindled people out of their money is present when the time comes.”

“These are not issues.” Ding Gaochang nodded, “But…”

“How do you plan to capture that Water Ghost?”

“The Water Ghost is a mere figment of the imagination, and I’m sure you know that, sir. There is no such thing as a Water Ghost in this world, but rather the ‘ghosts’ in people’s hearts. So, you might want to…”

Zhuang Qingning said softly.

Ding Gaochang listened attentively to Zhuang Qingning’s words. His initially furrowed brow gradually relaxed: “That is indeed one way.”

“I was indeed trapped in a dead-end, only focusing on the Water Ghost and not considering the people involved. I am deeply ashamed.”

This, Ding Gaochang meant sincerely.

Since he took office as the county magistrate, he had handled many urgent and important cases. Each time he believed he had handled them properly, and he had his own way of solving cases. He was quite self-satisfied with this. However, this time, he indeed ran into a blind alley.

“As a county magistrate, you have to consider a lot more than I do,” Zhuang Qingning said with a smile. “Not only do you have to deal with the case, but you also have to consider the well-being of the people. Naturally, you have to take into account the impact of this matter on the people. But I only need to think about the Water Ghost, without any concerns.”

Ding Gaochang gave a faint smile: “Yes, Miss Zhuang, you are right. We’ve been trapped and hesitant to act rashly because of this.”

“Miss Zhuang, your method can indeed enlighten the people about the evil deeds of the ‘holy’ man and show them his true colors. However, some people always fall for such tricks and remain obsessed. His cousin is also fanning the flames. I’m afraid that even if we make the ‘holy’ man confess, there will still be people who will not be enlightened.”

“For instance, the ‘miracles’ the charlatan has shown to the villagers, such as standing chopsticks in water, taking copper coins from boiling oil, and bringing water in a bamboo basket, have led the villagers to believe in him completely. They believe that he is a real sage on the verge of becoming a celestial being.”

“Miss Zhuang, since you are so knowledgeable and understand the tricks of these swindlers who claim to catch and kill ghosts, do you have a way to prove that these miracles are just hoaxes?”

“These…”

Zhuang Qingning could not help but burst into laughter.

These tricks, she had seen some people use in her previous life when she was young to deceive people out of their money. She had never thought that these tricks already existed in ancient times. What surprised her more was that, after a thousand years, these deceptive practices had not changed at all.

She did not know whether to praise the intelligence of the ancient people or to criticize the stupidity of those in the modern era.

Zhuang Qingning could not help shaking her head slightly.

“Could it be that Miss Zhuang doesn’t have a solution to these?” On seeing this, Ding Gaochang’s face clouded over.

If even Zhuang Qingning can’t come up with a solution, he really can’t think of anyone else who could solve this problem at the moment.

“That’s not the case,” Zhuang Qingning quickly explained: “these tricks are the most common scam, it’s just that at this moment I don’t have these materials at hand. If I want to demonstrate to you all, I’m afraid I won’t be able to.”

“How about this… I’ll prepare what 1 need tonight, and tomorrow when you go to Cuiwei Lake to handle the case, I’ll go with you. I can explain some things to the villagers. After they see it, they should understand the fraudster’s tricks. If they are still superstitious, they will regard me as someone with high cultivation. At that time, if I say that this incident is not due to the Water Ghost, but caused by humans, it should be alright.”

“Thank you indeed, Miss Zhuang.”

Ding Gaochang was ecstatic to see that Zhuang Qingning had figured out a countermeasure and was willing to go with him: “This matter is about the wellbeing of the people. Miss Zhuang, your actions are indeed a blessing to the people. After this matter, I will definitely report it to the County Magistrate. He will certainly reward you. You will not be treated unfairly…”

Perhaps he was too excited, his voice began to tremble.

“You are flattering me,” Zhuang Qingning laughed: “As you said, sir, this act is also for the benefit of the people, what I’m doing is a good deed, and I’m keen to do it.”

Ding Gaochang admired people with broad-minded and noble characters, so his admiration for Zhuang Qingning deepened seeing her selfless act.

After they had spoken for awhile and agreed on the time when Ding Gaochang would come to pick up Zhuang Qingning the next day, he stood up to take his leave.

“I’ll come to pick up Miss Zhuang tomorrow. It’s getting late, and I still have a lot of official business to deal with in the County Government Office, so I won’t disturb Miss Zhuang’s business anymore.”

“Goodbye, Master Ding.” Zhuang Qingning sent Ding Gaochang and his group off from the tofu shop, watched them get on their carriage and leave, and only then did she return to the store.

“Sister, what was Master Ding doing here?” Zhuang Qingsui asked, “Was he here to inquire about Feng Ershu’s case?”

“Yes, but he also asked me to help him with something. I’m going out with Master Ding to handle a case tomorrow and should be back by the afternoon. Just wait for me at the tofu shop.”

“Oh.” Zhuang Qingsui blinked.

Since Zhuang Qingning was going to handle a case, there must be some important matters she needs to attend to. Zhuang Qingsui didn’t need to think too much about it and would wait patiently in the shop per Zhuang Qingning’s instructions.

“Auntie, Qingsui will be under your and Qiuying’s care tomorrow.” Zhuang Qingning left instructions.

“Don’t worry.” Mrs. Cao replied while wiping her hands, “My brother said that he would have time to catch some river shrimp today. He should send them home this evening. I told him that I was planning to make some dumplings with river shrimp, chives and egg tomorrow at noon. Now you won’t be able to taste them.”

“Then save some for me, and I’ll have it in the evening. Cook them as fried dumplings.” Zhuang Qingning laughed, “This morning when I went to Fushun Tower to deliver goods, I saw they had river shrimps. I had been thinking about its taste. Fortunately, Auntie, you are making river shrimp dumplings tomorrow.”

“I’ll have to make sure it reaches your mouth then.”

“I’ll make more for you, and you can take it home and eat it in the evening.” Mrs. Cao smiled.

Customers started to come into the shop one after another, and they all busied themselves.

The carriage wheels creaked as it rumbled along. The carriage was swaying, and the weather was stifling, making people feel drowsy.

However, Ding Gaochang didn’t feel sleepy at all, but rather excited. He wanted to jump down from the carriage and run alongside it for a while to feel a bit more at ease.

“After we get back, start looking for a few good swimmers among the government officials. They should all head to Cuiwei Lake tomorrow. The boat and bamboo cage should also be prepared..”