Chapter 554: A Series of Vicious Scheme

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Ms. Zhang, w.a.n.g Nians wife, and her brother held positions of influence within the mountain bandits enclave. While not the leaders, they functioned as the right-hand individuals to the bandit leaders.

Ms. Zhang, known for her indolence, and w.a.n.g Nian, lacking substantial wealth, relied on aiding the bandits to secure income. However, the compensation received from the bandits was meager and insufficient to cover Ms. Zhang and w.a.n.g Nians expenses.

Ms. Zhangs covetous eyes fixated on Chen Liners shop. She envisioned the prosperity that would come with possessing both establishments. Even if she refrained from conducting business, the monthly rent alone would generate substantial income. This seemed like a perpetual source of sustenance, a financial legacy for future generations.

Thus, Ms. Zhang and w.a.n.g Nian conspired to acquire Chen Liners shop.

w.a.n.g Nian and Chen Liners husband had shared a close friends.h.i.+p since childhood. However, as w.a.n.g Nian married and colluded with the mountain bandits, Chen Liners husband distanced himself, warning w.a.n.g Nian against a.s.sisting the bandits, foreseeing the retribution he might face.

Despite these warnings, w.a.n.g Nian, enticed by the allure of wealth, strayed further down a morally crooked path.

When Ms. Zhang pressured w.a.n.g Nian to devise a plan, he hesitated. The idea of harming Chen Liners family seemed inhumane, especially considering their past camaraderie. Yet, w.a.n.g Nians insatiable greed ultimately triumphed over any remaining sense of brotherhood.

w.a.n.g Nian collaborated with his wifes brother to craft a sinister scheme. The first step involved orchestrating an accident, where a seemingly uncontrollable horse pulling a carriage fatally struck down Chen Liners parents-in-law.

Seizing the opportunity, w.a.n.g Nian extended apparent sympathy and volunteered a.s.sistance. Under the guise of consoling her bereaved brother, he frequently brought evening side dishes, sharing drinks with Chen Liner.

During these interactions, w.a.n.g Nian artfully conveyed his desire to sever ties with his wifes brothers and turn over a new leaf. Chen Liners husband, grappling with a somber mood, succ.u.mbed to w.a.n.g Nians deceptive charm and did not refuse his company.

Unexpectedly, w.a.n.g Nian betrayed this trust by introducing a slow-acting poison into Chen Liners husbands food, ensuring that death would not be immediate but an inevitable relapse after a few days, rendering any remedy futile.

Chen Liner initially attributed her husbands sudden demise to illness. However, her ordeal worsened when a group of masked bandits infiltrated their home one night, kidnapping her two children and leaving behind a chilling letter. The letter demanded 1,000 taels of silver within three days, threatening the childrens lives if she dared involve the authorities. The ominous message warned that reporting the incident would result in her childs death.

Overwhelmed with anxiety, Chen Liner realized the masked abductors were the mountain bandits. Fearing the futility of reporting to the authorities and the potential harm it could bring to her child, she found herself trapped in a dire predicament.

Faced with the desperate situation, Chen Linter hurriedly arranged for the announcement of the shops sale. Subsequently, she sought out w.a.n.g Nian, imploring him to intervene with the mountain bandits. She fervently pleaded for a reduction in the ransom, stressing the immense difficulty of garnering a thousand taels of silver from the sale of her two shops. Chen Liner recognized the practical challengesselling the shops quickly at a high price was an arduous task, often requiring more time unless offered at a distressingly low rate.

Caught in a dilemma, Chen Liner contemplated selling the shop at a reduced price to swiftly gather funds for her childrens rescue. However, she was acutely aware that selling at a lower price would complicate the challenge of acc.u.mulating the remaining funds needed.

Recognizing the financial limitations of her husbands impoverished rural relatives, Chen Liner found herself at a loss for support. Tearfully, she pleaded with w.a.n.g Nian, If they wont reduce the price, please implore them to grant me a few additional days. Ill sell the house, the shop, the gold, and the jewelry.

Im determined to gather the necessary funds to ransom my children..