Pitiful
With no other options, Su Ning had to return and plead for help.
Her brothers were not at home, and Qin Zhenzhen was the only person she could turn to.
âThird Sister-in-law, will you help save my Fifth Brother?â
âI promise to treat you well in the future!â
Fifth Brother was already 12 years old, a grown boy. Having his pants taken off would bring long-lasting humiliation.
Qin Zhenzhen locked eyes with Su Ning. âHow do you propose I save him?â
Su Ning couldnât hold back her tears.
âThe best outcome would be if you can prove my Fifth Brotherâs innocence. If thatâs not possible, could you please lend me one liang to secure his release? We will definitely repay you!â
Their immediate goal was to ensure Fifth Brother wasnât humiliated. They would figure out the rest once Second Brother and the others returned.
Qin Zhenzhen didnât completely trust Su Ningâs words.
According to the records, Su Cheng was portrayed as a thief.
Although the book mentioned that he fell into thieving due to bad influence, the possibility of having the âthief genesâ lingered.
Thatâs what the book claimed.
However, after carefully observing Su Ning, Qin Zhenzhen noticed no signs of deception.
âYou truly didnât steal the corns?â
âNo, I swear!â
Witnessing Su Ningâs desperation and realizing she wasnât lying, Su Ning raised her hands in distress.
âIf Iâm lying, Iâll marry the ugliest man alive!â
Qin Zhenzhen couldnât help but chuckle. She hadnât expected Su Ning to make such a drastic oath.
In the book, Su Ningâs fixation on appearances made it the most severe vow imaginable for her.
Qin Zhenzhen believed her about 60%.
Regardless of whether Su Cheng had stolen the corns from their auntâs home or not, she planned to visit him anyway.
After all, she was their Third Sister-in-law!
Her goal was to mend their relationship.
Qin Zhenzhen was determined to meet Su Chengâs troublesome aunt.
If Su Cheng hadnât stolen the corns, she would find a way to prove his innocence. If he had, she would prevent him from being stripped naked.
On the way, Qin Zhenzhen asked Su Ning for more details.
There were other children present who were also cutting the grass, and some of them resembled Su Cheng.
Su Ning recounted the whole story to Qin Zhenzhen.
âQian Duoduo is the only one who looks like my Fifth Brother.â
âWhen we were cutting the grass, we were all scattered. I canât think of anyone suspicious.â
âQian Duoduo and my Fifth Brother have a close relationship. Heâs the only one who stood up for my Fifth Brother.â
Qin Zhenzhen inquired, âWas Qian Duoduo with you at that time?â
Su Ning shook her head. âNot together, but he was nearby.â
Qin Zhenzhen took note of that information.
However, since the story wasnât written in the book, Qin Zhenzhen couldnât determine who the true thief was.
They remained uncertain whether Su Cheng had actually stolen the corns.
They soon arrived at the scene of the incident.
By this time, there were already seven or eight children gathered, observing the spectacle, while a few adults were pointing fingers.
Ms. Linâs narrative had changed as well. She claimed to have witnessed Su Cheng stealing the corns in the mountains and later discovered five stolen corns in Su Chengâs sweet potato field.
He was caught red-handed, and he had no choice but to confess.
Su Cheng kept swearing and crying.
âI didnât steal the corns! I didnât steal yours!â
âI swear, if I were the thief, may I suffer a dreadful death!â
âThat scoundrel must have hidden the corns in my field! Come out and confess!â
âMay you meet a terrible demise and have no descendants!â
His voice was hoarse, and his eyes were bloodshot. He appeared truly pitiful.