Chapter 7: Stepping Forward
Just as the situation was becoming one-sided, someone suddenly spoke up in the old man's defense. Naturally, all eyes turned toward the speaker.
Zisu and Lianqiao hurriedly positioned themselves in front of and behind Jiang Ruan, shielding her from any potential jostling.
Under the varied gazes of the crowd, Jiang Ruan made no attempt to hide, standing calmly and allowing herself to be scrutinized.
The old man, who had been red-faced and fuming with anger, was caught off guard by the soothing voice. It was soft and gentle, carrying a refreshing coolness that, despite the winter chill, felt like a summer breeze sweeping away the stifling frustration in his heart. Slowly, his anger dissipated. Surprised, he, like the others, turned to examine the speaker.
Standing among the crowd was a girl of about ten years old. Though her words carried the maturity of an adult, her frail and petite frame was impossible to overlook. The girl appeared thin, likely due to hardship, her skin and lips pale. Yet her delicate features were striking—a straight nose, cherry lips, and most captivating of all, her long, almond-shaped eyes beneath finely arched brows. They shimmered like mountain spring water, clear and deep, piercing straight into one's heart. Though her gaze was pure, the slight upward tilt at the corners lent her an unconscious allure. If she were to grow up well-nurtured, her beauty would undoubtedly be breathtaking.
Yet, despite her loveliness, the girl exuded an indescribable coldness. She stood quietly, but there was an unspoken presence about her that commanded attention—even an inexplicable hint of fear.
The old man frowned. This girl had two maidservants accompanying her. If she were a young lady from a wealthy family, her clothing was far too plain. But if she were from an ordinary household, her dignified bearing didn’t seem like something a common family could cultivate.
Jiang Ruan remained silent. Meanwhile, the little girl beside her suddenly burst into loud sobs, crying out between hiccups, "I didn’t! I didn’t steal the money! Mama, I didn’t steal the money!"
At this outburst, a peasant woman in a floral-patterned jacket pushed through the crowd. In a few quick steps, she shielded the girl behind her and glared at the old man and Jiang Ruan. "What are you trying to do to my Qiaojie?" she shouted. "Two against one, bullying a child—have you no shame?"
Unable to hold back, Lianqiao stepped forward before Jiang Ruan could speak. Smiling, she retorted, "Madam, you’re mistaken. Our young lady merely spoke up for fairness—how is that bullying your daughter? Everyone here saw it. Did our young lady hit or scold her? Besides, 'bullying a child'? I hardly see how our young lady is much older than your daughter. And who’s the one making a scene in public? As for ganging up, I’d say it’s unclear who’s bullying whom. Pah!"
The woman was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting the seemingly meek Lianqiao to fire back without hesitation. Flustered and angry, she was about to argue further when Jiang Ruan spoke.
"Who bullied whom isn’t the point," she said. "What matters is the silver, isn’t it?"
The woman turned, pulling her daughter into her arms. "My Qiaojie would never steal!" she snapped. "I gave her that silver this morning when we left home."“So much silver, yet the lady is at ease entrusting it to such a small child for safekeeping. Your magnanimity is truly admirable,” Jiang Ruan said lightly, deliberately or not, emphasizing the word “small” heavily. The crowd around them burst into laughter. The woman had just claimed her daughter was too young, yet handed over such a large sum of silver to her—a rather flimsy excuse.
“I—I was sending her out to buy things,” the woman retorted irritably.
“What could you possibly need to buy that requires so much silver? Surely Qiaojie wouldn’t be able to carry it all, would she?”
The laughter grew louder.
The woman grew even more furious. “What business is it of yours? I have my reasons. Now, I’ve already said the silver was given to Qiaojie by me. If this old man claims it’s his, does he have any proof or witnesses?”
No one in the crowd spoke up. Evidence or witnesses—there were none. Even though the truth seemed obvious, no one was willing to stand up for the old man.
“You’re all in cahoots, colluding together, wolves working with jackals—” The old man stomped his feet in anger, spouting a string of elaborate curses, but his refined insults had no effect on the onlookers.
“There’s no need for such haste, sir,” Jiang Ruan said.
The old man turned to her, frowning, his tone stiff. “I have no wish to involve outsiders. These people are covering up their crimes, and I will fight them to the bitter end. Though I appreciate your intervention today, young lady, you’re hardly in a position to help—best look after yourself.” When he said “young lady,” he hesitated. It felt strange to address a girl young enough to be his granddaughter as such, yet he couldn’t bring himself to treat her as just another child.
“You ungrateful old man! My lady saved you, and this is how you repay her?” Lianqiao immediately flared up upon hearing this.
“Lianqiao,” Jiang Ruan stopped her. “Sir, you’re so certain I can’t protect myself?”
“Do you have a way, then?” the old man raised his voice, drawing the crowd’s attention again.
“First, tell me how you lost the silver,” Jiang Ruan said.
“I didn’t steal his silver! I didn’t steal his silver!” The little girl shrieked and burst into tears again.
“Silence.” Jiang Ruan cast a cold glance at Qiaojie in the woman’s arms. The child, frightened by her icy gaze, immediately fell silent and shrank further into the woman’s embrace.
The crowd murmured in surprise. The old man, observing this, thought for a moment before speaking. “Today was my first time here. I bought an oil cake at the street vendor, took out some coins from my purse, and walked a short distance when I felt someone touching my belongings. I looked and saw this little girl beside me. Suspicious, I checked my purse and found the silver gone. I grabbed her, and sure enough, the silver was on her. Yet she turns around and accuses me—how despicable!” He glared at the tear-streaked girl.
“Where is the oil cake vendor?” Jiang Ruan asked.
“That’s me,” a dark-skinned middle-aged man stepped forward, scratching his head and avoiding eye contact. “Too many customers—I can’t remember.” The indifference of West Street’s residents was clear; his words were nothing but an excuse to avoid trouble.The little girl and the woman watched Jiang Ruan with schadenfreude, convinced she could no longer stir up any trouble.
"Since both sides insist on their own versions," Jiang Ruan said softly, "let the silver speak for itself."
(End of Chapter)
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