In a situation where the situation was one-sided, someone suddenly spoke up for the old man. Naturally, everyone's eyes were focused on the speaker.
Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao hurriedly stood in front of Jiang Ruan, one behind her, to prevent anyone from bumping into her.
Everyone's gazes had their own merits. Jiang Ruan did not hide and just stood where she was, allowing others to size her up.
The old man was so angry that his face and neck were red. When he suddenly heard a comforting sentence, he felt that the voice was soft and gentle, containing a trace of refreshing coolness. Although it was winter, it was like the summer wind, sweeping away the impatience in one's heart. His heart actually calmed down slowly. Astonished, he, like everyone else, sized up the other person.
Among the crowd, there was a little girl about ten years old. Unlike her mature and mature voice, she was extremely small. Although she was small, it was impossible to ignore her. This little girl's complexion was as pale as her lips, but her facial features were extremely delicate. She had a jade nose and cherry lips, and the most beautiful thing was her pair of long eyes under her black eyebrows. They were as moist as a mountain spring on one's knees, deep and shallow, directly impacting into one's heart. Her eyes were extremely pure, but the corners of her eyes were slightly raised. Unconsciously, there was a trace of charm. If she grew up and was properly nurtured, it would really be a shocking beauty.
However, such a naturally charming little girl exuded an indescribable coldness. She just stood there quietly, but there was an indescribable feeling that made people unable to underestimate her, and even felt a trace of fear for no reason.
The old man also frowned. A little girl like this actually had two servant girls by her side. If she was the young lady of a big family, her clothes were really too simple and crude. If she was the daughter of an ordinary family, this kind of style didn't seem like something that a small family could raise.
Jiang Ruan stood there quietly. As the little girl watched, she suddenly burst into tears. As she sobbed, she said, "I didn't, I didn't steal the silver. Mother, I didn't steal the silver!"
Amidst the clamor, a peasant woman wearing a flowery gown squeezed out of the crowd. In two or three steps, she walked forward and shielded the little girl behind her. She looked at the old man and Jiang Ruan with hostility, and loudly said, "What do you want to do to my Qiao Jieer? Two people bullying one, the big bullying the small, don't you know shame?"
Without waiting for Jiang Ruan to speak, Lian Qiao took the initiative to jump out and said with a smile, "This Furen, your words are wrong. Our Miss only jumped out to speak a few words of fairness. How did she bully your daughter? So many people were watching, did our Miss hit or scold her? Besides, I don't see how much older my daughter is compared to your daughter. Who would shout in public like your daughter? The strong are bullying the weak, and the many are bullying the few. Let's see who's bullying who. Pooh! "
That woman was also stunned. It seemed that she did not expect that the gentle and weak Lian Qiao would scold someone without panting. For a moment, she did not know how to respond. When she understood, she flew into a rage out of humiliation. She was about to continue when Jiang Ruan said, "It doesn't matter who's bullying who. What's important is the money, isn't it?"
The woman turned her head and pulled the little girl into her arms. She said angrily, "Our Qiao Jieer will not steal money. I gave her this money this morning when I left."
"So much money, yet Furen is at ease to hand it over to such a young child for safekeeping. Furen's magnanimity is admirable," Jiang Ruan said lightly. It was unknown whether it was intentional or not, but she emphasized the word 'young'. Suddenly, there was a burst of laughter. This woman had just said that her daughter was young, yet she gave such a large sum of money to her. It was really a forced excuse.
"I, I let her go out to buy things," the woman was somewhat annoyed.
"What does Furen want to buy? So much money, if she wants to buy too many things, won't Qiao Jieer be unable to move them? "
The laughter around them grew even louder.
The woman became increasingly angry, "Why do you care about this? I naturally have things that I want to buy. Now, I have already said that this money is for Qiao Jieer. This old man says that it is his money. Is there any evidence or witnesses?"
None of the people around them spoke. There was really no evidence or witnesses. Even if it seemed that the reason for this matter could already be guessed, no one was willing to stick up for this old man.
"You are all in cahoots with each other, colluding with each other, villains colluding in evil …" The old man was so angry that he stomped his feet. In one breath, he spat out quite a few words. Unfortunately, these genteel curses did not have the slightest effect on the people around him.
"Old Sir, there is no need to be anxious," Jiang Ruan said.
The old man turned to Jiang Ruan and frowned. In a stiff tone, he said, "This old man does not want to implicate Miss. These people are trying to cover up the evidence of their crimes. This old man will fight them to the end. This old man appreciates Miss's help today, but now you are like a clay Bodhisattva crossing the river. It is better for you to protect yourself." When he said the word 'Miss', the old man was somewhat hesitant. It was really strange to call a little girl who could be his granddaughter 'Miss'. However, when facing this little girl, he felt as if he was facing an adult woman. He really could not treat her as an ordinary little girl.
"Old man, you really don't know what's good for you. My family's Miss saved you, but you don't know how to appreciate kindness." When Lian Qiao heard this, she immediately said angrily.
"Lian Qiao," Jiang Ruan stopped her and said, "Old Sir is so sure that I am unable to protect myself?"
"Could it be that you have another way?" The old man raised his voice, attracting the gazes of the people around them.
"Old Sir, first tell us how the money was lost." Jiang Ruan said.
"I did not steal his money, I did not steal his money!" The little girl screamed and cried again.
"Shut up." Jiang Ruan glanced coldly at Qiao Jie 'er, who was in the woman's embrace. Qiao Jie' er was unconsciously frightened by her cold gaze and immediately shut her mouth, shrinking into the woman's embrace.
Everyone clicked their tongues in wonder. When the old man saw this, he thought for a moment and said, "Today, when I first came here, I bought a deep-fried pancake at the corner of the street and grabbed some copper coins from my purse. After walking for a while, I felt that someone was touching my things, but when I saw that it was a little girl walking beside me, I became vigilant and went to check my purse. I discovered that the money had disappeared without a trace, so I grabbed her and really found the money on her body. Who knew that she would make a false accusation, really hateful! "After saying this, he glared at the little girl, whose face was still full of tears.
"Where is the peddler who sells deep-fried pancakes?" Jiang Ruan asked.
"It's me." A dark-skinned middle-aged man walked out and scratched his head. His gaze was somewhat evasive as he said, "There are too many people who buy deep-fried pancakes, I can't remember." West Street was deserted, so these words were clearly perfunctory.
When the little girl and the woman saw this, they looked at Jiang Ruan with schadenfreude. They only felt that Jiang Ruan would not be able to come up with any more tricks.
"Since both of you insist on your own words," Jiang Ruan said softly, "then let the money speak."
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