My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 161: An Incident at the Food Store

The second sister was so angry that her teeth were itching. All the workers in the Si family's food store went back and sat in the Si family's house, all at a loss.

The younger sister gritted her teeth and said, "It's okay. Even if the food store is closed, we can definitely make money with the workshop."

But even though she said this, she didn't believe it herself. The Qian family was coming at her with such force, and since they were able to get the government to order the food shop to close and reorganize, they must have a trick up their sleeve.

Their move was simply to force the Si family to give in.

In contrast to everyone's worries, Si Xingzhi was much more open and said to them, "If it really doesn't work out, I will sell this house and pay everyone's wages. But I, Si Xingzhi, will never do anything wrong in my life, and selling my daughter for fame is absolutely impossible."

Shuiqin was the first to speak: "Master Si, we remember the eldest lady's kindness. The food store and we are one and the same. Don't worry, no matter what, we will always stand by the Si family."

Zhu Lao Er also said: "Yes, it's the same for our Zhu family."

Others expressed their opinions one after another, saying that they did not want any wages during the rectification, and that they would never blame the Si family if they encountered any trouble in the future.

Rumors began to circulate in the village. Although the workshop had not stopped operating, those who had invested in it would inevitably worry. Not to mention dividends, it was still a big question whether they could get their capital back.

Even those who did not invest were growing vegetables and raising chickens and ducks, but it was not known whether they could sell them to the Si family.

The village head didn't allow people to talk nonsense, but he couldn't stand the gossip behind his back, and gradually the noise got worse and even reached the doorstep of the Si family.

Zhu Laoer and He Song were guarding the room and not letting anyone in, while Si Xingzhi went outside.

"Don't worry, we have a house here, and we'll take care of you. As for the workshop, we'll keep it running for as long as we can. As long as the workshop survives, we won't lose a single cent of your wages, dividends, or your capital!"

The village head came over, furious: "You guys are really great! We're all from the same village, and you know the Si family is in trouble right now, but instead of trying to figure out how to get through this together, you come and make things difficult for them?"

The villagers bowed their heads in embarrassment.

Si Xingzhi said, "Our original intention was the same. Now that the Si family is in trouble, it's normal for everyone to worry about their money. Please rest assured that if the Si family really has no future, it will not drag you down."

The village head's eyes filled with tears: "When you were making money, you always thought about the village and even provided free schools for everyone. Now that you're in trouble, how can we just ignore you? If anything really happens, I'll take people to Lingnan City to seek justice for you!"

The villagers all looked up and said, "Yes, I will go too to redress your grievances."

"I am coming too!"

Everyone's eyes were full of determination. No matter what they thought privately, such enthusiasm did make the Si family feel a lot better.

The younger sister sat beside Si Muyan's bed with red eyes. Seeing her second sister changing the bandage on her elder sister's hand, she couldn't help crying.

Si Xingzhi walked in, patted his little sister's head, and said, "We've been through the hardest times before. The worst was like nine years ago when our whole family was exiled. We couldn't even afford to eat, but we still managed to get through it."

The second sister nodded: "Yes, if it really doesn't work, let's just treat it as another exile!"

The younger sister wiped away her tears and nodded heavily, "Yes, back then, when the family was sick, the youngest was the smallest, and only Dad and Big Brother supported the whole family, and we got through it all. Now my second sister and I have grown up, and Xiao An is twelve years old and very capable. We are all adults, so why worry that we can't get through this difficult time?"

For a moment, everyone's mood improved a lot.

But just when they thought they could overcome the difficulties by working together, the next day the authorities came to arrest them.

"The base of the Si family's food shop was found to contain a chronic poison. Those who consume it for a long time will become seriously ill and die!" The captain shouted, "Come here, take all the Si family members away!"

The younger sister stepped forward and argued, "Sir, this slow-acting poison is nonsense. May I ask where you got this information? I demand a confrontation!"

People from Songji Village also came over, some gathered behind the Si family members, some stood outside the yamen runners. They were silent, their expressions serious. But they all expressed their determination. They were afraid of the yamen runners, but they were more willing to seek justice for the Song family.

The younger sister gained confidence and spoke a little louder. "Our Si Family Food Shop has been open for half a year. The food has always been delicious. Besides, people from the county government come to investigate from time to time. If it was poisonous, it would have been discovered long ago. Why did you wait until now? The so-called chronic poison is a deliberate frame-up by you, right?"

"How dare you!" The captain looked at my younger sister fiercely and said coldly, "Do we need to explain to you when the government is investigating a case? Just take them away!"

The younger sister was furious, and the second sister quickly protected her and said.

"Sir, according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, if you want to arrest someone, you need arrest warrants, and the reason must be clearly stated. And the arrest must be open to the public. The same applies to trials; they cannot be private, and they must be held in the courtroom for everyone to observe. Your Excellency, are you taking us away now, without any basis, in front of everyone, for some vague excuse?"

In fact, the villagers didn't understand anything and they were all very nervous, but now after hearing what the second daughter of the Si family said, they all straightened up.

"We are ordinary people, and the case must be heard in front of us. You said the base of Sijia Food Shop is poisonous, so you must produce evidence."

"That's right. Many people in our village are workers in workshops and have eaten at food shops. There's nothing wrong with that at all."

"Bring me the evidence!"

A constable said impatiently, "If you keep arguing, we'll arrest you all."

After all, they were people who had never seen the world, and when they heard the threats from the yamen runners, they all retreated and were still very scared.

Seeing that his two daughters were about to say something more, Si Xingzhi raised his hand to stop them.

"These people follow the rules. They won't leave until they get the person. If we keep holding on, it will only make them come up with new excuses."

He stood up and said, "Sir, the situation is this: my wife is ill, my eldest daughter is seriously ill in bed, and my two younger daughters have to take care of their mother and sister. I really have no choice. Besides, I am the head of the family. If anything happens, just take me."

The captain frowned and wanted to insist, but the village head came out sensibly.

"Oh, sir, I know this family. They were originally exiled criminals and were usually very obedient. It was only at the end of the year that they found some work and became bolder. Look at them, they are all old women. Without the head of the family, they would not have achieved anything great."

The village head gave the captain some money.

"You can get your job done if you arrest the head of the family, but forget about the remaining patients and children."

The captain of the police didn't want to cause any more trouble. He thought that since the head of the family had been arrested, there was nothing to be afraid of the others. So he nodded and left with his men.