Chapter 178 The Daring Captain Zhao
Three quarters past noon.

In the south of the city, the Ma family was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns everywhere, and the atmosphere was festive. The red lanterns swayed in the wind, as if they were poems of blessing.

However, when County Magistrate Ma, who had been called to the county government office to handle official business in the morning, returned to his mansion and saw the festive decorations, he was not happy at all.

He finally found a marriage for his son who became stupid due to over-studying, but the bride hasn't arrived since she left yesterday.

County Magistrate Ma felt very unhappy when he thought that there was a mountain range between Yunlang Town and Huxian County, and that there was a ghost king, the nine-tailed fox, who enjoyed snatching brides in the mountain.

The wedding procession hasn't shown up for such a long time, the bride must have been murdered.

"Master, are you still waiting?"

Many of the invited guests have left since last night's meal, but some poor relatives stayed behind and ate to their heart's content, taking the opportunity of the banquet.

Butler Qin looked very distressed.

Even though the Ma family was not short of this little money, he still felt unhappy when he saw his poor relatives from his hometown eating and drinking lavishly at the host's house.

Yes, Butler Qin is also a relative of the Ma family. He is the younger brother of County Magistrate Ma’s first wife. He followed Ma Qin here to make a living in the third year after she got married.

With Madam Ma taking care of him, Steward Qin having a quick mind, and considering his status as his brother-in-law, County Magistrate Ma naturally holds him in high regard.

"We've already waited this long. We have to wait for the remaining half day anyway."

Although County Magistrate Ma no longer believed that his unmarried daughter-in-law could survive, the fortune teller said that yesterday and today were both good days for a happy marriage.

I've been waiting for a day and a half, so I don't care about the last half day.

For people like them who come from aristocratic families, what they care about most is face.

There’s no need to penny wise and pound foolish.

"Yes, sir."

Butler Qin sighed quietly.

At this moment, a servant came running in hurriedly from the gate.

"Master, there are three people at the door. One of them is wearing a red wedding dress and says she is the young lady."

"Young Madam?"

County Magistrate Ma's eyes lit up and he said excitedly, "Take me there quickly."

"Master, please slow down, people are waiting at the door!"

The group ran out in a hurry.

……

In front of the Ma family’s house.

"You are Mo Chou, Mo Jinfeng's daughter?"

"How did you end up in such a mess?"

County Magistrate Ma looked her up and down and felt something was wrong. The Miss Mochou in front of him was not the same as the tax ambassador of Qiong County, Mo Jinfeng.

She is pure and refined, noble and elegant, with curved eyebrows, poetic and picturesque.

Although the girl in front of me is naturally beautiful and indeed quite good-looking, she has the air of a timid maid.

"Eunuch, we encountered the ghost king who wanted to steal our bride last night. The wedding procession left Xiao... Xiaoshuang and me behind and ran away. If the exorcist Master Cheng hadn't passed by, we would have been killed."

Xiaoshuang hadn't adapted to her new identity for a while and almost confessed, but fortunately she recovered in time.

Although County Magistrate Ma had his doubts in his heart, Mo Chou, who was dressed as a maid beside him, not only had her head lowered, but also had scratches on her face, which were obviously the injuries left by the Ghost King when he kidnapped the bride.

The most important thing for a woman is her face!
Xiaoshuang, wearing a red wedding dress, had her face scratched by the little ghost. County Magistrate Ma would probably break off the engagement.

His son Ma Wenjie is not really stupid, he is just a little pedantic and does not understand the ways of the world.

He is not bad looking, so he can find a beautiful wife anywhere. Why would he marry an ugly one?

"Sir, thank you for your help. I am grateful." County Magistrate Ma bowed to Cheng Long.

Cheng Long bowed in return and said, "Ma County Magistrate, since the bride has been delivered, Xiao Shuang and I will not stay any longer. Xiao Shuang's facial wound needs treatment, so we have to go to the clinic."

"Wait a moment~~"

County Magistrate Ma turned his head to look at the housekeeper and ordered, "Go to the storehouse and get a hundred taels of silver as a thank you gift to Master Cheng."

"Yes, sir."

Butler Qin responded and walked into the mansion.

After a while, Butler Qin came out holding a tray. Facing County Magistrate Ma's thank-you gift, Cheng Long was not polite. He took the 100 taels of silver from the tray, said goodbye to Mo Chou, and left the Ma Mansion with his maid Xiao Shuang.

"Miss, I wish you and the young master will stay together forever and be together forever. You must live a happier life than me!" Xiaoshuang looked at the young lady who was getting farther and farther away, her eyes full of reluctance.

Mochou would also look back from time to time, looking at Xiaoshuang, the maid with whom she lived day and night.

"Mo Chou, if you can't bear to leave Xiao Shuang, I can bring her back now. Don't worry about offending the Ma family. I'm here to make sure you'll be safe." Cheng Long whispered.

"No need. Xiaoshuang comes from a poor family. Marrying Master Ma may be her best way out in life." Mochou was actually very reluctant to let Xiaoshuang leave, but it was precisely because she cared about Xiaoshuang that she chose to let go.

In ancient times, class systems were strictly defined and there were few channels for upward mobility. If children from poor families wanted to cross a class barrier, they could only read extensively and pass imperial examinations.

Or you can learn good martial arts and take the exam to become the top martial arts champion.

However, whether studying literature or practicing martial arts, a certain material foundation is required. The former is slightly better, as it can ensure that you will not starve to death, and you can study with a few books. But practicing martial arts requires enough food and drink, otherwise the faster you practice, the faster you will die.

Return to the inn.

Cheng Long immediately took out the bloodthirsty bead and healed the scratches on Mochou's face, then stroked the woman's cheek with his index finger; "Mochou, you and Xiaoshuang have switched identities, and you have to go back and inform them, otherwise it will easily cause trouble for Xiaoshuang."

"Well, we'll go back tonight. My father loves me very much and will definitely agree."

"it is good."

Cheng Long nodded.

It will take a few more days for the Eight Ghost Immortals to gather together.

Zhu Qi and Yu Canhua will be escorted to Huxian Prison today, and their execution will not take place until tomorrow, or at the earliest until tomorrow night.

Huxian County is only sixty or seventy miles away from Yunlang Town. Now that Mochou has changed her mind, it won’t take long whether she carries it on her back or rides an off-road motorcycle.

……

That night.

Huxian Prison.

"Drink, drink, drink. This wine today is an aged girl's red wine that I bought from Yunlai Restaurant at a high price. You guys must drink it well." A burly jailer said drunkenly while pouring wine for his two companions.

Another thin jailer patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I, Yan Laoliu, can't live without wine. As long as there is good wine and good food, I will definitely accompany you to drink to your heart's content."

"Don't worry about drinking, it's time to serve Zhu Qi and Yu Canhua their last meal."

"That's not right. Aren't they going to be beheaded at 15:30 tomorrow? Why are they having their last meal now?"

"There will be no food tomorrow morning. The adults will let them starve to death."

An elderly jailer smiled, stood up, took away a plate of roast chicken and a pot of wine, and sent them to the cell where Zhu Qi was imprisoned. Then he came back and took away a plate of roast duck and peanuts, and gave them to Yu Canhua.

"His brother's last meal was only a chicken, not even a bowl of rice. How stingy! By the time he is beheaded at noon tomorrow, I will be starving!"

Looking at the plate of roast chicken and a pot of wine in front of him, Zhu Qi was so angry that his liver ached. However, he hadn't eaten much since last night. Looking at the fragrant roast chicken, he couldn't help himself.

After swearing a few words, he grabbed the whole roast chicken and started to eat it without any image.

"Cuckoo..."

Zhu Qi held a roast chicken in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, and was covered in food.

Who would have thought that after drinking the sake for a while, the whole person became drowsy.

Not only him, but also two of the three jailers who were drinking and playing finger-guessing games outside fell down. Only the older jailer remained sober...

"Thank you, big brother."

After a while, Zhao Xiong, who calculated the time accurately, entered the prison in casual clothes and bowed to the older jailer to express his gratitude.

"Hey~~ I'm just doing the job for the money. The key is on the table, take it yourself." After the older jailer said this, he picked up the wine glass and began to drink.

This cup of wine was also laced with a drug, and both of his comrades were knocked out. If he didn't drink it, Yu Canhua would be taken away and he would be the first to suffer.

Zhao Xiong got the key to the prison door and couldn't wait to open Yu Canhua's cell. Looking at the beautiful woman who had fainted on the pile of straw, his eyes were full of joy.

"Yu Can, I didn't expect you to be so beautiful even when you were unconscious. It's worth my effort to take you away."

Say it.

Zhao Xiong picked up Yu Canhua and walked away, fearing that if he was a second slower, he would be caught by someone. His face, which could barely be called strong, now revealed unprecedented tension and guilt.

But I understand.

Regardless of his current behavior, as he is less than 30 years old, to become the head of Hu County Police, it is not enough to have martial arts skills alone, but also to have corresponding leadership skills.

Zhao Xiong has status and position, but now he is doing such despicable things. How can he not feel guilty?
(End of this chapter)