The stepsister of a peasant family in a book is spoiled by the big brothers

Chapter 238 Fire

Xia Ruwan stayed overnight at the Tang family. Everyone in the Tang family welcomed her warmly and wanted to put all the delicious food in front of her.

As Qin Huiyin's partner and younger sister, the Tang family had many opportunities to spend time with her. Seeing her so skinny, everyone felt a little distressed.

Xia Ruwan had long known that Qin Huiyin was a good cook, but she was still amazed when she tasted the various delicacies she made.

After dinner, she watched the Tang family playing Mahjong, and she was drawn to it and started learning from them. At first, Qin Huiyin was there to help her explain the rules and give her advice, but after three or five games, her military advisor was no longer of any use.

In her battles with Li Taohua, Tang Sanye, and Xiang Chuntao, Xia Ruwan lost more than she won. Qin Huiyin knew the reason.

At night, Qin Huiyin and Xia Ruwan lay in the same bed, and Xia Ruwan fell asleep holding Qin Huiyin.

The Tang family had an extra guest room, but Xia Ruwan wanted to sleep in the same bed with Qin Huiyin. Everyone knew she was worried, so of course they didn't object and let Shuhui stay in the guest room.

In the next few days, Qin Huiyin took her to the countryside to play all kinds of fun things, and also made various delicious foods for her to nourish her body.

After playing for a few days, Xia Ruwan gained weight and had a smile on her face. She said goodbye to everyone in the Tang family and planned to go back to continue facing her own aftermath.

Qin Huiyin prepared a lot of food for her and asked her to go back and eat well.

Xia Ruwan looked at this warm little home and said, "I'll come again. Don't think I'm annoying."

"I hate you, I really hate you. Don't be this thin next time you come, or I won't let you in." Qin Huiyin leaned close to her and whispered in her ear, "If your scumbag dad doesn't listen, just kick him out. Don't be soft-hearted."

Xia Ruwan nodded heavily: "You are right."

The sound of horse hooves could be heard in the village. The sound was getting closer and closer, and it seemed to be heading towards the Tang family.

When Xia Ruwan heard the sound of horse hooves, she asked the coachman to wait a little longer to avoid their carriage colliding with a passing horse on the country road. They would continue their journey after the other horse had passed by.

Xia Ruwan and Qin Huiyin were chatting with each other as best friends when the horse stopped.

The rider was still an old acquaintance of theirs.

"Brother Gong Qi." Qin Huiyin was surprised. "Why are you here?"

Gong Qi looked at Xia Ruwan with a complicated expression: "Miss Xia, please go back to the city quickly. Something happened in your family."

"What happened to my family?" Xia Ruwan looked unhappy.

"There was a big fire in your house, and many people were burned to death. As for the others, you will know when you go back and take a look."

"My mother..." Xia Ruwan's knees went weak and she almost fell down. Fortunately, Qin Huiyin next to her reacted in time and supported her.

"Your mother is still alive, but she was burned." Gong Qi said.

Qin Huiyin was worried and said to Xia Ruwan, "I'll go back with you."

Xia Ruwan is now extremely confused and holding Qin Huiyin's hand is like holding a life-saving straw.

Song Ruize came over, holding a cloak in his hand, draped it over Qin Huiyin, and said, "I'll accompany you."

After a major incident at Xia Village, Boss Ning went to inquire about the situation and met the injured Mrs. Xia. Knowing that Boss Ning had close ties with the Tang family, Mrs. Xia asked him to send someone to the Tang family to retrieve Xia Ruwan. Gong Qi was most familiar with the Tang family and had visited the village several times, so this task naturally fell to him.

Gong Qi completed his mission and rode back to the city.

Everyone in the Tang family told Qin Huiyin to take care of herself and comforted Xia Ruwan.

Li Taohua took out two bundles and stuffed them all into Song Ruize.

"Such a big thing has happened to the Xia family. I don't know how long you will stay in the city. Here are some spare clothes for you. One package is for you, and one is for Yinyin. Keep them all." Li Taohua said, "This package contains clothes I made myself. I don't know if they will fit you. If not, buy two sets of clothes that do fit in the city. I will alter the ones that don't fit later. Or if you don't like them, you can give them to someone else to wear."

Li Taohua felt a little awkward when she showed her kindness to Song Ruize for the first time. It was rare for her, who had always been outspoken, to show any shyness.

"Thank you." Song Ruize carried the bag with mixed feelings.

The carriage left.

Song Ruize sat outside with the coachman.

Qin Huiyin and Shuhui accompanied Xia Ruwan.

A few hours later, the carriage drove back to the city.

By this time, the Lunar New Year had passed, and many vendors had already resumed their business, beginning to work hard for the new year. Some wealthy families, unwilling to work hard these few days, were still taking a break.

Many people gathered near Xiazhuang.

The driver drove the carriage while shouting: "Make way, the carriage is coming."

"That's the Xia family's carriage." Someone in the crowd said.

"I heard that Miss Xia went to the countryside a few days ago to visit that young boss Qin and wished her a happy new year. She wasn't at Xiazhuang. Fortunately, she wasn't there. If she had been, she would have been hurt too."

"If such a beautiful girl had a scar, it would be difficult for her to get married. But now, she is fine."

"How could there be a fire in such a cold weather? Even if there was a fire, it shouldn't have spread so quickly, burning so many maids and servants to death. Fortunately, a servant risked his life to rush in and rescue Madam Xia, otherwise Madam Xia would have died in there too."

"The government is already investigating. How can ordinary people like us know what's going on in the rich and powerful's dens?"

As the Xia family's carriage stopped, a government official approached. He was another familiar figure: Constable Feng.

"Brother Feng," Qin Huiyin called sweetly. "Sister Xia has been at my house. I don't know what happened. Where is Madam Xia now?"

Captain Feng glanced at Song Ruize, the flower protector, and said to Qin Huiyin, "Madam Xia was hit by a falling beam and her back was burned. She is now in the clinic."

Xia Ruwan looked at the ruined Xiazhuang and asked tremblingly, "How many people died?"

"Thirty-five slaves."

"Where is my father?"

"I don't know." Captain Feng shook his head. "We are searching for him."

"In such a climate, even if there is a fire source, it is impossible to start a fire. This fire was man-made, right?" Song Ruize said calmly, "Is Madam Xia sober? What did you say?"

"Madam Xia hasn't woken up yet," Captain Feng said. "However, the Xia Manor's steward said he heard Madam Xia and Master Xia arguing. Then Master Xia went out to drink and never returned. They were both fast asleep that day, and when he woke up, the fire was already raging. He called for help everywhere, but thirty-five people still died."

Captain Feng didn't reveal much, but from those few words, he understood a number of things. First, the missing Master Xia hadn't returned, even after such a major incident. Second, their sleep was unusual. If the butler hadn't woken up quickly, there would have been even more casualties, perhaps even the entire army would have been wiped out.

"Sister Wan'er, let's go see your mother first, and leave the investigation of the case to the government!" Qin Huiyin said gently to Xia Ruwan.