Chapter 21: The Great Hunter's Home Burglary
Bai Li's eyebrows arched sharply at Bai Wu's news. He knew of the woman mentioned—Auntie Rong. She was younger than Mother Bai and the wife of the Rong family next door; hers was the household that kindly allowed Xiao Han to fetch water from their well.
It made perfect sense that Rong Shi would have seen something. Their houses were adjacent, and Bai Li's property lacked even a basic fence.
Bai Wu's report did not end there. He pressed on: "Because of what she saw, Father and Mother went to see Uncle Jiang. Uncle Jiang then summoned everyone from the Xiao, Bai, and Rong households for questioning."
Though Bai Li's house was small, the loss was anything but insignificant. It included a massive fifty-catty bag of refined rice. Many villagers—including the Village Head's family—had witnessed Bai Li returning from the city with a cart brimming with supplies that day.
Bai Wu continued, "Auntie Rong stated firmly that she saw them hauling bundles out of your house and escaping through the back lane. But Lei Shi and the rest of the Xiao family flatly denied it. Lei Shi claimed she did go to your house, but found the door closed and left immediately. She countered by accusing Auntie Rong, saying that if things were truly missing, Auntie Rong must be the thief and was merely shifting the blame."
The faint smile on Bai Li's lips thinned. The narrative seemed straightforward at first, but it had clearly spiraled into a mess.
To understand the weight of this, one had to consider the Rong family's circumstances. If the Bai family was the most well-to-do in Nanchang Village, the Rong family was undeniably the poorest. They owned no paddies for rice nor plots for vegetables. The head of their household, Rong Kan, had labored for years to save for land, only to have his savings wiped out—and debts incurred—after accidentally breaking expensive cargo while working at the docks. Life for them was a grueling struggle. Rong Kan and Yu Long (Rong Shi) had two sons: eighteen-year-old Rong Heng and fifteen-year-old Rong Wen, both of whom remained unmarried because the family was too destitute to afford bride prices.
However, by Bai Li's estimation, being poor did not equate to being depraved. Originally, the Rong family had hoped to lease land from the former Bai Li. Even though he had snubbed them for a higher bidder, they hadn't held a grudge. They disliked the old Bai Li as much as any other villager, yet out of pity for Xiao Han and the children, they had shared their water.
One must remember that Bai Li's house sat on the western edge of the village, with the Rong house as its only close neighbor. Had they not allowed Xiao Han to use their well, his life would have been significantly harder.
Furthermore, Bai Li's impression of the Rong family was that they were honest, hardworking people. The likelihood of them stealing from him was slim to none.
As Bai Li's mind raced through these details, Bai Wu continued his story. "Auntie Rong refused to back down from Lei Shi's accusation. She told Uncle Jiang he could search her home and proposed that the Xiao home be searched as well."
Bai Li understood the gravity. This was likely the largest burglary Nanchang Village had seen in years, a stone cast into the still waters of their peaceful community. Bai Li's goods were worth four or five silver pieces—a staggering sum in a village where a day's labor earned a mere twenty-five copper coins. Village Head Jiang Ren and his family were livid that such a crime had occurred right under their noses.
Bai Wu went on: "Xiao family protested violently against a search, but Uncle Jiang ordered the villagers to inspect both houses. They found nothing at the Rong's. But at the Xiao's... they found a large bag containing fifty catties of refined rice and every single item missing from your house. Yet, even then, the Xiaos insisted they had bought the goods themselves."
Bai Li listened intently, weighing the logic. Had the items been at the Rong's, their poverty would have served as a direct indictment of theft. But the Xiao family was relatively stable. By claiming they had purchased the items, they created a deadlock. They were a family that could technically afford such things. However, farmer families—even those with silver to spare—rarely spent as lavishly as Bai Li. They were far more frugal. The truth was glaringly obvious.
Bai Wu spoke again: "Uncle Xiao and Lei Shi actually brought a rice shop owner from the small town to act as their witness. The man testified that Uncle Xiao had indeed bought the refined rice and supplies from his shop. After that, Lei Shi went on the offensive, claiming Auntie Rong was framing them. She even suggested the Rongs might have stolen the goods and sold them in the city already. She demanded that Uncle Jiang take action against the Rong family for theft and defamation, and asked for compensation. Auntie Rong stood her ground, swearing she saw the Xiaos leaving your house with the bundles with her own eyes. The problem is, it's a mess of conflicting stories. Because it's harvest season, the village was empty. No one else saw either the Rongs or the Xiaos near your house. So, Uncle Jiang said the matter would have to wait until you returned."
That was the entirety of the situation.
Bai Li scanned the faces around him. The members of the Bai and Jiang households were fuming. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xiao Han's deathly pale face. The original Bai Li used to beat Xiao Han whenever he was displeased—especially regarding the hundred silver pieces Lei Shi had demanded—and Xiao Han was likely terrified that Bai Li would vent his rage over the Xiao family's actions on him.
The Rong family was also present, having listened quietly to Bai Wu's impartial explanation. Once Bai Wu finished, Yu Long could no longer contain herself. Her eyes were red with fury and grievance.
"I swear to the Heavens—may I spit blood and die this instant if I utter a single lie! The Bai family even hired the men of my household for day labor; how could I possibly steal from you? That day, my husband and sons came home for a quick lunch before heading back to the Bai family's fields. My husband mentioned that since the Bais were busy, I should keep an eye on your house. I was washing dishes when I heard noises. At first, I thought someone from the main Bai house had come by. But when I looked over the wall, who would have thought? I saw that Lei Shi and the others from the Xiao family sneaking out of your house with bundles and running into the back lane! I ran straight to the fields to report it, but by the time we got back, the Xiaos were already home!"
The Bai family had usually been frugal and avoided hiring help. But this year, due to Bai Li's wild boar incident, they had fallen behind on the harvest and hired the Rong men. With winter approaching, the Rongs were desperate to save money and were immensely grateful for the work. There was no motive for them to steal.
Moreover, Lei Shi's accusation was riddled with holes. The Rong men were in the Bai fields all day, returning home only for a brief meal. How could they have possibly traveled to the small town—a two-hour journey by cart—to sell stolen goods and return so quickly?
It was impossible for the Rong family to be the thieves. It was blindingly obvious that Lei Shi and the Xiaos were scapegoating them to deflect suspicion.
However, forcing a confession from the Xiaos was another matter entirely. They had a witness, and since Xiao Liu traveled between the city and village daily for work, he had connections; the witness was likely a plant. To expose this fraud, they would have to go to the magistrate's court.
Going to court would expose the false witness, but it would also complicate everything. The Rong family would be dragged through an interrogation, and Bai Li himself would face scrutiny. His negligence was undeniable: leaving a house without a fence and, more importantly, without a lock on the door. To leave a house unlocked while traveling overnight and then complain to the court about theft was considered a breach of social order. Even if the Xiaos were convicted, the court could punish Bai Li for his carelessness—ranging from a stern reprimand to a physical lashing.
Thus, if Bai Li reported it without a plan, he would only harm himself. If he didn't, the Xiaos would never admit fault, let alone return the goods.
Furthermore, because the Xiaos were Bai Li's in-laws, even if the court found them guilty, Lei Shi could simply weep and claim she "borrowed" the items from her son and son-in-law. The court might order the return of the goods but would likely refrain from harsh sentencing due to the familial connection.
In short: if Bai Li went to court, he might get his things back but would be punished himself while the Xiaos escaped largely unscathed. If he stayed quiet, he lost everything.
The Xiaos expected him to fear the court and simply swallow the loss.
What a clever move! Truly brilliant!
This scheme was far too sophisticated for a common farmer; it bore all the hallmarks of the cunning and sharp-witted Lei Shi.
Bai Li hadn't expected to find such a manipulative woman in a small village. He had thought Zhou Shi and Su Shi were troublesome, but they couldn't even compare to Lei Shi.
However, Lei Shi was right about one thing: Bai Li had no intention of going to the court.
He suspected she wouldn't stop here and would only get bolder, so he couldn't afford a messy legal battle over a few silver pieces. The court was the place commoners feared most, not a place to be taken lightly.
Moreover, Bai Li refused to take unnecessary risks. He didn't know how painful a lashing with a wooden board would be, and he had no desire to find out over some silver. He had too much to do to be sidelined by an injury.
Therefore, Bai Li would not report it.
While he seemed silent and still, Bai Li was actually running through every possible permutation of the situation. To the onlookers, however, his silence looked like suspicion directed at the Rong family. He hadn't yet responded to Yu Long's plea.
The eldest Rong son, Rong Heng, grew anxious at Bai Li's expression. "Brother Bai Li, it's true my family is poor, but we would never dare to do something so depraved. We truly did not take your things."
Rong Heng's voice pulled Bai Li from his calculations. He offered the young man a smile. "I already know that. There's no need for you to say it."
Then, Bai Li turned to Yu Long. "Auntie Rong, I've lived next door to you for three years since I split from the main house. I know the character and spirit of your family. It's not just me—the whole of Nanchang Village knows who is who in this village. You don't need to be angry. Even if they don't say it aloud, everyone knows who the real culprit is. I don't harbor a single shred of suspicion toward your family."
Rong Shi and the rest of the Rongs finally relaxed. The head of the house, Rong Kan, spoke up: "As long as you don't suspect us, it's fine. It would be terrible for neighbors to live in doubt of one another."
Bai Li nodded. "Uncle Rong is right. This matter is also partly my fault. I left the house without a lock, effectively handing an opportunity to those lying in wait."
Mother Bai wouldn't hear of it. "How could this be your fault? We were the ones left in the village! It's because we weren't careful enough that you lost your things!"
Young Bai Mei tried to comfort her mother, but Mother Bai's rage only grew. She loathed Lei Shi all the more for being unable to tear her apart limb from limb.
Village Head Jiang added dejectedly, "What an ugly stain on our village. We aren't wealthy, but we've always been honest people. To have those who covet the property of others among us... it truly brings shame upon me as Village Head."
Bai Li was about to console the Village Head and his mother, telling them it wasn't their burden to bear, when Lei Shi's shrill voice cut through the air.
"Son-in-law Bai! I heard snippets from the doorway—did you just say you have no suspicion toward the Rong family? Does that mean you're accusing your own in-laws?! We are Xiao Han's family, the grandparents of Xiao Fu and Xiao Wu! How could you protect those thieves next door while slandering your own kin?!"