The soldiers left behind went for tea, but they refused to move Pei Qian and Pei Wendong to the County Government Office's dungeon. The leader, when leaving, said, "Let them keep watch in the yard, Magistrate Huang! This is the Ministry of Justice handling the case. When we need you, just cooperate!"
Seeing that, Magistrate Huang gave up.
Qian Wanxiu, seeing nothing was achieved, cursed bitterly to herself. Such a good opportunity—with that wretched Pei Qin not around, only a few little wretches—it's unbelievable that they can't handle them!
But it was the Ministry of Justice handling the case, and Magistrate Huang, as a mere County Magistrate, had no authority to meddle without directives from above.
Seeing Magistrate Huang wanting to interfere, Old Scholar Fang didn't return home either. He found a place to stay in town and kept a constant watch on the situation around Liu'er Alley.
