Chapter 257 This Must Be Fate

"This is……"

Lu Wanyin looked directly at Xuan Qi.

Xuan Qi quickly introduced: "Madam, this is the magistrate of Xinliang County."

Lu Wanyin understood: "This mountain is so steep, why did the county magistrate come here in person?"

After seeing the Xinliang County magistrate in person, Lu Wanyin believed in his reputation for integrity.

A person's temperament and eyes cannot be faked.

If Xuan Qi hadn't said that this was the county magistrate, she would have thought that this was an old farmer who came down from the mountain.

Lu Wanyin quickly ordered someone to make room for the county magistrate to sit.

The worse the imperial court is, the harder it is to find good officials like this.

She respects such people.

"It's not hard. It's not hard at all for this humble official."

The old county magistrate took out a small cloth bag from his arms with trembling hands.

Unwrapping the layers of cloth revealed two crumpled silver bills, a few pieces of silver, and even a handful of copper coins.

"This time's reward is all here."

He carefully handed the silver to Lu Wanyin: "Please don't despise it, benefactor."

From this perspective, those who made fun of the Xinliang County magistrate for overestimating his own abilities were objectively correct.

The total reward is only more than three hundred taels of silver.

It is enough for an ordinary family to eat for decades, but it is not even enough to suppress bandits.

If someone really had the ability to overturn the bandit's den, the wealth they had looted from the den over the years would be far more than this.

The magistrate of Xinliang County insisted on coming in person, partly because he wanted to meet the great benefactor of Xinliang County.

Secondly, he knew that his reward was too little. If his benefactor had any other conditions, he, as the county magistrate, could discuss them.

Seeing Lu Wanyin accept the silver, Xie Jingci smiled slightly: "My Lord, this time you believed my wife when she said that she only wanted the silver as a reward. It is just a reward. My husband and I are grateful for your love for the people. We will do our best to show our gratitude. Your Majesty, rest assured."

The Xinliang County Magistrate was completely relieved. "I have no way to repay your madam's kindness. I invite you all to come to the government office and have a few drinks to express your gratitude. This is great news. If the people knew about it and saw our benefactors, they would also be happy this New Year."

"Chinese New Year"

Lu Wanyin suddenly realized that they had been traveling for several days in a row, and tomorrow was New Year's Day.

That’s fast.

Lu Wanyin quickly declined the county magistrate's invitation: "I appreciate your kindness, sir, but we can't delay on the road. If there is a chance in the future, I will definitely visit your residence."

Lu Wanyin sighed inwardly.

How can life be good in a small county town closest to bandits?

Looking down from the mountain, the direction of Xinliang County was pitch black, with no trace of the lively New Year atmosphere at all.

Even for the county magistrate, his salary for many years is probably included in this reward.

If they go there again, they will eat up all the county magistrate's wealth in one meal.

The regret in the county magistrate's eyes was genuine.

This is really wanting to do something.

Lu Wanyin pondered for a moment and took out two cloth bags from behind: "Sir, my husband and I passed by here and heard about your difficulties. I am really busy today. How about we make a promise?"

The county magistrate was a little confused.

He looked at Xie Jingci in confusion, then at Lu Wanyin: "What agreement?"

"My husband and I are merchants passing through here. We can't do it today, but we will come back someday."

She handed two cloth bags to the county magistrate and said, "These are seeds I accidentally found. They are cold-resistant and disease-resistant, and have a very high yield."

The county magistrate was a little unsure of Lu Wanyin's intention, and almost subconsciously tightened the cloth bag.

After the reward money was given out, the people in their county really had little to eat.

If I could have two bags of these seeds, then...

The county magistrate, who had been upright all his life, was almost thinking of becoming a bad guy and shamelessly asking for a favor.

"Sir, take these seeds back and let the people plant them."

Lu Wanyin's words dispelled his inner struggle: "If my husband and I pass by here again next year, please use the crops you grow to treat us to a good meal. How about that?"

The county magistrate stared at Lu Wanyin blankly, unable to speak. He couldn't even hold the bag in his hand firmly, and it fell to the ground.

Xie Jingci reached out and took it, holding it firmly.

He smiled and put the grain bag back into the hands of the county magistrate: "My lord, keep it well. My wife never jokes. If there is a chance next year, I am afraid I will really come to your house to beg for food."

"That's right."

Lu Wanyin suddenly thought of something and pointed downwards: "That's the bandits' lair. They haven't spent all the loot yet, so it's all piled up in the warehouse. When you go back, my Lord, please arrange for someone to come and take the things away as soon as possible."

Lu Wanyin paused, "If possible, please try to return the items to their original owners. As for the remaining ownerless items, please feel free to make arrangements. We trust in you."

The county magistrate originally came to listen to Lu Wanyin negotiate the terms.

But he never expected that in the end she not only did not ask for anything, but gave him endless benefits.

Holding the cloth bag tightly in his hand, the county magistrate knelt on the ground tremblingly: "My benefactor saved the people of Xinliang from dire straits. I have no way to repay you, no way to repay you."

Lu Wanyin and Xie Jingci were quick-witted and quick-handed. Before the county magistrate's knees could touch the ground, they each held him on one side.

"No, please don't."

Lu Wanyin helped the man up while lifting the heavy bag of grain. "We received the reward for suppressing the bandits. The rest is stolen money and should be confiscated. Please stand up quickly, sir."

As she spoke, she winked at Xie Jingci.

Find a reason to send this county magistrate away quickly.

People kowtow every now and then at this time, and those who don’t know would think they are wishing a happy new year.

Xie Jingci burst out laughing.

His wife always has an easy time dealing with those with bad intentions.

But he could never withstand the gratitude of people like the county magistrate.

Xie Jingci supported the county magistrate's shoulders and glanced at Xuan Qi: "It's getting late, sir, you should go back early and tell the people of Xinliang about this news. So that everyone can have a good New Year, right?"

Xuan Qi agreed, already holding onto the county magistrate's arm: "Master, you are right. The road down the mountain after dark is already difficult to travel. If you don't return, the people will be worried."

The Xinliang County Magistrate wanted to say a few more words to Lu Wanyin.

As soon as he opened his mouth with the food in his arms, Xuan Qi took him away and ran away.

Lu Wanyin's eyebrows jumped: "Xuan Qi doesn't know how to take it easy. The county magistrate should not be afraid of heights, right?"

Xie Jingci listened very seriously: "There was no screaming, so it shouldn't be."

Lu Wanyin pursed her lips and smiled, looking at the others: "Since tomorrow is New Year's Day, let's not rush tonight. There's a place to rest downstairs, so let's rest up tonight and celebrate properly."

If the county magistrate hadn't reminded her, Lu Wanyin would have almost forgotten the New Year.

Xun Mo, who loved the hustle and bustle, was the first to agree: "That's great. During the Little New Year, the young lady was still lamenting that she met a woman as compatible with her as Miss Lu, but she didn't catch the New Year. Now she has, it must be fate."