Chapter 7 County Magistrate County Magistrate

"What is this child doing so mysteriously?" Because the wind was so strong in the corridor, Su Zhaoshi and Aunt Bai had already moved into the main room after sitting for a while and seeing that her son was indeed fine.

But when she heard the noise outside, Su Zhao couldn't help but stick her head out, feeling strange. Her master always said that a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen, and no men in the family, big or small, went into the kitchen.

After thinking for a while, Su Zhao waved to Su Lanzhang: "Sanlang, did you see what your second brother did just now?"

Su Lanzhang shook his head and said, "I don't know. My second brother asked me to look at the birthmark just now. I don't know if it's an itch on my back, so I went to the kitchen to get a firewood stick to scratch it."

"What a mess." Su Zhaoshi was amused. "Forget it, go take a look. If his back itches, help scratch it. If that doesn't work, have Zao'er dig Buqiuren out. Don't use a firewood stick; it's too rough."

"Okay, Mom." Su Lanzhang ran to Su Fengzhang's door, pushed it open a crack and stuck her head in. "Second brother, do you need me to tickle you?"

Su Fengzhang was still studying the faucet. He was startled when he heard the noise outside and quickly waved his hands: "No, no, I'm not itchy anymore. Go play by yourself."

Su Fengzhang only breathed a sigh of relief after Su Lanzhang left. However, it was certain that it was indeed only his spirit, or soul, that entered that strange space, and he could hear the sounds from the outside world, so it was not easy to detect any abnormality.

Su Lanzhang walked to the yard with a clatter, and found that his sister, who had just played well with him, was gone. Looking back, he saw that his aunt was holding her and doing needlework together. It was probably impossible for her to catch ants with him.

Su Lanzhang suddenly became idle and squatted on the ground, poking at ants from time to time.

Just at this moment, there was a knock on the Su family's door.

Su Lanzhang jumped up suddenly, walked over, opened the door a crack and looked out, only to see a stranger.

"Who are you, who are you looking for?"

A man in his early forties was standing outside the door. He smiled kindly when he saw him and asked, "Is this the Su family?"

"It's the Su family," Su Lanzhang replied. Su Zhaoshi inside heard the commotion and called out, "Sanlang, who's here?"

"Mom, I don't know him either." Although he used to live in the city, Su Lanzhang was a man and would go home to worship his ancestors during festivals, so he knew all his relatives and friends in the village.

The man outside the door shouted loudly at this time: "Is Madam Su at home? I am Lao Ding who works for the county magistrate."

The needle tip suddenly pierced her thumb. Su Zhao quickly sucked it, but her face showed some worry and doubt.

But soon, she hurriedly stood up to greet them. Although she still had hatred towards the Chen family, she could not hate the magistrate at all. She only felt awe.

"Butler Ding has come from afar, and it is a real sin for me not to welcome you in person." Su Zhaoshi opened the door, but her hands were clenched nervously.

"Mom, who is here?" Su Fengzhang also heard the voice and came out. Soon, he saw Butler Ding.

Butler Ding was the magistrate's steward and had many dealings with the Su family, so Su Fengzhang also recognized him.

The noisy Su Lanzhang also became restrained. He didn't know Butler Ding, but he knew the county magistrate.

"Butler Ding, please come in." Su Zhaoshi welcomed the people in, but she didn't know why they came.

When Su Dianli passed away, several colleagues in the yamen sent people to pay their respects, but the county magistrate did not show up.

Butler Ding did not come alone. He was followed by two servants and a carriage. He gave a word and the two servants started to move the things in the carriage in.

As soon as he entered, Steward Ding bowed deeply. "Madam Su, Young Master Su, Lord Cai returned from visiting his family and learned that Su Dianli had passed away. He was unable to see him off. Lord Cai was heartbroken and sent me here to pay my respects and offer comfort to Su Dianli's spirit."

With these words, he explained clearly why the county magistrate had not come before and why he came now, and it sounded sincere.

When Su Zhaoshi heard this, tears fell from her eyes: "It's hard for Master Cai to still be thinking about my master."

Su Fengzhang's eyes flickered slightly. He always thought that Su Dianli was dismissed because he offended the county magistrate, but now it seems that this is not the case. There must be some lawsuit involved.

But now that Su Dianli is dead, the county magistrate is definitely unwilling to tell them, and this matter is likely to remain a secret forever.

Steward Ding sighed again, "Su Dianli has been diligent and hardworking over the years, never making a mistake. He was originally just going to stay home for a while, hoping to return to his post once the storm had subsided. It's a pity that life is unpredictable, and he's now gone forever."

Whether this was true or not, no one knew, but Su Zhaoshi seemed to have received some kind of assurance, repeatedly saying, "My master was unlucky and didn't live to see that day."

"This must be Young Master Su, he looks very handsome." Butler Ding obviously did not have a deep impression of Su Fengzhang.

Su Fengzhang cupped his hands and said, "I don't deserve it. Mother, how about I accompany Steward Ding to pay my respects at my father's grave?"

"Okay, okay, take good care of her." Su Zhao ordered.

Butler Ding was very thoughtful and brought some offerings for worship. One servant followed them while another servant was still moving things inside.

Su Fengzhang led the way, wanting to test the waters, so he asked, "Lord Cai, you still remember my late father. I am grateful and will always remember him. However, I am in mourning now, so it is not convenient for me to come and express my gratitude."

Steward Ding simply said, "It's enough that Young Master Su has this intention. Master Cai will naturally not blame us now that he knows the Su family's situation."

"When father was still alive, he often taught us brothers to remember the kindness of Lord Cai. Now that he and my eldest brother are gone, our family still keeps it in mind." Su Fengzhang said.

Steward Ding's brows twitched slightly. He had only heard that Su Dianli's eldest son was very talented and passed the imperial examination at a young age, but he did not expect that this son was also so intelligent.

Since it was Lord Cai who personally ordered this, Steward Ding didn't mind continuing to flatter the Su family: "Lord Cai and Su Dianli have always complemented each other, but it's a pity that Su Dianli passed away young... If Young Master Su aspires to pass the imperial examinations in the future, he can come to Lord Cai for advice if he encounters any difficulties. Because of Su Dianli's friendship, I'm sure Lord Cai would be willing to give him some advice."

What this means is that Su Dianli and the county magistrate have a very good relationship, but if they are really that close, how could he suddenly dismiss Su Dianli and send him back home?

"If that's the case, I'll naturally be grateful." Su Fengzhang could only say this.

When they arrived at the grave, Steward Ding paid his respects earnestly, at least more sincerely than Mr. Chen, and even shed two tears.

At that time, if Master Chen had not been watching closely and there was a group of clansmen watching, he probably would not even have kowtowed.

At Su Dianli's grave, Steward Ding also said, "Master Su, rest in peace. Master Cai remembers your kindness and will look after the Su family. You can rest in peace in the grave."

It was freezing cold, so they didn't stay at the grave for long and soon returned to the Su family.

This time, Steward Ding not only took on the task of offering sacrifices, but also brought a lot of gifts to the Su family. While they were climbing the mountain, another servant had quickly moved them to the Su family's courtyard.

Steward Ding simply said, "Madam Su, Master Su, these are specially prepared by Lord Cai. Please do not refuse."

Su Zhao subconsciously glanced at her son, only to see Su Fengzhang nod. She said, "Obedience is worse than respect. Erlang, Sanlang, you must remember the kindness of Master Cai."

Su Fengzhang and Su Lanzhang should naturally be it.

After the gift was delivered, Butler Ding was about to get up and say goodbye.

Su Zhaoshi hurriedly asked him to stay: "Butler Ding, why don't you stay and have a meal? Although it's simple, it's warm."

Butler Ding said, "Old Ding, I have to go back and report. I won't stay any longer today. Madam Su, Master Su, take care."

After the people left, Su Zhaoshi said, "I didn't expect that Lord Cai still remembered our Su family."

Only then did Aunt Bai dare to go over and count the gifts, and she was shocked. Apart from the other things, the most valuable thing was a ginseng that looked to be ten years old. There was also one hundred taels of silver placed in the box at the bottom.

"This is too expensive." Su Zhao came over and took a look, and also frowned. When she saw the things on top, she thought they were just some local food and clothing, but she didn't expect that there were ginseng and silver at the bottom.

Even for a county magistrate, one hundred taels was not a small amount, not to mention there was a ginseng of visible age next to it.

"Feng'er, do you think we can accept this gift?" Su Zhaoshi was a little uneasy. After all, she had been an official's wife for many years and knew that the heavier the gift, the harder it would be to hold and it would be hot to the touch.

"Accept it. The county magistrate sent it. It would be bad if we don't accept it." Su Fengzhang said.

Judging from his test today, the county magistrate's attitude towards the Su family was indeed too good.

Now he presented another big gift. Either Mr. Cai had a really good relationship with his deceased father, or Mr. Cai felt guilty and presented a generous gift as compensation.

If their relationship was really good, how could Su Dianli be dismissed and sent home? The latter possibility is obviously more likely.

But this also has its advantages. At least Lord Cai is not a cruel person and has no ill will towards their Su family.

Hearing her son's words, Su Zhaoshi nodded and said, "That's right. If we retreat, Lord Cai might think that the Su family doesn't value such a small thing, and we would be offending them."

She personally put away the two most valuable items, grabbed a handful of candy and stuffed it into the two children, not even leaving Su Fengzhang out. "You guys try it, and let Aunt Bai keep the rest for Erlang and Huihui."

Aunt Bai took the candies with a smile and asked, "What should we do with the rest? We can't eat most of them."

The whole family had to observe mourning, and the things that Butler Ding sent included dried goods such as bacon and salted fish, which naturally could not be eaten.

Su Zhaoshi quickly said, "Thanks to the help of the villagers these days, let's clean up and send some to each household. We can also send an extra portion to my uncle and the village chief, and let everyone taste the bacon from the county magistrate's house."