Chapter 211 Debt
"Alright, everyone, calm down! The protection fee issue was due to the government's inconsiderateness. For the sake of the people of Qingshi Town to live and work in peace, I, the official, will cancel the protection fee!"
Zhang Daming, already feeling overwhelmed by the chaotic scene, saw Wen Chengyun approaching from a distance. He simply gathered all his strength and shouted loudly.
As soon as these words were spoken, the yamen runners froze in disbelief. Had the county magistrate changed his ways? While the runners were stunned, the vendors spontaneously took back the silver they had just handed over.
They had to pay the government office for stall rental when they set up stalls on West Street. Protection fees were originally levied in addition, so they were naturally happy to be exempted from them.
"The magistrate's words must be kept. Going back on your word is ungentlemanly."
There was a hint of surprise in Cheng Weiyao's eyes, but when she saw Wen Chengyun, she understood instantly.
A power-hungry person like Zhang Daming wouldn't change his ways without reason. He'd probably sensed Wen Chengyun's identity from the changes in the military camp. His cautious actions now were probably just a way to find fault and make up for lost time...
"Of course. Everyone here has heard and witnessed what I said today. The matter of protection money is over!"
Zhang Daming nodded repeatedly, and his peripheral vision was observing Wen Chengyun's expression as he stood in the crowd.
Wen Chengyun remained calm from beginning to end, but the more so, the more certain Zhang Daming became of his suspicions. As expected of someone from the royal family, not showing one's emotions on one's face was a hallmark of those who accomplished great things.
This farce soon ended with a happy ending. Zhang Daming returned to the yamen with a group of yamen runners, and the entire West Street was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Now that the commotion had subsided, Wen Chengyun readily prepared to blend in with the crowd and leave. However, before he could take a few steps, a pair of fair hands grabbed the end of his sleeve.
"Brother! Why didn't you say hello when you came? What are you busy with right away?"
Wen Liyu's eyes flashed with surprise and reproach. Wen Chengyun left home early and returned late every day, rarely seen during the day. He finally bumped into her today. If he couldn't just talk to her, he should at least have a look at his sister-in-law, right?
Cheng Weiyao, the person involved, didn't feel much. In her eyes, Wen Chengyun's busy schedule was justified. After Liao Yu's downfall, the military camp still had to deal with follow-up issues, leaving behind a lot of major problems. So, she spoke in Wen Chengyun's favor.
"Ayu, your brother must be busy. I'm a little busy here. Can you come back and help your sister-in-law?"
Wen Liyu's eyes were filled with helplessness. With her intelligence, she could tell that this was just an excuse Cheng Weiyao was using to help Wen Chengyun. But since her sister-in-law had spoken, she could let go.
Wen Chengyun turned around and gave Cheng Weiyao a gentle smile, then quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Because the protection fee was cancelled, the small vendors got back the money they had handed in, and of course they became much richer. In order to prevent the county magistrate from reneging, some clever people spent the money directly on the same day.
This kept the matchmakers in Qingshi Town very busy. The vendors, who had originally expected their marriages to take place a year or two, took advantage of their current financial resources to begin planning their weddings. In the afternoons in Qingshi Town, bright red wedding sedans began to be carried out from various households.
The streets were filled with people watching the ceremony, and business at teahouses, restaurants and street stalls soared.
At the front gate of West Street, a sedan chair pulled up, and the bride was straddling a fire pot. A corner of her veil fluttered in the wind, revealing a faint, shy smile.
"There are so many people getting married today. This is the third sedan chair that has come in in just one hour..."
As the aunt served the guests, she sighed. She hadn't seen such a lively scene in years. Back then, when she got married, she was only carried into the mansion as a second wife...
Compared to her aunt who was experienced, Wen Liyu seemed quite excited. She didn't even have a lover, let alone getting married, which was something completely unrelated.
However, girls always have some yearning for getting married. Even for Wen Liyu, who has never lacked beautiful clothes and jewelry since childhood, wedding dresses always have a different appeal.
She was so lost in thought as she looked at the bride that she didn't even notice the ginseng tea was full, and the overflowing tea flowed onto the table.
"If you're curious, Ayu, go take a look. My sister-in-law is looking after the stall."
Cheng Weiyao took the teapot from Wen Liyu's hand with amusement and put it down. She gently wiped the wall of the cup, turned around and served it to the guest.
At this time, Wen Liyu looked at Cheng Weiyao's back and suddenly thought of a detail that she had overlooked before.
On the day of Wen Chengyun and Cheng Weiyao's wedding, the imperial decree of exile was issued. To curry favor with the emperor and because she was a replacement bride, the Duke's Mansion treated Cheng Weiyao with extreme cruelty.
There was no wedding sedan even for the journey from the Duke's Mansion to the Prince Qingping's Mansion. Cheng Weiyao was led to the Prince Qingping's Mansion on foot in complete secrecy.
At that time, the Prince Qingping's Palace itself was immersed in sorrow. The Imperial Concubine was in no mood to accept the new bride's tea, while Wen Liyu was busy competing with the maids in the palace to carry as many clothes and jewelry as possible.
As for Wen Chengyun himself, although he was waiting in wedding clothes, he just took Cheng Weiyao's hand from the people in the Duke's Mansion and welcomed her into the mansion.
Forget the custom of jumping over a fire basin, not even a single firecracker was set off. The couple wore their wedding attire, but when they couldn't get warm, they spontaneously took it off...
Wen Liyu's brows knitted together involuntarily as she recalled this. In the past, she had indeed not acknowledged Cheng Weiyao as her sister-in-law, so she had never cared about her feelings from the beginning to the end.
But now, seeing how others were getting married, he suddenly realized that the Prince Qingping's Mansion actually owed Cheng Weiyao a proper wedding ceremony.
"Sister-in-law, are we still well-off now?"
Wen Liyu no longer had any desire to envy other families' excitement. She could hold a wedding at home, so why would she envy others? However, Cheng Weiyao had always been the one managing the family finances, and money was the key to weddings...
"But what clothes do you want to buy? We have enough money at home, so just take care of the expenses."
Cheng Weiyao responded with a smile. As for the money for buying the house, she had already divided it out separately, and Wen Liyu's expenses would not affect her normal life.
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