Chapter 61 "My husband loves me too."...
"By the way, Magistrate Tang's name is Tang Yu. He's a newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) this year. Second brother, do you know him?"
"Never heard of it," Meng Zheng said irritably.
Meng Yuanxiao pursed his lips. Second Brother didn't know Magistrate Tang, but Brother Tang definitely did.
If she knew Magistrate Tang's preferences, the exam might be easier for her!
Meng Yuanxiao never liked reading, but after returning home, he stayed at home for several days, burying himself in books and studying diligently.
Meng Zheng dismissed it as a childish tantrum and let her be, since she wouldn't pass the exam anyway.
She stayed home reading and didn't go out to cause trouble, which made Meng Zheng happy.
But it's never enough to cram at the last minute. Meng Yuanxiao was anxious and begged her second brother to find her a tutor, but Meng Zheng ignored her.
Meng Yuanxiao was indignant. After sulking for half a day while clutching her books, she suddenly had a brilliant idea. She immediately threw down her books and ran to the kitchen.
When they arrived at the kitchen, she begged the cook to make some snacks. Then, carrying her books and snacks, she dragged her second brother to the outside of the county government office.
It was already late afternoon, and it was almost time to leave the county government office. Several yamen runners had just returned from their errands outside, their heads covered in sweat, and were standing under the sycamore trees outside the county government office to cool off.
Meng Yuanxiao took the food box from her second brother, ran forward, and said sweetly with her eyes crinkling, "Thank you for your hard work, officer!"
As luck would have it, it was the same group of constables who had arrested her that day.
She was exceptionally beautiful and lively. It was the first time the constables had ever seen someone vying to enter the county court, so they recognized her at a glance.
The head constable chuckled when he saw her, "Oh, young lady, what trouble have you gotten into this time?"
Meng Yuanxiao wasn't embarrassed at all, and said with a smile, "I didn't cause any trouble today. I just saw that you officers were working hard, so I brought you some snacks."
After saying that, he put the food box on the ground, opened it, and found some snacks and sliced melon inside.
The constables didn't stand on ceremony with her, thanked her, and started eating the melon.
Just as he was engrossed in his munching, Meng Yuanxiao peeked into the county government office, his eyes darting around. "Brother constable, is Lord Tang in the county government office today?"
"Yes," the yamen runner replied casually.
Meng Yuanxiao immediately took out his book and said earnestly, "I am very grateful that Lord Tang did not blame me that day. Today I have brought some snacks for Lord Tang to express my gratitude."
"I've been burying myself in books at home these past few days, but there are some things I really don't understand. Lord Tang is the most learned man in Songxi County. Could you please make an exception and let me go into the county office to ask Lord Tang for guidance, and also to express my gratitude?"
When others entered the courtroom and saw the county magistrate, their legs would go weak.
Perhaps it was the first time the constable had ever seen someone so bold, not only unafraid but also eagerly coming to their door again, which nearly made him drop his jaw in astonishment.
But rules can't be broken. The constable took a few bites of melon, waved his hand and said, "Young lady, you're too bold. We brothers will just chat with you for a bit. Lord Tang is busy with official business and doesn't have time to deal with you."
Meng Yuanxiao: "..."
Before she could say anything more, another constable interrupted, "Young lady, you wouldn't be so bold because our Lord Tang is so handsome, would you?"
Meng Yuanxiao: "Lord Tang is just so handsome!"
The bailiffs found her audacious and waved her away, saying, "Young lady, go back. No matter how handsome Magistrate Tang is, he's not someone you should covet. We should all head back too."
Meng Yuanxiao had no designs on him. She couldn't help but feel deflated, yet she was still unwilling to give up. Pointing to a plate of untouched pastries in the food box, she said, "Please trouble the constable to deliver this to Lord Tang for me."
After saying that, she picked up a pastry and put it in her mouth, saying, "Don't worry, it's not poisonous."
She clung to him like a leech, and the constable had no choice but to agree, "Young lady, you can go back now. I'll take the snacks to Lord Tang for you."
Meng Yuanxiao refused to leave. She pointed to the plate in the yamen runner's hand, "This plate is still mine! Please thank Lord Tang for me. Also, don't forget to tell him that I have some questions about my studies and would like to ask Lord Tang for help!"
She was so shameless that the bailiffs had no choice but to ignore her and turn to enter the county government office.
Meng Zheng wasn't as thick-skinned as Meng Yuanxiao, and couldn't bear to lose face. As soon as he arrived, he hid in front of the shop opposite the county government office and boasted to others, only occasionally keeping an eye on Meng Yuanxiao's side.
Meng Yuanxiao was bored waiting in front of the yamen. When he saw his second brother, he waved to him with a smile.
Meng Zheng rolled his eyes at her from afar, too lazy to pay her any attention.
Meng Yuanxiao pouted, squatted in front of the county government office, and waited with his chin in his hand until he was a little discouraged. Finally, the yamen runner from before came out.
Meng Yuanxiao's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up.
The bailiff smiled when he saw her, "Young lady, please come in. Lord Tang invites you to the county office for a chat."
Meng Yuanxiao beamed, "Thank you, officer!"
It was time to leave the office, and Magistrate Tang was waiting in the main hall of the county government office.
The bailiffs led the person away, and on the small table next to Magistrate Tang were some of the snacks she had brought, some of which had already been eaten.
Meng Yuanxiao was overjoyed and excited. He stepped forward and bowed deeply to Magistrate Tang, saying, "Greetings, Lord Tang!"
Amused by her, Magistrate Tang put down the official documents in his hand, looked up at her, and asked, "Miss Meng, what brings you to see me?"
Meng Yuanxiao: "There are some parts of the book that I don't understand, and I would like to ask you, Lord Tang, for guidance."
Magistrate Tang glanced at the books she was holding, but pushed the official documents in front of him toward Meng Yuanxiao, saying, "Miss Meng, take a look. Do you think you can understand them?"
Meng Yuanxiao looked at Magistrate Tang in surprise, then took the official document and read it through.
She could understand what she was reading, but there were parts she didn't understand. When Magistrate Tang asked her, she gave a nonsensical explanation.
Magistrate Tang didn't say anything, only nodded, and after a moment's thought, said, "That day I thought Miss Meng was just arguing with the academy and acting on a whim. Do you really want to work in the county government?"
"Yes, I do!" Meng Yuanxiao nodded without hesitation.
Her pretty little face was full of seriousness. Magistrate Tang smiled and held out his hand to her, "Is there anything you don't understand?"
Meng Yuanxiao's eyes lit up, and he immediately stepped forward to look up all the parts of the book that he didn't understand, chattering away as he asked for clarification.
Magistrate Tang was very patient and explained it to her in detail. After a slight pause, he took a few pages from the two books she had brought, folded a corner of each page, and handed them back to her.
"The teachers at the school often like to test you on these few pages of knowledge, so Miss Meng might as well study them carefully."
Meng Yuanxiao was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed and almost jumped up with happiness.
"I've got it. Thank you, Lord Tang!"
She happily left the county government office, where Meng Zheng was already waiting.
Upon seeing her come out, Meng Zheng gritted his teeth and stepped forward to grab her ear, but Meng Yuanxiao giggled and dodged.
"Second brother, I'm determined to become a female official in the county government!"
Meng Zheng dismissed her as boasting and ignored her, grabbing her ear and dragging her home.
Ten days passed in a flash, and with Magistrate Tang's guidance, Meng Yuanxiao answered the questions with extraordinary ease on the day of the exam.
Although he had a plan in mind, he was always uneasy.
When the results were posted, perhaps Magistrate Tang had a change of heart, and of the dozen or so people who took the exam, Meng Yuanxiao was actually selected.
Meng Yuanxiao was overjoyed, while Meng Zheng was stunned.
Meng Yuanxiao naturally knew what he was thinking. She stood on tiptoe and patted her second brother on the shoulder in a serious manner to comfort him.
"Don't worry, Second Brother. It's just a minor clerk position. I can resign whenever I get tired of it. Magistrate Tang won't mind, and it certainly won't delay your search for Sister Li!"
After saying that, he added, "Didn't you say that we can't go to Sister Li now? If we go, we'll probably get beaten up by the Li family!"
On the day he officially took office, Meng Yuanxiao tidied himself up carefully, looked at himself in the bronze mirror for a long time, and then went out happily.
Upon arriving at the county government office and seeing Magistrate Tang, Meng Yuanxiao bowed again, saying, "Greetings, Magistrate Tang!"
Tang Yu was amused by her appearance, "You don't need to perform such a grand ceremony in the future."
After saying that, he turned to the clerk beside him and asked, "Has Lord Meng been assigned any tasks?"
Upon hearing the address "Young Master Meng," Meng Yuanxiao's cheeks flushed instantly, but he couldn't help feeling overjoyed.
The clerk replied, "Your Excellency, we haven't had time to make arrangements yet. I was just about to ask you about this matter."
Tang Yu nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "I am still short of one person by my side, so you can come with me for now."
After saying this, he asked Meng Yuanxiao, "Is Lord Meng willing?"
How could Meng Yuanxiao refuse? Her eyebrows curved into smiles, and she couldn't suppress the curve of her lips. "I'm willing, I'm willing. I hope Lord Tang will give me more guidance in the future!"
And so the matter was settled.
Meng Yuanxiao followed Magistrate Tang to the back hall. On the way, she couldn't help but ask, "Magistrate Tang, will letting me into the county office cause you any trouble?"
That day she offended the Yang family. Although Yang Erlang was a simpleton and a coward, who knew what kind of person Master Yang was?
Tang Yu understood what she meant, glanced at her, and said, "It's alright."
After saying that, he smiled and said, "I'll take this opportunity to give the Yang family a warning."
Meng Yuanxiao was surprised and couldn't help but recall what Magistrate Tang had said that day. He said that he was new to Songxi County and there were many things he couldn't decide on.
It seems that a wealthy and powerful family like the Yang family is not easy to deal with, and they should be taught a lesson.
She hadn't expected that her clever but misguided attempt to outsmart him would lead her into this mess. No wonder Magistrate Tang hadn't given her a hard time that day!
Magistrate Tang glanced at her, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Scared?"
Meng Yuanxiao immediately shook his head, "No!"
In the following days, Meng Yuanxiao followed Magistrate Tang around. There were many and varied official matters to attend to, but he also learned a lot.
Although she was a young woman, Magistrate Tang treated her no differently, and never hesitated to give her the tasks he was asked to do.
However, when she occasionally made a mistake, Magistrate Tang would not reprimand her, but would instead have someone patiently teach her.
After a few days, Meng Yuanxiao gradually got used to it.
After finishing her work that day, she handed the organized documents to Magistrate Tang, and then it was time for her lunch break.
Magistrate Tang casually invited her to have lunch together. As they headed to the yamen's dining hall, Meng Yuanxiao asked, "Sir, has the culprit been caught?"
Magistrate Tang glanced at her and said, "You don't need to get involved in this case, but there is another case that you can help with. Come with me on a trip tomorrow."
Meng Yuanxiao, unwilling to spend all his time in the yamen doing clerical work, brightened up upon hearing this and happily replied, "Yes!"
Tang Yu hadn't expected her to be so happy, and said with amusement, "I heard that when you were setting up your stall in front of the academy, you were quite familiar with those women?"
Meng Yuanxiao had only been setting up his stall in front of the academy for two days, still waiting for people to take the bait.
She was surprised that Magistrate Tang knew these things, but she didn't dare to ask. She just blinked and said, "I can confirm that there are a few women."
Tang Yu nodded. "It seems you're quite good at dealing with women. In that case, talk to those women and try to get more information from them."
Meng Yuanxiao didn't understand the meaning, but since Magistrate Tang had given the order, she simply agreed.
Magistrate Tang only said he was going out, but did not say where he was going. Meng Yuanxiao only found out the next day that he was going to the countryside.
She set off early with Magistrate Tang and arrived in the village before noon.
As Meng Yuanxiao stepped down from the carriage and saw the women gathered around watching the commotion, he suddenly thought of Ye Shi and the group of women from Huai Shu Village, and felt a moment of disorientation.
Magistrate Tang called out to her, "What are you still standing there for?"
"Oh." Meng Yuanxiao snapped out of her daze and quickly followed.
I'm here to handle a case today, so I went straight into the neighborhood chief's house.
Upon entering the main room, Magistrate Tang sat down at the head of the table. The room was somewhat cramped, and with so many people, Meng Yuanxiao simply stood beside Magistrate Tang.
The village head's wife brought in tea and was taken aback when she saw Meng Yuanxiao beside Magistrate Tang.
This was the first time she had ever seen a county official bring a young lady down to handle a case. Especially since the young lady in front of her was so beautiful and noble, she was clearly not a maidservant.
The village head's wife poured a cup of tea and placed it beside Magistrate Tang. She glanced at Meng Yuanxiao and exclaimed, "Lord Tang, this young lady is truly beautiful, like a celestial being!"
After saying that, his eyes darted back and forth between the two of them.
Meng Yuanxiao was displeased by her scrutiny, but he suppressed his displeasure.
Tang Yu was quite open to being looked at. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down before saying, "This is Lord Meng from the county yamen. He's the same as County Lieutenant Li and the others. He's here with me today to handle a case."
Upon hearing that it was the same as County Magistrate Li, everyone in the main room was stunned, and their gazes toward Meng Yuanxiao became even more strange.
Meng Yuanxiao didn't want to be looked down upon, so he straightened his back a bit.
Following this, Magistrate Tang casually mentioned the new policies being implemented by the imperial court.
Finally, he said, "The imperial court has decreed that women can also take the imperial examinations and become officials. Families with the means can send any bright girl, regardless of whether she has male members, to school. If she can succeed, she will also bring honor to her family in the future."
The village chief and the others chuckled and agreed, but no one responded.
At this point, the matter was dropped, and the questioning began.
Today's case stems from a dispute over land between a local gentry and a family in the village. The dispute escalated into a murder, and officials from the household registration office and the criminal investigation office have come to the scene.
The local gentry and the other household were both invited, and they had a heated argument in the main room.
Meng Yuanxiao didn't understand how to handle cases, so he just listened from the side.
As I listened, I began to understand. It turned out that a farmer in the village had registered his land under the name of a local gentry in order to evade land taxes, but the gentry seized the land and refused to return it.
This farmer lost his land and, in a fit of anger, caused a murder case, which alarmed the county government.
However, according to the land deeds registered by the county government, the land was indeed registered under the name of the local gentry. With both sides holding their own opinions, the case became somewhat difficult to resolve.
As Meng Yuanxiao was engrossed in listening to the commotion, Magistrate Tang suddenly glanced at her.
Meng Yuanxiao remembered what Magistrate Tang had told him yesterday, and immediately understood. He quietly went out to talk to the women in the village.
The county magistrate's personal visit was a major event in the village. As they left the village head's house, they saw a group of women gathered together, whispering among themselves as they looked at the village head's house.
Meng Yuanxiao thought for a moment, then went over and squatted down beside him.
The women were all taken aback when they saw her coming. Then one of them said, "I heard from the village head's wife that a female official has come to the county government. Is that you?"
Meng Yuanxiao was secretly pleased, but she was modest and said with a smile, "I'm not a female official, just a clerk."
Upon hearing this, the women gasped in astonishment, "There really are female officials?"
"Clerks are officials too, aren't all the people working in government offices officials?"
"Incredible! Even little girls can become officials now!"
The women chattered on and on, and someone handed Meng Yuanxiao a small stool.
Meng Yuanxiao sat down on a small stool. The women had been whispering about the case in the village, but as soon as Meng Yuanxiao arrived, they immediately stopped talking about it.
It would probably take some time before Magistrate Tang arrived, so Meng Yuanxiao wasn't in a hurry. He sat on a small stool, propping his chin up as he listened to their idle chatter.
These women were all quite talkative, and somehow the conversation drifted to men.
A woman asked, "Is Lord Meng married yet?"
Meng Yuanxiao was stunned for a moment, her face slightly flushed, and said, "She got married."
The woman continued, "My daughter is about the same age as you, Lord Meng. She got married at the end of last year, and my son-in-law treats her very well."
Then he started bragging to others, "My daughter has only been married for half a year and has only gone to the fields a few times. The other day, my son-in-law went to the market and even bought a piece of cloth for my daughter to sew clothes!"
Meng Yuanxiao was surprised. So this was considered good?
However, she had originally wanted to join in their conversation, so she was delighted to hear this; she could do that!
Isn't Brother Tang the one who loves her the most?
So after the woman finished speaking, she immediately said, "My husband also loves me."
Upon hearing this, the women all looked at her.
Meng Yuanxiao said earnestly, "My husband will wash my clothes."
The women looked surprised. Meng Yuanxiao continued, "Every time my husband goes out, he brings me back delicious food and fun things, and he protects me and won't let anyone bully me."
“My husband even does my homework for me. I’ve had most of my homework done by him all my life!”
She talked on and on, recounting how good Tang-gege had been to her. When she finally stopped, the women were all dumbfounded.
The woman who had been showing off just moments before now had a dark expression, moved away from her, and ignored her.
Meng Yuanxiao blinked. Was she wrong?
The other women laughed, perhaps because they had long disliked the woman's boastful manner, and instead pulled Meng Yuanxiao aside to talk.
Meng Yuanxiao then stopped paying attention to the woman.
At first, the women were a little afraid of her, but after chatting for a while, they saw that she was more talkative than them, and gradually lowered their guard and started talking to her.
Meng Yuanxiao's eyes darted around, and he quickly got the gist of what was going on.
Aside from this case, they also inquired about other matters related to land and land taxes in the surrounding villages and towns.
Such incidents are common, but this one resulted in a death, which is why it has reached the authorities.
Meng Yuanxiao was shocked. She was already quite surprised by the Xu family and the Ye family's affairs, but she never expected that the act of seizing other people's land was so common, just under different names.
No wonder Princess Chang is going to implement new policies.
When Magistrate Tang and his companions came out of the village head's house, they saw Meng Yuanxiao sitting among a group of women, talking animatedly with them.
Meng Yuanxiao had been keeping an eye on the village head's house. When she saw Magistrate Tang come out, she immediately stood up, her eyes crinkling into a smile, and said, "Lord Tang."
After saying his farewell to the women, he got up and went over.
The county government only had two carriages. When returning, Meng Yuanxiao still refused to ride with the roughnecks from the Household Affairs Office and the Criminal Affairs Office, and instead rode in the same carriage with Magistrate Tang.
On the way back to the county office, Magistrate Tang asked, "Did you find out anything?"
Meng Yuanxiao poured out all the information he had gleaned from the woman.
Magistrate Tang frowned slightly, and only asked her after she finished speaking, "What does Lord Meng think?"
Meng Yuanxiao was surprised that Magistrate Tang would ask her this question. After a moment's thought, she said, "The imperial court lost a lot of taxes as a result, but the farmers lost their land, which only enriched the landlords and gentry."
After thinking for a moment, she mustered her courage and asked, "Sir, are you implementing new policies?"
Magistrate Tang raised his eyes and glanced at her.
Meng Yuanxiao looked at him intently with his eyes, "To be honest, Lord Tang, I have heard about some of the new policies before, and I think you are truly admirable."
"..." Tang Yu chuckled, paused, and then asked, "So, what does Lord Meng think would happen if the new policy is successfully implemented?"
Meng Yuanxiao was unable to answer this question immediately.
She playfully stuck out her tongue. "This is something you should be concerned about, Lord Tang. Please feel free to give me any instructions you may have."
Magistrate Tang raised his eyebrows and smiled, then said nothing more.
Back at the county office, Meng Yuanxiao continued his busy work for the next few days and quickly put the murder case caused by the land behind him.
Having witnessed the Ye family's previous trip to Yunping County, she originally thought this case would also be dropped, since it involved land and taxes, and such cases were commonplace.
Even if Magistrate Tang wanted to implement new policies, he was new to Songxi County and his influence was not deep. He probably wouldn't dare to act rashly and could only proceed slowly.
But less than a month later, she followed Magistrate Tang to that village again.
Upon arrival, they learned that the case had been closed, the land had been returned to the farmers, and the murders committed on both sides had been dealt with according to the law.
Back at the county office, Meng Yuanxiao still couldn't help but be surprised. "Lord Tang, aren't you afraid?"
Magistrate Tang glanced at her, seemingly somewhat surprised.
“I’m afraid, but…” He raised his eyebrows and said to her with a half-serious, half-joking smile, “I have powerful backers in the court.”
Meng Yuanxiao: "..."
She breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but smile.
However, she was still puzzled. "Lord Tang, what about the land tax that was embezzled earlier?"
“That’s beyond my jurisdiction,” Magistrate Tang said.
Meng Yuanxiao understood after a moment's thought. At this critical juncture, to implement the new policies, they needed to use this case to force the gentry and landowners to return the land they had swallowed.
If we continue to demand the previous land taxes at this point, it will only provoke them into desperate measures and make it even more difficult to implement the new policies.
Magistrate Tang stopped teasing her and said seriously, "Isn't Lord Meng skilled in painting? I'll give you another task."
"Okay, what kind of job is it?" Meng Yuanxiao asked.
“This case can’t just end like this, but there are always many obstacles to issuing government orders, and it’s even harder to get them to the ears of farmers and ordinary people,” said Magistrate Tang.
"I would like to ask Lord Meng to draw this case into an easy-to-understand picture. I will have someone make a copy and distribute it in the market."
Meng Yuanxiao loved this kind of job the most. Upon hearing this, her almond-shaped eyes lit up immediately. "Alright, sir, I'll go and do it right away."
"No rush, we can do it tomorrow." Magistrate Tang called out to her with amusement, "By the way, I saw you painting in the teahouse and the market earlier. Were you painting the local customs and culture of Songxi County?"
“Yes!” Meng Yuanxiao blinked.
Magistrate Tang nodded. "The imperial court is currently compiling local gazetteers, which happen to require these. I was just about to send a letter to the capital; would you mind taking Lord Meng's paintings with me?"
Meng Yuanxiao almost thought he had misheard.
She swallowed hard, unable to resist asking, "Can it be sent to the palace?"
“Hmm,” Magistrate Tang smiled, leaned closer, and lowered his voice, “I just told you that I have powerful backers in the court. It’s not difficult to get things to important people.”
Meng Yuanxiao immediately beamed with joy. If she hadn't had to be more composed in front of Magistrate Tang, she would have jumped for joy.
Without a second thought, she replied, "Yes, thank you, Lord Tang. I'll bring it to you tomorrow!"
*
A year has passed in the blink of an eye.
The prefectural government office above Songxi County was located within Songxi County, and it was heard that a new prefect was coming from above.
Meng Yuanxiao had known the news for a long time, but he didn't know who the upcoming prefect was.
However, she was just a lowly clerk, and the higher-ups above her had little to do with her, so she didn't take it to heart.
That day, Meng Yuanxiao went out with Magistrate Tang to handle a case. On the way back to the county office, Magistrate Tang suddenly told her that the new prefect had taken office the day before.
"Is that so!" Meng Yuanxiao said, then asked curiously, "Lord Tang, where is the new prefect from?"
“She came from the capital city,” Magistrate Tang said, glancing at her.
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