Chapter 216 Returning Home
On the third day after the wedding, Feng Lan and her family finally set out on their journey home.
The carriage moved slowly along the official road. San Ya sat beside Shi Tou, stealing glances at him from time to time, her face still showing the shyness of a newlywed.
"What are you looking at?" Shitou turned his head and met her gaze.
Sanya quickly looked away, "I didn't see anything."
"You said you didn't see it." Shitou smiled and reached out to gently pinch her cheek. "Your face is so red."
Su Wenbin, who was driving the car in front, couldn't help but look back and said, "You two, you've just gotten married and you're already so affectionate. What will happen in the future?"
Chen Ya, holding the child, also joked, "Dad, please don't worry about them. Let the young couple enjoy their sweet life."
Feng Lan felt warm at the sight of the happy family. In this life, she could finally live a normal life.
"Mom, what are you thinking about?" Chen Ya noticed Feng Lan's expression.
"I'm not thinking about anything, I just think the way things are now is pretty good." Feng Lan smiled, "Now that you've all started your own families, I can finally feel at ease."
"Mom, you're still young, why are you talking about peace of mind?" San Ya poked her head out from Shitou's arms. "From now on, we'll all be together, it will be so lively and wonderful."
Shitou nodded and said, "Aunt, I will take good care of Sanya in the future, don't worry."
"Of course I'm relieved." Feng Lan looked at the stone, and the more she looked, the more satisfied she became. "I've watched you grow up, and I don't know your character, do I?"
As they were talking, a group of people suddenly appeared in front of them, led by Lin Yuanyuan.
"Aunt Feng!" Lin Yuanyuan shouted from afar and rode over on horseback.
Su Wenbin quickly stopped the carriage.
Lin Yuanyuan dismounted and trotted to the carriage. "Aunt Feng, are you going back?"
"Yes, I have some things to deal with at home." Feng Lan said with a smile, "Yuanyuan, why are you here?"
"My father asked me to come and see you off," Lin Yuanyuan said, pulling out a brocade box from her bosom. "This is a little gift from my father, thanking you for your help this time."
Feng Lan opened it and saw an exquisite gold hairpin and several silver bills inside.
"This is too valuable. I can't accept it." Feng Lan hurriedly wanted to return it.
"You must accept it." Lin Yuanyuan held her hand. "If it weren't for you, I don't know how this matter would have turned out. My father said that you are our Qian family's great benefactor."
Feng Lan couldn't refuse, so she had to accept it.
Lin Yuanyuan looked at Sanya again and said, "Sister Sanya, congratulations on your wedding!"
"Thank you, Yuanyuan." San Ya smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into a line.
"By the way, where is Sister Erya? Why can't I see her?" Lin Yuanyuan looked around.
"She's in the county town with Mingye." Feng Lan explained, "They're getting married too, and they're busy preparing."
"That's great!" Lin Yuanyuan clapped her hands happily. "When she gets married, I must go to the wedding."
After chatting for a while, Lin Yuanyuan said goodbye reluctantly.
The carriage continued to move forward and finally arrived at the village in the evening.
The villagers had long heard about what happened to Feng Lan's family outside and came out to greet them.
"Sister-in-law Feng, you are finally back!"
"I heard you encountered bandits? Were you not hurt?"
"San Ya is getting married? Shitou is so lucky!"
The villagers gathered around and talked a lot, blocking the carriage.
Feng Lan responded to everyone's concern one by one, feeling warm in her heart.
When I got home, the vegetable garden in the yard was deserted and overgrown with weeds.
"Looks like I need to clean up." Su Wenbin put down his luggage, rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
"No rush, take a rest first." Feng Lan stopped him, "We'll talk about it tomorrow."
In the evening, the whole family sat around the kang and ate.
Although it was just a simple home-cooked meal, everyone enjoyed it very much.
"Home-cooked food is still the best." San Ya sighed as she ate.
"That's right. No matter how good the delicacies are, they can't compare to a hot meal at home." Feng Lan put a piece of meat into Shitou's bowl. "Shitou, eat more. You've lost weight these days."
Shitou was flattered and said, "Thank you, Mom."
The word "Mom" made Feng Lan very happy.
"Oh, Mom, Brother Mingye said he'll come to propose marriage in a few days." Chen Ya suddenly remembered this, "When the time comes, our family must be well prepared."
"Of course." Feng Lan nodded. "It's not been easy for Erya either. She finally has her happy ending after all the hardships she's endured."
As they were talking, there was a knock on the door in the yard.
"Who is it? It's so late." Su Wenbin got up and opened the door.
When the door opened, it turned out to be the village chief, Old Zhang, followed by several villagers.
"Lao Zhang, what's the matter so late?" Su Wenbin let them in.
Old Zhang rubbed his hands, looking a little embarrassed. "Wenbin, to be honest, we are here to ask Sister-in-law Feng for help."
Feng Lan came out of the house and asked, "Brother Zhang, what's going on?"
"It's like this." Old Zhang cleared his throat. "There's a new magistrate in the county. I heard he wants to re-measure the land and collect taxes. The villagers are panicking and don't know what to do."
"Since you just came back from the county and are knowledgeable, could you give us some advice?" another villager continued.
Feng Lan frowned. "New County Magistrate? Wasn't that County Magistrate Zhang arrested?"
"Yes, because he was arrested, the higher-ups sent a new one." Old Zhang nodded. "The new county magistrate's surname is Wang. I heard he's a tough guy. He wanted to rectify the tax system right after he arrived."
Feng Lan thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I'll go to the county tomorrow to find out what's going on."
"That's great!" Old Zhang excitedly shook Feng Lan's hand. "Sister-in-law Feng, you are truly a benefactor to our village!"
After seeing the villagers off, Feng Lan returned to the house with a serious expression.
"Mom, what are you worried about?" San Ya keenly noticed her emotional changes.
"A new official has three major hurdles to take. I'm afraid this County Magistrate Wang will be difficult to deal with." Feng Lan sat down. "Our village is already poor. If the taxes are increased, how will the people survive?"
Shitou thought for a moment and said, "How about I go to the county with you tomorrow? There will be more people to look after me."
"No need." Feng Lan shook her head. "You just got married, so spend some time with San Ya. I can handle this myself."
The next morning, Feng Lan set off for the county town.
The entrance to the county government office is much busier than before, with many people queuing up waiting to do business.
Feng Lan found an opportunity to find out some information about the new county magistrate.
County Magistrate Wang’s given name is Zhiyuan. He is a young man who has just been transferred from Shangjing. He is said to be very capable.
"Sister-in-law, are you here to pay taxes as well?" A middle-aged man standing in front of Feng Lan turned around.
"I'm here to understand the situation," Feng Lan replied politely. "I heard they're going to re-measure the land?"
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