Because of Xu Feng's matter, Madam Yu was afraid of angering the Xu family.
Although Xu Feng was personally sent by Magistrate Xu, he certainly didn't want his son to be mistreated.
Today, the Zhou family really kicked Young Master Xu out. When Xu Feng returns home, he will surely complain. If he complains, Magistrate Xu will be dissatisfied, and then the marriage between his son and Miss Xu will be even more difficult.
Yu's heart is truly broken now.
She's now dreaming of becoming the county magistrate's in-law, but today she's completely offended the Xu family.
Liu Wangshi's eyes darted around as she offered Yu Shi a suggestion: "Sister-in-law, if you ask me, we should just make it a fait accompli and avoid any unforeseen complications."
Mrs. Yu was taken aback: "How do you cook it?"
Liu Wangshi whispered something in Yu Shi's ear, and Yu Shi frowned slightly: "This...will this work?"
Liu Wangshi clicked her tongue and said, "Oh dear, sister-in-law, what time is it now? If we really wait until Young Master Xu comes home, it will be too late."
"Besides, doesn't Miss Xu also like your Ling'an? It's only a matter of time. When the deed is done, who will say anything? At that time, Miss Xu will be your sister-in-law's proper daughter-in-law. You can't lose your daughter-in-law because of Song Erya."
Ms. Yu was tempted.
She didn't dare tell others that her son didn't have that intention, but since ancient times, marriage has been decided by parents. If this matter really came to fruition, her son would have to agree whether he liked it or not.
"You really have a way with things. Don't worry, once I become the magistrate's relative by marriage, I will definitely not forget your contribution."
Lady Liu beamed with joy: "I'm doing this for your sake, sister-in-law. If this works out, you'll be the most respectable among us. Then, whoever bullied you before will have to defer to you?"
Being related to an official by marriage is a privilege unmatched in the entire Jiangning and Tianxiang counties; everyone would envy that.
Just thinking about that scene made Yu Shi unable to suppress the smile on her lips.
When Zhou Cheng came out of the cellar, he ran into Madam Yu and Madam Liu walking home. When they reached the Zhou family's door and saw Zhou Cheng, the two of them didn't dare to say anything more.
Upon entering the courtyard, Zhou Cheng's expression darkened: "I told you before that Liu Wangshi isn't a good person, and to avoid her. Why didn't you listen?"
Madam Yu was displeased. Madam Liu had given her a great idea today, and the two of them were on good terms. She couldn't stand hearing bad things said about her: "I think it's fine. It's not like what people outside are saying. Who knows, those nasty words were probably spread by Song Erya."
Zhou Cheng's face darkened: "During the famine, she tried to sell Er Ya because she was greedy for other people's grain. Was that something Er Ya herself spread? And last time she caused trouble at the Song family's house, everyone saw it. Now nobody wants to deal with her, but you won't listen."
When Madam Yu thought about how she was about to become Magistrate Xu's in-law, she suddenly felt there was nothing to gain, so she softened her stance: "Alright, I understand. I'll just have less contact with her in the future, and don't be angry."
She was scheming in her heart about how to get her son to marry Miss Xu. Once it was done, wouldn't the whole family look up to her?
After Zhou Cheng returned to the house, Madam Yu couldn't help but smile, which was seen by Ma Chunyan who came out.
Over the years, she had come to know her mother-in-law very well. If she smiled like that, she must be up to some mischief again.
However, she doesn't care now. She and her husband are both earning money and living a good life. As long as her mother-in-law doesn't try to harm her, she's grateful.
Meanwhile, Song Ning went to the west of the city. Boss Liu had already brought the people, and Zheng Gaoyi handed them over to her for distribution.
There were about two hundred people, quite a few standing together, including men, women, young and old.
Song Ning walked over, and Boss Liu had already organized people to line up.
"Master, these are the people from our village. Almost half of them have come, a total of 212 people."
Song Ning nodded and asked, "Are there any literate people here?"
Old Liu wasn't sure either, so he called out, "Is there anyone who can read?"
The group looked at each other, and remained silent for a moment.
Song Ning stood at the front of the line: "Is there anyone who can read? If so, raise your hand."
After a moment of silence, a hand slowly rose from the crowd, and a timid voice rang out: "I...I can read."
Looking in the direction of the voice, they saw a little girl who looked about the same age as Song Ning.
Someone in the crowd muttered, "What's a little girl doing getting involved?"
Upon hearing this, the little girl's raised hand trembled slightly.
Liu Laoda whispered in Song Ning's ear, "This girl's grandfather used to be a scholar. It seems that a relative of his committed some crime and was implicated, so he came to our village."
A scholar?
Song Ning was overjoyed. A scholar was wonderful; a cultured person was exactly what she needed.
He beckoned to the little girl: "Come here."
Even though the two were about the same age, everyone felt that Song Ning looked at the little girl with kindness.
The little girl emerged from the crowd and slowly walked up to Song Ning, her head bowed and nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.
Where is your grandfather?
"At home."
"Didn't you say everyone was coming today? Why isn't your grandfather here?"
"My grandfather is sick and hasn't been able to get up for several days... He can't come."
"You say you can read, but can you count?"
The little girl nodded: "Yes, Grandpa taught me."
"Okay, you wait here for me for a bit."
Then he looked at the crowd in front of him and said, "As you all know, there is a lot of work to be done in Tianxiang County right now. We are short of people at the docks and we are short of people to dig ditches. I also want to add some manpower to my field."
The wages for digging ditches and working at the docks are higher, but it's tiring. My job is farming, but the pay is relatively lower than those two jobs. It's up to you to choose.
Excluding the elderly and children who can no longer work, there are still about 150 people left. Distributing them evenly among these three places should be just right.
There's no need for anyone on the other side of the city wall for now, so they can be disregarded.
“Those who want to dig ditches, stand on my left; those who want to go to the dock, stand on my right; and those who want to stay and farm, stay where you are.”
Old Liu shouted, "Don't just stand there! After you've made your selections, get to work as soon as possible and get your wages!"
People gradually got to work; the men mostly chose to dig ditches and work at the docks, while the majority of those farming were women.
"Old Liu, take these people to the county magistrate to register them, and then settle the rest of them when you come back."
"Ai."
Boss Liu led the men toward the county government office, and Song Ning looked at the little girl: "Let's go too."
The little girl followed behind Song Ning without saying a word.
What's your name? How old are you?
"My name is Xiao Cui, and I'm twelve years old."
He is indeed about the same age as her.
Back at the Song family home, he told the little girl to wait in the yard, then ran next door to find Li Xingwang.
Then they hitched up a car and prepared to go to the little girl's village.
The little girl probably didn't understand, so Song Ning smiled and said, "Let's go back together to pick up your grandfather, take him to see a doctor, and then come back."
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