What should have been a lively meal was marred by unexpected complications, resulting in a less than enthusiastic atmosphere.
After the Song and Fan families finished eating and helped with the cleanup, they went home early.
Now, although the two families live close by, Song Shiwen and Fan Zizhong are still staying at the Ruan family's house to wait for news.
They waited until midnight.
The three families greeted us at the door.
The village chief was helped down by Feng Yun and Ruan Qian, and the guards went back to report.
Seeing that her husband, the third son, and the village chief were all alright, the eldest sister-in-law went to the kitchen to heat up some soup.
The second child offered to help.
"Village chief, Brother Feng, what's going on?"
Once the village chief was seated, Song Shi asked.
The village chief sighed, looking somewhat tired. He turned to look at Ruan Qian beside him, his face filled with gratitude.
Feng Yun spoke up, "I went with my father. Let him calm down first, then I'll speak!"
“Father has been in a hurry because it’s almost time to pay the tax deducted from his corvée labor. For some reason, he’s been feeling uneasy. So, since he had some free time today, he asked me to take him to the mine.”
Ruan Meng has already told the Song and Fan families about the village chief raising money himself to help the three families pay their taxes.
The eldest brother has already paid the money to make up for the Feng family's losses, and Ruan Meng has also informed them.
"However, we didn't see anyone. We asked around, and the on-site officials didn't go out; they were clearly still at the mine."
"But the officers and soldiers blocked us, and we had no choice but to wait."
“My father was worried about any complications and wanted to mediate as soon as possible, so he and I waited outside the mine for two hours. But the officials never allowed us to meet.”
"Finally, it was only through directions from villagers working at the mine that we found the officials. They were adamant and refused to allow us to deduct our corvée labor, demanding that the three families go to work at the mine within three days!"
"And this will be true not only this month, but also in the future."
Song asked, "Is it the same in other villages?"
Feng Yun nodded approvingly, "They didn't give a direct answer. It seems like they're targeting us!"
Fan Zizhong's expression was grave. "Last time, we paid the money on time and had no dealings with the mine officials; we didn't offend them. Why are they acting this way?"
However, just as he finished speaking, he and Song Shiwen spoke at the same time:
"Wanwu?"
"Everything is playing tricks, isn't it?"
Feng Yun said seriously, "My father and I also guessed that way. After all, recently, apart from Wanyou, we haven't offended anyone else."
Xiao Kai waited with them, and the Ruan family did not deliberately avoid him.
He originally did not intend to speak out, but that did not mean he could remain silent, even as a friend of the Ruan family.
Xiao Kai was frustrated. "It was clearly Wan You who kept staring at us. We fought back and ended up offending him?"
"Wanjia Village bullied Ah Chun, and her family isn't even allowed to vent their anger? Are we just going to let them bully her like this? Is there no justice in this world?!"
Feng Yunchao nodded in small regular script to express his gratitude.
“My father and I pleaded, but they remained adamant and unmoved, almost trying to coax us out!”
“My father, after all, has dealt with them for several years. Every time he goes there, he never comes empty-handed. Dried fish and shrimp, although they are not worth much, are at least treated with courtesy.”
"Judging from their attitude, I am indeed very angry!"
"My father was worried that something might have gone wrong, so he immediately took me to the county town to discuss it with Lord Deng."
In a short sentence, Ruan Meng, Song Shiwen, and Fan Zili understood the hardships involved.
The village chief's family only had a wheelbarrow, which Brother Feng Yun couldn't possibly push along the road. So he walked with the village chief, taking more than an hour to reach the mine, waiting for two hours under the scorching sun, before turning back to the city...
If it weren't for caring about them, most people wouldn't do that.
The eldest sister-in-law and the second son brought out the duck soup.
The third brother set up a small table, and the eldest sister-in-law smiled warmly, "Village Chief, Brother Feng, have some soup first, and we can chat while we eat!"
The second son served out four bowls of rice. Although the eldest sister-in-law and the third son had already eaten, they were still a little hungry.
The eldest sister-in-law heated up the dishes that Ruan Meng had prepared in advance and brought them out.
Feng Yunduan picked up his bowl and chopsticks and continued:
"Lord Deng was out, so we waited for a while before the eldest and third young masters arrived."
"As luck would have it, we told Lord Deng about the situation. Lord Deng took it very seriously and reassured us to come back first, saying he would coordinate!"
Song Shiwen and Fan Zizhong decided not to press the matter further, lest they put pressure on the village chief.
Ruan Qian turned to comfort the village chief and Feng Yun, "You two have already done so much for us! If even Lord Deng can't salvage the situation..."
"Uncle Feng and Brother Feng don't need to blame themselves. Fortunately, things at home are gradually getting back on track. If things don't work out, let's go to the mine first, check the situation, and try to mediate again!"
Song Shiwen nodded, but his gaze toward Ruan Qian revealed worry.
Fan Zizhong's attitude was firm: "No way!"
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