Chapter 27 Who wants to be a widow if they can't get married? Even she...
After waiting for nearly half an hour without seeing anyone, Yu Nie lay listlessly on the table, fiddling with the blue and white porcelain tea lid.
Aunt Liu's back ached from sitting for too long, so she walked around the doorway, craning her neck to look into the yard from time to time.
The rear courtyard of the county government, commonly known as the inner yamen, was the residence of the county magistrate and his family. Although the three courtyards were not very spacious, the layout was elegant and well-organized. It was a small but complete facility, with side rooms, a study, a storeroom, a hall, and a kitchen.
The four of them were in a side hall connected to the study, facing a mountain landscape carved from live rocks in the courtyard. Around the artificial mountain were flowerbeds planted with roses and peonies, their delicate flowers in full bloom.
Beyond the beautiful scenery in the courtyard, one can see the arched doorway connecting to the front yard.
This cave entrance is the only passageway to the courtyard.
No one came for a long time. Langxi was attracted by the furnishings in the room and walked around, looking at everything.
The finest Persian wool carpets beneath their feet were worth their weight in gold. And that wasn't all; the paintings and calligraphy on the walls, the antiques on the shelves—almost everything was priceless.
Gazing at the white vase on the table, Lang Xi said, "Although I knew the magistrate was incredibly wealthy, I never imagined that even his residence, which he rarely lived in, was so extravagant. This shows just how luxurious his private home must be."
“Little Senior Sister, have you forgotten?” Yu Nie continued, still fiddling with the tea lid in her hand, picking up where she left off: “About ten years ago, I went to the He family and came back to tell you that their pond was built like a heavenly pool, and even the wood of the corridor railings exuded the smell of money. The vegetarian dishes served in the kitchen were so elaborate that I couldn’t even name them; I had never seen anything like them before.”
"The concubines of the He family are all dressed in gold and silver, and their courtyards are ridiculously large, even larger than our Guan's backyard."
She straightened up and carefully surveyed the room before her: "The things here are nothing compared to the items in that private residence. It's like comparing a prince to a beggar. They're worlds apart, incomparable."
Lang Xi sighed, "The rats in the granary are as big as buckets, and they don't even run away when they see someone opening the granary. I underestimated Magistrate He's greed."
As Aunt Liu listened to their conversation, she, who always liked to look around, frowned and muttered, "Why is there still no sign of this young man? If we delay any longer, the locust flower rice and steamed pumpkin in the food box will not taste fresh and will get cold."
Upon hearing the news, Yu Nie got up and went to the door. He looked outside, put his hand on Aunt Liu's shoulder, and comforted her, "This interrogation will take a while to finish. Don't worry, Aunt Liu, let's wait a little longer."
"If the food gets cold, we can ask the kitchen staff at the government office to reheat it later. Given the young master and Guard Xie's character, they certainly won't mind."
After spending half a month together, Aunt Liu was extremely impressed with Zijing and Xie Cheng, and she agreed with Yu Nie's words. Then she looked towards the cave entrance again.
Just as Yu Nie was about to return to her seat, she turned around and heard Aunt Liu's excited voice behind her, patting her shoulder repeatedly: "He's here, he's here... the young captain is here."
Following the sound, Yu Nie turned around and saw that the person was smiling and walking lightly towards her.
"I apologize for keeping you all waiting so long." He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and said apologetically.
Yu Nie snorted softly, a slight upturn at the corner of his lips, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing: "Just now I was chatting with Aunt Liu, saying that as soon as the young master returned to the government office, he completely forgot about our Lingbao Temple and refused to show his face for a long time. I didn't expect... the young master would come here so soon."
Zi Jing maintained a gentle and refined demeanor as he gazed intently at her: "Young Taoist priest, you jest. I may forget some people, but I will never forget Lingbao Temple."
Aunt Liu's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them before finally settling on Zijing, scrutinizing him closely.
Yu Nie's eyes darted around and she happened to see Aunt Liu looking at Zi Jing with a smile. She could tell at a glance what the other woman was planning, so she quickly covered her lips with one hand and coughed twice as if she was unaware: "Ahem... Aunt Liu, didn't you bring food for the young master and the others? If we delay any longer, it'll probably get cold."
After being reminded by her, Aunt Liu suddenly realized: "Oh dear... I was so impatient, I almost forgot about the important matter."
As she spoke, she tugged at Zijing's arm: "Little Captain, sit down quickly. We brought you some locust rice and pumpkin steamed with Shaoxing rice wine. It's still warm. Try it quickly."
She lifted the lid of the food box, and the sweet aroma of pumpkin and the fragrance of locust blossoms wafted out, making one's appetite soar.
Yu Nie and Lang Xi gathered around, and the former said to him with delight, "Aunt Liu's cooking skills are unique in Huaiyuan City. These two simple vegetarian dishes are no less delicious than the delicacies that young master eats. Young master is in for a treat today."
She showered him with praise, but Zijing's eyes held a faint smile.
He picked up a piece of sweet pumpkin with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth and savored it carefully, saying the words appropriate for the occasion: "Little Taoist priest is right, Aunt Liu's cooking skills are indeed excellent, even better than the imperial chefs in the palace."
"Oh my, the young captain really knows how to talk." Aunt Liu couldn't stop smiling from the praise: "Young man has such a sweet tongue, he looks like he knows how to take care of people, he'll definitely find a good marriage in the future."
Suddenly, Aunt Liu's eyes lit up, and she changed the subject, leaning closer to Zijing and asking, "May I ask, young master, are you married?"
"Cough—" Yu Nie, who had just taken a sip of tea, choked and turned red in the face before he could swallow it all.
She hurriedly wiped the water from the corner of her mouth, suppressed a cough, tugged at Aunt Liu's wrist, glanced furtively at Zi Jing, and whispered, "Auntie...it's not good to pry into people's privacy."
“What’s wrong with that? I was just asking casually, and I’m sure you won’t mind.” Aunt Liu smiled and looked at Zijing. “What do you think, sir?”
Zi Jing remained calm and lowered her eyes slightly: "Marriage is not a secret, so of course I don't mind."
He replied, "To my shame, at my age, I should have been engaged long ago. Unfortunately, I am often on the battlefield and have not yet had the opportunity to find a suitable match."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Liu gave Yu Nie a wink.
Yu Nie thought to himself, it's quite a pity. Spending so many years in the army, it's indeed difficult to find a good wife. After all, marrying him means spending years alone in an empty room, which no one would be willing to do. Besides, the battlefield is full of dangers; if he loses his life, wouldn't his wife become a widow?
Who wants to be a widow? Even she wouldn't want to.
Fearing that her own people might ask something inappropriate, she quickly cut them off, shaking her head in feigned regret: "Ah, what a pity! A talented young man like you, skilled in both literature and martial arts, has yet to find a suitable match? If there's a chance, I'll ask Aunt Liu to find you a suitable lady."
Aunt Liu, who was standing to the side, stared wide-eyed at her with a look of utter shock.
She opened her mouth to try and make amends, but Yu Nie slapped her forehead and, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube, continued, "Why isn't Guard Xie here today? Could it be... he's still interrogating He Renzhi?"
Zi Jing knew she was changing the subject, and he had no interest in such matters, so he went along with her and replied, "Guard Xie went to the Prefect's residence."
Yu Nie hadn't forgotten why he'd come today, and asked, "Was his trip to the prefect's office related to He Renzhi's case? When will Magistrate He be executed?"
She asked two questions at once, seeming somewhat anxious.
Lu Jinshi rebuked her, saying, "You Taoist priest, it's none of your business to inquire about government affairs. You'll be thrown into jail if you pry into the secrets of the government office."
Upon hearing this, Yu Nie quickly admitted her mistake, laughing sweetly, "I'm sorry, Attendant Lu. You see, I'm always impulsive, and I asked some things I shouldn't have."
She explained, "I mean no harm. We came here not only to bring you adults food, but also to ask about He Renzhi's death date."
"Ask about He Renzhi's death date?" Zi Jing looked up at her, her voice slightly raised, "Why is the young Taoist priest so concerned about Magistrate He's death date?"
Without even a moment's thought, she spoke frankly: "There's no grand reason. It's just that the people of Huaiyuan City have waited too long for this day. They've finally seen the light of day, but at night they're always afraid that when they open their eyes, everything will just be a dream."
She said softly, "The indictments on the judge's desk are written with names, and when they fall on the families of those who committed the crimes, they are like bleeding wounds. Those who commit these crimes cannot sleep peacefully until they are brought to justice under the guillotine, and the wronged souls cannot find peace."
She looked at him, her words as firm as iron: "Only by knowing that death is inevitable can we comfort the living and the dead."
He had heard similar impassioned speeches far too often. But hearing them from her now, without any sense of calculation, they sounded remarkably genuine.
Even if it was really just an act for him, being able to perform a scene flawlessly is still a skill in itself.
He seemed moved by her sincerity and replied gently, "Young Taoist priest, your righteousness is truly admirable and reflects the spirit of Taoism."
He didn't need to say much about He Renzhi's death date; he could easily find an excuse to brush it off. But perhaps those eyes were too bright, or perhaps the weather was too fine today, and her "acting" was quite good. He slowly turned the jade thumb ring on the embossed plate, and for once, a bit of kindness appeared in his eyes. He said, "Although it is during the period of national mourning, He Renzhi's crime of treason is aggravated. There are witnesses and physical evidence. He can be executed no later than five days from now."
Upon learning that He Ren would soon be executed, Yu Nie and the others were overjoyed.
She originally thought that He Renzhi would confess his crimes at least after the mourning period for the emperor, but she never expected that he would only have a few days left to live.
"Justice prevails...it truly is justice prevailing! This scoundrel is finally going to die." Her voice was filled with excitement, as if she had finally vented her anger.
Upon hearing this, Langxi and the others smiled even more broadly than usual.
Lang Xi said, "Xuan Ce's army is efficient and decisive. If all officials in the world were like the captain, the common people would sleep soundly, and there would be no need to worry about oppression or unrest in the world."
Aunt Liu and Ah Hui nodded in agreement: "That's right, we're not just flattering you, sir. You're doing a great service to the people, you're practically a parent to the people."
Zi Jing's eyes curved slightly, and his tone was light: "I dare not claim to be the parents of the people. I am young and inexperienced. It is my duty to help the world and serve the people. There is no need for you to praise me."
"Young master, you are an upright official and a humble person. It is only right to praise you." Yu Nie's eyes were clear and his lips were slightly curved in a smile.
As soon as she finished speaking, the guard outside rushed in to report, bowing and saying, "Reporting to your Excellency, Guard Xie has returned."
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Author's note: Sorry everyone, something came up and I was a little late. (bows)
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