Chapter 22
Zhou Yuan was stunned. If Sun Kang did indeed have Chen Qing's indenture, then it would not constitute the crime of forced sale. At most, these people would be punished with a cane, but would not face imprisonment.
He didn't know much about Chen Qing. He thought Chen Qing's marriage to Meng Tao was a normal marriage, but he didn't expect that he was bought by Granny Sun.
The atmosphere became tense for a moment. Zhou Yuan looked at Chen Qing, who was kneeling behind Granny Sun, his whole body trembling.
There are so many people here, and Chen Qing is so timid.
After Sun Kang finished speaking, Sun Lao Er presented the two pieces of paper he had found in Sun Da Niang's room to the yamen runner. The runner then handed them to the magistrate. However, upon inspection, the magistrate found that the first piece was merely a letter of divorce, stating the reason: because Meng Tao had died in battle, Chen Qing and Meng Tao had never consummated their marriage, and therefore, the magistrate requested that Chen Qing's wife be released.
Below this divorce decree, there is a household registration document. The document clearly states that Chen Qing's household registration is with the Meng family in Luohe Village. Moreover, he is not registered as a husband of the Meng family, but as an adopted son of the Meng family, which is a clear and legitimate household registration.
It also bears the official seal of the government office.
Shortly after learning of Meng Tao's death, Aunt Sun asked the village chief to write the divorce papers and re-register Chen Qing's household registration. It wasn't a big deal, and she forgot about it as soon as she finished, without even telling Chen Qing. It was only when it was brought to court that she remembered.
The magistrate slammed the deed down: "Why is his indenture on you! This burglary is a very real crime."
Sun Kang was taken aback.
The magistrate continued, "Furthermore, this man is already a registered citizen. How dare you be so audacious as to sell people without proper court documents, and yet you show no remorse! I hereby sentence these five men to fifty strokes of the cane and three months of imprisonment!"
The people below quickly begged for mercy.
"Moreover, you're targeting people who have contributed to the entire court. Do you know that His Majesty's benevolence extends to every soldier who has contributed to the country?"
As soon as the magistrate finished speaking, applause broke out all around.
Grandma Sun and Chen Qing both breathed a sigh of relief.
The magistrate, recalling the decrees recently issued by the imperial court, thought that now was the opportune moment to announce them, and said, "In order not to discourage the soldiers who died in battle, these men shall be flogged immediately!"
"In addition, the court has announced a new decree that taxes will be halved for all those who have been on the battlefield. This decree will be implemented soon."
"Wow!"
"real?"
The onlookers loudly praised His Majesty's wisdom.
Only the few people cracking the cane seemed out of place amidst the commotion.
Chen Qing was completely dazed, as if everything around him was irrelevant to him, and that feeling of powerlessness lingered in his mind.
He watched his mother beat the drum, watched her speak each word with firm conviction, and he, however, couldn't utter a single word of testimony...
Grandma Sun helped Chen Qing up, but then worried that he might have some other injuries. She thought the Sun family were beasts and would surely hurt him.
Fortunately, that was the end of their business. After pressing her fingerprint, Aunt Sun helped Chen Qing up and wanted to go home.
Chen Qing's foot was almost fully healed, but it was stepped on hard again before, and now it's swollen up to the size of a steamed bun.
"Let's go see a doctor." Although Chen Qing was not tall and was thin, Grandma Sun was old and had a bad back. At first, it was okay, but after a while, it became a bit difficult.
Zhou Yuan and Meng Qi followed behind them. Even the slow-witted Meng Qi noticed something was amiss and asked Zhou Yuan, "Brother Yuan, are you... interested in Chen Qing...?"
Zhou Yuan readily admitted that today, while Granny Sun was putting her fingerprints on the document and Chen Qing was resting, the county magistrate pulled him aside to talk, and that's how he learned about Chen Qing's indenture.
Meng Qi was actually having some difficulty bringing it up. He was getting married soon, and his mother said that her cousin from her side of the family was of marriageable age. He wanted to use his close relationship with Zhou Yuan to arrange for the two of them to meet when he got married.
“But… Chen Qing is, after all, a widow. Even if he hasn’t met Meng Tao, his reputation isn’t good.”
Zhou Yuan's gaze remained fixed on the person in front of him: "The village even says I'm a jinx, a ruthless killer. What do I have to worry about a bad reputation?"
Before Meng Qi could speak, Zhou Yuan had already stepped forward and caught Chen Qing and Aunt Sun, who were about to fall to the ground.
“Auntie, your back isn’t good, let me carry him.”
Before Aunt Sun could say anything, he simply pulled Chen Qing onto his back with one hand.
They weren't very familiar with the roads in the county town, and after asking for directions several times, they finally arrived at Huichuntang. Zhou Yuan carried Chen Qing on his back and told Meng Qi to wander around by himself first. Meng Qi had no choice but to agree. He was getting married soon and wanted to buy something for his future wife. This trip to town was unexpected, and he didn't have a penny on him.
Seeing his condition, Zhou Yuan lent him some money from his pocket.
When we arrived at Huichuntang, the doctor took a look and prescribed some medicated oil. There was no need to take medicine, but we couldn't get hurt again. If we did, it would probably leave a chronic condition.
Grandma Sun was startled and quickly said that he should definitely get some rest.
Chen Qing seemed to have just come to his senses, looking at Granny Sun with concern: "But autumn planting is just around the corner..."
"Don't worry, I can always hire a few people to do it." Grandma Sun patted Chen Qing on the shoulder. "Just make sure you don't have any health problems later."
At this moment, Zhou Yuan spoke up: "I can help Auntie with this too."
Chen Qing looked up and remembered what had happened at the village entrance that day. Zhou Yuan's fingers were very thick, and it actually hurt a little when he rubbed them on his face.
But why? Didn't you like Li Xin?
He was lost in his own thoughts, and he answered Sun Da Niang's words in a daze. When he regained consciousness, Zhou Yuan had already carried him on his back.
Chen Qing grabbed the clothes off Zhou Yuan's shoulder and carefully placed them on the oxcart.
When she got home, Grandma Sun could imagine how scared Chen Qing must have been when she saw the mess in the house.
Zhou Yuan also saw it, especially when he entered Chen Qing's room, he saw the loose door panel and the messy cabinet, and even a few pieces of clothing were turned upside down.
Chen Qing was on edge the whole time. After Aunt Sun tidied up the room for him and let him rest, she pulled Zhou Yuan aside to talk to him.
"Thank you so much for today." Grandma Sun clutched her chest and told Zhou Yuan all about the old stories from years past.
"I can accept that they want Taozi's compensation, but now they even want to sell Aqing. How can anyone be so disgusting?"
Zhou Yuan looked at the deck chair in the yard that was about to fall apart, and the traces of Chen Qing's struggle: "Auntie, I don't think this matter will be over."
Grandma Sun's heart sank. They had reported it to the authorities, and the old lady had punished them with a beating and arrested. If nothing unexpected happened, the old lady wouldn't let this matter go so easily.
“I know,” said Aunt Sun, “she’s always going to come and make a scene.”
"Auntie, I won't be going out for the next few days. If you need anything, just shout loudly, I can hear you."
Grandma Sun wiped her eyes and said, "Thank you, thank you so much."
Grandma Sun glanced back at the drafty window of Chen Qing's room and said to Zhou Yuan, "This whole thing started because of Aqing, so they'll definitely take their anger out on him."
“He did nothing wrong,” Zhou Yuan said.
Grandma Sun nodded: "So I'm thinking, it's time for me to find a marriage for Aqing."
Zhou Yuan straightened his back, waiting for Aunt Sun to continue.
“But it’s a bit difficult. Aqing is honest and kind-hearted. When he was holding the funeral, he wore mourning clothes for Taozi. People in Luohe Village and even the whole county are superstitious about this. I originally thought that after paying the taxes, I would sell some grain and give more dowry. Maybe some honest people would be willing. But then I thought, if they really look at the money, I’m afraid there will be people with bad intentions.”
Zhou Yuan moved his lips, and then heard Aunt Sun say, "Zhou Yuan, you are a good person. You have helped us a lot. I really have no way to repay you. I told you before that I wanted you to help us make a judgment. You are knowledgeable and experienced, so you should be able to tell whether a person is good or bad."
"Auntie, I..."
Just as Zhou Yuan was about to speak, the door was pushed open, and Li Xin rushed in: "Auntie! Where's Chen Qing! I heard from my dad that Chen Qing had an accident..."
Grandma Sun nodded to Zhou Yuan: "I won't keep you any longer."
Zhou Yuan nodded; there was no rush.
Li Xin's loud noise woke up Chen Qing, who was in a light sleep. Chen Qing called out to Li Xin, and Li Xin ran into the room. She saw Chen Qing lying on the bed, his leg, which had almost healed, was bandaged up again.
Without saying a word, Li Xin began to examine Chen Qing's body. Apart from some bruises on his waist, there were no other injuries.
Li Xin patted her chest and said, "You scared me to death! How could there be such a shameless person?"
Chen Qing was puzzled and alarmed. If this got out, he would be utterly disgraced: "How did you know?"
"It's all over the village! They say your aunt's family came to steal Meng Tao's pension and even beat you up."
Chen Qing looked up: "Is that how it's been rumored?"
Li Xin said, "Otherwise what? Is there some other hidden story?"
Chen Qing thought for a moment, figuring that Li Xin was his good friend and wouldn't look down on him, so he told her what had happened that day. Li Xin immediately jumped up in anger: "What?! Have you no shame?! Is there no law?!"
Chen Qing quickly grabbed him: "It's alright, we've reported it to the authorities, and they've all been punished."
"That's not enough!" Li Xin said angrily. "They must pay the price."
Li Xin talked with Chen Qing for a long time, and only said goodbye when she saw that Chen Qing looked tired. Then, Aunt Sun came in with steamed egg custard: "Have something to calm your nerves."
Chen Qing obediently ate it all.
Grandma Sun said, "Aqing, I still think I should find you another marriage."
Chen Qing stopped eating: "Mom, I..."
“They will definitely come to cause trouble and take their anger out on you. Without a man in the house, you will suffer no matter what.”
Chen Qing rubbed his eyes: "Mother, no one will want to marry me."
"Nonsense, Aqing is such a good person, she will meet someone she likes."
Before Chen Qing could say anything more, Aunt Sun had already decided that she would go to see Aunt Hua tomorrow.
The next day, Zhou Yuan helped them carry the water back and saw Aunt Hua and Granny Sun walking together.
He frowned. Aunt Sun was so quick? She went to find Aunt Hua the very next day.
He realized he couldn't wait any longer; if he did, Chen Qing would probably be married off by Granny Sun.
Chen Qing was sitting in the courtyard, his eyes vacant, seemingly lost in thought.
He knocked on the door, and Chen Qing opened his eyes and looked at him.
“Auntie went to find a matchmaker,” Zhou Yuan said.
Chen Qing nodded.
"Don't you have anything to say?"
Chen Qing shook his head, his voice a little hoarse: "What am I supposed to say?"
Why go to such lengths instead of considering my situation?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
