Chapter 407 Case Causes
"I heard today that half a year ago someone went to the capital to file a complaint against the magistrate of the county next door. Guess what happened?"
"How can I guess that? Stop keeping me in suspense and tell me what's going on."
"That person went to the prefectural capital to file a complaint, but the county magistrate found out and sent someone to intercept him and break his legs. But that person's family is not a pushover. They know someone in the capital. A few months ago, news came from the capital that the county magistrate was going to serve as an official there."
"Hmph, a corrupt official like this can be employed as an official in the capital? God is really blind." A man angrily slammed the table.
The person next door also came over and asked, "Are you talking about that case? The county magistrate's brother-in-law raped a young lady? As a result, the young lady hanged herself, and her family went to file a complaint?"
"Yes, yes, it's this case. You know about it too?"
"How could we not know? All of our neighboring counties know about it, but what you said is a little wrong. The one who went to file the complaint was the housekeeper of that family. I heard that the young lady's father was a high-ranking official who retired from the previous dynasty. He came back to visit his family this time. I didn't expect that someone would rape his little daughter."
"I heard about it too. It seems that the county magistrate didn't know who he had offended. After the official's daughter got into trouble, they all returned to the capital."
"It's been a while now, shouldn't we have some clues?"
Everyone was talking at once, and Wan Laoer was so absorbed in listening that he didn't even notice the food coming.
"Sir, your dish is ready. It costs two hundred copper coins."
Wan Laoer then came to his senses and quickly took out half a tael of silver from his pocket and handed it over.
"Sir, please wait a moment. I will go and give you the change."
After the waiter left, Wan Laoer tore off a chicken leg and handed it to Fubao, "Come on, girl, eat it while it's hot. It won't taste good if it gets cold."
Fubao stared at the roast chicken in the oil-paper bag. It was so golden that her saliva started to flow as soon as she opened her mouth.
"Wow, it smells so good."
Fubao took the chicken leg with both hands and started to eat it in big bites.
Wan Laoer continued to listen to those people talking.
"I have a relative who works as a steward in the prefect's household. I met him a few days ago and heard him say that the imperial decree to confiscate the property has been issued. It seems that this dog official has run out of luck and will not be promoted."
"This county magistrate is quite pitiful. I heard that he was born in a poor family. After he came to Hongyang County to serve as the county magistrate, he married the daughter of a local wealthy businessman. All his official duties over the years were based on his wife's dowry. Now he has lost his job because of his brother-in-law. It's really a pity. It's really rare for a scholar to succeed in life."
"Humph, he enjoyed the benefits brought by other people's money, so of course he should give back to them. However, he did not properly control his subordinates, which led to the current outcome. It is also his own fault."
It is true: In the past, a poor man had lofty ambitions, and he became famous overnight and had a bright future.
I was as happy as Fan Jin in passing the imperial examination, and as happy as Liu Yong in having his name on the list.
He passed the imperial examination and was appointed as a county magistrate, and also married a beautiful girl from a wealthy family.
Unexpectedly, fortune and misfortune are always interdependent, and my mother's family is involved in my career difficulties.
Jia Yi's situation was similar when he was demoted, and Li Guang's fate was difficult to fulfill, which was pitiful.
All official positions were dismissed in one day, fate was unpredictable and my heart was gloomy.
At this point, Wan Laoer finally understood what Fubao said. The dark look on his face was not a sign of promotion or wealth.
At this time, the waiter brought the silver and handed it to Wan Laoer.
"Sir, here is your change. Please keep it and come back after you have finished your meal."
Wan Laoer collected the money, picked up Fubao, carried two bags of vegetables and packed a few steamed buns and went back.
When they got back to the house, it was pitch black. Wan Laoer was not familiar with the place either. He put Fubao on the kang and told her, "My daughter, sit down and eat the chicken leg first. Daddy will go find the oil lamp. Don't run around. This house is different from ours. Don't bump into anything."
"Okay, Daddy, Fubao will just chew on the chicken leg and won't run around."
Fubao will be very well behaved as long as he has meat to eat.
Wan Laoer tried very hard to find the oil lamp but couldn't find it. Guessing that the owner had not left any lamp oil, he groped his way to the kitchen and lit a fire, and finally there was some light.
There was a firewood hall in the kitchen. Wan Laoer put some dry firewood in it and carried it to the room.
The room suddenly became much brighter with the fire, and the chill was dispelled.
Wan Laoer put the table in place, took out the packed meat and steamed buns, and then woke up Hu Zhengyang.
"Zhengyang, wake up, it's time to eat."
Hu Zhengyang was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep with a pale face. Wan Laoer suddenly remembered the ginseng he got from the county magistrate, and he quickly ran over and took it out of his bag.
He brought a small stove and a small pot from the kitchen, added some water into them, and boiled them on the stove.
I'm going to make some ginseng soup for Hu Zhengyang later to nourish him.
"Zhengyang, wake up quickly and get up to eat something."
Hu Zhengyang was finally woken up by Wan Laoer. He sat up with difficulty. His whole body felt like it was falling apart, as if he had been rolled back and forth by a car wheel a dozen times. There was no place that didn't hurt.
Seeing that he was indeed in a bad mood, Wan Laoer hurried over to help him.
"Zhengyang, are you feeling particularly uncomfortable? Second uncle will make some medicine for you after he finishes his work. You haven't eaten anything for a day. We need to eat after taking medicine. Eating more can help you get better quickly. Second uncle specially bought braised pork and roast chicken, as well as white flour buns. Why don't you eat some before going to sleep?"
Hu Zhengyang nodded weakly, holding onto the table and sitting down, with half of his body almost lying on the table.
Wan Laoer quickly took the chopsticks and handed them to him, and also gave him a steamed bun.
"Uncle, stop busying yourself and eat quickly. The meat dishes need to be eaten while hot, and the same goes for Sister Fubao."
"Okay, Uncle Er will eat too."
Fubao's greasy little hand was holding a piece of braised pork, and the other hand was holding a chicken leg. She took a bite on the left and then on the right, eating happily without anyone telling her to do so.
She didn't even have time to talk. Her little mouth was puffy and her cheeks were like a little squirrel, so cute.
It's just that her face, mouth and hands were all covered in oil, but Wan Laoer didn't care too much. He would boil some hot water for her to wash them properly later.
The meal was finished quickly and cleanly.
"Zhengyang, lie down first. I'll make some medicine for you. I got some ginseng from the county magistrate yesterday. I'll make you some ginseng tea later. I see your face has turned pale."
"Uncle, no need. You can keep such a precious thing for yourself, or take it back for Grandma Wan to drink. I'm young and don't need it. I feel much better after eating."
Hu Zhengyang said anxiously.
He had already benefited a lot from the Wan family, and now he had to drink such precious things from others. He felt very guilty.
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