As soon as she returned to the Chen Mansion, Aunt Wu rushed to the study of County Magistrate Chen without stopping. She stood at the door for a while before calling out "Master" in a wronged tone.
A voice came from the house: "What's going on?"
"I just came back from my parents' home and have something to report to you, Master."
The person inside was silent for a moment, and after a while he said, "Come in."
Aunt Wu opened the door and walked in. County Magistrate Chen put down his pen and asked, "What's going on?"
"Master, my brother has been wronged!" Aunt Wu knelt down, her eyes red as she said, "My brother is a little confused in his daily actions, but even if you give him ten times the courage, he would not dare to do evil in your name.
I asked clearly, brother originally wanted to have a good discussion with the people of Jiuxi Village, but those stubborn people refused to sell the house, and instead asked for two thousand taels. Brother got so angry that he said he was related to me, and somehow the rumor spread that brother was your legitimate brother-in-law... "
Seeing that County Magistrate Chen's face was getting darker, Aunt Wu wiped her tears and said, "As for who spread this matter, my brother manages his servants well. Such a shameful thing would definitely make people keep silent. But there are many people in Jiuxi Village and they are all talkative. It is possible that someone accidentally let the cat out of the bag. I hope that Master will investigate and clear my brother's name!"
County Magistrate Chen leaned back in his chair, squinted his eyes, and stared at Aunt Wu who was kneeling on the ground, wondering what he was thinking.
After a long while, he said, "You go down first and learn the rules from the mother next to your wife."
Aunt Wu paused for a moment before saying submissively, "Yes, I'll take my leave."
After walking out the door, Aunt Wu's palms were already covered in cold sweat. She recalled what she had just said and there was nothing wrong with it, so why did the master still scold her?
Seeing the people leave, County Magistrate Chen picked up the pen again and continued writing.
As a county magistrate, when he heard the news that Aunt Wu had been found, it meant that he already knew who spread the news. Wu Sanjin was acting more and more brazenly, and he was just trying to warn him this time. But Aunt Wu was so stupid as to completely distance herself from her brother, and she really thought he was a corrupt official who had lost his mind due to lust!
"What is the relationship between the people in Jiuxi Village and King Yan?"
He asked the servant standing beside him.
"Madam said that this group of people rescued the prince in Huai'an Prefecture, and the prince later came to Chongming Prefecture with them. Also traveling with them was a scholar named Lian Sheng, who will take office next year."
County Magistrate Chen's writing movements became slower and slower, until he finally stopped, with the tip of his pen leaving a small blob of ink on the paper.
The feeling of fear grew stronger in his heart. If his wife had not reminded him, if he had listened to Aunt Wu and lost his mind, and really found the group of people surnamed Jiang to settle the score, let alone promotion, the official hat on his head might even be shaken.
"Tell Madam to confine Concubine Wu to her house arrest for three months! And have someone go and 'look after' Wu Sanjin's Wuyang Tower!" County Magistrate Chen's jaw tightened. "Didn't he say he's a relative of our Chen family? Only by frequenting them can we be considered close!"
"yes."
Jiang Erlang from Jiuxi Village got the news about Jiang Wei that night. He couldn't go to the county town every day, so he had to ask Jiang Wei to ask more diners every day.
After inquiring for a few days, he thought the matter was over, but just when he was about to relax, he received news again.
It wasn't good or bad, but it was a bit difficult to handle. He knew that County Magistrate Chen wouldn't make a big deal at this critical juncture, as he was worried about being punished later.
"Don't worry too much. It's said that our county magistrate has been in office for six years. Although he loves the people like his own children, he is also highly praised by everyone in Beichuan County. With such a good reputation, he can't be someone who can't tell right from wrong."
Jiang Dalang had hardly closed his mouth these days. It was because Zheng Li'niang was dragged to the county town by Zheng Wangshi. When they felt her pulse, they found that she was pregnant. Because the baby was still young, only her family told them about it. Although they didn't say it to others, those who were close to her could see it.
"There's nothing we can do right now, so let's just wait and see."
Jiang Dalang counted the days and said, "Youngest sister has been gone for nearly half a month and hasn't even sent a letter back. I wonder if she's on her way back?"
Jiang Erlang picked up the wick, and the dim light trembled. "Brother, I'm always a little worried. The death of Prince Duan has been widely reported in recent days. The people's hearts are unstable. There are rebellions in various places, and bandits are rampant on the water. What if..."
For some reason, he always had a hidden worry in his heart, and this worry became clearer as time went by after Jiang Huaixu left.
"What are you thinking about?" Jiang Dalang's face changed. "Nothing will go wrong easily when we're with the Fang family. You've been so absent-minded lately. Go out more often. Don't stay at home studying all day. You'll get sick from boredom."
Jiang Erlang lowered his eyes and blew out the candle on the desk, "I understand, big brother."
Jiang Huaixu, who was in Huaizhou City, waited for two days. On the night before leaving, she not only received the news that the Fang family's boat would not carry her and Li Qiaoer, but also waited for the return of the man who came hurriedly to find her.
The two came to a teahouse not far from Wangyue Tower and talked while drinking tea.
"Miss Jiang, I'm so sorry. I've been delayed by some family matters. My mother and I have already discussed it. With my current talent and situation, I'm afraid it will take more than ten or twenty years to pass the imperial examination. Right now, I just want to earn money to treat my mother's illness.
No matter how this path turns out, it's my choice alone. You've been so kind to me, and I feel nothing but gratitude and no resentment."
Jiang Huaixu looked at Lu Hui's patched clothes and the cuts on his hands, and said with a smile: "I don't have any other requirements for you, just remember what I said now and don't forget your original intention."
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