Because of Qing'er, they were naturally eager to befriend Jiang Shan and his family, but Jiang Shan did not treat them specially just because they were from an official family. On the contrary, he was extra careful to avoid suspicion. If it weren't for a last resort, she probably wouldn't have made this special trip.
"Qing'er, go see if your father is at the yamen and make sure he comes over." The magistrate's wife immediately ordered.
Cao Qing had a piece of cake in her mouth, and before she could swallow it, she hurriedly ran out.
Jiang Shan said apologetically, "I'm really sorry to trouble you, Madam, on my first visit!"
The magistrate's wife patted her hand. "Aren't you being too polite? You have no idea how grateful I am to you two siblings. I won't say any of those formalities, and don't give me that. I'm just a woman, I don't know much else. Let's talk about our private matters. I'm older than you, my maiden name is Song, and my given name is Wanrong. You can call me Sister Wanrong!"
Jiang Shan smiled and sincerely called out, "Sister Wanrong."
Cao Qing ran around the various gates in the front courtyard of the county government office and caught Magistrate Cao, who was just about to leave, at one of the gates.
"Father, where are you going? Mother said you can't go anywhere right now. Sister Jiang needs to see you. It's urgent, a very urgent matter!"
Magistrate Cao touched his son's flushed face and said dismissively, "I have official business to attend to. You and your mother keep Miss Jiang company for a while. I'll be back soon."
"No, no, Sister Jiang really has something urgent. She came alone, and she's wearing men's clothes. She came specifically to find you!" Cao Qing was so anxious that she could barely speak.
After a moment's thought, Magistrate Cao took his son's hand and led him back to the inner quarters.
Magistrate Cao was quite surprised to see Jiang Shan's appearance. It hadn't been long since he'd seen her, yet her belly had swelled up like an inflated balloon.
"Greetings, Your Excellency." Jiang Shan stood up and bowed. Before Magistrate Cao could reply, the magistrate's wife quickly helped her sit down.
"Is she about to give birth?" Magistrate Cao didn't try to hide anything. He waved his hand and casually sat down in the main seat, pulling his son into his arms and sharing a piece of pastry with him.
"She'll be giving birth in a little over a month." Jiang Shan straightened his clothes, turned slightly to face Magistrate Cao, and smiled gently.
"It's not easy for Sister Jiang to come all this way!" Cao Qing interjected, taking a moment from her busy schedule.
“What Sister Jiang? That’s wrong generation. You should call her Aunt Jiang!” the county magistrate’s wife said with a smile.
Well, they've all become relatives! Judging from the way his wife and son are acting, they're ready to cheer him on.
Having witnessed the treacherous nature of officialdom, Magistrate Cao wouldn't easily play the emotional card. He had a good impression of Jiang Shan, but it was mostly because of the attitudes of that Young Master Li and Young Master Fu towards her.
Before leaving, the young master Fu left him a message, asking him to take good care of this family.
Thinking of the way that young master Fu looked at the country, Magistrate Cao's eyes became somewhat unfathomable.
He took the initiative to ask Jiang Shan, "Qing'er said you ran into trouble? Did someone cause trouble at the shop?"
Jiang Shan did not answer Magistrate Cao's question. Instead, he asked with a smile, "Your Excellency once said that as long as I conduct business honestly and pay taxes in full, the county government will support me unconditionally, and Your Excellency will be my patron. I wonder if this still holds true?"
Magistrate Cao's eyes flickered slightly. He pushed his son closer to his wife, straightened his posture, and said solemnly, "Of course it counts! I am the magistrate of this county. The more taxes you pay to the court, the greater my contribution. As long as you operate in accordance with the law, I will naturally stand up for you!"
Having clarified his identity and stance, and considering that the scope involved all honest and law-abiding merchants, Magistrate Cao's words were indeed impartial and to the liking of the people.
Jiang Shan nodded and slowly recounted what had happened in the shop, then told the story of the Qiao family father and son. Finally, he said helplessly, "It wasn't that I intended to cause trouble. We, a widow and her son, have been enduring it again and again, but they just don't want to let us go! Sir, we really can't go on living like this!"
Magistrate Cao then realized that things had taken a turn for the worse. This was no longer just a simple case of causing trouble in the business world; it was about ruining the person and the business reputation together!
He originally wanted to send someone to investigate, but when he looked up and saw Jiang Shan's calm and collected demeanor, he couldn't help but chuckle.
This woman clearly came prepared, and I almost forgot that she wasn't as honest as she looked; she was definitely not the type to suffer in silence.
But the county magistrate's wife couldn't hold back any longer. She cried out anxiously, "My lord, such a big thing has happened in your jurisdiction, and the yamen hasn't heard a thing? This is a serious dereliction of duty! Quickly, send someone to investigate. We can't let them stay in Guyang County any longer. We must arrest them as soon as possible!"
Having his shortcomings exposed in public by his own wife, Magistrate Cao was somewhat embarrassed. He coughed lightly and asked humbly, "Do you know something? If you have any good ideas, please speak frankly. I have no choice but to answer."
Jiang Shan spread her hands like a rogue, "My lord, I am just a weak woman. I have neither martial arts skills nor family background. It is difficult for me to even go out. What good ideas do you have?"
Magistrate Cao choked for a moment, then glared at Jiang Shan with annoyance, only to be met with a warning look from his wife.
Seeing his father's discomfiture, Cao Qingren cautiously chimed in, "Dad, there are guards in the county government and patrolmen in the town. Let them watch over Sister Jiang... Aunt Jiang. Just listen to Aunt Jiang!"
That sounds like childish talk. No matter how powerful the county government is, it's impossible for them to send guards from the county office to protect their entire family. However, since the conversation has come to this point, Magistrate Cao has to show some respect as the local official in charge.
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