Chapter 94 Writing a Letter
Sun was so aggrieved that she cried her eyes out, wishing she could cling to Magistrate Meng's leg and cry for three days and three nights to tell him all her grievances.
Steward Zhao stepped forward to stop Madam Sun: "Stop! What are you doing? How dare you stop an adult like this?"
Sun collapsed to the ground, weeping: "Please, Your Excellency, do justice for this humble woman!"
Upon hearing that Magistrate Meng had arrived, neighbors immediately came out of their homes. When they saw Granny Sun crying to Magistrate Meng, someone immediately jumped out to speak up for Madam Qi: "Why are you doing this for us? Madam Qi has nothing to do with your family anymore. It's you who are shamelessly clinging to her and wanting to live with her."
"Exactly, the woman's household registration has already been established, what does it have to do with your Xie family?"
"She always tries to coax her grandchildren into moving in just because she's the grandmother, without ever considering that these children were only allowed to live there because Qi Shi took pity on them. And she doesn't even think about how old your eldest son is, still living in that old, dilapidated house. When will he ever get married?"
"My lord, don't listen to her nonsense. It's no wonder she's in this state. Their clan chief has come several times, and each time he has someone take her back. She's only well for half a day before she comes back again."
“When Qi was seeking justice for Baohe, she cursed him fiercely. Now that he’s better, she wants to cling to him. She even has the nerve to ask the authorities for justice. You’re just getting your comeuppance. Nobody wronged you.”
"Oh, Granny Sun, you really don't learn your lesson. Didn't your clan leader's wife tell you to change your ways and stop putting on airs like a mother-in-law? If you truly repent, then apologize properly. Maybe Qi Shi will soften her heart and actually accept the three of you. The adults haven't even said they'd help you yet, and you're already wailing and saying Qi Shi is unfilial? If Qi Shi can accept you, then I, Granny Ma, will be emptying your chamber pots for a year."
Granny Sun's wailing stopped abruptly, her face covered in snot and tears, looking utterly disheveled.
Everyone told her to bow her head and admit her mistake, and to treat Qi Shi kindly. They said that if she softened her heart, she might agree to remarry Xie Daxing, and she could then move into the big house without any problem. But as soon as she saw the county magistrate, she subconsciously felt that he would stand up for her. She felt extremely wronged and wanted to file a serious complaint against Qi Shi, so that the magistrate would punish her and make her hand over the money so that she wouldn't have to work so hard to play the subservient role every day.
To her surprise, none of her neighbors helped her. What should she do?
The door, which had been tightly closed, opened, and Qi Shi, whose face was still somewhat pale, came out and bowed deeply to Lord Meng: "My lord, this humble woman, Qi Shi, greets Lord Meng."
Lord Meng hurriedly stepped forward to help her up: "Madam Qi, there's no need for such formalities. It is I who should be bowing to you."
He bowed respectfully to Madam Qi and said loudly, "On behalf of all the people of Biyang County, I thank Madam Qi for her great kindness. Your righteousness has saved the people of Biyang County."
The neighbors were all stunned: "What happened? What happened?"
"What happened? Why is Lord Meng bowing to Lady Qi?"
"What do you mean by thanking the Qi family on behalf of all the people of Biyang County? What good deed has the Qi family done that requires Lord Meng to personally come to thank them?"
In an instant, everyone's attention shifted from Granny Sun to Madam Qi, and they all started discussing it.
Magistrate Meng waved his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and announced directly on the spot: "Starting from this year's summer harvest, the fields in our Biyang County will be taxed again according to the actual records registered last year. Fields that were originally registered as superior or medium-grade fields, but are actually medium or inferior-grade fields, will be taxed directly according to their actual output. Villages with reduced households or population will no longer have to share the extra tax grain across the entire village; it will all be taxed according to the actual number of households."
With tears in his eyes, he raised his hand to signal: "This decree will start from Qing Shi Lane, and within five days, the yamen runners will definitely travel to every village in Biyang County to inform everyone. No one will have to worry about not being able to pay the excess taxes anymore!"
The scene remained silent for almost half a cup of tea's time, everyone stunned as they processed the news. Taxes to be paid based on actual yield? This meant taxes would be paid based on the actual output of the land?
Although they live in the county town, many families still have land in the countryside, not to mention that every household has relatives who stay in the village to farm. If the taxes were paid according to the actual land area, some families would have to pay less than half of their taxes!
This is a matter of life and death!
A scream rang out, followed by a chorus of screams. Everyone was in a panic, rushing out of the city to tell their husbands, sons, grandsons, and relatives and friends in the countryside. In the eyes of the common people, what difference was there between this and an emperor granting a general amnesty?
Many women immediately wiped away their tears and bowed to Magistrate Meng, saying, "Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you for your kindness!"
Magistrate Meng and Steward Zhao quickly helped them up: "Half of the credit for this success goes to Madam Qi. Now that she lives in this Bluestone Alley, we ask everyone to unite and help each other, be friendly and loving to our neighbors. If anyone comes to bully her, please say a good word for her."
The neighbors nodded in agreement, and Granny Ma said fiercely, "I agree to this today. If Granny Sun and her family dare to cause trouble again, I will be the first to not let them off!"
After she finished making the oath, Granny Ma asked curiously, "But sir, how does the tax reduction have anything to do with Madam Qi?"
This is exactly what everyone is curious about.
Before Magistrate Meng could explain, Madam Qi spoke up, "Your Excellency is too kind. It was Your Excellency who went to great lengths, undaunted by power, personally going up and down the mountain to measure the fields and investigate their yields, which resulted in the land register. It is because of this register that we are finally able to reduce taxes for everyone. I only spoke a few words on behalf of Prefect Song; what merit have I made? Everything is thanks to Your Excellency."
Everyone in the county knew that Qi had sued the wife of Prefect Song. Everyone understood why she accepted the money to settle the matter, since Baohe was dead and she still had four children to support. However, she did speak up for the people of Biyang County during the settlement, which showed her kindness. No wonder Magistrate Meng remembered her contribution.
Magistrate Meng opened his mouth to explain, but then he remembered that this was a deal between Prefect Song and him. If the people found out, they wouldn't know how they would view the government! Madam Qi must have considered this, which is why she helped him keep it a secret.
He had no choice but to back down, stop explaining, and tacitly accept this statement.
For a time, Magistrate Meng's reputation reached unprecedented heights.
Seeing the neighbors spreading the news and celebrating, he gestured to Butler Zhao: "Let's go."
Granny Sun was so frightened by this series of events that she was completely confused. One moment she heard that the land tax had been reduced, and the next she heard that Qi had made a contribution. What were they talking about?
But in her eyes, nothing was more important than reconciling with the Qi family. She mustered her courage and stopped Magistrate Meng again: "Your Honor! This humble woman has been wronged—"
Magistrate Meng interrupted her: "You are not wronged. The reason for this situation is your Xie family. Half a month ago, I personally witnessed you threatening the seriously ill Qi Shi at the City God Temple. When she refused to sign the settlement agreement, you tried to strangle her. Your husband even wanted to take advantage of her illness to delay her death and take back the plaintiff's rights. You have no shame whatsoever. Everything that Qi Shi has obtained today is what she fought for herself. She has severed ties with you and has nothing to do with your Xie family. If you dare to cause trouble for Qi Shi again, I will order you to be locked up in jail to sober up."
Granny Sun turned pale with fright, and after a long while, she cried softly, "But all I wanted was for my family to be reunited. What's wrong with that?"
Magistrate Meng said, "Your idea of reuniting your family is not wrong, but your approach is wrong. Qi is now the head of the household, and she has the right to accept or not accept your family. If you continue to pester her here because of your status as her former mother-in-law, she will only dislike you more and will be less likely to give you a chance."
Granny Sun cried, "Sir, what will it take for her to forgive us? She's already taken the children to live with her, why can't she accept the three of us? Can't we just live happily together like before?"
"Ha, she's about to become a mother-in-law, who would want to bring a mother-in-law back to suffer? You old woman, you don't see things as clearly as I do!" A familiar voice suddenly rang out at the alley entrance. Magistrate Meng frowned and turned around. A small head peeked out from behind the wall, saw him, and immediately shrank back.
Magistrate Meng: ...
Butler Zhao mustered his courage and shouted, "Li Xiaoxiao! Get down here right now!"
Li Xiao chuckled and climbed out from behind the wall, landing in front of Butler Zhao. Several clumps of mud flew off her and splashed all over Butler Zhao.
Butler Zhao closed his eyes, reached out and grabbed her ear, then dragged her out, saying, "You brat, shut up! What's it to you? Go home right now!"
Li Xiaoxiao, while screaming in pain and tiptoeing, shouted, "Qi Niangzi, you must hold on! Don't give in to evil forces! Ouch!"
Butler Zhao finally couldn't hold back and kicked her.
Distracted by her, Magistrate Meng did not answer Granny Sun's question and went straight to the county office in his carriage.
Granny Sun cried her heart out, but no one sympathized with her.
Qi didn't even glance at her, and simply closed the door.
She dreamed that her four grandchildren would put in a good word for her, but despite the commotion outside, none of the four children were to be seen.
Granny Ma said with a look of disgust, "Go, go, go, don't cry here. Today is a great day, don't let your crying ruin our Qing Shi Lane."
Overwhelmed with grief, Granny Sun cried out, "Sister-in-law Ma, why won't Qi forgive me? I've apologized and promised to listen to her in everything from now on. Why won't she reunite with us?"
Granny Ma thought to herself, "Didn't that young lady from the county government just make it very clear? Qi Shi is about to become a mother-in-law herself, so why would she want to bring back another mother-in-law to oppress her?"
She sighed, "If you want your family to be reunited, it depends on Qi Shi's willingness. If she's not willing, what good will it do even if you cry your heart out like Meng Jiangnu and bring down the Great Wall? Go back."
Soon, the stone alley was empty, and the entire alley was quiet, with only her left.
Granny Sun left in a daze.
On the other side of the wall, Madam Qi looked expressionlessly at the children standing in front of her: "Do you want to go back with your grandmother? If you want to go back, then go ahead, I won't stop you."
Since moving in, the two girls have been living a better life than ever before. The new house is so big, and the bed is so big that the two sisters can share a room without feeling cramped. There is also a well in the yard, so they don't have to fetch water from outside. There are no more scolding or beatings from their grandparents. They only need to wash their own clothes and clean the house every day before they can rest. Their mother also cooks lots of delicious food for them every day. For the first time, they don't have to go to bed hungry, and for the first time, they don't have to give the meat in the dishes to their brothers. When they heard Qi Shi ask if they wanted to go home with their grandmother, they shook their heads like rattles, not even thinking about it.
Baoshan and Baolin are like their two younger sisters. Baoshan is nineteen years old this year, and Baolin is seventeen. They are both of marriageable age and are currently living in separate rooms. They know that their mother plans for them to get married and settle down here. They also want to live in a big house and neither of them wants to go back to those three mud-brick houses that are about to collapse.
My mother is in charge of everything at home now, and they have no objections whatsoever.
My mother has money and a house, so she will definitely find them another husband. After they get married, they will live here and won't want to go back to their hometown.
Madam Qi said calmly, "Fine, since you don't want to go back with your grandmother, then don't say things like 'let them come in for a drink of water' anymore. It's easy to invite a god in, but hard to send him away. This is my house. They can only come in if I agree to let them in. Do you understand?"
The four children said in unison, "We understand!"
Qi nodded in satisfaction.
The young lady from the yamen was right. By a twist of fate, she became the head of the household and finally had the final say in the family. She was already at the age to be a mother-in-law, so why would she need to find another mother-in-law to serve her?
Moreover, her ex-husband and former father-in-law were not good people either. She was crazy to be willing to live with them again after finally having the chance to get away from them.
No matter how many sweet words Sun speaks or how humble she acts, it's only because she hasn't given her consent yet. Once she's truly willing to accept them in, they'll reveal their true colors in less than a month, showing the wolf in sheep's clothing.
Having been family for twenty years, doesn't she know their temperaments well enough?
She would never allow herself to go back to her old ways.
Moreover, she wasn't entirely without support. Lord Meng owed her a huge favor, and if the Xie family dared to continue harassing her, she wouldn't mind asking Lord Meng to have them imprisoned for a while to teach them a lesson.
When Li Xiaoxiao returned home, she told Liu, Aunt Luo, and Granny Qi about the lively scene at the Qi family's residence. Everyone listened with great interest and offered their comments. Only then did Liu belatedly realize, "Oh dear, you just said that Master is back? Where is he?"
Magistrate Meng, who had already returned to his backyard and listened to the gossip for a while: ...
He's been gone for half a month, and the house seems to be getting more and more lively.
He looked at the beaming Li Xiaoxiao and suddenly called out to her, "Come here."
Li Xiaoxiao walked over, puzzled. Magistrate Meng said, "Qi-ge'er has written to you, asking about your studies and asking you to write him a reply. Write it before tomorrow and give it to Zhao Jian so he can mail it out."
Li Xiaoxiao has been so busy farming lately that she's forgotten all about reading and calligraphy. She was shocked: "You wrote a letter so soon?"
Magistrate Meng stared at her intently: "It's almost March now, and he's been at Wanshan Academy for over a month. Isn't it normal for him to write a letter back?"
Li Xiaoxiao looked miserable, wondering if her handwriting would look better if she worked through the night.
Looking at her grief-stricken face, Magistrate Meng added, "Let me see it after you finish writing. I'll check if you've fallen behind on your studies."
Seeing Li Xiaoxiao's face turn deathly pale, Magistrate Meng was satisfied and waved for her to leave.
Back in her room, she took out the dusty brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. She ground the ink, picked up the brush, and wrote a few characters on the paper. They were really big and ugly. The brush was so soft and limp that it was not easy to use at all. If she wrote a letter to Meng Guanqi with such characters, he might get so angry that he would give her more homework.
With only one night, she couldn't possibly achieve any good results.
After thinking it over, Li Xiaoxiao decided to follow her heart. It would take years to master calligraphy with a soft brush, but she was confident that she could write well with a hard brush, which she was familiar with.
At least if each stroke is written neatly, Meng Guanqi won't be so angry when he sees it.
Without hesitation, she plucked the bristles from the brush, went to the kitchen, burned a twig, and inserted it into the brush core, instantly turning it into a hard brush.
Li Xiaoxiao wrote a few words on the paper, found a familiar feeling, and immediately nodded in satisfaction.
In her excitement, she couldn't help but ramble on. When she handed the completed letter to Magistrate Meng the next day, he thought she had written a book...
Magistrate Meng: ...
He glanced at his reply to Meng Guanqi, which was only one page long, and then at Li Xiaoxiao's envelope, which was as thick as a book, and fell into deep thought.
What exactly did she write that allowed her to write so much?
He couldn't resist opening the envelope.
Zhao Jian and the others watched as Magistrate Meng first showed surprise, then became expressionless, and finally clutched his forehead as if suffering a splitting headache. He then shoved the letter back into Zhao Jian's hand: "Send it out..."
Zhao Jian hurriedly took the letter and went to find the escort agency.
It was half a month later when Meng Guanqi received the letter. He couldn't wait to open the package, which contained clothes, shoes and socks that Liu had prepared for him, as well as three letters.
Two of the letters were thin; judging from the handwriting, they were from Magistrate Meng and Liu. The other letter was particularly thick, and when he opened it out of curiosity, it turned out to be a reply from Li Xiaoxiao.
His heart pounded. He first read his father's and mother's letters. The letters contained only a few short sentences, both saying that everything was fine at home and urging him to take care of his health and study diligently. The two of them were expressing similar sentiments.
Next, he opened Li Xiaoxiao's letter.
The contents were varied and numerous, like a storybook, recording everything she remembered that happened after he left home, arranged chronologically from the oldest to the most recent:
First, someone from the Meng family in the capital came. It was his cousin. Not only did he give his family a house in the capital, but he also gave each of them a red envelope containing ten taels of silver. He was incredibly generous. The mansion was as lively as if it were New Year's Day.
Second, no sooner had Meng Tangbo left than the palace's rewards arrived. His family received many valuable items, and even she was given a dagger and a hundred taels of gold. His family became rich, and she became rich along with them.
Third, Pang Shi challenged her to a fight, lost, and then wanted to take her as his apprentice, but she refused outright.
Fourth, she was bored at home with nothing to do, so she asked Steward Zhao for ten acres of land. She is currently cultivating seedlings and expects to be able to plant them in half a month. After she harvests the rice, she will ask the escort agency to send him a bag of the new rice she grew so that he can taste it.
Fifth, Lu Weifu got his comeuppance. Baohe's mother, Qi, sued him, and the best outcome for him was exile to a distant place. Recently, their biggest source of amusement has been watching the "TV series": how the heroine Qi, who has turned the tables, outwits her evil in-laws and ex-husband. Just yesterday, they saw Lord Meng go to support Qi, thanking her for her contributions to the people of Biyang County. He also said that if there is any new information, she will write to him again next time.
The thick "book" was written entirely in plain, colloquial language, without a single classical allusion or poetic phrase. It was also riddled with typos and incomplete sentences, but Meng Guanqi still found it fascinating and felt that it was too short, wondering how she could have finished it so quickly.
He had only been away from home for a little over a month, yet so many exciting things had happened there, but his parents hadn't mentioned a single thing in their letters to him...
After reading it, Meng Guanqi read it again before reluctantly putting the letter down. When she raised her hand, she found that her sleeve and fingers were covered in black stains.
What is this? Why is it so dirty?
He touched Li Xiaoxiao's letter, his hand covered in black ink, and then he realized that the writing was losing its color.
What is this? Not only is it shedding powder, but it also has a slightly grainy texture.
Ah Sheng brought in water and immediately noticed that his hands and sleeves were covered in black dirt: "Oh, young master, why are your hands so dirty?"
She came over and took a look: "Hey, this is charcoal powder! Did Sister Xiaoxiao write you a letter with a charcoal pencil?"
Charcoal pencil? Meng Guanqi really didn't know Li Xiaoxiao used a charcoal pencil: "Why use a charcoal pencil? Did you run out of ink at home?"
Ah Sheng said, "No, Sister Xiaoxiao doesn't like to write with a brush. She prefers a hard pen. She writes very quickly with a hard pen, and she writes quite well. But when she uses a brush, she's far worse. Her writing is just as bad as mine..."
Meng Guanqi: ...
No wonder she was willing to write so much; it turns out she prefers using a pen.
Seeing that the young master seemed to be in a good mood, Ah Sheng poked his head out and asked, "Young master, what did Sister Xiaoxiao write that much about?"
Meng Guanqi unconsciously rolled up the letter and put it into the envelope: "It just talked about some things that happened at home recently, but she really is disobedient. I told her to stay at home and study with her father, but she went to farm instead. She thinks about going out to play every day and can't stay quiet for a moment."
Ah Sheng looked on with envy: "I really want to go back to farming too!"
He had to stay by Meng Guanqi's side to take care of him, but Headmaster Gu was particularly strict with his students. The students had to wash their own clothes and shoes, and take turns cleaning, cleaning toilets, cooking, planting and watering vegetables, and going down the mountain to buy supplies and carrying them back up. The servants and young men could follow along, but they were not allowed to help. Ah Sheng was almost sick from being so idle. When Meng Guanqi saw that he had nothing to do, he started making him study again.
Ah Sheng sighed, "Young Master, I miss Sister Xiaoxiao." He envied Sister Xiaoxiao so much; he would rather go home and farm than stay in the academy.
Meng Guanqi tightened her grip on the envelope, her long eyelashes drooping down, concealing a trace of longing in her eyes.
Actually, he missed her too.
It's only been a little over a month, but it already feels like ages.
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