Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1049: Second Mrs. Xu Offers Silver

Master Ouyang didn’t want to dwell on Gu Jin’an’s matters and changed the subject: "Besides this, what else are you worried about?"

Scholar Shang was stunned and smiled wryly: "You can tell."

Master Ouyang nodded: "Go ahead."

Scholar Shang had no choice but to discuss Shang Laosi’s situation: "This matter is likely to become public. Once it does, the reputation of the Shang family will inevitably be affected and people will talk about it for generations."

Rural folks love gossip, whether it’s about good or bad things. As long as it’s sensational, it will be passed down through generations.

Eventually, it will become a rural legend, and even a hundred years later, elders will mention: "Hey, the Shang Family once had some scandal many years ago."

Then, people who hear about it will cast curious or disdainful glances at the Shang Family. The impact is profound.

For once, Master Ouyang was amenable. He took out some paper and a pen and swiftly wrote two letters, stamped them with his personal seal, and handed them to Scholar Shang: "Send these to County Magistrate Zheng and Magistrate Gu. They will handle the case quietly and won’t let it spread within He’an Prefecture."

The government has many ways to handle a case without causing a stir. It’s simple: don’t hold a public trial, interrogate directly in prison, and order the guards not to speak of the case. By the time the case is concluded and the officials are promoted for their merits, outsiders will still be unaware of the case.

Moreover, Shang Laosi’s family has lived abroad for years and rarely comes back. Even if they never return, few in Qingfu Town will suspect anything.

Scholar Shang was overjoyed. He stood up, respectfully saluted Master Ouyang, and then accepted the two letters.

...

When Erqing drove the mule cart back to the village entrance, she coincidentally encountered the Xu Family’s mule cart.

Ms. Lu followed Elder Xu’s orders, waking before dawn and, as soon as the city gates opened, carrying generous gifts to apologize to Gu Jin’an’s house and Gu Dagui’s house. But there was trouble in Da Feng Village today, and her two mule carts were stopped at the village entrance, unable to enter.

He Dayuan led the He Family to capture He Daqian, and guarding the village entrance was his peer, He Datian.

He Datian stopped the Xu Family’s manager and said: "The village chief, under Lord County Magistrate’s orders, has forbidden outsiders from entering the village to allow First Place Gu to peacefully prepare for the college examination. Please turn back."

Manager Xu was taken aback and asked hurriedly: "Is it really Lord County Magistrate’s order?"

He Datian nodded: "Yes, it is indeed Lord County Magistrate’s personal directive. If you don’t believe me, go to the government office and ask Lord County Magistrate."

Lord County Magistrate’s name held more weight than the village chief’s. That morning, He Datian had turned away numerous guests. Upon hearing it was Lord County Magistrate’s order, they were terrified and quickly left without causing a fuss.

Manager Xu was quick on his feet, took out a tael of silver and said to He Datian: "We are from the Xu Family in the county; our young master is a friend of First Place Gu. Yesterday, the Gu Family were guests at Xu’s Shop, but there was a misunderstanding. Today, our Second Madam specifically came to apologize and pay respects. Please, Brother He, give us a bit of leniency and inform the village."

When He Datian saw the tael of silver, his eyes widened and he swallowed hard, refusing: "No need for silver; I will notify them for you. Please wait."

He Datian had been working out of town as a laborer before deciding to return home after hearing village life was better, intending to farm medicinal herbs. Today was his first day guarding the village entrance. Although tempted by the silver, he was afraid accepting it might lead the Gu Family to accuse him of greed, so he dared not take it.

"Haozi, go to the village’s end and find Wang Yongfu. Tell him what’s happening here and say Madam Xu from the county is here wanting to visit."

"Uncle Datian, is there someone trying to visit the Gu Family?" Erqing stopped the mule cart and asked He Datian.

He Datian nodded: "Yes, Madam Xu from the county wants to visit. You’re the new maid the Gu Family bought, right?"

Erqing nodded: "Yes, I’m the maid serving the Young Master."

He Datian, upon hearing this, was delighted and didn’t dare neglect Erqing, telling her about the Xu Family situation.

Ms. Lu, hearing this from inside the mule cart, lifted the curtain and smiled at Erqing: "Is it Miss Erqing? Good to see you. Could you ask the village folks to accommodate us? You know about yesterday’s events; if I don’t go in to apologize, my elders at home will blame me."

Erqing replied: "Sure, I’ll escort you inside."

Xu Zhao Ming is well-acquainted with Gu Jin’an, and Elder Xu is prudent; the Young Master had said they are trustworthy.

"Uncle Datian, indeed it is Madam Xu. The Xu Family has helped the Young Master’s family in the county, and the elder brother said if Xu Family members visit the village, let them in directly." Erqing, being efficient, added: "You’re working hard guarding the village entrance; if the silver is clean, feel free to accept."

The Young Master said not to refuse silver given willingly, and the villagers guarding the entrance were essentially helping her family keep visitors out, so some benefit should be given to them.

Manager Xu, being sensible, handed over the tael of silver: "Brother, please accept."

He Datian was surprised, not expecting such a boon at the village entrance. He looked at his kin guarding the entrance and accepted the silver, knowing not accepting might cause discord.

"Haozi, remove the barricade, let the Xu Family’s mule cart through," He Datian instructed and then pointed to those preparing to rush in, saying: "You all stay out; once First Place Gu achieves Scholar status, you’ll be invited for a banquet."

Those people didn’t agree and, with gifts and daughters in tow, rushed forward, grinning: "Brother He, since you let the Xu Family in, letting us in too wouldn’t hurt."

He Datian wasn’t pleased; rural women are hard to shake off, and no matter how parched his mouth got from talking, they’d still remain.

He Datian wouldn’t let them in and mentioned Lord County Magistrate again, but the women wouldn’t listen, eager to charge in as the Xu Family’s mule cart entered.

Erqing invoked Luo Wu: "Squad Leader Luo is in the village today; if you insist on intruding, he’ll have you all thrown into prison."

The women, hearing this, were startled and while the young girls brought by their mothers started crying, feeling humiliated at being dragged into another village to pursue men.

Their families, keen to connect with a golden son-in-law, forcibly brought them along.

The women, unable to enter the village, were angered. Seeing their daughters cry, they began beating and scolding: "What’s the point of crying? Everything I do is for you. Aren’t I doing it for you, you worthless wretch!"

Erqing sneered. Was it really for their daughters? They likely wanted their daughters to enjoy an unearned comfortable life.

If they truly cared, they wouldn’t be so cavalier about their daughters’ reputations, dragging them in broad daylight to pester men.

Ms. Lu had two daughters and couldn’t bear seeing the young ones being hit. She told Nanny Lu: "Go and tell them, whichever family immediately leaves with their daughter and promises never to bring them here to be humiliated again will receive ten taels of silver from the Xu Family."