Chapter 155
There were many people. Everyone knew Fang Zichen doted on Zhao Ger, so they all pulled Zhao Ger aside to flatter him. After speaking with this person for too long, it was inevitable that others were neglected. Zhao Ger could only have Guaizai go and call Zhou Ger and Aunt Liu over to help with receiving the guests.
The kitchen heated water, added a handful of sugar to it, and served a bowl to everyone. This was still considered proper etiquette.
The women and fulangs who had brought gifts sat in the courtyard, eating melon seeds and chatting about daily life.
"I heard the price of rice has gone up recently, is that true?"
"It's true. I went to ask a few days ago. Tsk, one jin (500 grams) is even more expensive than pork! I was so scared I didn't dare buy any."
"It increased in previous years too!Why is it so expensive this year?"
"I heard there's a severe drought in Nanzhou. It's quite serious, not a single grain was harvested."
"No wonder!"
"But this has nothing to do with us. We can't afford such expensive stuff anyway. We only cook it once during New Year's or festivals. Over ten coppers per jin, so expensive. If anyone ate it every day, they'd probably be struck by lightning."
Fang Zichen:"..."
Zhao Ger met his eyes, silently not daring to speak.
The house was lively and bustling, only quieting down by evening.
After the guests had left, Fang Zichen moved the chopping block into the kitchen again, lit the fire, and started chopping chili peppers by the firelight.
He was acting out of character, being so diligent that it made Zhao Ger uneasy. "Husband, it's very late. You should sleep. Do this tomorrow!"
"I won't sleep tonight. You go to sleep!" Fang Zichen said.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Ger furrowed his brows. "Did something happen? Or is it..." He bit his lower lip tightly. He was only wearing a loose white undergarment, making his frame appear even thinner. "Or do you dislike me now, and don't want to sleep with me and the child anymore?"
"Damn." Fang Zichen was shocked. "What nonsense are you thinking?"
Zhao Ger's eyes reddened. "Then why won't you come to sleep?"
Fang Zichen couldn't stand to see him like this. He quickly put down the knife, wiped away his tears, put his arms around his waist and picked him up. Their noses touched, and his voice was gentle. "My sweetheart, what's going on in that little head of yours! How could I possibly dislike you? I love you the most. How could I not want to sleep with you? I want to sleep with you every day. You..."
Zhao Ger's tears didn't stop; instead, they flowed more fiercely. Fang Zichen thought he was deeply moved, but Zhao Ger hit him, struggling to interrupt him. "Let me go! Let me go right now."
"Hey, why are you getting more upset the more I comfort you?" Fang Zichen didn't let go. "Are you acting spoiled because you're pampered? Damn, what do you mean by closing your eyes? Do you think I'm ugly?"
Zhao Ger couldn't care about anything else now. "I got chili in my eyes."
Fang Zichen: "..."
After washing for a long time, Zhao Ger's eyes were still swollen.
Fang Zichen was afraid of getting hit, so he took the initiative to apologize first. "Zhao Ger, it's all my fault."
Zhao Ger, enduring the discomfort in his eyes, went to pull him. "Then come to sleep with me."
"I can't! I need to stay up late." Fang Zichen said with a pained expression. "I've been a bit too nourished these past couple of days."
Zhao Ger thought he was just afraid of getting fat from eating too much, since this person was the most vain. "You can still get up and do it tomorrow morning. Husband, your body hasn't fully recovered yet."
"No, I have important business to attend to tomorrow. It's fine, you go to sleep peacefully."
Seeing that he couldn't be persuaded, Zhao Ger stayed in the kitchen to keep him company. However, having been busy all day and exhausted, he sat for only a short while before his head began to nod. Soon, he fell asleep leaning against the table When Fang Zichen picked him up, he didn't react, only his lips moved faintly, as if murmuring something in his dream.
Fang Zichen leaned in close to listen.
"Husband..."
It was coquettish and soft.
Fang Zichen's heart trembled. He kissed his little mouth. "You little ger, your face is as round as a plate, it really makes me adore you."
___
Magistrate Jiang got up early. After eating his morning meal and arriving at the government office, he had processed more than half of the official business when he suddenly remembered Fang Zichen.
He had wanted to summon him yesterday, but thinking that the results had just been posted, and such a happy event rarely happened in the village, everyone was probably going to his door to offer congratulations. Having come from a village himself, he was very familiar with this kind of situation. Fang Zichen was probably quite busy, so he had set the matter aside.
Now that he remembered, he was just about to summon someone to give instructions when a minor clerk from outside ran in first.
At that very moment, the urgent beat of a drum suddenly echoed through the air.
Someone was beating the drum at the government office, signaling that they wished to bring a case before the magistrate and proclaim an injustice.
"Your Excellency~"
Magistrate Jiang asked: "What happened outside? Who is beating the drum?"
"It's... it's Fang Tongsheng!"
"Fang Zichen?" Magistrate Jiang set down his brush. He had just been about to send someone to find Fang Zichen, but unexpectedly, Fang Zichen had come first, and it was to report a case.
Fang Zichen was quite famous now. Seeing him beat the drum, the common people gathered in a crowd. Even after he was taken into the government office, they still lingered outside, not leaving.
"What happened? Was that man the bookkeeper from Zuixiao Restaurant?"
"It was him."
"I heard he passed the Tongsheng exam, and he got first place!"
"Hmph, everyone already knows about that."
"Then do you know what he is doing now?"
"Give me half a shichen (one hour), and I will know then."
"..."
When Magistrate Jiang saw Fang Zichen, he was completely stunned. This wasn't his first time seeing Fang Zichen. Last time, when he was drinking tea with Old Master Wu and Yang Mingyi at the teahouse, Fang Zichen's statement on the street—'Son, I've given the word on West Street. From now on, you can walk sideways here.'—had left a deep impression on him.
That day, Fang Zichen was arrogant and unruly, full of high spirits and energy.
But now...
Fang Zichen had dark circles under his eyes. He seemed utterly exhausted, unable to stand steadily, leaning on Zhao Ger for support. Zhao Ger's eyes were both swollen. Guaizai was hugging his leg, his face buried against it, his little body trembling and shaking, continuously hiccupping from crying.
"Has Fang Tongsheng encountered some trouble? This family of three looks so pitiful."
"Silence in the court!" Magistrate Jiang slapped his gavel and looked at Fang Zichen, asking him why he had beaten the drum and who he wished to accuse.
Who else could it be but Lianniang.
Landlord Jia had quite a good reputation. He owned much fertile land, and when he rented it out, he only took seventy percent from the tenant farmers. In the eyes of the common people, he was a good man. Now, Fang Zichen was actually accusing his daughter. Everyone was bewildered and shocked.
Fang Zichen recounted the matter concerning Lianniang. The bewilderment instantly turned into anger.
For a young woman, if what Fang Zichen said was true, she was utterly shameless.
"Is everything you have said true?" Magistrate Jiang frowned. "Do you know that in the public court..."
"I know!" Fang Zichen coughed a few times, looking at him, listless and weak. "Physician Xu can testify to this matter. Moreover, if you arrest that woman and investigate, you'll find out. I have heard that Your Excellency the County Magistrate is fair and incorruptible, selfless, and upholds justice. I presume you will seek justice for me, right?"
Magistrate Jiang: "..." Right your head.
Landlord Jia was a prominent family in Fu'an Town. Magistrate Jiang did not want to provoke him.
However, Fang Zichen had already pinned several lofty hats on him, and with so many people gathered outside, Magistrate Jiang had no choice but to send someone to apprehend Lianniang and bring her in.
No comments:
Post a Comment