Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

Chapter 1174: There’s Something Off About You

Magistrate Gu said, "Let’s not discuss this further; we have much to do. Today, we’ll draft the official documents to send to each county government. By August, these taxes and grain must be collected."

Magistrate Gu glanced at Vice Magistrate Su and Judge Tang, saying, "These are just the summer taxes. We also have to collect the autumn taxes in September and October."

Upon hearing this, Vice Magistrate Su and Judge Tang’s faces turned pale; collecting taxes twice a year is bound to cause issues.

"Lord Magistrate, we should stockpile some grain," Judge Tang suggested.

Magistrate Gu agreed wholeheartedly, "Lord Tang is right; this matter will be arranged by this office."

Not only must the government office stock up on grain, but Magistrate Gu’s estate should also store more grain.

Magistrate Gu quickly drafted the documents personally and sent them to each county government.

The County Magistrates of He’an Prefecture received Magistrate Gu’s documents and panicked, rushing to the Prefecture to ask, "Lord Magistrate, must we really collect so much? This could lead to problems. Could you please petition the Capital to reduce or waive some of the taxes and grain?"

Magistrate Gu only offered them one reply: "This is an Imperial Decree. If you don’t want to lose your lives and families, carry out the Emperor’s orders."

What?

The Magistrates’ faces turned pale. Knowing they couldn’t defy the orders, they left the Prefecture dejectedly. However, three wealthier County Magistrates hired a team of Escort Masters from the escort agency when leaving the Prefecture to safeguard against any unforeseen events.

...

Four days after being in the Prefecture, Gu Jin’an and others received news from Elder Xu.

Xu Zhao Ming personally sought out Gu Dexing, accompanying him to the shop, and told Mrs. Chen, "The Chen Family People have been sent to Hushan Prefecture and are living in the countryside manor in Hushan Prefecture. That manor belongs to the Xu Family; it was Grandmother’s dowry and is managed by Grandpa himself. Everywhere there are Xu Family People, so no one will know the Chen Family People are living there."

He continued, "The household registration for Sister Yinhua and her siblings is being processed; it’s being done in Hushan Prefecture, but it will take some time to receive the registration."

Upon hearing that the Chen Family People were confined to the manor, Mrs. Chen chuckled, "Brother Ming, thank your family for me and express gratitude to your grandfather on behalf of Aunt."

Xu Zhao Ming smiled, "Aunt, there’s no need to be so polite. Our two families are related by marriage, and we should help each other."

After resolving the Chen Family matter, everyone felt relieved, especially Mrs. Chen. Ever since marrying Gu Dagui, she feared being divorced over matters concerning the Chen Family. Because back then, she was able to marry Gu Dagui largely due to the help from her elder sister-in-law, the elder sister-in-law’s family, and the deception by the Chen Family People.

She had told the Chen Family People that if they helped her by putting on a good family image, allowing her to marry Gu Dagui smoothly, she would send money to her family after getting married, which is why the Chen Family didn’t cause trouble before marriage.

But she was too disgusted with the Chen Family and didn’t want to be their lifeline forever. After the marriage, she sided against her family, refusing to give them a single cent, standing firm against them.

The day after the Chen Family matter was settled, Gu Jin’an and the others bid farewell to Yao Youqian and Lv Bai, setting off to return to Tianfu County.

Gu Dagui and Mrs. Chen returned, too. Gu Dexing passed the Scholar examination, a joyful event, and they needed to formally set the betrothal with the Xu Family and arrange the engagement ceremony, so Mrs. Chen and her husband had to come back.

On the road, they hurried along, arriving at the county of Tianfu County by the morning of the third day.

Third Grandpa, Gu Dashan, Brother Cheng, Gu Dafu, the brothers Gu Dewang, and Qi Panzi father and son, along with Father Luo and Village Chief He’s sons, were already waiting for them.

The Qu Family People and Xu Er were also standing not far from the city gate, there to greet Elder Xu, Xu Zhao Ming, and Scholar Qu, uncle and nephew.

"It’s our mule cart. Big Brother has returned!" Brother Cheng, with keen eyesight, recognized Gu Jin’an’s mule cart from afar, rushed toward it, calling out, "Big Brother, Big Brother!"

Upon hearing the call, Gu Jin’an smiled and instructed Zezi, who was driving the mule cart, "Stop the mule cart now. That little rascal is charging over; make sure he doesn’t get hit."

"Yes," Zezi agreed, promptly halting the mule cart.

Soon, Brother Cheng reached the mule cart and pounced on Gu Jin’an as he alighted, "Big Brother, you finally came back, I missed you so much."

Gu Jin’an patted his head, laughing, "Get down, you’re pouncing over in the sweltering heat; it’s really hot."

Brother Cheng refused to let go, looking up at him, "We just had heavy rain an hour ago; it’s not that hot now."

Gu Jin’an still showed some disdain and pulled him down, "You’re getting older, and I don’t want to carry you around anymore."

Brother Cheng felt sad about it; among the family, Big Brother was his favorite.

But Gu Jin’an still picked him up in his arms and spun him around, letting him indulge in the moment of being carried before putting him down.

Brother Cheng grinned; Big Brother really was the best to him.

He tugged Gu Jin’an’s hand, leading them to Gu Dashan and the others. When they arrived, Gu Jin’an greeted, "Third Grandpa, Father, Uncle Luo, we are back, safe and without incident, so you can rest assured."

Gu Jin’an didn’t mention their success in the Scholar examination to avoid making Village Chief He feel uncomfortable; he just stated they were back safe.

Gu Dashan was delighted to see Gu Jin’an, holding his hand and expressing, "Good, good, it’s great to see you back safely."

The success messages from Linhe Prefecture had long since arrived; Village Chief He and his sons already knew that He Jinseng hadn’t passed and, after feeling down for so long, had moved on. Seeing He Jinseng trailing behind, hesitating to come forward, he immediately went over to meet him.

He Jinseng knelt down and bowed, saying, "Grandpa, Father, Jinseng is useless, he hasn’t passed again."

"Why say such things? The imperial exam is difficult, and it’s common to attempt ten or even eight times; don’t utter such discouraging words, and get up," Village Chief He smiled, helping He Jinseng up, advising him, "If you want to ease your family’s worries, set aside your guilt and continue studying cheerfully."

He Jinseng, moved by the words, masked his sadness immediately and assured, "Grandpa, rest assured. Your grandson won’t falter; I’ll diligently study and aim for an official position!"

"That’s right," Village Chief He felt reassured finally; he feared Jinseng might get stuck in a rut or do something foolish.

After greeting all the elders, Gu Jin’an mentioned, "How is Master Ouyang? The Master has helped me again; I wish to thank him personally."

Upon hearing this, Scholar Shang, smiling silently, realized the lad was eager. He was in such haste to verify his speculation—a true case of a young lad’s infatuation, love boundless.

Brother Cheng said, "The Master is well, with Third Sister and Fifth Sister keeping him company; he is quite pleased."

"Third Sister?" Gu Jin’an inquired of Brother Cheng. The Shadow Guards and that Nanny addressed Miss Ouyang as Third Miss.

Brother Cheng nodded, "Yes, that’s Third Sister; she’s Grandpa Ouyang’s granddaughter, and so is Fifth Sister."

But why did Big Brother only ask about Third Sister, even though he mentioned both Third Sister and Fifth Sister?

Brother Cheng observed his Big Brother, noting the subtle smile at the corner of his mouth, the twinkling eyes, and slightly raised eyebrows, suspecting...

"Big Brother, are you ill?" Brother Cheng asked, genuinely concerned, "You seem quite off."