It rained heavily in the village for the next few days. The strong winds almost tore off the roof.
Li Ce got some tiles from his house and climbed up to Chu Nanzhi's roof in the pouring rain to put on another layer of tiles.
Because of that, there were no leaks in the house.
While waiting for the rain to stop, Chu Nanzhi went to the village market to stock up on food. After that, the rain got heavier and she was too lazy to go out again. She stayed at home and maintained a very friendly relationship with her family.
Everyone would mind their own business.
Meanwhile, Lin Jinxiao had escaped death once again. Although he was still wary of this evil woman, he hoped to recover from his leg injury as soon as possible, so he obeyed Chu Nanzhi's instructions.
He tried not to move about.
Unless.
He could not stand it.
Sometimes, Chu Nanzhi would brew his medicine and feed him. When she saw that his face had turned red from holding his urine, she knew that he wanted to go to the toilet. She wanted to help him, but he would insist on waiting for Li Ce to return after roll call, then ask Lin Ruiwen to invite Li Ce over.
Li Ce could tell what his brother was thinking. No matter how late he came home every day, he would come over to visit him first to ease his mind.
She looked at the two men. One of them was strong and powerful, while the other was fair and delicate. But they were so loving that she felt that she was in the way.
Although the four children were not very close to her, they did not resist her as much as before.
Especially Lin Ruiwen. He had grown much more polite when speaking to her.
One step at a time.
These peaceful days continued until the third morning, when the rain stopped. A carriage stopped at the entrance of the small courtyard.
It was a coachman from the county office. Chu Nanzhi still remembered him.
She had just finished making breakfast and brewing medicine for Lin Jinxiao. The coachman came in and said with a respectful smile, "Madam Chu, my master invites you to the county office. He wants to tell you about something that happened."
"Tell me about something?"
Chu Nanzhi looked confused. "I'm a woman. What can the county magistrate have to say to me?"
She had just gotten rid of Taoist Ximen. She did not want to have any rumors about her and the county magistrate.
However, based on the coachman's friendly expression, she felt he was not trying to make trouble for her.
Besides, she was law-abiding and the magistrate did not have any evidence against her.
Perhaps the county magistrate wanted the silver back?
That was what Chu Nanzhi thought.
A dignified government official should not be so petty, right?
Seeing that she was unwilling to leave, the coachman repeated, "The county magistrate said that he has something to discuss with Madam Chu. Madam, please come with me. Don't make things difficult for me."
Chu Nanzhi thought about it and decided to make a trip there.
She went to the hut to change into clean clothes and took ten taels of silver. This time, she left the door unlocked. Just as she turned around, she found a pair of bright eyes staring at her.
When Chu Nanzhi saw that it was Little Ruijia, she immediately smiled warmly. "You woke up before I called you?"
Little Ruijia looked unhappy. She did not answer her question. Instead, she blinked her small eyes and asked, "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to the county office. The county magistrate has invited me. Tell your father later."
After saying that, she hurried to the kitchen to scoop the porridge into bowls. Then she brought the bowls and the accompanying pickles to the dining table to cool.
When everything was ready, she pointed at the medicine on the table and reminded Little Ruijia, "Remember to ask your father to drink the medicine after breakfast."
Then, she prepared to leave.
Little Ruijia suddenly became worried when she saw how well-prepared Chu Nanzi was. She chased after her and asked, "Are you coming back?"
"Of course."
At this moment, the other children rushed out, rubbing their sleepy eyes and staring at her warily.
Chu Nanzhi remembered the Host's escape and immediately explained, "Look, I didn't bring anything. I'll be back."
After saying that, she gestured to the coachman. "If you don't believe me, you can ask him."
The coachman walked to the four children with a hunched back and said gently, "The country magistrate has invited your mother to be his guest. You don't have to worry. I will bring her back soon."
The four children were skeptical. They ran off together to find their father.
They had mixed feelings.
They were not willing to address the bad woman as mother.
But they were also unwilling to let the bad woman leave just like that.
Chu Nanzhi did not dare to keep Magistrate Hu waiting. Since she really was not running away, she might as well go quickly and come back earlier.
She followed the coachman into the carriage. Her emotions were in a mess. She could not figure out why the county magistrate wanted to see her.
She suddenly remembered that two days ago, Li Ce and Lin Jinxiao were whispering in the inner room about a rich family in the county had lost a child.
However, the county magistrate would not look for her regarding such a matter.
With that thought, she grew confused again.
…
An Ling Village was the village closest to the county town of Luyan Port. The journey into the town took less than half an hour.
There were bailiffs at the town gate who routinely interrogated anyone who entered. However, when they saw the county magistrate's carriage, they immediately let them pass.
When they arrived at the county office, Magistrate Hu was waiting for Chu Nanzhi with a table laden with food.
Seeing the mysterious look on the plump, middle-aged man's face, Chu Nanzhi could not help but feel a little wary. "I have many things to do at home. May I know why you invited me here?"
People who were unaccountably solicitous always had ulterior motives.
The official had prepared a table laden with food for her, a commoner. Even though she was a little hungry, she did not dare to eat.
County Magistrate Hu smiled, but did not answer her. He pretended to be mysterious and invited her to take a seat. He was accompanied by a man in his fifties. The county magistrate called out,
"County Deputy Sun, quick, serve tea to Madam Chu."
County Deputy?
That was equivalent to a deputy county head.
Serve her tea?
Chu Nanzhi was so frightened that she quickly stood up. "I'm not worthy."
She prepared to flee immediately.
"Madam Chu, don't panic."
County Magistrate Hu continued to smile and personally took a teacup from County Deputy Sun's hand and handed it to her to calm her.
"A while ago, Madam Chu helped me solve the tax case and restored the lost money. I'm extremely grateful, but I've been busy with official business and haven't had the time to express my gratitude. Today, I specially organized this banquet to express my gratitude."
"My lord, you're too kind. I did you a service, but you have paid me. We don't owe each other anything. My lord, you don't have to worry about this."
Chu Nanzhi smiled politely.
She was used to such pleasantries.
"Madam Chu saved my future. How can fifty taels of silver express my gratitude?"
"You've really prepared this meal and are sincerely inviting me to eat?"
"Of course. Why would I harm you?"
"Thank you for your kindness, my lord. I won't stand on ceremony."
"You're welcome, you're welcome."
Chu Nanzhi did not have time to eat before she came over. Looking at the table full of delicacies, she really could not restrain herself anymore. She rinsed her mouth, picked up the bowl and chopsticks and happily started eating.
Magistrate Hu felt much better when he saw her eating with relish.
After a while, he suddenly said,
"I heard that a while ago, the Lin Family's second son was imprisoned for committing a crime and stealing silver from your family. This fellow has been running amok in the countryside for many years and should have been severely punished long ago. Now that he has fallen into my hands, I will definitely teach him a lesson on your behalf. I will give him a good beating."
"Sir, you must be joking. I don't hold any grudges against him. Please be impartial. If he is sincere, please be lenient."
After saying that, Chu Nanzhi thought about it carefully and added thoughtfully,
" It's true that Lin Jinhong has caused a lot of trouble for his neighbors over the years. My husband and I hardened our hearts to send him to prison in hopes that he will turn over a new leaf after he's punished. We mean him no harm."
"Madam Chu is kind-hearted and noble. I'm ashamed."
Magistrate Hu thought that this woman was seeking revenge over a small grievance, but to his surprise, he was mistaken.
By now, Chu Nanzhi had eaten her fill. Seeing that Magistrate Hu was unwilling to reveal his true motives for inviting her over, she pretended to stand up and bid farewell.
"Thank you for your hospitality today. I've finished eating. My lord, if you have no orders for me, I'll take my leave."
But before she could move, County Magistrate Hu immediately panicked and stopped her.
"I wouldn't dare to give you orders. But I do have a request."