Chapter 7: The Young Wife of My Nephew

  What's going on?

  Isn't this bullying the common people?

  The villagers of Lianyuan Village, apart from farming and breeding, have no other way to make a living, and every household is extremely poor. However, various taxes are exorbitant, and the village has to pay for everything, including digging wells and repairing temples. Now that the 19th Master's army is going to be stationed in the county, it goes without saying that there will be even more levies.

  Don't give up!

  She thought for a moment, smiling humbly with her head bowed and eyes cast down, pretending to be very honest.

  "Third Aunt, what brings you to find me...?"

  Third Aunt still smiled, "Dazhu is not sensible, you have to take care of your body, tomorrow go to the county town and exchange the two baskets of rice in the warehouse for money. Also...” She paused before continuing, “The fifteenth of this month is a good day, after selling the rice, if there's leftover money, buy a few feet of flowered fabric and make some nice clothes, then you and Zhuzi can get married and avoid gossip."

  Round house?

  Foolish person, in her eyes, she is just a child!

  Xia Qi naturally would not recognize this arranged marriage from heaven.

  But can't bear to abandon the fool and leave.

  Moreover, she currently has nowhere to go. Unlike the female heroes in the traversal who fly over the eaves and walls, the household registration system of the Dahan Dynasty is strict, and going anywhere requires official documents, especially for women, there are many restrictions. A young girl from a good family wants to leave her hometown to make a living, it can be said that every step is difficult.

  After putting up with Third Aunt for a while, they went to bed that night, but Xia Chuqi couldn't sleep, tossing and turning, feeling a headache coming on. It was because of that idiot who had no heart or lungs, getting excited like a little kid, pretending to go to the bathroom again and running back to her door to ask if he could follow her into town.

  This commotion made Xia Qiqi unable to sleep again on the seventh night of summer.

  In the middle of the night, she suddenly thought of the dirty thing that had been hidden in her bosom - Little Golden Tiger. The Ice Mountain Wolf by the Qingling River didn't look like an ordinary person at all; if she rashly brought the dirty thing into the city, wouldn't it be a bit unsafe?

  No way, I need to understand the situation first before making a decision.

  In a daze, she got out of bed, wrapped Xiaojin's old tiger in a piece of rag and buried it under the loose soil beneath a mud jar in the corner of the wall. She stomped on it with her foot to flatten it, then let out a long sigh of relief.

  ……

  ……

  About twenty miles away from Qinggang County, in the territory of Ling Shui County, the Golden Guard Army under the command of King Jin was stationed. Late at night, the main tent still had lights on. Outside the tent, the night watch soldiers wearing crimson battle armor and carrying long black scabbards held torches while patrolling, their footsteps clear and distinct in the howling wind.

  "Report!"

  Eunuch Zheng Erbao hastily lifted the curtain and entered the tent, only to see the Emperor alone, playing chess with both black and white pieces. He quickly dropped to his knees.

  "Father, an urgent message from the capital, eight hundred miles away——"

  A black stone fell, Zhao Zun took over the document, his posture unchanged as he read it through, then pointed to Zheng Erbao to burn the candle and destroy it, again gazing at the chessboard, holding a white stone in his hand for a long time without speaking.

  The surroundings became increasingly desolate and cold.

  Even Zheng Er Bao, who had served him for many years, couldn't help but shudder.

  This Nineteen Master, his temperament is extremely eccentric. When he's not angry, it doesn't mean he's in a good mood; when he's angry, it also doesn't mean he's in a bad mood. The calmer he is, the more frightening he becomes. Especially these past few days, after he sent scouts to search for a woman in Ling Shui and Qing Gang counties but found nothing, his expression has become even colder and harder to read. No one dares to easily provoke him at this time.

  "Grandpa, there's something else..."

  Zhao Zhu did not move his gaze, the black and white pieces in front of him each occupied half of the board, stalemate, neither able to swallow more of the other's territory. He seemed to have not heard Zheng Er Bao's words at all, only furrowing his brow slightly.

  Looking at his face and observing his expression, Zheng Er Bao, who was usually quick-witted with words, seemed somewhat hesitant today.

  "Grandfather, the imperial envoy also brought an oral message from His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince..."

  Zhao Zun slightly paused, looking at him coldly, "What is it?"

  "Please grandfather on the way back to Beijing, secretly investigate one person."

  "Who is it?"

  "Formerly Princess of Wei State, daughter of Xia Tinggan, imperial bestowed wife of the Emperor's eldest grandson..."

  Zhao Zun set out to conquer Wuna in the spring of Hongtai 24, and now it is already winter in Hongtai 25. The life on the border for nearly two years did not prevent him from knowing the movements of the imperial court. A year ago, a shocking case occurred in the capital. Former Prince of Wei, Xia Tinggan, was exposed by his brother Xia Tingde for colluding with the enemy and betraying the country. The entire Xia family, over 70 people, were beheaded, leaving only one seventh young lady whose whereabouts are unknown.

  He had never met his appointed niece-in-law, but he knew that the woman's reputation was not very good.

  Soon after this case, Zhao Mianze married the third daughter of Xia Tingde's family, who succeeded to the title of Duke of Wei due to her exposure of her brother's guilt. It is said that the two are in harmony and suitable for each other, what do they want to do now?

  The wick made a slight popping sound as he calmly dropped another piece.

  "Tomorrow at 5:00 AM, depart from Qinggang Inn."

  "Yes!" Zheng Er Bao secretly rubbed his hands, "Then, how should we respond to the Emperor's grandson?"

  Zhao Zhen sucked in his breath and replied perfunctorily, "Four words - let's talk about it when we get back to the capital."

  "What? But grandfather..."

  "Get out!"

  Zheng Er Bao twitched at the corner of his mouth and fell silent.

  Father, secretly investigating along the way... have all returned to Beijing, how can I replace others to investigate?

  The rooster crows, the dog barks.

  The sky has cleared up, but it's still dry and cold.

  On the seventh day of summer, I rummaged through an old trunk and put on my best outfit. In front of a small peach wood mirror in the house, I primped for a long time before setting off with Ah-Dan to town.

  The silly woman was silly, but she had a lot of strength. She carried a stone of millet on her shoulders and walked ahead with her back straight. However, since she had been ill before, her body still felt somewhat weak.

  Under the big soapberry tree at the east end of the village, several women were giggling and whispering to each other. The voice was very low, but it still fell into Xia Chuqi's ears intermittently.

  "Did you hear? That Fan's..."

  "Normally she's not a decent person... running around naked in the pigpen... those pigs are in heat, you know... corrupting public morals!"

  "She rushed out early this morning, crying and scolding all the way to the county town... Hmph, I'm afraid someone's going to be in trouble again. After all, she is the young lady of the County Magistrate's family..."

  Xia Chuqi slightly raised the corners of her lips.

  Never has anyone offended her and managed to walk away unscathed...

  Just you wait and see!

  All the way, they didn't meet any cattle carts entering the city. The two of them walked for more than a time to reach Qinggang County.

  Before entering the city, I saw that the post road outside the city was crowded with people. People were squeezed together, heads raised, chatting and joking... all kinds of noises rose and fell, the whole county seemed to be for one thing **.

  The King of Jin is going to Qinggang County.

  Someone said that the 19th Master led 300,000 Golden Armored Troops to defeat the Wuna State, captured the Princess of Wuna alive, steamed and sliced the King of Wuna, and beheaded tens of thousands of Wuna soldiers. However, unfortunately, Your Highness contracted a cold again on the way back to the capital and had to stay in the county for some days to recuperate.

  Some people say that this King of Jin is the youngest and most beloved son of the current old emperor, who was only in his teens when he went to war on the battlefield, winning every battle, killing countless people, and earning the title of "Yan Wang who takes lives". When people mention him, they all tremble with fear.

  Someone said that since his accession to the throne, the old emperor had arranged three marriages for him, but all three princesses died before they could enter the bridal chamber. Gradually, rumors of ghosts and spirits spread, saying that he was too brutal in his killings, and ordinary women couldn't withstand the vengeful spirits wrapped around his body, and couldn't get close to him.

  Some people also say that he must be three-headed and six-armed, with a face like a fierce ghost.

  In short, it's all about curiosity.

  However, no matter what is said, a person like him, let alone ordinary people who have never seen him before, even the ancestors of County Magistrate Fan Cong's family for eighteen generations have not seen him. Now, with the whole county's efforts, they are building bridges, dredging rivers, and paving roads with yellow sand, and he has already led his men to wait ahead before dawn.

  Xia Cao listened to the gossip, but his footsteps didn't stop. He and the fool entered the city together, exchanged a stone of millet for five copper coins, and then strolled around everywhere.

  Today in the city is not like ordinary days, patrol guards wearing armor and holding swords are everywhere, small vendors, wine houses, and tea houses have their doors closed. She took a high-profile stroll with the fool, but soon followed the crowded crowd to squeeze onto the noisy post road.

  Suddenly, the fool grabbed her arm and shouted in terror.

  "Grass, run quickly—"

  Digression

  Regarding the concerns of the ladies about their appearance on the seventh day, I'd like to say: In rural areas where they work hard all year round and can't eat or dress warmly, even if a girl is born with good looks, she will still become pale and thin due to malnutrition, with a greenish complexion... Hehe, take it easy, being stunningly beautiful is the goal, captivating men is the pursuit, and being enchantingly lovely is just a bonus... It's a sin!