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Jiang Mixia paused, trying to comprehend the purpose of the fertility symbol among the safety and wealth ones.
After examining the fertility symbol for a while, Jiang Mixia looked puzzled. Song Jingyun chuckled, “That one is for seeking a child. Mother suggested we hang it near our bed.”
“Speaking of which, Wife, I saw many fertility symbols there, some even looking quite desperate. Is it obligatory for everyone here to have children?” asked Song Jingyun.
“Yes,” Jiang Mixia nodded. “There’s a saying here – lacking filial duty is a trifling matter, but lacking offspring is a grave one. This world values lineage and progeny greatly, emphasizing the importance of having children.”
Today’s events in Jiang’s Village demonstrated the strength of a large family unit in driving out individuals like Chai Fa with ill intentions. Having many descendants meant having more support, making it harder for wrongdoers to take advantage.
In ancient times, having many children was believed to bring blessings. In such a survival-oriented environment, this belief had its reasons.
“So… does that mean we should also have children in the future?” pondered Song Jingyun.
Jiang Mixia suppressed the urge to spit out the tea she had just sipped, placing the cup back on the table. “In theory, yes.”
“In that case, let’s have children,” Song Jingyun suggested. “Ideally, several – so they can play together and bring joy and festivity to the household.”
Just like watching Jiang Maihua, Zhu Guangtai, and Jiang Chunyu play together in the past, it brought such contentment and joy.
The more Song Jingyun thought about it, the happier he felt, pacing back and forth in the room. “By the way, wife, how does one go about having children?”
“I’ve observed that women in the village typically have a visibly larger stomach before giving birth. When will your belly start to show, wife?” Song Jingyun asked, patting his slightly bloated post-meal stomach. “Do you need to eat a lot to make that happen? Shouldn’t you be eating more every day?”
Jiang Mixia remained silent.
The consequences of inadequate education!
…..
The next day, Jiang Mixia, Song Jingyun, and Xun Yuanbai headed to the kiln.
Xun Yuanbai wanted to fire a few small porcelain bottles for storing his daily medicine supplies.
Normally, these bottles were readily available everywhere. Even the various porcelain bottles gifted by the Emperor from official kilns were so abundant that he couldn’t possibly use them all.
However, Xun Yuanbai only wanted to fire a few pieces at the kiln in Jiang’s Village.
Firstly, items from these local kilns tended to have a plain appearance, making them less likely to attract attention.
Secondly, this kiln belonged to Jiang’s Village, a fortunate establishment frequently visited by the young lord. It was a kiln established through a partnership between the young lord’s family and others, making it an auspicious location for firing ceramics.
Seeing that even the esteemed Tian Shi didn’t mind the simplicity of the items fired in their own kiln, Zhu Yongwu eagerly inquired about Xun Yuanbai’s preferences, creating a prototype based on his descriptions for him to inspect.
(Tian Shi- is like a heavenly messenger or a diviner. From now on I’m going to use this term.)
“It looks like rain is on the way,” Song Jingyun remarked while helping with the clay work, wiping the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve.
Despite the cooling autumn weather, the stifling humidity of the day caused sporadic bouts of sweating.
“It was overcast yesterday, and it’s been cloudy since early this morning. I reckon rain is imminent,” Jiang Mixia observed the thick clouds overhead, setting down the water bucket in her hand. “I’ll go home and fetch a couple of umbrellas. If it pours heavily later, we won’t be able to make it back.”
As Jiang Mixia spoke, she had barely taken a few steps when she noticed a group of men dressed as officers entering the courtyard of the kiln.
“What’s the matter, gentlemen?” Jiang Mixia inquired.
The leader scrutinized Jiang Mixia and ordered, “Seize her!”
One of the officers grabbed the shackles and started walking towards Jiang Mixia.
“Why are you arresting my wife?” Song Jingyun rushed forward to intervene.
The villagers from Jiang’s Village who had gathered there also stepped in, questioning, “Why are you arbitrarily arresting people, officers?”
Narrowing her eyes, Jiang Mixia responded, “There are laws in this land. The authorities must act in accordance with the law when making arrests. What has this common woman done to warrant being taken away by the officers?”
“What has she done? You don’t know?” Chai Fa pushed through the officers and confronted Jiang Mixia, shouting, “You shameless wench, a lowly harlot who refuses to show respect!”
“You signed the agreement yesterday, and everything was settled. But you’re audacious and greedy, even instigating the villagers to attack us, thinking you’re untouchable. Today, we’ll show you what it means to court disaster!”
“And all of you!” Chai Fa surveyed the growing crowd of villagers from Jiang’s Village, especially noticing Jiang Zhengxin, and sneered, “Blind fools, the lot of you!”
“I am from the Chai family, and my master is the county magistrate’s wife’s brother-in-law! You peasants, blind fools, dare to lay a hand on me. Today, I’ll make sure you all pay for it!”
“Seal off this kiln, arrest this harlot! And all the tall men here, the village leader of Jiang’s Village, and all the able-bodied men from this village…”
“Arrest them all, take them to the yamen, lock them up, and give them a good beating!”
As Chai Fa’s words echoed, a heavy silence fell over the surroundings, where even the sound of breathing was audible.
The villagers from Jiang’s Village exchanged uneasy glances.
He’s related to the county magistrate?
Did they just offend these people yesterday, essentially slapping the county magistrate’s face?
Now, with Chai Fa arriving with officers to seal off the kiln and arrest people, was this a form of retaliation against Jiang’s Village?
Jiang Zhengxin’s expression turned serious.
Seeing the fear in the faces of the villagers, even Jiang Zhengxin’s countenance darkened. Chai Fa, reveling in the situation, scorned, “Ignorant fools, you don’t recognize a superior force!”
Then, spitting on the ground, Chai Fa barked, “What are you all waiting for? Hurry up and make the arrests!”
“Alright!” The head officer nodded and moved to restrain Jiang Mixia with chains.
“Who dares!” Xun Yuanbai stood at the forefront, sizing up the officers, twirling his mustache and glaring. “I am an esteemed Tian Shi. I dare any officer to lay a hand on me!”
Tian Shi?
Chai Fa and the officers were taken aback.
However, after scrutinizing Xun Yuanbai’s attire and finding no signs of nobility but rather a resemblance to a common peasant, they burst into laughter.
“Where did this sorcerer come from, an old charlatan trying to scare us with tricks at his age? Who do you think you’re intimidating?” Chai Fa chuckled heartily. “If you’re a Tian Shi, then I’m a national teacher!”
“You…” Xun Yuanbai seethed with anger.
“Brother Fa, enough with these peasants. Let’s quickly make the arrests and get this over with!” suggested one of the slightly shorter officers.
“Arrest them!”
Book recommendation:
Title: “I’m Pregnant with the regent’s baby” (Completed)
Title: “Reborn as a farmer with Fields”
Title: “Farm Girl’s Space: Picking Up a Major Villain during the Runaway Journey(Completed)