The man who came was the guard who was ordered to deliver the jade tablet to the Yu family a few days ago. The purpose of his visit this time was to send them a message and tell them the ending of the magistrate of Hua’an County. Of course, the punishment of those who colluded with him to impersonate Yu Jinjiang’s scholar quota was inevitable.

Meng Yunshu placed a bowl of honey water in front of him, then sat down. He took Yu Zhining, who ran over in his arms, and let him play with the roasted chestnuts on the table.

The man’s surname was Shen, and he didn’t say what his name was, so the Yu family naturally didn’t ask more.

Guard Shen took the honey water and drank it all in one gulp. He raised his hand to wipe the water stains on his chin, raised his eyes and met Yu Zhining’s curious eyes. He paused for a moment before putting it down embarrassedly.

 “I’m surprised.” He said, “I’m thirsty after riding all the way.”

Yu Jinhuai glanced at him, “It’s okay.”

Since the host said so, Guard Shen continued.

“County Magistrate Wu.” Seeing their doubtful eyes, he was stunned for a moment and explained, “The county magistrate of Hua’an County is surnamed Wu. He has more than one crime on his shoulders. Many children in Hua’an County were lost in the past few years. I believe Mr. Yu should know about it.”

Meng Yunshu had just arrived, so he didn’t know about the children lost in Hua’an County a few years ago. But Yu Jinhuai, a native of Cangnan Village, heard about it on the way back even though he had been on the battlefield.

“Mm.” Yu Jinhuai nodded.

Guard Shen said again, “County Magistrate Wu closed the case at that time and put the blame on a group of ruffians. They claimed that they colluded with the bandits outside the city for money, so they did the beggars. A large amount of silver money of unknown origin was also found in their residence. “

“This matter was hastily settled at the time. Many parents who lost their children wrote to hang them. Magistrate Wu agreed, but these people died in one day. This time we found out that the person behind those ruffians was Magistrate Wu. It was not the first time that the fame of farmers was taken away and sold to rich people. “

Meng Yunshu straightened his mouth. He thought it was the first time but he didn’t know how many times it was. “How about those who were impersonated?”

Guard Shen clenched his fist on the table and answered angrily: “Died in an accident.”

Now that he thought about it, did they really die in an accident? It was just a name-stealing murder. If he didn’t know Lu Ruan and there was no plane store, the Yu family would have only one way to die. Whether they agreed or not, they could not escape death.

 Thinking of this, Meng Yunshu’s face suddenly turned pale. Seeing this, Yu Jinhuai held his hand, squeezing it comfortingly, “It’s okay, Ah Yun.”

Guard Shen beside him obviously thought the same thing as Meng Yunshu. He was born in an official family. He had no worries about food and clothing since he was a child, and he had never seen the darkness in the officialdom. His family was harmonious and peaceful. His father only had his mother. He had never seen jealousy between wives and concubines. He was protected by his family since he was a child, and he didn’t see many dirty things. This time, he heard his brother mention this matter, and he became interested and insisted on getting the title of a guard.

When hearing the case, from the initial anger and disbelief to the occasional waves now, he thought he was hard-hearted, but now he still felt angry when he thought about it again.

As for the other things that County Magistrate Wu did, he didn’t explain them to the Yu family one by one, but he thought they had guessed it.

 “Wu was sentenced to be torn into pieces by five horses, his family was exiled to the northwest, and he was given tattooing. His family and relatives and collateral relatives would never be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations, and they were permanently stationed in the northwest. The same applies to those who conspired with him.”

Meng Yunshu felt that the punishment was too light, but he also knew that this was the most serious punishment.

Before leaving, Guard Shen told them that the newly appointed county magistrate of Hua’an County was the nephew of Wang Jun’s(The emperor’s ger wife aka Lu Ruan) collateral family. He has asked them to go to him if they had any problems. Lu Ruan also told his nephew that no matter how big or small the matter was, as long as he took the jade token to see him, he would definitely help them.

 After sending Guard Shen away, Meng Yunshu sat down in silence. Yu Jinhuai, who was standing beside him, saw that he was in a bad mood. Just as he was about to comfort him, he saw him stand up and say as he walked, “We have to go to town quickly. It will be too late if we are any later.”

Looking at Meng Yunshu’s leaving figure, he sighed. Suddenly, a small hand holding chestnuts appeared in front of him. He looked down and saw Yu Zhining said in a baby voice, “Uncle, peel the chestnuts.”

The chestnut shell was bitten by him, and it was full of holes and saliva. Yu Jinhuai took it and threw it into the stove with a little disdain. Then he picked up another one, peeled it and handed it to him.

Yu Zhining took it and stuffed it into his mouth. He looked at him with a wronged face, and said sadly: “Uncle dislikes me.”

Yu Jinhuai was silent. He really couldn’t say the four words “I don’t dislike you” against his conscience, but he couldn’t honestly say he disliked him either. He could only remain silent. Then he grabbed a handful of chestnuts, peeled them and put them in Yu Zhining’s palm.

“Eat it.”

Yu Zhining ate a chestnut in one bite, and his cheeks bulged. Facing the chestnuts, he generously forgave his uncle.

——

Yu Jinyue drove the carriage to the door of the iron shop. Even though it was still a certain distance away from the furnace, he could still feel the strong heat coming towards him. It was a good place to keep warm in winter.

 Meng Yunshu jumped off the car, touched the silver in his sleeve, and walked in calmly.

After paying the remaining silver, Yu Jinyue, who followed him, hurried forward with a pot in each hand. Only one or two taels of silver were left at home for emergency use, and he brought the rest. Counting the 650 wen in his purse, Meng Yunshu fell into deep thought.

He went to the grain store to buy coarse and fine flour, and spent another 200 wen to buy spices and bones. There was not much money left.

Meng Yunshu couldn’t help but worry. He had already thrown out a lot of costs before the business started, and he didn’t know when he could make it back.

They didn’t stay in the town for long. They went home after finishing their business. On the way, they could hear passers-by discussing the evil things done by County Magistrate Wu.

 Meng Yunshu felt depressed for a while. He took a deep breath and sat up straight. He planned to cook the bone soup when he returned home today and set up a stall tomorrow morning. He wanted to make the noodles in the evening, but was afraid that they would not be fresh tomorrow morning. After thinking about it, he decided to make noodles early the next day.

When he returned home, there were many winter vegetables and bamboo shoots in the yard of the Yu family house. They would set up a stall tomorrow, and there was still work to do today. Except for the young Yu Zhining, everyone started to work.

The bamboo sticks and bamboo cups were ready. The water in the big pot was kept hot. Yu Jinhuai and Yu Jinyue washed the vegetables, and Meng Yunshu took Yu Jinlan to skewer the vegetables. They were busy until the evening.

After a simple dinner, Yu Jinhuai sent everyone to bed so that they could get up early the next day.

Before getting on the kang, Meng Yunshu deliberately took a look at the two soups boiling on the stove. He caught a glimpse of Daqing and Dahei lying at the door with greedy eyes. Seeing their mouths sparkling, he couldn’t help but laugh and carefully closed the door of the kitchen.

“Daqing and Dahei are not allowed to steal food.”

Daqing rubbed his trouser legs and whined. Seeing this, Dahei also ran over and kept rubbing. The two mighty wolfhounds acted like spoiled children. Meng Yunshu couldn’t resist for a while. It was only after Yu Jinhuai scolded them that they left with grievance.

He turned around and looked at Yu Jinhuai standing under the eaves. He seemed to be wrapped in darkness, and only a silhouette could be seen. Meng Yunshu’s heart moved, and he walked over and looked up at him. Looking at his calm eyes, Meng Yunshu suddenly laughed.

He said: “Daqing and the others are greedy. Fortunately, you are here, otherwise I can’t resist.”

Yu Jinhuai responded, noticing his red hands from the cold, “Come in, it’s cold outside.”

After he finished speaking, he took the lead in opening the curtain and entering the main room. Meng Yunshu followed closely behind him. Seeing that he was about to enter the bedroom, he called him.

“Brother Huai.”

Yu Jinhuai turned his head to look at him with doubts in his eyes. Meng Yunshu lowered his head and stared at his feet. After hesitating for a while, he said hesitantly: “Aren’t you afraid that I can’t make money?”

The family’s money was almost gone because of him, but Yu Jinhuai kept indulging him and even supported him.

“Can you do it?” Yu Jinhuai asked.

Meng Yunshu raised his head and said firmly: “Of course.”

He still had confidence in his craftsmanship.

 “Ah Yun.” Yu Jinhuai looked at him deeply, “I believe you.”

With his words, Meng Yunshu’s heart settled down. Suddenly he remembered something. He went into the store and came out soon. He walked to Yu Jinhuai, took his hand, put the things in his hand in his palm, glanced at him with a slightly red face and left.