Chapter 62: Taking Ji Chunhua and Her Daughters to the County Office

Han Dongsheng and Wu Yinghai felt a bit choked up watching the two frail children, timid and cautious. Although they hadn’t endured many hardships themselves, they could imagine how much suffering these children must have gone through.

Han Dongsheng asked, “Zhaodi, your surname is Hu, yet you’re staying with Uncle Ji’s family. What’s the story behind that?”

Hu Zhaodi smiled, “I was bought by the Hu family in the village, and I don’t even know who my biological parents are. The Hu family abused me, so I’ve cut ties with them. Uncle Ji and Auntie Ji Ji have been kind enough to take me in for now. I’m just staying with them temporarily.”

Han Dongsheng couldn’t help but wonder. The last time they sold the tiger, she had mentioned a highly skilled martial artist as her older brother, but where was he now? Could it be that she’d hunted the tiger herself and only mentioned the ‘brother’ to deter anyone from bothering her? But could Zhaodi really take down an adult tiger on her own? However, since it was all in the past, he didn’t plan to press her for details.

The thick, sweet white rice porridge paired with Mrs. Ji’s homemade pickles was a simple but deeply satisfying meal.

Hu Zhaodi, Han Dongsheng, and Wu Yinghai focused on eating the porridge, pickles, and cold eggplant salad, leaving the rabbit meat for the two children.

Han Dongsheng complimented her as he ate, “Zhaodi, this eggplant is delicious! Can you teach the chef at Fumanloulou how to make it?”

“Sure! It’s simple—I’ll show you once we get to the county town.”

After breakfast, Wu Yinghai volunteered to hitch up the carriage. Since the horse had been bought, Uncle Ji had been the one to care for it, as Hu Zhaodi didn’t have time.

Once the carriage was ready, Hu Zhaodi and Ji Chunhua boarded with the two children, while Han Dongsheng and Wu Yinghai sat outside, with Wu Yinghai driving.

As soon as they got inside, the kids were fascinated by the soft cushions on the seats. Such fine material would make warm clothing for winter, wouldn’t it?

Hu Zhaodi took the children’s small hands. “Da Ya, Er Ya, would you like to have a carriage like this someday?”

The two girls nodded eagerly, like little chicks pecking at rice. “Yes!”

“If you want one, you’ll have to study hard. When the village school is built, you can start attending. By the time you’re grown up, getting a carriage like this will be much easier.”

Da Ya’s face showed determination. “Yes, I’ll study hard! But… Mama doesn’t have enough money to send both of us to school.”

“That’s not something you need to worry about. Just focus on learning.”

“Okay.”

Hu Zhaodi turned to Ji Chunhua. “Sister Chunhua, do Da Ya and Er Ya have formal names?”

Ji Chunhua shook her head. “They’re just called Zhang Da Ya and Zhang Er Ya. Zhang Gousheng and I are illiterate, so we didn’t know how to name them properly.”

“Well, once you get the separation document, give the kids new names. Let them take your surname and leave the Zhang family behind completely.”

“Alright, I’ll count on you to help with the names when the time comes.”

“Let’s wait until we have the document.”

During the ride, Hu Zhaodi chatted with Ji Chunhua, while the children lifted the curtain to curiously look outside.

They arrived at the county office around mid-morning, but Zhang Gousheng and Li Erxia hadn’t shown up yet.

Under Han Dongsheng’s guidance, Wu Yinghai drove the carriage straight to the back courtyard of the county office.

After they parked, they disembarked, and the county magistrate’s wife, smiling warmly, came out to greet them after being informed of their arrival.

Han Dongsheng had previously informed the county magistrate about Hu Zhaodi’s impressive medical skills. Both the magistrate and his wife had urged him repeatedly to maintain a good relationship with her.

When the county magistrate’s wife heard the report that Hu Zhaodi had arrived, her smile grew even warmer.

“Zhaodi, you’re here! Come in and have a seat. Dongsheng’s uncle is still handling cases in the office.”

Hu Zhaodi replied politely, “Madam, I apologize for disturbing you and the county magistrate again.”

“Disturb? Not at all! I’m delighted that you came. Please, come inside.”

After ushering Hu Zhaodi and her group into the room, the magistrate’s wife asked, “And this young lady is?”

“Madam, this is Uncle Ji’s daughter and her two granddaughters. We’re here today to seek justice for them.”

“What happened?”

Hu Zhaodi gently pulled up Ji Chunhua’s sleeve, revealing bruises. “Madam, she’s married to a brute. These are only the injuries on her arms—her entire body is covered in them.”

The magistrate’s wife gasped, eyes widening. “Good heavens! What kind of monster would do this to his own wife?”

Then, Hu Zhaodi brought the two young girls forward. “Madam, these children suffer too. This brute not only beats his wife but also his daughters just because they aren’t boys. Sister Chunhua gave birth to five children, but his mother caused the deaths of three of them. My sister is only twenty-six, but she looks as if she’s over thirty.”

The magistrate’s wife immediately called for a servant. “Go to the main hall and inform the magistrate that Miss Hu is here with the Ji family to file a complaint.”

“Yes, madam.”

Looking at the frail group, the magistrate’s wife quickly ordered some pastries to be brought out. The two children, though visibly tempted, didn’t dare to take any, only glancing at the delicate treats with wide eyes.

The magistrate’s wife stood up, personally handing some to Ji Chunhua and her daughters. She left two pieces on the plate and offered them to Hu Zhaodi.

Zhaodi shook her head. “Madam, I don’t care much for sweets. Please, don’t go out of your way.”

The magistrate’s wife paused in surprise. What young girl doesn’t like sweets? Clearly, Zhaodi just wanted to leave the treats for Ji Chunhua’s daughters. Yet, Zhaodi was barely more than a child herself.

Feeling a pang of sympathy, the magistrate’s wife gently pressed the pastries into Zhaodi’s hands and asked for more to be brought. Zhaodi passed the treats to Da Ya and Er Ya, saying, “I really don’t like sweets, and besides, I ate too much this morning. I’m too full.”

The magistrate’s wife sat down beside Zhaodi. “Zhaodi, I hear you’re quite skilled in medicine. Would you be able to check my pulse?”

Zhaodi smiled and nodded. “Of course, Madam. Please extend your right hand.”

The magistrate’s wife placed her right hand on the tea table, and Zhaodi gently took her pulse. After a moment, Zhaodi smiled. “Madam, you’re generally in good health, but your menstrual cycle has been irregular. I’ll prescribe a formula to help balance it. A few doses should be enough to resolve it.”

The magistrate’s wife nodded happily. “Yes, that’s right! This has been bothering me for the past couple of years. I’ve taken medicine, but nothing seems to help.”

“It could be that the previous prescriptions didn’t target the root cause. With this formula, you should feel completely better in just seven doses.”

“Thank you, Zhaodi, you’re remarkable! And about Chunhua—she should go directly to the hall to accuse that wretched mother and son…”

After giving Ji Chunhua instructions on what to say in court, a clerk arrived to inform them, “Madam, the magistrate has asked for Miss Hu to bring the Ji family to the main hall.”