Chapter 146: Unfathomable Depths

Li Qingzhi conversed with County Magistrate Gou for a long time.

The more County Magistrate Gou listened, the more excited he became, lingering until dinnertime.

Upon Gou Ying’s return from school and his sighting of County Magistrate Gou, he couldn’t resist asking, “Dad, what are you doing here?”

County Magistrate Gou, upon hearing the inquiry and observing Gou Ying’s sweat-drenched appearance with sleeves rolled up and clothes disheveled, couldn’t help but furrow his brows. “I have matters to discuss with Mr. Li. How was your study today? Haven’t you caused any trouble, have you? Governor Zhang values you greatly. You must study diligently…”

“Sir, dinner is served,” Li Qingzhi interjected to County Magistrate Gou.

Although he had previously discussed Gou Ying’s education with County Magistrate Gou, it was evident that without reminders, County Magistrate Gou would forget after a while.

It was an inevitable reality. Parents in this era had significant control over their children’s lives. Even selling or harming their children wouldn’t draw repercussions.

Living in such an environment for a prolonged period, many parents simply disregarded their children’s desires.

Compared to those who were excessively stringent, County Magistrate Gou and Mrs. Gou were considered lenient.

Entering the dining room with Li Qingzhi, County Magistrate Gou noticed an abundance of dishes on the table and remarked, “I merely intended to stay for a simple meal. There’s no need for so many dishes…”

“Dad, there are always this many dishes even when you’re not here!” Gou Ying retorted.

Li Qingzhi internally sighed: “…This child occasionally deserves a scolding.”

County Magistrate Gou’s culinary preferences resembled Gou Ying’s. He particularly favored the mildly spicy dishes prepared by Chang Zhan and even consumed two bowls of rice.

Gou Ying was astonished. “Dad, why haven’t I seen you eat this much at home before?”

County Magistrate Gou responded, “Isn’t it because your mother is always strict with me? If not because of your mother’s strictness, then it’s because of that Mother Yang around her who causes trouble. She fusses so much that I have to eat something else before meals.”

County Magistrate Gou’s arms were as thick as Li Qingzhi’s thighs. With such a rotund figure, he couldn’t have been eating lightly.

However, whenever he ate too much or too quickly, Mother Yang would always remind him and say something like, “Sir, your appetite is remarkable, but it’s different for Madam. She hasn’t been able to eat well lately…”

It was as if he shouldn’t relish his meal in front of his wife… so he would eat something else first and then casually at the table.

Gou Ying felt a bit disheartened. He used to think he ate the most at home and even doubted if his appetite was normal… It turned out he was just like his dad!

And his appetite was too ordinary. He could eat at most two bowls, while Li Qingzhi had already consumed four!

As they conversed, Old Li quietly dined beside them: Oh God! He had just dined with the Governor yesterday, and today he had to dine with the County Magistrate again…

He didn’t dare to grab the delicious dishes on the table like he used to!

After dinner, they strolled to the lantern festival together.

Li Qingzhi still took care of the children, while Jin Xiaoye carried the goods with the female workers.

The goods from the Jin Xiaoye Embroidery Workshop weren’t heavy, so they were easy to carry, albeit a bit warm.

They set up stalls, using stools and door panels—placing a door panel on a stool created a stall.

But these items were all stored in the Juewei Pavilion on this side of the new pier, so they didn’t need to be carried back and forth.

Upon arrival, Jin Xiaoye left four female workers to tend the stall and let the others go play.

The female workers took turns minding the stall, and after they finished, Jin Xiaoye would give them an extra ten wen of pocket money.

Thinking back to Governor Zhang sitting behind Jin Xiaoye’s stall yesterday… County Magistrate Gou stood by Jin Xiaoye’s booth for a while, even assisting Jin Xiaoye in tidying up the goods, although he was completely clueless.

Wu Baichuan, recognizing County Magistrate Gou, thought to himself: Li Qingzhi is truly unfathomable! Even the County Magistrate assists him with his work!

At that moment, Zhu Xunmiao arrived with Peng Jingliang and Zhou Shanchang.

Peng Jingliang and the others had departed that morning and arrived at Chongcheng County at noon.

After Governor Zhang arrived at Chongcheng County, he sought out Li Qingzhi, but they weren’t there. They had gone to Zhu’s house.

It was too hot in the afternoon, so they stayed at Zhu’s house until now, almost sunset, before coming to the lantern festival.

“Zixiao.” Zhou Shanchang saw Li Qingzhi and became even more enthusiastic than before.

He had already heard from Zhu before that Governor Zhang had come to find Li Qingzhi yesterday.

Since Governor Zhang valued Li Qingzhi so much, he even wanted Li Qingzhi to go to Chongwen Academy to study!

“Shanchang!” Li Qingzhi chatted with Zhou Shanchang.

Wu Baichuan: “!!!” Who is this person again? He seems to be a big shot too!

When Zhou Shanchang saw Li Qingzhi, he urged him to go to Chongwen Academy.

“Shanchang, I have a lot of things on my plate right now…” Li Qingzhi sighed, “After some time, I’ll definitely go to the capital.”

With Li Qingzhi’s promise, Zhou Shanchang left contentedly.

And County Magistrate Gou, seeing this scene, felt that he was incredibly lucky.

Fortunately, he had met Li Qingzhi early on, otherwise… the current Li Qingzhi definitely wouldn’t help him write the book.

Zhu Qian shared the same sentiment. He suddenly realized that the autobiography Li Qingzhi was writing for him might become the most valuable heirloom in their family.

County Magistrate Gou didn’t linger by Jin Xiaoye’s side for long.

He bought some dolls and other small items from Jin Xiaoye, intending to take them back for his two sons, then went elsewhere to stroll around.

He had initially wanted to bring his son along, but his son refused, so he had to give up.

Gou Ying definitely wouldn’t want to accompany County Magistrate Gou. His father always liked to criticize him, so following his father would only bring trouble upon himself, right?

Gou Ying preferred to help Jin Xiaoye sell things.

He found it quite enjoyable.

During the recent period, Gou Ying had been wandering around, so many people in Chongcheng County had come to recognize him, knowing that he was the son of County Magistrate Gou.

Unexpectedly, County Magistrate Gou’s son was actually helping Jin Xiaoye sell goods!

“Is that really County Magistrate Gou’s son?”

“It’s true. My father has a shop here. Before the lantern festival, he saw Zhu Qian and Chief Li case bringing him here to help.”

“I heard that he wrote the words on those lanterns. Is it true?”

“It’s true! My father said that Master Gou is approachable and very easy to get along with.”

“Let’s go buy something and get a closer look at him?”

“Okay!”

…

After the two young girls finished chatting, they went to Jin Xiaoye’s booth to buy some things, and secretly glanced at Gou Ying.

County Magistrate Gou’s son was tall and looked good, but he was only thirteen years old, still quite naive-looking. They were both fifteen or sixteen years old… sigh!

But even if they were of similar age, the son of the county magistrate would definitely not look at them.

Disappointed, the two girls left, and soon others came to look at Gou Ying.

However, they only looked and didn’t do anything.

“Gou’s son is really handsome.”

“I heard he’s very knowledgeable.”

“He’s also easy to get along with, without any airs!”

…

In recent days, Jin Moli also came to the lantern festival.

Since Jin Liushu refused to go with her to sell rice, she had put away her rice-selling stall.

The extra grain at home had long been sold, and now it was hot… she didn’t want to suffer at the pier.

After stopping selling rice, Jin Moli had more free time, naturally having time to attend the lantern festival.

She had always enjoyed such lively events, and coupled with the money she earned from selling rice before… Jin Moli bought quite a few odds and ends.

But every time she went, she always circled around Jin Xiaoye’s booth, until today, when she finally came near Jin Xiaoye’s booth and glanced around.

She had heard about County Magistrate Gou’s son helping Jin Xiaoye sell goods.

She was really curious!

She remembered in her past life, County Magistrate Gou’s son was notorious for being unruly, always wandering outside without returning home. When he argued with County Magistrate Gou, he even threatened to jump into the river—but of course, he jumped into a small ditch, nothing serious.

Fang Zijian was killed by Fang Xiuniang only after he passed the imperial examination. In her past life at this time, County Magistrate Gou wasn’t removed from office. That year, County Magistrate Gou didn’t seem to measure land at all, it seemed like… he was looking for his son every day?

County Magistrate Gou had been scolded in Chongcheng County all along, and everyone said that County Magistrate Gou’s son was nothing but trouble because County Magistrate Gou hadn’t done a good job, which led to him having such a debt-collecting son.

But now… how come the son of County Magistrate Gou, who had always been criticized, was being praised by people?

Jin Moli hadn’t seen Gou Ying in her past life, and even after seeing him in this life, she didn’t notice anything amiss. In the end, feeling conflicted, she headed towards Jin Liushu.

“Brother,” Jin Moli called expressionlessly.

When they were selling rice together, Jin Liushu found Jin Moli annoying, but after he stopped working, he felt a bit guilty towards his sister.

Smiling at Jin Moli, Jin Liushu handed her a braised egg. “Moli, have an egg.”

Jin Moli didn’t want to eat anything from Jin Xiaoye’s booth, but this egg smelled too good… She took a bite and asked Jin Liushu, “Brother, do you know County Magistrate Gou’s son?”

“I know! Master Gou’s son is quite nice,” Jin Liushu said.

Before the lantern festival, Gou Ying had been helping out on the new pier, being generous and giving food to the hired workers, so everyone spoke well of him.

And since he was County Magistrate Gou’s son, he couldn’t be bad!

With this in mind, Jin Liushu picked out some things he had heard and told Jin Moli.

Jin Moli: “…” This is different from the past life again!

As he continued speaking, Jin Liushu added, “Moli, do you know? Uncle and Aunt are going to open a shop in the city to sell braised meat! Their family is really thriving. It’s only been a few months! We just can’t catch up!”

In her past life, her Uncle and Aunt also opened a braised meat shop in the county town… Jin Moli felt very unhappy.

But thinking that Jin Xiaoye couldn’t make a lot of money selling braised meat only in Chongcheng County for the time being, Jin Moli felt a bit relieved.

In her past life, it took Jin Xiaoye many years to realize that she could open a shop in nearby counties and the capital! It was from that time onwards that she started earning more money…

She was wearing clothes worth several dozen coins, several dozen coins!

Just as she was thinking this, Jin Moli heard Jin Liushu continue, “Moli, Jin Xiaoshu went to the capital several times recently. I heard they’re also planning to open a shop in the capital…”

Jin Moli: “…” She shouldn’t have talked to her brother. Now that he mentioned it… she lost her appetite for the braised egg in her hand!

The Yao family, along with their grandchildren and son, came to the lantern festival and spotted Jin Moli from afar.

As a mother, Jin Moli shouldn’t have come out to play alone without her children, let alone sneaking to eat delicious food…

Mrs. Yao looked disapprovingly at Jin Moli again!

Mainly there to enjoy the lantern festival, Shanchang and the others didn’t chat much with Li Qingzhi.

The next day, they left Chongcheng County and returned to the capital.

It was also on this day that “Juewei Zhai” opened in Chongcheng County.

Jin Xiaoshu rented a shop for his parents, which wasn’t large, but being near the old pier, there were many shops here and plenty of people. There wouldn’t be a shortage of customers buying braised meat.

Jin’s parents couldn’t read, but they could use scales and handle money, so selling small items wasn’t a problem.

Li Qingzhi went to take a look and saw the couple working with smiles on their faces, doing quite well. He quietly returned home to continue writing his articles.

Around the same time, Governor Zhang, holding the two essays Li Qingzhi had given him, found  Fang Shanchang  from Anjiang Academy.

 Fang Shanchang  greeted Zhang, saying, “Zhang Zhiru, finally, I see you! Come over here, I have something to ask you!”

 Fang Shanchang  was much older than Zhang, but he didn’t have as much gray hair.

Zhang took a seat in front of him. “What does  Fang Shanchang  want to ask me?”

 Fang Shanchang  inquired, “Are you really associated with Lu Qingxi? Why do you want to help Lu Qingxi? His reputation isn’t very good!”

Zhang smiled wryly. “I am not his associate.”

“I knew it couldn’t be true!”  Fang Shanchang  exclaimed. “Although Lu Qingxi’s reputation is quite poor, there’s no evidence of him doing anything outrageously wrong. Reputation… let’s not dwell on it!”

Zhang smiled bitterly but remained silent.

The Crown Prince had a good reputation before, but in reality? He wasn’t a good person!

“By the way, what do you want with me?”  Fang Shanchang  asked Zhang.

Zhang took out the two essays Li Qingzhi wrote. “Can these articles be published in ‘Anjiang Collection’?”