IDWBE -Chapter 510 Going Out

Xiao Xizi said earnestly, “Aunt, I’m telling the truth. Master said your cooking is excellent. Once your health is fully recovered, I’ll have to come by often—you mustn’t mind.”

Hong Mei smiled and said, “Don’t listen to your Master talking nonsense. Coming from a poor family, I’ve never had the good stuff or eaten the fine things. There’s no real skill in it—just simple meals. From now on, if you don’t mind, you can come every day.”

This was her brother’s disciple. When she had been sick, he had been running around helping her. Even the coldest heart could be warmed. She genuinely considered Xiao Xizi part of the family.

“Aunt, you said it yourself,” Xiao Xizi glanced at Qiu Lin and Second Sister and said with a smile, “You two need to witness this. If I start coming too often, you can’t chase me away.”

Second Sister laughed, “Brother Xizi, I’m more worried you won’t come at all. Maybe I’ll have to drag you over myself.”

“Exactly, exactly,” Qiu Lin chimed in, “As long as you come, our whole family will welcome you.”

Hong Family’s son-in-law was a simple, honest man, dressed in patched gray cloth. At the moment, he was squatting on a stone bench in the courtyard, rolling tobacco for his pipe.

Seeing the small bag Xiao Xizi handed him, he looked puzzled.

Xiao Xizi said, “This is shredded tobacco from Baocheng in Yuzhou. Many of Ankang City’s officials and nobles smoke this. Try some. If you like it, I’ll get you more next time.”

Before her husband could speak, Hong Mei quickly said, “Xizi, you can’t spoil him with this habit. For a small family like ours, if he gets addicted, it’ll be troublesome.”

“Try it first,” Xiao Xizi insisted, forcing it into Hong Family’s son-in-law’s hands, then turned to Hong Mei. “Aunt, this tobacco isn’t that expensive. Just one bag—it’ll last a year or more. Our uncle has no other hobbies, so if he likes it, we’ll indulge him. Nothing serious.”

He then pulled out a stack of papers from his chest, smiling. “Master instructed me to get these. I just received them this morning. Second Brother, Third Brother, you’ve read and can recognize words—come take a look. These are our property deeds and land deeds. Check for any mistakes. If anything’s wrong, I can correct it at the government office later.”

Qiu Lin didn’t hold back, taking the deeds and reading each one. Excited, he said, “They’re in Mother’s name!”

Hong Mei hesitated. “The silver…”

Her brother had mentioned it, but seeing the house in person shocked her.

The house had two front courtyards and two back courtyards. In their countryside, only a landlord with a thousand acres could live like this. Without three or four hundred taels of silver, it was impossible to prepare.

And this was Ankang City—under the emperor’s eye.

“Aunt, the silver is already arranged by Master. You don’t need to worry,”

Xiao Xizi said with a smile, “We just need to live here in peace. Also, according to the household count, our family can purchase thirty acres of cultivated land, ready for planting immediately.”

The shy Hong Family son-in-law suddenly stood up. “Where is the land? Buying land requires carefulness. You are not farmers; you won’t understand the ways. Don’t let anyone trick you into buying sandy or saline land.”

Xiao Xizi smiled. “Uncle, don’t worry. I’ve called the local village chief. He’ll be here soon to guide you in inspecting the land.”

Hong Family’s son-in-law laughed heartily, “I need to see for myself. If they trick us, we’ll settle accounts with them.”

“That’s right,” Xiao Xizi joked, “Once you inspect, remember not to forget later and plant on someone else’s field.”

A rare flush appeared on the dark-skinned man’s face. He shouted, “Impossible! I’ve farmed my whole life and never done such a shameful thing!”

“That’s good, that’s good,” Xiao Xizi said as He Lian led an old man in linen clothes into the courtyard.

The old man lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Xiao Xizi said, “Uncle, this is the local village chief. If you don’t understand something, just ask him.”

“Yes, yes,” The chief quickly responded.

Although he didn’t know who this person in the snow-white robe with a goose-like voice was, he knew he couldn’t offend him.

At noon, Hong An sent over a pile of grain and meat.

Hong Mei scolded lightly, “You child, buying so much meat—aren’t you afraid it’ll go bad? Next time, buy only what we can eat.”

Hong An pointed to Xiao Xizi and He Lian. “Aunt, with so many freeloaders here, you don’t need to worry about finishing it. I’m worried it won’t be enough.”

Hong Mei shook her head helplessly. “Even though you eat the government’s rations, you have a limited income every month. Spending like this, saving will be hard.”

Hong An covered her mouth, laughing. “Aunt, you underestimate me. Eating won’t bankrupt me. Don’t worry your heart.”

She sometimes lamented poverty, but as a young woman, she hadn’t spent much and had saved plenty.

Moreover, the blind man’s savings were now in her hands.

She had always known the blind man wasn’t short on money, but seeing his accumulation shocked her.

Apparently, fortune-telling could make so much money!

Just as Fang Pi said: hundreds or thousands of taels for a single fate reading—the blind man gave or refused depending on his mood.

Now she was indeed a small wealthy lady.

“You are a capable girl,” Hong Mei laughed. “No one should underestimate you.”

Hong An deliberately raised her head. “Aunt, just keep that in mind. You stay here in the sun while I show off my cooking in the kitchen.”

Her Master’s household were all ordinary people. Following his instructions, they didn’t hire servants or maids.

Even cooking had to be done by themselves.

“An sister, you rest. I’ll handle this,” Second Sister held her in place, running back and forth between the kitchen, “Second Brother, come add fire.”

Second Brother, reading under the peach tree, was about to get up but was held down by Hong An. “Brother, just focus on your studies. If you become the top scholar one day, we’ll share the glory.”

For the first time, Qiu Kuan, so close to a girl, smelled her faint fragrance and saw her face like a blossoming peach flower, and shyly lowered his head.

Xiao Xizi saw it all but didn’t dare take them to a red-light district.

His Master had high hopes for this child. If the boy’s studies were disrupted, he would take the blame.

Better not to act, or act minimally to avoid mistakes.

The sun grew hotter.

Although the National Academy no longer had top students, it was still lively.

Today was the graduation ceremony of the “Fourth Lawyer Training Course of Daliang Kingdom.”

Minister of Justice Xing Keshou, enduring the heat, gave a passionate speech to over two hundred lawyers from all over Daliang Kingdom.

“To uphold the law, it must be clear and understandable…”

“Public and private matters must be clear; justice must be precise.”

“The law transcends past and present; it must suit the time and comfort the people. A constitution benefits the nation, the ruler, and the state…”

“The nation has established law; even in crisis, it does not collapse…”

“We must always adhere to and practice Prince He’s principles of governing the country by law…”

After he finished, the crowd erupted in applause, many moved to tears.

Finally, the sun no longer tormented them.

With support from the new supervisor Han Jin, Xing Keshou carefully stepped down from the wooden platform.

Sitting in the hall, servants wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Han Jin handed him a cup of tea. “Sir, have some tea to soothe your throat.”

Xing Keshou sipped, tilted his head back, gargled, and then took a small sip, sighing, “I can’t do it anymore. I’m old. Standing for even a short while leaves me gasping.”

Han Jin laughed, “Sir, even we young ones can barely endure. In my opinion, there’s no need to rush. We can hold the ceremony later when it’s cooler.”

Xing Keshou smiled. “I was young once. When I came to the capital for exams, it wasn’t easy. These lawyers from across the kingdom are the same. Every day costs more; better to send them off early, saving them a day’s expenses.”

Han Jin laughed, “You’re too considerate. They probably won’t want to leave Ankang City anyway. Whether Chunxiang House or Xinghua House, they spend lavishly—more than us.”

Xing Keshou said, “Those are exceptions. Students from Yuezhou, like Tu Xinhua, or from Nanzhou, Luo Shengyun, are from poor families. After getting their lawyer’s license, they earned little. They borrowed money for this training and planned to leave today.”

Nearby, Grand Minister Chen Jingzhi complimented, “Sir, your insight is remarkable. We are fortunate.”

Xing Keshou laughed, “Your son-in-law returns home today. You’re not at home but here with me. Aren’t you worried you’ll chill his heart?”

Chen Jingzhi straightened, “Sir, you jest. I always prioritize work and would never slack off.”

He realized marrying a lowly daughter to Jiao Zhong was the right choice. Even Xing Keshou was joking with him now!

Survival means rising again when everyone assumes you’re doomed.

Xing Keshou waved. “Enough. You may leave. It’s your son-in-law’s first visit; don’t neglect him.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

Chen Jingzhi, seeing him insist, left.

Xing Keshou looked at the old Twelfth Official wiping sweat. “Prince Yong’an, thank you for waiting.”

The Twelfth Official said, “Sir, command as you will. I will obey without question.”

Xing Keshou said, “This involves the matter of the West Xiang County Prince. By procedure, it should be handled by the Imperial Clan Court. You can take him from the Ministry of Justice afterward.”

The Twelfth Official said sternly, “Sir, you jest. My elder brother strongly promotes governing by law. If a prince breaks the law, he faces the same consequences as a commoner. A minor county prince dared kill someone in public—flagrant lawlessness. By the law, he should be executed at the Meridian Gate!”

Xing Keshou laughed, “As Left Clan Chief of the Imperial Clan, I mainly worry about your difficulties, Your Highness.”

The Twelfth Official hurried, “Not difficult. Proceed according to the law!”

In reality, his position was nominal. Occasionally, if officials wanted a relative executed, they would notify him. He’d rush over to sign papers and take responsibility.

Other relatives despised him, wishing they could kill him.

He really considered defying his elder brother, but the silver was too tempting. For money, a little blame seemed fine.

Xing Keshou stroked his beard. “Prince Yong’an’s justice is truly a blessing to the people.”

“Not so,” Prince Yong’an quickly denied. “Under my elder brother’s wise leadership, I uphold truth, ideals, and responsibility, acting courageously and selflessly!”

A harmonious society, everyone has a duty.

Learn math and science; travel across Liang Kingdom safely.

Garbage must be centralized; control mosquitoes and flies.

Those who fight go to jail.

Break the law, the village pays.

Raise pigs and grow tubers to prosper.

If you cause trouble, we burn paper.

These slogans covered Ankang City streets.

After seeing them so often, it was second nature.

“Exactly,” Xing Keshou smiled quietly, impressed with Prince Yong’an. He had trained even the unruly prince to be obedient.

“Shall I take my leave now?”

Prince Yong’an asked tentatively.

Xing Keshou bowed. “I’ve troubled you, Your Highness. Please, go ahead.”

The prince dashed off.

Every extra moment with the old Xing Keshou felt torturous.

Watching his hasty retreat, Xing Keshou sighed, “Prince Yong’an is becoming increasingly interesting.”

Han Jin didn’t dare comment, smiling along. “The prince is incognito. Your responsibilities are already heavy.”

“Duty requires it; I do what I must,”

For Xing Keshou and others, the prince’s presence in Ankang City didn’t change their work much.

Prince Yong’an, the Regent of Daliang Kingdom, was more of a symbol, rallying people toward a shared goal.

Meanwhile, Lin Yi rode the donkey, snapping his hands to swat a few mosquitoes buzzing around. Looking back at the city shrinking behind him, he suddenly regretted leaving.

Why leave a quiet life as a homebody for this?

Wasn’t he making life harder for himself?

But he had already come this far—turning back would invite ridicule.