Chapter 228: It’s Time for Me to Go Home Too
Dr. Jin took this opportunity to tell Wen Xiuyi about the situation regarding the Prefectural Governor.
The Prefectural Governor’s surname was Lu, and his given name was a single character, Ning. He was around the same age as Manager Qiu. Generally speaking, this man was considered someone who actually got things done. However, in officialdom, there were always some things that were ambiguous and hard to explain. As long as he didn’t cross the line too much and didn’t exploit the common people for their wealth, he could be counted as a good official.
Wen Xiuyi nodded. Judging by the fact that the man was willing to have him go over to improve the cultivation methods of the commoners, he couldn’t be a bad person. After all, what corrupt official would ever care about whether the common people lived or died?
Before long, Manager Qiu finished writing a letter, sealed it neatly in an envelope, and handed it to Wen Xiuyi. “Take this letter with you tomorrow. Once you arrive at the prefectural office, just hand it over to Lord Lu. Don’t worry, I have already told him everything that needs to be said in the letter. He won’t make things difficult for you; you just need to focus on doing what you’re supposed to do.”
Wen Xiuyi tucked the letter away securely without opening it to read the contents, and expressed his thanks to the two men.
“Then I shall head back first. I need to go inform my family. My dad and mom are still worrying, utterly terrified that I had provoked the Magistrate and was being targeted,” Wen Xiuyi said, recalling the expressions on his family’s faces this morning when they saw the bailiffs coming for him.
The two men nodded and saw Wen Xiuyi out. Wen Xiuyi merely instructed Wen Jun to return home a bit earlier tonight because he had matters to discuss with him, and then he departed.
As soon as he left, Manager Qiu and Dr. Jin returned to the study.
“I suspect this was arranged by the Prince, wasn’t it?” Dr. Jin exposed the truth in a single remark.
Manager Qiu did not deny it. Previously, when Li Fu wanted to avoid Wen Xiuyi, he had hidden right here at his place.
Manager Qiu said, “This is an opportunity for Brother Wen, and it can be considered paving the way for the future. When the Prince of Fu returns this time, he will inevitably report the matters regarding the corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes to the Emperor. Although Brother Wen holds the status of a scholar, he is ultimately just a commoner. What the Prince wants is for the Emperor to see his genuine capabilities.
“No matter what the future holds, as long as Brother Wen truly solves the problem of the people’s crop yields, this will be his monumental merit, and others will not be able to find any fault with him.”
Dr. Jin pondered for a moment and asked, “Then in the future, they will go to the capital, right?”
Manager Qiu cast a glance at him and said, “Brother Wen’s capabilities will not be limited to this place. What we can do right now is simply protect their family well. Oh, by the way, are there any results regarding the matter Yao’er asked your son to investigate earlier?”
Dr. Jin nodded. “Yes. This Meng De also came out of Yunwu Town. Back then, he passed the imperial exams in one shot and entered the Hanlin Academy. After that, he kept working in the Hanlin Academy and married the legitimate daughter of the former Hanlin Academy Chancellor, Song Wenbai. Under the promotion of his father-in-law, he has managed reasonably well.
“A few years ago, Song Wenbai’s daughter passed away from illness, leaving behind a daughter. Early last year, he returned to Yunwu Town and took away his childhood sweetheart—which is to say, Datou’s mother.
“This person possesses formidable methods and has associated closely with many influential officials and noble personages, maintaining very intimate relations with them. However, regarding Yao’er’s worry that they might return to take Datou away, I feel it is not impossible. My son wrote in his letter that after Lady Liu followed him into the capital, she has not conceived to this day.”
Lady Liu had followed Meng De to the capital for a very long time already, yet they still had no children. The phrase “has not conceived to this day” carried a lot of room for intrigue.
It could not be ruled out that since these two people had no son, they might direct their thoughts toward Datou. After all, Datou was young and didn’t remember much. If they brought him to the capital and raised him for a few years, he would completely forget about the matters here. When the time came, whatever Meng De said would be the law.
Hearing his words, Manager Qiu’s brows also knit tightly together. If that were truly the case, then they absolutely could not let them take Datou away. This Meng De fawned upon the influential and acted like a petty scoundrel; if Datou followed them, he would inevitably be corrupted.
It didn’t matter in the past, but Datou was now his adoptive son. He would absolutely not allow anyone to ruin Datou’s future.
“No matter. Right now, Brother Wen’s family has the Prince of Fu as a backer. Even if Meng De wants to do something, he won’t be able to pull it off,” Manager Qiu summarized.
Dr. Jin nodded. Even without the Prince of Fu, given Wen Xiuyi and Yao’er’s temperaments, they probably wouldn’t let Meng De and Lady Liu have their way either.
Furthermore, this was merely a worry on Yao’er and the others’ part. Perhaps Lady Liu was currently enjoying glory and wealth with Meng De in the capital, having long since forgotten about these two sons and one daughter.
Wen Xiuyi found an ox cart at the city gate, took a seat, and headed back to Gutong Village. Because it wasn’t an ox cart from their own village, he still had to walk quite a distance.
When he encountered villagers on the road, they all warmly asked him if he was alright. After all, the sight of Wen Xiuyi being taken away by bailiffs was something everyone had witnessed. The Wen family knew it was fine, but the others might not necessarily be sure.
Thus, upon seeing Wen Xiuyi, everyone was genuinely worried. No matter what Wen Xiuyi was like in the past, he was now the great benefactor in their hearts.
Feeling everyone’s warmth, the slight anxiety Wen Xiuyi felt about going on a long journey gradually dissolved.
Upon arriving home, Wen Xiuyi immediately sought out Old Man Wen, Old Madam Luo, and Wen Yao, explaining the situation to them.
Old Man Wen thought his ears were playing tricks on him, jumping straight up from the wooden bench in shock.
“What? Are you saying the Prefectural Governor invited you to teach everyone how to farm?” Old Man Wen could not believe it. He originally thought meeting the Magistrate was already incredible, but now his son was going to see the Prefectural Governor. This… he… oh my, whom should he find first to brag about this?
Seeing the smile emerging from the corners of Old Man Wen’s mouth, Old Madam Luo knew exactly what this man was thinking. Shooting him a warning glare, she then asked Wen Xiuyi, “Eldest, is it dangerous to go this time? Will the Prefectural Governor make things difficult for you?”
Hearing this from the side, Li Fu wished he could shout out loud: How dare he! This Prince would execute him!
But he held it in.
Wen Xiuyi quickly placated the old lady again, even pulling out the letter written by Manager Qiu to show her. Only then did the old lady set her mind at ease.
“That’s good then. I was just worried you would act recklessly and offend the Lord Governor,” Old Madam Luo said.
Wen Xiuyi’s heart softened; a child with a mother truly was a treasure.
“Mother, rest assured. I’m a grown man; I know what I’m doing and definitely won’t provoke the Prefectural Governor. I’m only going for a few days. The Magistrate said it would take half a month at most to return. During the time I’m away from home, I must trouble you, Elder, to watch over this group of kids for me, lest they tear down the roof if they aren’t beaten for three days.” Wen Xiuyi gave a chuckle.
Seeing his shameless appearance, Old Madam Luo’s expression also gradually relaxed. She glared at him and said, “The children are perfectly well-behaved; why do you need to worry? When are you leaving? Tomorrow? Then I’ll go pack your things. Yao’er, make some food for your dad that you can keep for a while.”
“Got it!” Wen Yao responded obediently. What was flashing through her mind, however, was that since Wen Xiuyi was going to the prefecture seat, did that mean she also had an excuse to go play?
Old Madam Luo took Nanny Shi to pack Wen Xiuyi’s things, while Wen Yao went to the kitchen to research what she could make for Wen Xiuyi to carry with him.
It was at this moment that Li Fu also sidled up to Wen Xiuyi and spoke up to take his leave.
“Brother Wen, having been away from home for so long, it’s time for me to go back too.”
