Old Man Yun was startled and looked towards the inner room, "What... what noise?"
"It sounds like Guihua's room, hurry and check it out!" Mrs. Gu's face paled, and without a word, she rushed towards the west wing.
Old Man Yun and the village chief also hurried in.
Upon entering, they saw Zhao Guihua lying on the ground, with a broken teacup beside her. Her hands and forehead were scraped...
Seeing this, Mrs. Gu quickly stepped forward to help Guihua up, "Oh, eldest daughter-in-law, didn't I tell you to lie down properly on the kang? If you're thirsty or hungry, just call out. What if you get hurt?"
Zhao Guihua hadn't exercised much recently and had gained a bit of weight. Mrs. Gu couldn't lift her alone, so Old Man Yun had to step forward and help her onto the kang...
"Wuwu, Dad, Mom, wuwu!"
After lying down, Zhao Guihua sobbed, "Is what the village chief just said true? Da Man... Da Man is really acting improperly outside?"
"That's all slander!"
Mrs. Gu took out a handkerchief and wiped Zhao Guihua's face, "Even if there's nothing going on, it's spread from one to ten, and then to a hundred, and it's said that something has happened. Just rest assured and don't overthink it..."
Zhao Guihua cried even harder upon hearing this. She wanted to grab Mrs. Gu's hand, but she had no strength in her body, so she choked out, "Wuwu, Mom, what did I tell you? Ever since Da Man became the county magistrate, he's returned home so few times that you can count them on one hand. Even if he's busy with official duties, shouldn't he... shouldn't he come back to see his parents?!"
"The last time Da Man came home, I felt like he had become a different person. His walking posture was like a proud rooster, so smug."
"I can't even get out of bed now. I have to rely on Cai Xia and you, Mom, to help me with washing, cooking, and going to the outhouse. Da Man is a man, after all. Would he fancy a wife like me?"
"You should say less!" Old Man Yun interrupted Zhao Guihua, his brow furrowed. "Da Man hasn't done anything to wrong you. Why are you wailing like this? Did you catch him with another woman outside?"
Things hadn't even taken shape yet, and she was already crying her eyes out...
Before, Old Man Yun's favorite daughter-in-law was Zhao Guihua.
But ever since Yun Gui Fang opened, Zhao Guihua had become neurotic, as if the whole world owed her something...
"Dad, this is definitely true. If you don't believe me, quietly go and inquire. There are no secrets that can't be leaked!" Zhao Guihua said unconvincingly.
Old Man Yun: "..."
With all the rumors flying around outside, what was he supposed to inquire about?
Whatever he found out would also be rumors, and hearing them would only make him more agitated.
"Oh, Da Man's wife!"
The village chief walked to the edge of the kang and looked at Zhao Guihua, "The more you dwell on such matters, the more distressed you'll become. If you want to know the truth, bring Da Man back and let him tell you himself. What problem can we solve by crying and arguing here?"
"Let him tell us himself?" Zhao Guihua's eyes were red from crying, and she snorted coldly, "Have you ever seen a man who cheats outside confess when he returns? You think too highly of Da Man!"
Village Chief: "..."
If I listen to you, then there are no good men in this world.
Mrs. Gu glared at Zhao Guihua, "That's enough. We'll talk about what happened when Da Man returns!"
With that, Mrs. Gu looked at Old Man Yun, "Old man, take some time to go to the county town and summon Da Man back. Also, go and see San Man, and ask if Fang'er and Miss Murong have been found..."
Fang'er had been missing for so long with no news.
San Man had been worried and distracted by this matter every day, and the silk shop hadn't been open for several days...
"Alright, after the sow finishes farrowing, I'll go to the county town!" Old Man Yun agreed.
Zhao Guihua lowered her tearful eyes, a hint of imperceptible emotion flashing within them.
At the same time, inside the county office of Heyang County.
Yun Da Man had just finished handling a theft case and was about to have some tea to rest when Advisor Zuo suddenly walked over, "County Magistrate, that mother and daughter are here again, saying they have urgent matters to see you..."
Alas, if it weren't for that mother and daughter causing trouble every day, County Magistrate Yun wouldn't have been slandered.
Others might not know Yun Da Man's character, but Advisor Zuo knew him too well.
Advisor Zuo had known him since Da Man went to Tuofeng Mountain to plant agarwood trees...
How could such a proper and honest person abandon his wife and child and be ungrateful?
"Quickly chase them out! If they dare to cause trouble again, I'll have them thrown into prison to reflect on their actions..." Yun Da Man said irritably.
Advisor Zuo looked troubled, "County Magistrate, this mother and daughter are here to appeal for justice. If you ignore them, you might be labeled as someone who 'doesn't do practical things for the common people'..."
Many people were eager to see Yun Da Man make a fool of himself. If he was caught in a bind, his official position might be in jeopardy.
Yun Da Man shot Advisor Zuo a glare, "Then what do you suggest?"
If he continued to get entangled with that mother and daughter, he wouldn't be able to explain things to his parents and Guihua...
Advisor Zuo pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, "Sir, why don't you summon them in? Just go through the motions. It's better than letting them kneel outside the county office, clamoring about their grievances, even if you don't see them!"
Da Man was no longer the same as before; he did things according to his own will...
After becoming the county magistrate, he had to maintain the dignity of the county office and the imperial court in everything he did.
Yun Da Man listened and looked displeased, "People like this deserve to be taught a lesson. Lock them up and beat them soundly, and they'll behave..."
"Sir, you must not act on impulse at this time. If you agree, I'll call them in, and you can hide in the inner room!" Advisor Zuo said helplessly.
Yun Da Man hesitated for a moment, then let out a cold snort and resentfully stood up and went back to the inner room...
Dealing with such troublesome matters was truly taxing.
Yun Da Man had planned to buy some things later and return to the village to see Guihua and his parents, but he was blocked at the county office by Madam Kang and her daughter Cai Kexin...
Sometimes he felt that his position as county magistrate was too pathetic and too unsuccessful.
He had power but dared not use it; he wanted to put on airs but couldn't; he was not as at ease as when he was farming in the village...
A moment later, Madam Kang and Cai Kexin, following Advisor Zuo, slowly walked into the courtroom.
"Where is the county magistrate?" Madam Kang looked around.
Advisor Zuo's face was cold, "The official is out on business. You can wait here..."
After speaking, Advisor Zuo went back to his work without even offering them a bowl of water.