The hall was abuzz with noise, but Shen Yuning somehow caught the words of that clear and cold male voice. She instinctively looked up and immediately showed a delighted expression. Just as she was about to step forward to pay respects, she suddenly remembered something. Instead, she adopted the etiquette of a gentle and ladylike young lady, clasping her fists and bowing.
"We didn't know that Lord Chen was coming. It's our fault for failing to greet you properly."
Those present were all ordinary commoners. Among the occasional wealthy young masters, most were from merchant families. Hearing that the visitor was an official, their expressions changed one after another. Immediately, they knelt down one by one to pay respects to the official.
This person was none other than Chen Wenwei, the county magistrate of Yun County. He was slightly taken aback for a moment, then immediately laughed heartily and said, "Sister Yuning, your words are really too formal. You and I have known each other since childhood. Why do you need to be so distant? Moreover, I'm here today just to add some fun for an old friend. Everyone, please get up quickly. Don't perform such grand ceremonies."
Shopkeeper Yong was as shrewd as a fox. He immediately understood who this Lord Chen was. He then glanced at Shen Yuning from the corner of his eye and thought to himself that no wonder this girl dared to make a comeback after being hit several times. It turned out that she had someone backing her up.
He then recalled that the last time he had stood up for this girl and caught a glimpse of some secrets, he had further realized that this girl was not an ordinary person.
However, her official documents clearly stated that she was just an ordinary villager from Shenjiapo.
Shopkeeper Yong rolled his eyes. He wasn't a person who delved into things deeply. He believed that it was wiser to stay out of curiosity and prying in order to protect himself. Now that he had discovered that Shen Yuning was not an ordinary person, although he was quite surprised in his heart, he only took it as a warning and didn't want to investigate the matter.
Shen Yuning told Shen Fugui and Zhang Rong to take care of the shop and invited Chen Wenwei to the back to have tea.
Now that she was no longer the daughter of the Xue family, she didn't even have a handy maid by her side. She had to do everything herself, but she didn't seem the least bit awkward. She brewed the tea and served it in front of Chen Wenwei, then sat opposite him.
Chen Wenwei looked at the ordinary tea cup and the mediocre-looking tea. He couldn't help but sigh and said, "In the past, Sister Yuning was very particular. Even when washing her hands to brew tea, she emphasized using a good cup to bring out the charm of good tea. But now, seeing you like this, it's really quite different."
Shen Yuning knew that he wasn't just talking about the tea. She smiled faintly and said, "I still remember that Second Brother Chen used to teach us younger ones. He once said that it's better to adapt to circumstances than to be proficient in everything. I used to argue with him about this, but now I realize that it's actually the most difficult thing to do."
The Second Brother Chen she was referring to was Chen Wenwei's older brother. Chen Wenwei also reminisced about the scenes of their childhood when they were earnestly taught by the older brothers of the Chen and Xue families.
However, time had passed and circumstances had changed. Now, each of them had their own situation.
"Your elder brother wrote to me. Only then did I know about what happened to your family. Later, I found out that you had come to Yun County. I originally wanted to come and see you earlier. But Brother Xue repeatedly told me that if you didn't look for me, I shouldn't bother you."
Shen Yuning nodded. This was indeed the way her elder cousin did things. He never did things to add to someone's glory, but he would definitely offer help in times of need.
"Actually, I used to think that since I'm just an ordinary peasant girl now, I shouldn't have any more connections with the Xue family. If it weren't for all the setbacks, I wouldn't have troubled Lord Chen."
Chen Wenwei felt quite sad when he heard her speaking so politely and distantly, addressing him as Lord Chen instead of Fourth Brother Chen as before. People and things had changed. He had come to this poor and remote place for experience and self - cultivation, while Shen Yuning had been forced into this situation.
"Sister Yuning, you don't need to be so distant from me..."
Shen Yuning quickly said, "Lord Chen, in the past, the Chen and Xue families were family friends. It was normal for you to treat me like a younger sister. But now, you're an official and I'm a commoner. I'm no longer a girl from the Xue family. It's really inappropriate to be like before."
Chen Wenwei had a lot of words on the tip of his tongue, like asking why it was inappropriate. But in the end, he swallowed them back and just lowered his head to drink tea to cover his embarrassment.
Although Shen Yuning was distant, seeing the county magistrate, she had more things to say. She immediately told him everything about Cen Xiaoniang and Xi'er in detail, and then quickly asked, "In the past in the capital, I didn't know that there were so many barbarians in the countryside. They treat women like livestock, beating, scolding and selling them at will. Now that I'm in such a difficult situation myself, I really feel that women are so pitiful. Lord, as the parent - official of this area, have you ever thought about dealing with such things?"
Chen Wenwei looked embarrassed and said earnestly, "To be honest, I've been in Yun County for two years, and I'm quite surprised. Originally, Lingcheng was a prosperous place. Why do the people in many of its subordinate counties live such a miserable life? In the past two years, I've been concentrating on reforming, reducing taxes and opening up new roads. But I've only realized how difficult it is when implementing these measures. Not to mention that the memorial for the reform sent to the capital, it was sent back even before reaching Lingcheng. Fortunately, my father and elder brother in the court have helped me solve many troubles."
He put down the tea cup, stood up and sighed again, "Now I've managed Yun County quite well, and it has become a model in the Emperor's mouth. It's really a blessing for the common people. But regarding the situation you mentioned, I'm at a loss. At the beginning of this year, a group of abducted women were found in a town, and we also found out about the things behind it. But the higher - ups pressured me, and those women were all afraid of ruining their reputations. None of them stood up to take the lead. So I didn't know where to start the investigation."
He spoke vaguely. Shen Yuning knew that he was concerned that she was a woman and didn't want to clearly say what those women were doing. So she didn't urge him and just spoke softly.
"When I first arrived at Shenjiapo, I almost was sold by Second Aunt Shen. If it weren't for my second elder brother who found me in time and took me away, I'm afraid I would have fallen into that quagmire by now."
She said it lightly, but Chen Wenwei had not only read various official documents in the past two years, but also visited the common people on the spot. Naturally, he knew the danger inside. At that moment, he just felt extremely heart - ache. Seeing his younger sister's calm appearance, he clenched his fists even more tightly and felt that he should step up his efforts to prevent Sister Yuning from suffering such a situation again.
Chen Wenwei looked up at the front hall separated by a wall. Hearing the enthusiastic applause outside, he turned back to Shen Yuning and said, "Sister Yuning's embroidery workshop has a good reputation. I've also heard about it in Yun County. Why don't you move the embroidery workshop to the county town? Then it will be easier for me to take care of you. Otherwise, if something happens, I won't be able to come in time."
Shen Yuning shook her head and declined, "Lord, you don't need to be so polite. Your presence today is like giving me support. The merchants in Xitian Town will naturally not dare to bully me casually when they know that I'm an old acquaintance of yours. As for the embroidery workshop, it has just officially started. I should take it step by step and move forward steadily."
Seeing that she didn't agree, Chen Wenwei didn't force her. He just said that he wanted to ask about the matter of Cen Xiaoniang and Xi'er.
Hearing what the lord and the shop - owner said, Cen Xiaoniang just shook her head and said that now her personal contract was in the shop - owner's hands, so she was the shop - owner's servant. She also said that even if they found her natal family for her, she didn't want to recognize them anymore. Now that she was alone, she was much happier than before.
Shen Yuning didn't force her either. She said to Chen Wenwei again, "Cen Xiaoniang's situation is relatively simple. Moreover, this kind of thing of selling wives and daughters is really too common. There's a saying that the law doesn't punish the majority. Lord, you can't arrest all those people, can you?"
Chen Wenwei didn't mean to arrest all those who sold their wives and daughters either. He just wanted to find a breakthrough.
Shen Yuning quickly offered a plan, "In my humble opinion, it's not advisable to arrest people violently. Instead, we should do a good job in publicity. We can let people regularly go to each town and explain the detailed laws of the Great Zhou regarding the buying and selling of family members layer by layer. When the common people know that these are criminal acts, they will naturally stop doing them."
Chen Wenwei hesitated, "But it will take time for this method to take effect. It needs to gradually penetrate into everyone's mind. But for now, we have to find the source of the evil deeds and stop them, right?"
Shen Yuning nodded in agreement, "Things like Cen Xiaoniang's are too common. If you arrest people rashly, it will arouse the dissatisfaction of the clan. If they unite and cause trouble, it will be difficult for you to handle the situation."
The former Shen Yuning would naturally not have considered so much. But just now, after hearing what Lord Chen said, she deeply understood that the situation was too complicated. It wasn't just in Yun County, but also some people in Lingcheng were doing evil things. Lord Chen was a young county magistrate. He was only able to achieve what he had now because of the Chen family's background. If he took rash actions and offended the interests of those behind the scenes, he would only end up working hard for nothing.
She continued, "However, evil deeds like those in Xi'er's family must be dealt with. Treating a married wife like livestock and even reselling her for money when divorcing her. If everyone follows this example, won't it be in a complete mess?"
During this period, Shen Yuning had taken good care of Xi'er. Although she was still a bit crazy and silly from time to time, she had mostly recovered. Especially when she picked up the needle and thread, there was no longer the dull and blank look in her eyes, but a happy expression.
But what she said was still the words of a crazy person, "The better I embroider and the more money I take back, the better they will treat Qiangzi."
Shen Yuning was very afraid that she would be stimulated. When she brought her in front of Lord Chen, she was a bit uneasy. But when she gently told Xi'er that the upright and just lord in front of her could uphold justice for her, Xi'er's tears suddenly flowed down. She knelt on the ground and cried bitterly.
This scene made Chen Wenwei feel sad. He quickly reached out his hand to help her up and said, "If you have any grievances, just tell this official. This official will definitely make the decision for you."
Xi'er wiped away her tears and nodded forcefully, "Lord, this commoner woman wants to file a lawsuit against my ex - husband Wu Dazhuang and his new wife. They pushed my son into the pond and drowned him. Please, lord, make the decision for my wrongly - killed son."
Because of Xi'er's madness and silliness, everyone in the embroidery workshop talked to her very carefully. They just pretended that her son was still alive and that there was still a baby in the empty swaddling clothes. Even Zhang Rong and Cen Xiaoniang didn't dare to bring the child over to play with Xi'er for fear of stimulating her.
Unexpectedly, although Xi'er was mentally confused, she was actually clearer than anyone else in her heart. She had known for a long time that her child was no longer alive, but she just couldn't accept it for a long time.
She told the whole story. Only then did Shen Yuning know that after Xi'er's son died, her ex - husband had hidden the truth in order for her to continue earning money for the family. He and his mistress had been living a carefree life. And every time Xi'er went back home and wanted to see her son, her ex - husband had used various excuses to push her away.
Later, a neighbor's wife couldn't stand it anymore and secretly told her the truth. Only then did Xi'er know what had happened. After that, she was driven out of the house by her ex - husband. She couldn't bear it for a moment, and that was how she lost her mind and became crazy and silly.