Chapter 189: Grateful for Your Rescue, Your Excellency

Chapter 189: Grateful for Your Rescue, Your Excellency

Observing the County Magistrate conversing merrily with the Mo family's pair, the Zhao and Zhou families seemed to have grasped some understanding of the situation.

Today, several individuals from the Mo family came to their residence, seeking to rent a courtyard for the winter. However, due to the intimidation from the Cui family, they dared not agree, despite having available spaces.

Not only has this resulted in the loss of a substantial income, but it seems we have also offended these individuals.

I only hope that the Mo family won't hold grudges against us common folk. They won't malign us before the County Magistrate, nor isolate us intentionally...

He Zhiran also noticed the villagers scaling the walls, but was oblivious to their thoughts.

At this moment, all she wished for was to meet her family sooner and administer the antidote to her fifth brother.

Accompanied by a group of officials, they marched in a grand procession towards the foot of the mountain.

As they approached, a black and white ball of fluff wobbled hastily towards them.

The rice dumpling ran straight for He Zhiran, while Mo Hanyue chased after it.

"Little Rice Ball, don't run away, Ninth Sister will be back soon."

Little Rice Ball tumbled along the path before burrowing into He Zhiran's embrace.

At that moment, Mo Hanyue caught up.

It was a bend in the road, and in her haste to chase after Little Rice Ball, Mo Hanyue didn't notice a large stone underfoot. Suddenly, she tripped over it.

Her entire body lunged forward in an instant.

At that moment, Mo Jiuya's focus was entirely on the rice ball in He Zhiran's arms. By the time she realized her sister had fallen and wanted to rush over to help, it was already too late.

In a split second, Meng Huaining leaped from his horse, gracefully catching the poised-to-fall Mo Hanyue in his arms.

"Miss, do take care."

Mo Hanyue, having been educated in the etiquettes and disciplines of noble households from a young age, instantly retreated a few steps backward upon sensing an unfamiliar man's touch.

Regaining her footing, she finally turned to look at the person who had come to her aid.

Meng Huaining appeared to be in his early twenties, exuding an air of refinement and grace. His scholarly attire as a county magistrate lent him a mature air without compromising his handsomeness.

At that moment, Mo Jiuya arrived, concern etched on his face.

"Are you hurt, Hanyue?"

Mo Hanyue shook her head. "I'm fine, Brother Nine. Thanks to this noble official's intervention."

Mo Jiuya had witnessed Meng Huaining's rescue, but in his anxiety for his sister, he hadn't immediately expressed his gratitude.

Seeing that Mo Hanyue was unharmed, he clasped his fists in salute towards Meng Huaining. "Many thanks, Brother Meng, for your timely aid."

Mo Hanyue, realizing that this official was acquainted with her brother and on a familiar basis, felt her earlier tension ease significantly. She gracefully bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Honorable Official, for saving me."

Meng Huaining had only reacted instinctively when he saw Mo Hanyue fall, assuming she was a villager from West Ridge Village. It came as a surprise to him that the person he rescued turned out to be Brother Mo's sister. Thus, he began to study the young lady before him more closely.

The young maiden possessed a pair of large, pristine, and animated eyes, with delicate willow-leaf eyebrows that curved charmingly. Her smile was endearing when she laughed.

Her manner of speaking was neither pretentious nor artificial, entirely distinct from the refined ladies he had encountered in the past.

In front of the Mo family, Meng Huaining never positioned himself as an official; instead, he sought to maintain a friendly rapport.

After a moment of silence, he returned the bow to Mo Hanyue with folded arms.

"It was merely a small effort on my part, Miss Mo. There's no need for formality."

It was Mo Hanyue's first time being in such close proximity with a man outside of her family, and seeing the dignified County Magistrate lower himself to return her greeting made her feel a bit embarrassed. She lowered her head and hurried to find He Zhiran.

She had spent the whole day accompanying Fenwan, so when she saw the little one run off, she was quite frightened.

Now that she saw Fenwan peacefully nestled in Ninth Sister's arms, Mo Hanyue felt an immediate sense of relief.

Mo Jiuya was also eager to return, so he gestured for Meng Huaining to continue towards the foot of the mountain.

It was already approaching evening, and since they hadn't managed to rent a courtyard in the village, everyone had set up a makeshift cooking area outside. The women were busy preparing dinner.

Meng Huaining had just reached the foot of the mountain when he was startled by the dilapidated houses there. At the same time, his hatred for Cui County Magistrate's abuse of power deepened. "Brother Mo, how can such houses be fit for living? Why don't you and your family temporarily stay at the county office with me for the night? Tomorrow, I'll arrange a better place for you." He had already agreed to let Mo Jiuya and his family continue living in West Ridge Village, believing that with his personal intervention, the issues caused by the Cui family could be resolved satisfactorily. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect the houses assigned to them in West Ridge Village to be in such a deplorable state. Some were merely slanted, but most had already collapsed... Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran were resolute in their decision and had no intention of changing their minds. "I think this place is fine. Next spring, we can buy it and renovate it properly. By then, Brother Meng, when you come to visit, you won't see this scene anymore."

Meng Huaining shook his head helplessly. He could tell that Brother Mo was determined to stay, so he didn't push further with his advice. Mo Jiuya formally introduced Meng Huaining to his family, briefly recounting how they had met.

The Mo family was even more favorably impressed with Meng Huaining upon learning that he had been specifically assigned to City Yun as the county magistrate.

Meng Huaining had just found out about Mo Chuhan and Mo Zhongyuan's survival, and he genuinely rejoiced for the Mo family.

The entire Mo family being exiled was already a great injustice. Now, finding two surviving male descendants was like divine intervention.

Meng Huaining had always admired the bravery of the Mo family's sons, so he treated Mo Chuhan and Mo Zhongyuan with great respect, addressing them as Fifth Brother and Eighth Elder Brother, just as Mo Jiuya did. He also began calling Mo Jiuya Ninth Brother.

Scanning his surroundings carefully, he thought that if not for the dilapidated houses that made the place seem too humble, this location would be an excellent spot to settle down.

To gain a better understanding of the situation, Meng Huaining called over a government official.

"Who owns these compounds?"

Ma Junshan, who was somewhat familiar with the area, stepped forward to report.

"In response to your honor, these courtyards all belong to the old houses of the villagers from West Ridge Village. I've heard they were inhabited by their ancestors.

Due to the sporadic raids by barbarians, the elders of several families decided to move their dwellings closer to the village center for safety. Over time, these houses were left deserted.

And due to neglect over the years, they've fallen into their current state."

Upon hearing Ma Junshan's account, Meng Huaining felt another headache coming on.

"Brothers, the location is indeed favorable, but if we were to encounter a barbarian raid, it would be quite troublesome. Perhaps it would be better if we..."

Mo Jiuya knew that Meng Huaining was about to suggest they find another site, so he interrupted.

"Brother Meng, there's no need to worry. Even if the barbarians come to harass us, I believe their numbers won't be substantial. With us brothers here, there's nothing to fret over."