Chapter 286: Can we common folk afford to mess with a Marquis’s household?

Chapter 286: Can we common folk afford to mess with a Marquis's household?

That same day, the group went to the village head's house.

Upon seeing these heavily armored and armed guards, the village head immediately knew that they must be of significant importance.

He asked nervously and cautiously, "What brings you esteemed gentlemen here?"

The guard captain stepped forward.

He had a square jaw and a sword at his waist, looking quite imposing. He spoke in a deep voice, "We’re from the Linyang Marquis’s estate. We are here to build a mausoleum on the back mountain of your village. Tell your villagers to relocate the graves there."

The village head’s face paled, "Sir, this... this isn’t right... Although I don’t know exactly which piece of land you are referring to, the back mountain has been the burial ground for our ancestors since the village was established... Relocating the graves would be disrespectful."

The guard captain grew impatient, "What’s improper about it? It’s just relocating a few graves. The Linyang Marquis’s estate isn’t being unreasonable. Before we set out, the Marquis instructed us to help the villagers find another auspicious site and to pay fifteen taels of silver for each grave moved."

At that, the village head seemed more open to the idea.

Although they all believe in letting the dead rest in peace, their descendants have to make a living too.

Moreover, it's not like the graves are being moved and then forgotten; they’re being moved to a new, auspicious location!

Not to mention, the other party is a Marquis!

A real big shot!

They’re just simple country folk; how could they dare cross such a high-ranking noble?

"Alright... I’ll talk to the villagers," the village head wiped the sweat from his forehead and agreed.

After all, everyone’s got ancestors buried on that mountain.

Relocating the graves could mean a tidy sum of silver, which is a good thing.

With that in mind, the village head quickly rounded up his sons and nephews to go and inform the villagers.

Currently, after experiencing a famine, some villagers of Nantuo Village had moved away, but there were still several dozen households remaining.

The village head and his family members went door to door to inform everyone, and soon they reached the Yu family, with the village head personally delivering the message.

The doorkeeper of the Yu family, seeing the village head at the door, did not dare to be negligent and quickly went inside to inform the master.

Old Man Yu came out to greet him personally, curious, "Old brother, what brings you here?"

Old Man Yu was at home, dressed in a wealthy but understated manner, looking like an ordinary rich man.

The village head asked, "Where is your wife? This is serious; she needs to be here so you two can talk it over."

Old Man Yu, realizing this was serious, quickly took the village head to the backyard.

The weather was still quite hot, and two watermelons were cooling in the well in the main courtyard. As Old Man Yu led the village head past, he casually instructed a maid, "Go cut a watermelon and bring it to the room."

The maid gave a respectful curtsy, "Yes, Old Master."

The village head clicked his tongue in admiration, feeling a bit envious.

Old Man Yu really lived a comfortable life.

When they reached the main room, Wei Pozi was sitting on a soft couch watching four-year-old Miange and two-year-old Xuge playing with wooden figurines.

When the village head entered, Wei Pozi also stood up and smiled, "What brings you by today?"

As she spoke, the maid attending to her promptly poured tea for the village head.

The room was decked out in luxurious furnishings, and the village head felt out of place. Fortunately, the maid served tea, allowing the village head to mask his discomfort by holding the teacup. He took a sip, set the cup down, coughed, and then explained the matter of relocating the graves to Yu Laotou and Wei Pozi.

Wei Pozi slapped her thigh, "That explains it! I was wondering why Zhao Youde and Zhao Youkang suddenly came over the other day, making such a scene!"

Yu Laotou, however, didn't look pleased, his brows tightly furrowed.

The village head said, "...Actually, this is a good thing. Our villagers aren't exactly rolling in money, and moving the graves will earn us dozens of taels of silver, which is beneficial."

Yu Laotou muttered, "...But our parents and elders have rested there for so many years..."

The village head understood Yu Laotou's reluctance to move the graves.

Given the Yu family's lavish lifestyle, it was understandable that they wouldn't want to relocate the graves for just a few dozen taels of silver.

As they spoke, the maid brought in the sliced watermelon.

Wei Pozi said, "Let's dig into the watermelon first, and we'll chat as we eat."

The village head looked at the bright red, icy watermelon and instinctively swallowed. He didn't hold back, reaching out to take a slice, juice dripping as he ate.

After polishing off half a watermelon, the village head was stuffed.

He wiped his mouth and spoke earnestly, "Brother Yu, I know your family isn't hurting for a few dozen taels of silver, but did you see the scene today? Dozens of armored soldiers on towering horses were lined up, and I'm not afraid to admit, my legs were shaking!... They said they were from the Lin'an Marquis's estate, and I was so terrified I could hardly catch my breath!"

"That's a marquis's estate, Brother Yu! Even if we're not moving for the money, can we common folk really afford to cross a marquis's estate?"

This reasoning made sense, and Wei Pozi showed some concern.

Yu Laotou, usually a cheerful and approachable old man, actually had a stubborn streak that Wei Pozi knew well. Once he made up his mind, not even a team of oxen could drag him back.

Wei Pozi wasn't too worried, but she worried Yu Laotou might dig his heels in.

Yu Laotou looked at his two young grandsons happily playing on the couch, pursed his lips, and finally relented, "...Alright."

The village head was very pleased and stood up to leave, "Good, with your okay, I can breathe easy. I'll head over and chat with the next family."

Wei Pozi quickly handed the village head two more slices of watermelon to take with him.

The village head didn't hold back, grabbing a slice in each hand and making his way out.

...

Xingxing accompanied Li Chunhua to the Nameless Taoist Temple today.

Ever since Huai Geer snuck off to enlist at the border, Li Chunhua would visit the Nameless Taoist Temple every few days to burn incense and pray.

Convinced that Xingxing was her little lucky star, bringing good fortune and whose words were golden, Li Chunhua always had Xingxing accompany her to burn incense and draw a bamboo slip.

Most of the slips Xingxing drew were good omens.

Even the worst slips hinted at turning bad luck around.

This time, Xingxing accompanied Li Chunhua to burn incense and pray, drawing another top-notch slip, signaling great luck.

Li Chunhua was beside herself with joy.

Afterward, Xingxing told Li Chunhua and headed to the Mysterious Forest.

Xingxing skillfully navigated through the Mysterious Forest and saw the sunlight slanting, casting its rays on a young man practicing swordplay in the clearing. The young man, bathed in light, danced with his sword, creating a picture of unmatched beauty.