Chapter 62: A Short Time Apart

Chapter 62: A Short Time Apart

Xie Yan reached out to adjust the silk flower by Lu Mingchao's bun. "Whether the village chief and the county official will commend you, I don't know."

"But the young women of Dahe Village will be grateful to you."

"We'll deal with it as it comes," Lu Mingchao said nonchalantly.

Outside the city gate, a long line had formed.

"Gate tax?" Lu Mingchao frowned.

She remembered there wasn't any when she returned from the capital.

Xie Yan explained, "According to the laws of Daqian, merchants' goods are taxed when entering or exiting the city gates. However, out of the emperor's reach, many local officials expand the tax scope without authorization."

"How many coins?"

"I don't know."

Hearing this, Lu Mingchao was surprised.

Xie Yan's gaze swept over the officials at the gate who were shouting and bossing people around. "It varies often."

"Sometimes as little as one coin, sometimes as much as five."

"Especially in winter, everyone has to pay the gate tax when entering or exiting."

Lu Mingchao's eyes widened slightly. "No wonder it's said that three years as a magistrate can net you a fortune."

"For the impoverished, winter is already the hardest time of the year, with the least income. They have to pinch pennies to get by. After chopping a few bundles of firewood and selling them in the city to buy food for the family, there's hardly anything left after the gate tax."

"After all that effort, they still go hungry."

A bundle of firewood is only worth a few coins.

The officials' shouts, orders, and curses were incessant, occasionally mixed with the pleading cries of the people.

After a long wait, it was finally Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan's turn.

"Three coppers," the official said impatiently, pointing to the woven basket at his feet. His eyes lit up when he caught a glimpse of Lu Mingchao's face and the exquisite cloak she was wearing, as if he had seen a cash cow.

The opportunity to make a fortune had arrived!

Six coppers fell into the woven basket. Xie Yan stepped aside, blocking the official's probing gaze. "Are we good to go?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

The official's stern face broke into a grin.

Later, he'd go claim his reward.

Entering the city gate, a different scene unfolded.

Gazing down the long street, teahouses, taverns, pawnshops, and workshops lined both sides, arranged neatly like pieces on a chessboard. Outside the shops, street vendors displayed their goods, some holding up large parasols, others pushing wooden carts, and some shouldering heavy loads, hawking their wares along the street, adding a lively and vibrant atmosphere to the bustling thoroughfare.

At first glance, it couldn't compare to the grandeur of the capital, but it was still flourishing, in stark contrast to the desolation outside the city gate and the pleas of the people in line.

"Mingchao, that official is up to something," Xie Yan said gravely.

Lu Mingchao nodded, "It's nothing more than the second young master of the Sun family buying off a spy."

"No need to let him ruin our good mood as we enter the city."

"If that loser shows up, we'll take him down again."

As Lu Mingchao had anticipated, the gatekeeper hastily handed over his duties to a colleague and rushed to report to the Sun family.

Who in Changhe County didn’t know that the second young master of the Sun family was foolish, rich, and generous? A casual tip from him could match a month's worth of gatekeeping bribes.

The second young master of the Sun family was feeling under the weather, covered with a thick woolen blanket, occasionally sniffing, and the lavish room was filled with a faint medicinal scent.

He was actually ill!

The doctor said he had caught a chill from fear and needed to rest in bed.

He admitted to catching a chill, but he absolutely would not admit to being scared.

"Young master, young master," A Xing rushed into the room, bringing a blast of cold air.

The second young master of the Sun family sneezed non-stop.

Before the young master could get angry, A Xing quickly spoke, "Young master, the gatekeeper reported that the couple from Xichang Village has entered the city."

The second young master's dull eyes suddenly lit up. This news was more effective than several doses of bitter medicine for his cold.

His headache vanished, his nose cleared, and he felt full of energy, as if he could plow two more acres of land.

"Changhe County is my turf. Today, I must teach that disrespectful couple a lesson."

The second young master of the Sun family touched his chin, his expression eager.

A heavenly beauty, who could remain indifferent to such a beauty about to be savored?

A few days ago in Changxi Village, he was outnumbered and thus at a disadvantage. Today, he must reclaim everything he lost.

Since the hunter refused to accept a toast, he would make him watch a live spring scene.

"Let's go."

"Call all my enforcers."

The second young master of the Sun family waved his hand grandly, full of vigor, and in his excitement, he had already forgotten the official who brought the news.

"Young master, should we reconsider?" A Xing nervously reminded.

For the past two days, every time he closed his eyes, he saw either the couple or the cold glint of a kitchen knife.

"If we think any longer, the chance will be gone!"

The official waiting at the gate for his reward: Where's the reward?

Where's the reward he had been longing for?

The official pinched his palm, grasping only the cold northwest wind.

All his efforts went down the drain!

At this moment, Lu Mingchao was casually wandering through the streets and alleys of Changhe County with Xie Yan, browsing for a shopfront they liked while also enjoying the scenery of the county town.

"Indeed, pastries are best fresh out of the oven," Lu Mingchao said, taking a bite of the steaming pastry, looking satisfied.

"Xie Yan, do you think it's better to rent just a shopfront or one with a small courtyard attached?"

"I think the one with the courtyard is perfect."

"There are two plum trees and a pear tree in the yard. In winter, we can enjoy the plum blossoms, their fragrance so enchanting it makes the cold feel unimportant. In spring, we can admire the pale white pear blossoms, like flawless white brocade, fragrant and glowing, like jade trees and snow-covered blossoms."

"It’s truly unique."

"Next spring, my older brother will be coming to the academy, so having a place to stay is always good. Huaiqian is ready to start school."

Xie Yan wiped the pastry crumbs from the corner of Lu Mingchao's mouth. "Whatever you say."

Lu Mingchao glanced at Xie Yan, thinking he was too easygoing.

"Why hasn’t the second young master of the Sun family shown up yet?"

"If he doesn’t hurry, I’m not sticking around in this drafty alley."

With this kind of slowness, how’s he supposed to get revenge? He can’t even catch a hot meal.

"Maybe he’s just a complete idiot," Xie Yan replied indifferently.

Just as Lu Mingchao was eagerly anticipating, the second young master of the Sun family finally arrived.

"Still acting all high and mighty, still ungrateful, Xie Yan, I'll give you one more chance today!"

"Xie Yan, crawl under my legs, and I’ll let you live," the second young master of the Sun family said with a fiery gaze, as if victory was already in his hands.

"Why is there a dog yapping in the middle of the day?" Lu Mingchao's lips itched, and the words slipped out. "My husband could achieve greatness like the Marquis of Huaiyin, becoming a national hero. As for you, you’ll never have a good ending, like that butcher who crawled under someone’s legs."

The second young master of the Sun family's triumphant smile froze on his face. "Who do you think you’re calling a dog?"

Lu Mingchao replied, "Even after three days, a fool’s still a fool."

"I don’t know who the dog is, but the dog sure does."

Lu Mingchao leaned casually against Xie Yan, her eyes locked on the second young master of the Sun family.

"I can’t stand your nasty mouth!" the second young master of the Sun family fumed.

"Break his damn leg!"