Mu Dade stood at the entrance of the County Magistrate’s family’s villa for a long ti, not daring to go in.
First, he was afraid of being caught and gossiped about, second, he feared it could hurt his future official career. But if he didn’t go in, he couldn’t see Ruan Xiao Jiao.
After all, she was the County Magistrate’s little wife, not soone just anyone could et easily.
Eventually, Mu Dade thought of a plan. He gave a couple of Copper Coins to a little girl on the street to fetch Ruan Xiao Jiao.
He himself found a nearby tavern, rented a private room, and quietly waited for Ruan Xiao Jiao’s arrival.
Ruan Xiao Jiao ca around dinnerti.
Wearing a green gauze skirt with a jade bead hairpin on her head, she first froze upon seeing Mu Dade, and then burst into tears.
"Brother Dade, you are Brother Dade... I thought, I thought..."
After more than ten years, Mu Dade was moved seeing his childhood sweetheart.
He spread his arms, wanting to hug Ruan Xiao Jiao, but suddenly rembered her current status and stopped himself abruptly.
After a long pause, he said, "Jiaojiao, all these years, I owe you an apology, it’s my fault!"
Ruan Xiao Jiao was touched and quickly shook her head.
"No, no, it’s not your fault..."
Upon seeing Ruan Xiao Jiao’s attitude, Mu Dade suddenly felt he still had a chance.
What Mu Dade couldn’t forget over these years were Ruan Xiao Jiao’s clear eyes. When he married Mrs. Jin, Ruan Xiao Jiao cried uncontrollably in private; Mu Dade still rembers it all.
"Jiaojiao, do you really not bla ?"
"I don’t bla you. Jiaojiao always rembers the young boy who studied in Er Gui Village." Ruan Xiao Jiao replied firmly.
"Jiaojiao, at the ti, I did wrong, I shouldn’t have..." Mu Dade, pretending to retreat, began to express his pain about marrying Mrs. Jin.
"Back then, Mrs. Jin climbed into my bed, and my father, for the sake of face, forced to marry her. I couldn’t sleep day or night, always thinking of how you cried uncontrollably in front of !"
"Several tis, I dreamt of eloping with you, but just after leaving Er Gui Village, Mrs. Jin would catch us, have my bones broken, and even then our hands never ca apart..."
"Jiaojiao, how wonderful would it have been if it were you I married back then?"
Mu Dade’s last sentence was gentle in tone and regretful in expression, making Ruan Xiao Jiao gaze at the man before her.
Even in fine clothes, he couldn’t hide his unwell appearance.
Ruan Xiao Jiao was sowhat softened, especially when Mu Dade voiced the last sentence.
But what could she do? She is now the County Magistrate’s little wife and can do nothing.
"Brother Dade, are you encountering so difficulties? Tell Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao now even has so say in front of the County Magistrate, and as long as she can help Brother Dade, Jiaojiao certainly will!" said Ruan Xiao Jiao.
Mu Dade was moved, seeing the unchanged visage of over ten years and the woman still considerate of him after so long; in a rush, he told Ruan Xiao Jiao everything.
About the paperwork, he said he was fooled by his family, and while he went back for a sip of water, Qianzhou Prefecture’s governnt officer was angered away by his family. The second and third docunts never ca out, and he asked Ruan Xiao Jiao whether to continue taking exams or to beco an official.
"Brother Dade, your paperwork for passing should be in the County Magistrate’s Mansion, with County Magistrate Zhang in charge. I can help you inquire about it.
As for whether to continue taking exams, I think you might as well try. If you succeed, you’ll et more people and gain greater benefits!"
"Regarding the official position, don’t drop it, because in this world, we can only hold on to so hopes. By the way, I know the County Magistrate currently needs a secretary to manage paperwork. Although it’s not a major position, it can be considered a governnt official in the county."
"Given Brother Dade’s good results this ti, I believe the Master will surely hire you!"
Ruan Xiao Jiao’s words made Mu Dade feel his trip was indeed worthwhile; all the tricky problems were solved, even the matter of becoming an official was arranged.
The more Mu Dade looked, the more he felt he was blind back then.
He actually married Mrs. Jin for the little benefits of her family.
Although Mrs. Jin climbed into his bed, if he had insisted on not marrying her, the Jin Family couldn’t have done anything.
Finally, he feels vindicated now. As long as he interacts more with Jiaojiao, she will eventually fall for him again.
"Jiaojiao, it’s getting late, let see you ho!" Mu Dade offered.
Ruan Xiao Jiao nodded with a smile.
The two of them, just like when they first confird their feelings for each other, Ruan Xiao Jiao walked ahead, leading the way for Mu Dade, who leisurely followed behind.
At the entrance to the County Magistrate’s family’s villa, Mu Dade reluctantly watched Ruan Xiao Jiao.
And Ruan Xiao Jiao too, looking at Mu Dade, her eyes unwilling to move away.
"Jiaojiao, you should go in now, don’t keep the County Magistrate waiting! And rember, always, I... I have you in my heart!"
At this mont, Ruan Xiao Jiao’s heart was pounding like a startled deer.
All the emotions she had suppressed ca flooding out.
She resolved that she had to make it work for Mu Dade!
Back in the mansion, Ruan Xiao Jiao instructed a maid to bring a bowl of ginseng soup, which she personally delivered to the County Magistrate’s study.
Ruan Xiao Jiao had always been lukewarm, so her sudden enthusiasm surprised County Magistrate Zheng.
"Jiaojiao, what’s happened? Did Xiu’er give you trouble?"
The back courtyard of Magistrate Zheng was generally harmonious, with just one daughter, Zheng Xiu, who caused mischief every day and was now grounded by Zheng Zhi. But she could sneak out to do such mischief as well.
"No, Xiu’er has been in her room all this ti, I just wanted to co see you!
The people below ntioned that the stone bridge on the official road collapsed a few days ago, causing delays in so scholar’s docunts. Is it true, sir?"
"Jiaojiao, you are thoughtful. This is indeed true! However, the stone bridge has been repaired now, yet there is still one troubling matter weighing on my mind!" Magistrate Zheng frowned.
"What is troubling you so much, sir? Jiaojiao is willing to share the burden!"
Ruan Xiao Jiao suspected the matter likely involved Mu Dade.
The docunts for the entire county had been delivered except for Mu Dade’s, which were held back.
"Ah, it’s regarding a scholar from Qingshan Town. Sohow, he offended the official delivering the docunts, and now neither the town nor the county’s docunts can be sent. It’s quite the headache for !"
A docunt is of no use to the county governnt, not sothing one can consu, after all.
"How can one governnt officer have such influence over the county governnt?" Ruan Xiao Jiao was puzzled.
"The poor scholar was unlucky. That officer has so familial relation to the governor, and I’m just complying temporarily with their higher instructions."
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