County Magistrate Zhai was certainly aware of this. Even if the case was brought to court and he judged in favor of Zhou Man, it was unlikely she could actually seize the land from their hands. Even if she did, could she farm it herself?
Most likely, she would have to lease it out to others, but given the powerful influence of the Xia Family in Hongtian Village, who would dare rent her land once they hint otherwise?
If it truly ca to a public falling-out, it would only end badly for both sides. It was up to the Xia Family’s clan leader and elders to understand his and Officer Xu’s hints.
Zhou Man clearly wanted to resolve this quickly and wasn’t opposed to a settlent.
Indeed, as an official of the imperial court, she didn’t have ti to waste on such matters.
County Magistrate Zhai walked to the backyard with his hands behind his back and couldn’t help saying, "When the Xia family’s people co tomorrow, go and et them first to test their reaction. If they refuse to yield, try to persuade them a little. It’s not in their interest to hold onto this."
"Yes, but sir," the steward said quietly, "this Lord Zhou’s surna is Zhou, not Xia. I’m afraid the Xia Family will seize upon this point..."
County Magistrate Zhai replied, "I was also worried about that initially, but they don’t seem overly intimidated by it. It makes sense; the Zhou couple raised her from a young age, and the ties of upbringing are not easily severed. Moreover, she’s an official now, and changing her na isn’t a simple matter."
The steward thought likewise, though still a bit worried inside.
Bai Shan, riding toward the city outskirts, also broached this topic, "I’m afraid the Xia Family will hold on to your surna."
Bai Erlang said, "They definitely will. What will you do then?"
"What else can I do? I won’t change my surna even if it kills ," Manbao declared. "If my children have to take the Xia na in the future, I’m still not changing mine. My father would die of heartbreak."
Though grandparents were important, her parents were too, and crucially, she wasn’t taking anyone else’s surna; she was keeping her father’s.
Manbao continued, "Besides, the Xia family is different from the Zhou family. Should I change back to the Xia surna, who knows what trouble may arise in the future? My future estate and reputation, who knows what might get stirred up then?"
Her fourth brother was so good, yet she still worried he’d misuse her na elsewhere and constantly reminded him.
If she joined the Xia Family, who knows what might occur?
So she decided not to change her surna. Even if her children took Xia later, the connection would beco distant, and by then, they could perhaps separate their grandparents’ lineage.
With this thought, Manbao’s eyes lit up. Wouldn’t her sons or daughters beco clan leaders in the future?
Clan leader—it sounded quite impressive.
Bai Shan had many things to say, but turning his head, seeing Manbao’s proud face, choked them back.
He shook his head and decided to stay silent.
Never mind; they had already disgraced the Prince of Yizhou, they wouldn’t suffer any indignities here.
The four followed the county office constable to Da’an Mountain. The constable didn’t know where Xia Yan and his wife’s grave was, but with so description, he led them up the mountain. "They said it was just past a big banyan tree; it should be around here..."
Bai Shan stopped and asked Manbao to look down the mountain, "Does this place seem like the fertile place Daoxu and Daohe described?"
Manbao turned to look, seeing a forested area but an open view and what seed to be a stream in the distance.
Blinking, Manbao suggested, "Isn’t this good enough? Let’s try a little higher up."
So the four hurried up the mountain.
The constable: ...Do officials also perform the work of Taoists?
After a while, they reached a large banyan tree. After searching among the trees and bushes, Daji, with his sharp eyes, pointed behind a tree and said, "There’s a marker here."
Manbao imdiately went over, maneuvering between two closely standing trees.
Behind the tree stood two brick-and-stone tombs, tightly situated together, with two tombstones bearing not only the nas and origins of the deceased but also the nas of those who erected the monunts.
Manbao’s gaze lingered on one tombstone before settling on the other. She reached out to touch the words "Xia Shi Dan Yan," which were still clearly visible.
Manbao carefully examined the tombstone and grave, noticing the grass was trimd low and the monunt undamaged, suggesting maintenance.
She quietly exhaled a sigh of relief.
Bai Shan crouched to touch the incense ashes in front of the tombstone and said, "It looks alright. Soone must have co to pay respects during Tomb-Sweeping Day."
Standing between the two gravestones, Manbao was lost in thought, then knelt to kowtow to each tombstone, with Bai Shan joining her.
Bai Erlang stood silently to the side, watching. Only after they finished did he ask, "I wonder who ca to pay respects? Was it Xia Dajiang?"
Bai Shan replied, "Though a bit tricky, it’s not too hard to find out. On the way here, I noticed quite a few graves. Likely due to the good feng shui, most of the graves here have markers."
Aside from wealthy families and those particular about such things, few erect markers, let alone build brick-and-stone graves.
Thus finding the nearby grave owners isn’t difficult, and Tomb-Sweeping Day happens over about two days. Those who ca to pay respects would have crossed paths with others. Just ask around a bit, and we’ll know.
Bai Shan said, "I’ll jot down the nas later and send soone to inquire."
Manbao nodded and turned to smile at the constable, "We’re unfamiliar with Shangzhou, so we’ll need your help identifying the families who erected these markers."
The constable nodded blankly.
Bai Shan took Manbao’s hand and, in the vicinity, found three graves, two of which belonged to the sa family.
Bai Shan noted down the nas and asked the constable.
Indeed, the constable recognized one family, though the other was unfamiliar. Bai Shan didn’t mind, intending to inquire further later.
Only then did the group head back to the city in the glow of the setting sun.
When they returned to the inn, Zhou Dalang and Zhou Wulang had already co back and finished eating, waiting for them.
Old Zhou was worried, but seeing Manbao and the others return, he breathed a sigh of relief and imdiately asked her, "Are you hungry? Tired?"
Before asking at last, "Did you find the person?"
Ms. Qian, dismissing his impatience, pulled him aside and told Manbao, "Freshen up and change first. Order what you want to eat and co down for dinner."
Manbao nodded, reassuring her father, "Don’t worry, Dad. Who could bully ?"
With that, she ran off.
Old Zhou felt relieved and then, patting his stomach, remarked, "I just ate, yet I’m hungry again."
Ms. Qian: ...
Old Zhou waited for Manbao and the others to co down to join them for another al, chatting while they ate.
User Comments
0 comments from readers