The Farm Girl and the Executioner (Rebirth) 59

Chapter 59: Returning to Whitewater Village

After handing over the affairs of Linglong Pavilion to Wang Xiuxiu, Lin Shuang and Jiang Huaizhen stayed for another night and only rushed back to Whitewater Village with Dongzhi early the next morning.

They had been out for a total of five days. As soon as they entered the door, they were nagged by Old Madam Jiang.

It wasn’t until Lin Shuang placed a heavy bag of silver on the table that Old Madam Jiang’s chattering mouth finally fell silent. She said with dissatisfaction, “Where did you get a bag of rocks from? Aren’t you afraid of damaging the table?”

Lin Shuang smiled slightly and nimbly untied the rope.

A small pile of golden and silver objects instantly came into view.

The old woman’s hands trembled, and she said incoherently, “My heavens, how can there be so much silver? How much is this?”

When Jiang Huaizhen, who was next to her, said the amount, her eyes rolled back, and she fell backward, fainting.

Jiang Huaizhen quickly supported her and pressed on her philtrum, rubbing it.

Ping’er brought a bowl of water and fed it to her. Only then did the old woman come to.

When she turned to look at the table again, the gold and silver were gone. She quickly asked, “Where’s the money? The white and golden money?”

Lin Shuang said, “Huaizhen has put it away. She’s afraid you can’t take it.”

“Quick, quick, take it out. I can take it,” she said eagerly.

Only then did Jiang Huaizhen go next door and bring back the bundle of gold and silver.

The old woman eagerly untied the knot, felt the hard money inside, her eyes shining, unable to put it down.

Lin Shuang said, “We still haven’t paid half of the wages for the clothes, accessories, and gift boxes that we had the villagers help us make. We’ll go to the village chief’s place tomorrow morning to settle this, so everyone can be at ease.”

“How should we spend the rest?” the old woman looked at her, her two cloudy eyes shining.

“Since Grandma likes gold so much, you can have the twenty taels of gold. The rest will be with me and Huaizhen for other expenses.”

Hearing that the gold would be with her, the old woman was very happy and quickly said, “Alright, alright. I’ll hold it for you.”

With that, she seemed to feel that she had gone too far and laughed dryly. “I’ll just take half the gold. In case you need money for business in the future, it won’t be easy to get it from me.”

She was almost seventy and had a few more years to live. She was just saving it for them. It wasn’t like she could take these gold pieces with her to the grave.

With that, she righteously gathered the other half in front of her.

Lin Shuang raised an eyebrow and let her be. This business had earned so much money at once, and she was no longer so attached to money.

She took another string of copper coins and handed it to Ping’er. “Ping’er, you can’t tell anyone that our family has money. Otherwise, we’ll attract thieves, you know?”

Ping’er hadn’t expected to have money too.

She knew that with this, she could go to the street and buy whatever she liked. She was so excited she nodded her little head repeatedly.

“You have to hide this string of copper coins well. Don’t take it out for people to see. If someone sees it—” Lin Shuang deliberately lowered her voice, “be careful that a thief doesn’t sneak in at night and feel around your bed.”

Ping’er was startled and quickly stuffed the string of money into her pants pocket.

Unfortunately, the pocket was too small and couldn’t fit it.

Old Madam Jiang was happy and said to her, “Grandma will sew you a money pouch later. You can put this string of money in the money pouch.”

“Grandma dotes on me the most!” Ping’er obediently snuggled up to the old woman’s elbow. “When I go to the city, I’ll buy some delicious food to be filial to Grandma.”

Compared to the cold Jiang Huaizhen, Ping’er’s mouth was clearly much sweeter. After these few days of being alone with her, she had already figured out a way to get along with the old woman.

Sometimes she was scolded, but seeing that Jiang Huaizhen and Lin Shuang were also unavoidable, she felt balanced.

The wrinkles at the corner of Old Madam Jiang’s eyes instantly piled up. “You little monkey, you’re so filial.”

Her peripheral vision glanced at the person sitting upright next to her, and she raised her voice and added, “A hundred times better than those saw-mouthed gourds!”

Jiang Huaizhen paid no heed.

But Lin Shuang smiled. “Without this saw-mouthed gourd, our family wouldn’t have been able to earn so much money.”

After settling the accounts with Old Madam Jiang, she took the remaining silver back to the east room and said to Jiang Huaizhen, “You know where the silver is. If you want to buy anything, just take it yourself.”

Jiang Huaizhen shook her head. “I don’t have anything I want to buy.”

Her clothes and shoes were all bought for her by Lin Shuang, either ready-made outside or bought as fabric and cut herself. She didn’t like accessories, and she didn’t have to worry about food. In the end, there was really nothing to spend money on.

“Then see when you’re going to the yamen and quit that job.”

Hearing her instruction, Jiang Huaizhen’s gaze shifted for a moment, and she hummed in agreement.

Lin Shuang fiddled with the silver and took out another twenty taels to hand to her. “Uncle Qing has been running around for us these past few days, helping us with the connections. That’s why those people in the prefectural city didn’t cause us any trouble. When you go to the yamen, you can take this to him.”

“And Xue Luan and her little sisters, our business was so lively this time, and these little girls contributed a lot. When we go to the city later, we can pick a few things to send over.”

…

Yesterday, on their way back, they had passed by the village chief’s house, and Lin Shuang had told the village chief that they would be settling the wages this morning. Matron Yan was very enthusiastic and had notified everyone in the evening.

By the time they arrived, the dozen or so embroiderers and carpenters who had helped with the clothes, accessories, and gift boxes had all arrived.

Dongzhi also moved a small stool and sat to one side, looking very proud.

She had gone with Sister Huaizhen to the prefectural city to help sell the goods this time. Sister Shuang had even given her five hundred copper coins in wages. When her family had heard about it when she returned, their eyes had widened.

Ping’er came with Lin Shuang and the others. As soon as she appeared, someone smiled. “I was wondering who it was. It’s a little braised egg with hair.”

“Ping’er has only been with Little Jiang and the others for a few months, and her face has already rounded out.”

“Her little face had no meat on it before. She was as thin as a bag of bones.”

“Didn’t I say that Shuang’er is a lucky star? When you’re with her, nothing is bad. I saw Old Madam Jiang a few days ago, and she seems to have gained some weight too.”

Seeing everyone talking about her, Ping’er shyly hid behind Lin Shuang.

Lin Shuang smiled and patted her head. “Go and play with Dahua and Xiaohua.”

Zhang Mainiang had also just arrived, with her two little daughters. They were poking their heads out from the door, waving at Ping’er.

Seeing her little friends, Ping’er quickly ran out.

The village chief smiled. “Come, come. Huaizhen and Shuang’er, sit here.”

Lin Shuang took the account book and the money bag and sat down on one side of the eight-immortal table. She smiled. “We should have paid everyone’s wages when we finished the clothes and accessories. But the client’s money was all used to buy goods, and we couldn’t make it up. Huaizhen and I didn’t have any money either, so we couldn’t fill this hole. We’ve delayed it until now. I hope everyone can bear with us.”

“It’s only been a few days. It’s alright,” someone quickly said.

“That’s right. No matter how urgent it is, it can’t be this urgent.”

Lin Shuang took the opportunity to say, “It’s only because you aunts are so easy to talk to that we dared to be so shameless and delay. Fortunately, the client’s goods sold well, and we’ve gotten the wages now. Let’s check the numbers and then distribute them.”

From April until now, over two months had passed. They had sold several thousand mohele. When the customers bought them, in order to change the dolls’ clothes, they would inevitably buy two or three more sets of accessories. So in total, they had sold nearly four thousand sets of clothes and accessories.

At first, there were not enough people. Later, five more people were added. One person a day, one set was the minimum. The more nimble ones could even make two or three sets.

Lin Shuang and the village chief checked the numbers and distributed the money one by one.

Matron Yan looked at her two daughters-in-law, who each received two taels of silver, and her eyes were filled with unconcealed joy.

And the one who received the most was Zhang Mainiang’s younger brother-in-law’s wife, Xiuzhi. In these few months, her family’s farm work was all done by Qiao’er’s father, so she didn’t have to go down to the fields. She had made nearly two hundred sets of small clothes by herself and had directly received four taels of silver.

The others’ eyes were hot when they saw this.

But this work was done with skill, so they couldn’t be envious.

Zhang Mainiang’s family had no other labor force, and she had to go down to the fields during the day. She would get up before dawn and could have half a day to work. Caitou took on all the housework at home, and took his two younger sisters to the mountains to dig for fruit pits and beautiful stones to make strings.

Mother and son worked together and also earned three taels.

When she took the silver, her whole body was trembling. In the end, she couldn’t hold it back. She clutched the few strings of money in her hand, squatted on the ground, and began to cry.

In these few years, after her husband had died, she had been both a father and a mother, raising her several children. She had worked in the fields all day, not daring to stop for a moment. But no matter what she did, the yield from the fields was only so much. The embroidery she did couldn’t be sold, and she couldn’t save any money even if she was frugal. She couldn’t afford to see a doctor when she was sick…

When had she ever seen or touched so much money?

Most of the villagers were not well-off. Seeing her like this, they couldn’t help but turn and wipe their tears.

Seeing this, Jiang Huaizhen’s eyes were slightly red, and she lowered her head.

She had also been so helpless before.

Lin Shuang understood her feelings the most and reached for her hand under her sleeve.

They were rich now, but they couldn’t help people openly. A small favor could turn into a big grudge. Such things were common. So even with the mohele business, she had never admitted from beginning to end that it was her own business, so as not to attract envious people.

For someone like Zhang Mainiang, if she had any difficulties, as long as she asked, she would definitely help. But the mother and children had never asked.

Xiuzhi comforted Zhang Mainiang for a long time, and the others also offered their condolences.

The village chief let out a long sigh and said to Jiang Huaizhen, “Huaizhen, you’re a capable person now. If there are any such good things in the future, if you can help out your fellow villagers, then do so.”

Jiang Huaizhen’s eyes were lowered. What ability did she have? She had bought Lin Shuang with Lin Shuang’s own money. She had saved Ping’er with the money that Lin Shuang had earned. And this time, with the mohele, it was also Lin Shuang’s idea.

Even she herself, to have escaped from poverty, was all thanks to Lin Shuang. If it weren’t for this pillar of support, she would probably still be in the city, washing clothes for others.

And at this moment, this person was looking at her with a smile.

She cleared her throat slightly and said, “Alright.”

Getting her response, the village chief smiled. “With your words, everyone can be at ease.”

After the money was distributed, the villagers gradually dispersed. The village chief asked Jiang Huaizhen and Lin Shuang to stay for lunch, but Jiang Huaizhen shook her head. “We’re going to the city in a while. We won’t eat.”

Hearing that they had something to do in the city, the village chief did not keep them.

Jiang Huaizhen was going to the yamen today to resign. After taking Ping’er home, she and Lin Shuang set off in the carriage.

Jing Lei’s hoof was now completely healed. After half a year of feeding, he had also fattened up. Even though he was blind in one eye, it did not affect his majestic aura at all.

When he galloped on the road, even with just one carriage, it seemed as if he was running with the momentum of a thousand horses. The journey, which originally took half an hour on foot, was completed in a quarter of an hour.

After entering the city, they went straight to the yamen.

Lin Shuang couldn’t go in, so she waited outside.

Jiang Huaizhen was in women’s clothes today. After entering the yamen, she was immediately greeted by the astonished gazes of her colleagues.

When they recognized her as the executioner of their Punishment Department, their mouths were wide enough to swallow two eggs.

Some had already known her identity, but seeing her at the yamen at this time, they couldn’t help but ask, “Little Jiang, there are no execution tasks recently. Why are you here?”

Jiang Huaizhen replied, “I have something to discuss with the official in charge.”

She first went to find Lu Qing.

Lu Qing happened to be in the Punishment Department. Seeing her come, he was also surprised. “Why are you here?”

Seeing that there was no one around, Jiang Huaizhen handed him the twenty taels of silver that Lin Shuang had told her to give him. “The mohele matter has come to an end. Uncle Qing has worked hard, running around for us.”

Lu Qing quickly refused. “It’s not a big deal. You can just treat me to a meal later. There’s no need for this.”

Jiang Huaizhen was the least fond of pushing and shoving. She stuffed the silver into his hand and took two steps back. “Lin Shuang gave me the silver. I don’t plan to take it back. If you don’t take it, I’ll just leave it in the Punishment Department. If someone takes it later, I won’t be responsible.”

Lu Qing had seen her temper and was very helpless. He had no choice but to accept it.

“Did you come just for this?”

Jiang Huaizhen shook her head. “I want to resign. Grandma has been nagging me all day.”

Lu Qing had already expected this to happen when he had heard that Linglong Pavilion in the prefectural city was making money. He turned to look at the room next door and said softly, “You did a good job last year. If you go and say it now, he will definitely be unhappy. But even if he’s unhappy, he can’t stop you if you want to leave. But in my opinion, if they can’t find anyone in the near future, they won’t let you go easily.”

Jiang Huaizhen hummed in agreement. “Even if they delay, I have to submit my resignation first, so they can prepare to hire someone in advance.”

“Alright. You go. I’ll keep an eye on this for you.”

“Thank you, Uncle Qing.”

After saying this, Jiang Huaizhen turned and went to the room next door.

As Lu Qing had expected, the official in charge of the Punishment Department was first surprised by Jiang Huaizhen’s female identity. When he heard that she wanted to resign, he was a little unhappy.

“When you were in urgent need of money, you concealed your female identity and had Head Constable Lu come and plead for you. I reported you and helped you get this job. Now that your life is better, you want to just walk away. That won’t do.”

Jiang Huaizhen said, “There is no rule that says a woman cannot be an executioner. I just didn’t explain it for the sake of convenience. Of course, I understand that the yamen can’t find a replacement for a while. I will continue to be on standby during this period. If there are any tasks, I will carry them out on time.”

Hearing her say this, Official Liu’s tone softened. “Alright. I’ll have to tell the Household Department first and have them post the recruitment notice.”

Only then did Jiang Huaizhen take her leave.

Official Liu turned and went to find Lu Qing, half complaining and half blaming, “Why did you find me such a Buddha, and you even hid the fact that she’s a woman from me? When I go to the Personnel Department later, I’ll definitely be nagged by Official Zhang.”

Lu Qing smiled apologetically. “I just saw that she was a good candidate, and you couldn’t find anyone, so I recommended her to you. I know you’ll definitely be angry at the Household Department. It just so happens that my younger brother-in-law just came back from Qimen a few days ago and got some tea. I’ll bring you some later to soothe your throat and calm your anger.”

Hearing this, Official Liu’s face lit up with a smile again. He patted him on the shoulder. “Look at you, being so polite with me again. I’m not complaining about Little Jiang. It’s because she did so well that I’m reluctant to let her go. The Personnel Department is just like that. It’s not like we’ve only known for a day or two.”

“But let me say this first. It’s almost August now, and autumn is coming soon. The Ministry of Justice’s approval will be down soon. She might not be able to leave at this time. At least, she has to deal with this year’s few prisoners.”

Lu Qing had already discussed it with Jiang Huaizhen and quickly nodded. “I know that. If we really can’t find anyone, she’ll have to finish this year’s work before she leaves.”

After Jiang Huaizhen left the Punishment Department, she went straight out of the yamen.

But she unexpectedly ran into a petty official in a light blue robe. In a male-dominated field, women were rarely seen in the yamen. The man was stunned for a moment, looked at her face, and quickly recognized her.

A sarcastic smile appeared on his face. “I didn’t expect that the executioner of Changping County would actually be a woman.”

Jiang Huaizhen also recognized him. This was the petty official from the Household Department who had skimmed one tael of silver from her. She lowered her eyes, said nothing, and walked straight out the main door.

Being ignored by her, the petty official was very displeased. He spat on the ground and then turned to go to the Household Department.