The Farm Girl and the Executioner (Rebirth) 96

Chapter 96: Exiled a Thousand Li

The next day, for the case of Lin Mancang defrauding the disaster victims of their thank-you gifts, Lin Shuang, as the accuser, was invited to the yamen.

She met the female criminal advisor.

She was tall, with a beautiful but somewhat sharp face. Her phoenix eyes were slightly upturned, and when she looked at people, her gaze was scrutinizing, making people subconsciously want to avoid it.

In Lin Shuang’s heart, Jiang Huaizhen was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Although she was cool on the surface, she had a hidden gentleness. And this one before her, her appearance was on par with Jiang Huaizhen’s, but she was like a drawn sword, her sharpness exposed, making people not dare to get close.

But for the other to be able to become the county magistrate’s right-hand man in the yamen, she must not be a simple person. Lin Shuang did not dare to make any assumptions and answered honestly.

Including how she had discovered that Lin Mancang had received thank-you gifts in her name, and how she had found the silver, she had already thought of her words and could answer fluently.

Fortunately, this criminal advisor did not pursue the matter too much and instead asked her who the immortal who had predicted the flood was, and where he was now.

For this question, Lin Shuang was still a little guilty, but she had discussed it with Lu Qing before, so she told him about the immortal.

Since he was an immortal, he must be a wanderer. How could he be found?

Although Li Changyu was suspicious, she couldn’t get anything out of her. After having the criminal department clerk confirm the disaster victims she had saved in the flood, she let her go.

It wasn’t until the third day that the case of Lin Mancang defrauding the disaster victims of their thank-you gifts was brought to trial.

The sixty-nine disaster victims who had been saved that day, the twenty strong young men of Whitewater Village, along with Jiang Huaizhen, Lin Shuang, and other related personnel, were all present.

After the common people had gotten the news, they had gone to the yamen gate to wait early in the morning. As soon as the bailiffs had removed the latch, they had rushed in, afraid of being squeezed to the back and not being able to see the situation in the hall.

On the public platform, the young county magistrate was in a dark red official robe, with a jade belt around his waist, his face solemn. Behind him stood a mica screen, and a slender figure could be vaguely seen sitting in it.

With a knock of the gavel, Lin Mancang and Wasong were so scared they went limp and almost lost their voices.

These few days, the criminal department clerk, in collaboration with the constables, had carefully checked the amount of the thank-you gifts that Lin Mancang had defrauded from the disaster victims. In court, they confirmed it with both parties again. After confirming that there were no mistakes, they had everyone sign as evidence.

The county magistrate said, “The amount has been confirmed. After the trial is over, you victims can go to the Household Department to receive the stolen property.”

A disaster victim immediately said, “Sir, this money was originally intended to be a token of filial piety to our saviors. It was just that that thief had impersonated them. Now, thanks to your great power, the money has been recovered. We are willing to give this silver to our benefactors.”

Lin Shuang was standing below the hall. Hearing this, she was about to speak when she heard the county magistrate say, “You have suffered from the flood, which is already unfortunate. How can we let you spend more money to reward the heroes? Besides, the heroes did not seek any reward when they saved people. The government will naturally reward them.”

“This county has decided to allocate two hundred and thirty-five taels of official silver to commend the virtues of the heroes who saved the people from the flood. In addition, I have ordered the clerks to write thirty copies of the notice and post them in the various townships and markets, so that all the people under my jurisdiction will know of this righteous deed.”

As soon as the county magistrate’s words were spoken, the crowd was in an uproar.

Rewarding the heroes was what the yamen should have done, but there had been no movement before. As soon as the new county magistrate took office, this matter was immediately implemented. How could the common people not be excited?

The twenty strong young men looked at each other. The reward of ten taels of white silver made them unable to believe it for a moment. Someone pinched their thigh, and only when they winced in pain did they dare to believe that it was not a dream.

Jiang Huaizhen, for her contribution in organizing, was awarded fifteen taels of silver.

Lin Shuang’s reward was exceptionally generous, a total of twenty taels. The county magistrate specially explained that this twenty taels was not only to commend her for organizing the disaster relief, but also to reward her for her righteous deed of warning of the flood.

What surprised and delighted her was that the yamen had also returned the fine of two taels of silver from before.

No one cared about Lin Mancang and Lin Wasong, who were prostrate on the ground.

Lin Mancang was sentenced to exile, to a bitter and cold land thousands of li away.

The moment he heard the sentence, his forehead was pressed against the cold floor tiles, and his whole body went limp like mud.

Wasong, as an accomplice, had a lighter crime and also had a leg ailment. He was given a lighter sentence and was sent to dig coal. As for whether he could live to be released after his three-year sentence, no one knew.

Old Woman Hao was crying her eyes out below the hall.

But who could be blamed for this? The idea of defrauding the disaster victims of their thank-you gifts was his. No one had forced him. He could only blame himself for his evil heart.

It wasn’t until later, when Lin Mancang was on his way, that no one came to see him off.

He wore a heavy cangue and staggered out of the county yamen’s prison, step by step, out the north gate, and north.

It wasn’t until he had left the boundary of Changping County that he finally burst into tears.

In just half a month, his wife and children had left him, he had been imprisoned, and in the end, he had been exiled to a bitter and cold land.

Regret, he regretted it so much.

He regretted how he had not treated his capable niece well. He didn’t ask for much, but if he had treated her the same as his own children, then the flatbreads she had sold, the dolls she had sold, and the reward for saving people today, wouldn’t all this money have been his?

But it was too late.

It was too late.

…

After leaving the yamen, the people of Whitewater Village surrounded Lin Shuang and Jiang Huaizhen, chattering. No one had expected that the yamen would be so generous as to reward each of them with ten taels of silver.

On their own, they might not have been able to save this much money in ten or twenty years. But now, just for this one righteous deed, they had gained both fame and fortune.

“Girl, whatever you want to do in the future, just tell Third Uncle. Uncle will follow you.”

“And me, and me—” the people behind shouted.

The other villagers who had not been able to get on the cart this time also quickly expressed their intentions. A group of people walked toward Whitewater Village in a lively manner.

The yamen’s commendation notice was also out. Their Whitewater Village was now famous. The village chief was happy in his heart and said to the villagers, “Today is a great day. We’ve received a reward and have also gotten rid of an evil person. Everyone, come to my house for dinner tonight.”

His two sons had each received a reward of ten taels of silver, for a total of twenty taels. He was willing to spend this money to treat the village to a meal.

The crowd was eager to have a place to continue to chat and celebrate. Hearing him say this, they all agreed.

Someone said, “You can’t be the only one to pay for it. I’ll go home and get a chicken.”

“My family also has chickens. I’ll get one too.”

“I also have some cured meat at home. I’ll get a few pieces of cured meat.”

“My family also has a basket of eggs. I’ll contribute the eggs.”

“Then I’ll contribute the wine. I’ll go and get two pots of wine later…”

Lin Shuang smiled. “Our family has rabbits. You can see how many tables there are and take as many as you want.”

The crowd cheered and, upon entering the village, they all ran to their own homes, carrying chickens, ducks, pots, and stools to the village chief’s house.

Some of the families who had not participated in the rescue also wanted to contribute something but were politely refused by the village chief. “They received a reward today. Let them pay for it. You can just come and eat and chat. You don’t have to bring anything.”

The whole village was like it was the new year. Everyone gathered together. Those who were good at cooking were in charge of the cooking, while the others helped to kill the chickens and ducks and wash the vegetables. The rest of the people sat on the drying yard, chatting, and excitedly talking about the rescue a few days ago.

The happiest were the children. Matron Yan had bought two large bags of candy and had given each of them a large handful. Everyone’s pockets were bulging, and their faces were wreathed in smiles.

Old Madam Jiang had not gone to the trial today. Lin Shuang and Jiang Huaizhen were afraid that she would faint from the excitement, so they had her stay at home. The village chief had his eldest daughter-in-law personally go and invite her.

After she arrived, a dozen or so old women gathered together to talk, giggling.

Lin Shuang helped to stir-fry the vegetables.

Jiang Huaizhen was introverted and was not used to being surrounded by the young wives and young men. So she moved closer to her and helped to watch the fire of the dozen or so stoves.

Seeing her look toward the old woman from time to time, Lin Shuang couldn’t help but smile. “What are you always looking over there for? Have you never seen Grandma smile so happily?”

Jiang Huaizhen said, “I haven’t.”

The old woman had been cooped up in the valley for decades and had been isolated because of her son and granddaughter’s identity as executioners. She had been all alone. Now, to be surrounded by so many people, this sense of acceptance, only those who had truly experienced it could understand.

Seeing her happy expression, Jiang Huaizhen also couldn’t help but smile.

The old women were whispering, “Who was it that spread the rumor that Shuang’er had a hard fate and would jinx her relatives?”

“I don’t know. Who would remember the birth characters of someone else’s child? If you want to talk about fortune-telling, it was Lin Mancang and Ma Guihua who went to have it done themselves.”

“The fortune told by that couple, can it be trusted?”

“In my opinion, it’s better to believe less in such things.”

“Seventh Aunt, your eldest and second son got twenty taels today, and they also made dolls with Shuang’er a while back. You must have saved a lot now. Are you going to buy a house in the city?”

Matron Yan quickly said, “How can that be? We’re still far from it. We’re just waiting for Shuang’er to plant medicinal herbs next year and bring us along. We’re not asking to get rich. If we can earn two or three taels more than in previous years, I’ll be satisfied.”

“Is Shuang’er going to plant medicinal herbs next year?”

“Yes. Don’t you know?”

“I don’t.”

“Sigh, I only found out a few days ago. She said that if it grows well this year, and if everyone is willing, she can bring everyone to plant together next year.”

“Oh my, that’s great. Then our family will also plant with them.”

“Don’t worry. If there’s really money to be earned, Shuang’er will remember us.”

“That’s good, that’s good.”

As the few old women were chatting, fifteen tables were arranged in a staggered manner on the other side, and the young wives and young men were busy serving the dishes and the wine.

The tables were soon filled with all sorts of country delicacies.

The freshly made braised pork was glistening with oil, the palm-sized pieces of cured meat were full of cured flavor, and the chicken soup in the large ceramic basin was floating with golden oil. The aroma of the food filled the air.

A few of the eloquent aunts shuttled between the tables, their voices bright as they greeted the villagers to their seats.

There were a total of sixty-one households in Whitewater Village, about three hundred people. But the clan patriarch and the clan elders who had spoken up for Lin Mancang before had no face to come, so there were a dozen or so fewer people.

There were a total of fifteen tables, with a dozen or so people at each table, and they were all full.

Those who couldn’t sit stood behind with their bowls and ate.

The old women sat at the same table, each with a bowl of wine in front of them, and no one was outdone.

On the east side of the drying yard, a dozen or so half-grown children were squeezed together. Their little black hands were scrambling to get the fried meatballs in the center of the table. A little girl with pigtails couldn’t reach and was stomping her feet in frustration.

Suddenly, a bowl full of food was handed over her head.

“Does Xiaoman want to eat this? Go on, take some,” Lin Shuang said with a smile.

The little girl looked up and glanced at her shyly. “Thank you, Aunt Shuang.”

Seeing this, Ping’er, who was next to her, called out, “Auntie, I want some too.”

“Alright, alright. Everyone gets some,” Lin Shuang said, putting one in the bowls of the few children on this side before she put the bowl back.

Seeing that she was only taking care of the little ones, Jiang Huaizhen silently put one in her bowl as well.

The village chief was going from table to table. Seeing the two of them standing behind the children’s table, his beard was so angry it was sticking up. “What are you two doing! How can the heroes be standing and eating? Come, come, go and sit at the main table.”

Lin Shuang smiled and waved her hand. “We’re fine here. The children’s stomachs are small and can’t hold much. The rest is all ours.”

The village chief couldn’t persuade them and had no choice but to turn and go back.

The evening wind, carrying the fragrance of the food, swirled on the drying yard.

Lin Shuang looked at the lively scene before her, thinking of Lin Mancang, who had been sent to a bitter and cold land, and let out a soft sigh of relief.

She had been reborn, and the love she had felt was more than the hatred. Most of the time, she just wanted to live a good life with Jiang Huaizhen, but some people just had to provoke her.

In that case, then don’t blame her for being impolite.

Lin Mancang and his wife were like this, and the Qin family was also like this.

As another piece of cured meat was placed in her bowl, she gathered her thoughts and said to Jiang Huaizhen in a soft and coquettish voice, “I don’t want to eat the fat.”

Jiang Huaizhen coaxed, “Then you can bite off the lean part, and give me the rest of the fat.”