Chapter 121 – Finding Yan Xiaosi
The Yan family of five had already left the dilapidated temple at the end of the village and moved to the Four Sisters Mountain. Old Master Yan’s plans had failed, and he could only abandon Yan Xiaosi.
“Hmph, from today onwards, Yan Xiaosi is no longer a descendant of the Yan family,” said Old Master Yan.
Fortunately, Yan Xiaosi did not hear Old Master Yan’s words.
Pah, she didn’t even want to be a descendant of the Yan family.
Hearing what Old Master Yan said, the people of the first and second branches of the Yan family were delighted.
The old master had suffered so much at Yan Xiaosi’s hands that the few members of the third branch of the Yan family now had virtually no hope of returning to live in the Yan manor.
“Wenfeng, how have your studies at the county school been recently?”
Old Master Yan suppressed his anger and suddenly asked about Yan Wenfeng’s studies.
Yan Wenfeng was very confident in his abundant talents and smiled, “Grandfather, it’s been a long time since I composed a poem for you. Why don’t I compose one for you to listen to now?”
With Old Master Yan’s tacit approval, Yan Wenfeng put down his bowl and chopsticks, stood up in the courtyard, and looked up at the sunset on the horizon.
“The clouds and sunset on the horizon are like a rainbow, and the autumn wind brings the dance of the rainbow. One dance can captivate a city, two dances can captivate a country…”
Yan Wenfeng improvised a poem that greatly satisfied Old Master Yan.
“Your grandmother’s health has improved. Wenfeng, for the next period of time, after you finish school, stay at the county school to review your books,” said Old Master Yan. “The big exam that’s held every three years is coming next year. Review diligently so you can test into the top three rankings next year and bring glory to our Yan family.”
Having obtained Old Master Yan’s approval, Yan Wenfeng arrogantly curled his lips.
“Yes grandfather, your grandson will always remember your teachings, diligently review textbooks, and bring glory to the Yan family,” said Yan Wenfeng.
“Mm,” Old Master Yan nodded satisfactorily and shifted his gaze to Yan Bozhang.
“Eldest, you don’t need to come back every day either. There’s a lot of work in the county office. Stay there more to assist the county magistrate. Perhaps after this county magistrate gets promoted, the next county magistrate of Xize County will be you,” said Old Master Yan.
Yan Bozhang had been a steward for many years and dreamed of becoming the county magistrate of Xize County.
“Yes father,” said Yan Bozhang.
After Old Master Yan allowed Yan Bozhang and Yan Wenfeng father and son to stay out instead of coming back to serve the old mistress, he picked up his chopsticks and started eating, completely ignoring Yan Boshu.
Sitting at the next table, Ms. Hu had been waiting for a long time but Old Master Yan did not mention their second branch at all. She was very dissatisfied.
“Father, eldest brother is busy with official duties, Wenfeng is busy with studies, and we are busy with business matters. Since my eldest brother and Wenfeng don’t need to return to the manor, starting tomorrow, we won’t return to the old residence either,” said Ms. Hu.
By not returning to the old residence, they could still arrange a few tables of guests at night.
Ms. Hu’s words caused Old Master Yan’s face to turn dark. He slapped his chopsticks on the table.
“What, you all despise the old residence now? Since you despise it, move out and never come back,” Old Master Yan thundered.
Old Master Yan’s roar frightened Ms. Hu so much that her shoulders twitched, but she stubbornly said, “Father, I didn’t say we would never come back.”
Never coming back was impossible. The old Yan residence was worth a lot of silver. Other than the residence itself, the Yan family still had a lot of land. If they didn’t come back, wouldn’t they be letting the first branch take advantage?
“Woman, do you even know how to speak? All you do is anger me,” scolded Yan Bushu, glaring fiercely at Ms. Hu and signaling her to shut up.
“Father, Wenqing’s mother doesn’t know how to speak well. Don’t lower yourself to her level. Recently, business at the restaurant has been very good. Wenqing and I will stay at the restaurant and let Wenqing’s mother and Shuxiu stay at the old residence with my eldest sister-in-law and Shujing to take care of Mother,” said Yan Bushu.
Only then did Old Master Yan rein in his anger and continue eating with his chopsticks.
Staying at the old residence to take care of the old mistress was the last thing Ms. Hu and Yan Shuxiu wanted, but for the Yan family assets, the mother and daughter could only endure it.
“Old Master, Eldest Master, the county magistrate is here,” a servant came to report that the county magistrate had come to visit.
The Yan family had not even finished dinner yet when the county magistrate arrived without warning. Yan Bozhang was so surprised he almost fell off his chair.
“Why has the county magistrate come so late?”
He had been a steward at the county government for so many years, yet the county magistrate had never come to Shaoyao Village before. For him to suddenly visit Shaoyao Village tonight, could it be to visit the Old Master since the Old Master was the previous county magistrate?
Seeing everyone stunned and somewhat at a loss, Old Master Yan said, “What are you all still dazing around for, quickly go greet the county magistrate.”
Only then did the family get up and go to the entrance to greet the county magistrate.
The current county magistrate of Xize County was named Yao Jin.
Outside the Yan manor, Yao Jin was patiently waiting with a coachman and a guard.
As the former county magistrate of Xize County, Old Master Yan had to give him some face.
“Magistrate Yao has graced this humble abode with your presence. Please forgive us for not welcoming you from afar,” said Old Master Yan, smiling as he cupped his fists respectfully.
Although Yao Jin showed him some respect, he didn’t dare to act arrogantly in front of Yao Jin just because he was the former county magistrate of Xize County. Moreover, Yan Bozhang was a steward at the county government and Yan Wenfeng was studying at the county school. Both father and son needed Yao Jin’s favor.
The rest of the Yan family also exchanged pleasantries with Yao Jin before inviting him into the courtyard for a meal.
There were only some leftovers on the table. Yan Bozhang ordered a servant, “Hurry to the kitchen and prepare some proper dishes.”
Just as the servant was about to go to the kitchen, Yao Jin waved his hand. “No need to worry. I’ve already had dinner at the county office. I rushed to Shaoyao Village tonight to find someone. I thought steward Yan’s family were natives of Shaoyao Village so you must know the village well. That’s why I came to the Yan family to ask steward Yan for help finding someone.”
Other than the Yan family, Shaoyao Village was inhabited by commoners. Yao Jin had personally come to Shaoyao Village to look for someone. This surprised both Old Master Yan and Yan Bozhang.
Yan Bozhang tentatively asked, “Yan Bozhang is willing to serve. I wonder who the magistrate wants to find?”
Yao Jin’s brows furrowed. “Is there a dilapidated temple at the end of Shaoyao Village? Is there a youth called Yan Xiaosi living in that dilapidated temple?”
“Magistrate, you came to Shaoyao Village to find Yan Xiaosi?” Ms. Li exclaimed in surprise.
Her mind turned and she asked again, “Magistrate, could it be that Yan Xiaosi committed some crime and you want to arrest him for questioning? Magistrate, let me tell you, that rascal is simply lawless. You have to discipline him properly.”
Recalling the grievances she had suffered at Yan Xiaosi’s hands, Ms. Li blurted out bad things about Yan Xiaosi in front of Old Master Yan.
Realizing belatedly that she had spoken wrongly, she glanced at Old Master Yan and saw that he did not look displeased. Only then did she let out a breath of relief.
