Chapter 125 – Heading to the County Court
“Mom, I want to go too,” said Yan Shuqin.
Yan Shuxue and Yan Shuyun also spoke up.
“Mom, we also want to go.”
Ms. Zhong’s gaze swept over her three daughters. She nodded.
Since they had no choice but to go, the whole family would go together – live together, die together.
The mother and daughters looked steadily at Yao Jin.
Yao Jin still didn’t know the nobleman’s attitude towards Yan Xiaosi, so he didn’t dare offend Ms. Zhong.
As long as he could bring Yan Xiaosi to the county government, a few extra people didn’t matter.
“Of course, the nobleman from the capital is waiting at the county government. Madam, please go in and call the young master out, so you can hurry to the county government with me,” said Yao Jin.
Ms. Zhong had no choice but to enter the cave to call Yan Xiaosi out.
The cave was pitch-black. Yan Shuqin followed along holding the luminous stone.
Yan Xiaosi had just cultivated for a while in her portable space when the commotion outside disturbed her.
She could clearly hear everything Yan Bozhang said.
Why was the county magistrate Yao Jin looking for her so late?
She didn’t believe Yan Bozhang had enough influence to get Yao Jin to come after her, a commoner. But if Yao Jin hadn’t come for the Yan family, what was his purpose? Neither she nor the original owner had any grievances with the county government.
Just as she was pondering this, she heard the conversation between Ms. Zhong and Yao Jin, and knew Ms. Zhong had entered the cave to call her out. Yan Xiaosi quickly left her portable space.
Yan Shuqin held the luminous stone and followed Ms. Zhong into the cave. She saw Yan Xiaosi curled up in bed, fast asleep.
Ms. Zhong walked to the bedside and looked at her sweetly sleeping daughter, unwilling to disturb her.
Yan Xiaosi rolled over and opened her eyes.
“Mom, eldest sister, what time is it? Why aren’t you asleep yet? Are second and third sisters still outside?” she asked.
Ms. Zhong’s tone was grave. “Xiaosi, people from the Yan family and the county magistrate have come.”
Yan Xiaosi acted very surprised. “In the middle of the night? What are the Yan family and county magistrate doing coming to the deep mountains? Did they eat too much and need to walk it off after dinner?”
Yan Shuqin feared her words would be overheard by Yao Jin. “Speak softer, the Yan family and county magistrate are right outside.”
Yan Xiaosi rubbed her eyes and sat up.
“The cave is so deep, they can’t hear us. Mom, eldest sister, it’s late, call second and third sister in to sleep. We still need to go to Daxing Town tomorrow to sell goods.”
Ms. Zhong’s tone was heavy. “Xiaosi, I’m afraid our family won’t get any sleep tonight.”
Yan Xiaosi yawned. “Why? Did the Yan family bring the county magistrate to create trouble for us?”
Yan Shuqin said, “A nobleman from the capital wants to see you. We have to go to the county government. Don’t worry, eldest sister will protect you at all costs once we’re there.”
Ms. Zhong also had the expression of someone going to their death.
Yan Xiaosi laughed. “We’re going to the county government to see a noble, not the underworld. Why are you two so tense? We’ve never been to the Xize County court before. It’s a good chance to take a free carriage ride and tour the city tonight.”
Seeing her relaxed expression, Ms. Zhong felt slightly better. “You’re the only one who can be so carefree.”
“Mom, where there’s a will there’s a way. Sleep until we reach the bridgehead and things will naturally be straight. Fear won’t solve anything, so why should I fear?” said Yan Xiaosi.
Fearing things before they happened wasn’t her style.
Once Yan Xiaosi finished dressing, the three women went out to see Yao Jin.
The instant Yan Xiaosi appeared, Yao Jin stared at her. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Just a somewhat good-looking country bumpkin with nothing special about him. How could the noble attach such importance to this ordinary boy? He looked about fourteen or fifteen. Could it be the capital noble wanted a boy for pleasure?
He didn’t believe the noble had truly summoned Yan Xiaosi to treat an illness. A person of that status could get any royal doctor.
Thinking this, Yao Jin felt some regret.
If he had known earlier the noble had a habit of enjoying such habits, he definitely would have prepared some good-looking boys at the county government. Then he wouldn’t have needed to rush out to these deep mountains to search for someone so late.
Yao Jin looked Yan Xiaosi up and down. She returned his gaze steadily.
Seeing her fearless expression as she stared at Yao Jin, Yan Bozhang became even more certain this nephew was no ordinary person. Just like his deceased third brother, he was gifted and bold. If such a person could return to the Yan family and receive Old Master Yan’s grooming, then he and Wenfeng would be done for in the future Yan family.
“Xiaosi, hurry and pay respects to County Magistrate Yao,” said Yan Bozhang.
Yan Xiaosi cupped her fists at Yao Jin, calm and neither servile nor overbearing. “This commoner Yan Xiaosi pays respects to Magistrate Yao. The magistrate wants to bring me to the county government to see a noble, yes? Let’s go.”
Yan Xiaosi agreeing so readily to go to the county government clearly surprised Yao Jin.
On the way to Four Sisters Mountain, he had been considering a problem. If Yan Xiaosi refused to go to the county government, should he take him by force or report back to the noble before coming to seize him?
Yan Xiaosi’s quick agreement to go to the county government saved him a lot of trouble.
“Why are you still in a daze? Hurry and raise the torches to help Young Master Yan down the mountain,” Yao Jin ordered.
Some of the Yan servants came forward holding torches to support Yan Xiaosi.
Yan Xiaosi glanced at Yao Jin. A thought turned in her mind.
Yao Jin was being so polite to her. It seemed tonight’s trip to the county government might not necessarily be a calamity.
“There’s dew on the ground at night, making the mountain path slippery. Mom, eldest sister, second sister, third sister, be careful,” she said.
Ms. Zhong and the three sisters stayed close behind her.
Yan Shuqin held the luminous stone in her arms. All the way down, Yan Bozhang and Yao Jin frequently glanced at it.
Yao Jin’s carriage was parked outside the Yan manor. The group rushed there after descending the mountain.
Despite the late hour, the Yan manor was still brightly lit with two bright large lanterns hung at the gate. Old Master Yan and the Yan women had not slept, waiting at the main gate.
Seeing the flickering lights in the distance, Yan Shujing said to Old Master Yan, “Grandfather, there are lights over there. It must be Magistrate Yao, Father and Eldest Uncle coming back.”
Soon, Yao Jin led the group outside the Yan manor.
Old Master Yan and the Yan women’s gazes were immediately drawn by the glowing rock in Yan Shuqin’s arms.
A rock that glowed, was it a treasure?
Everyone guessed in their hearts.
Ms. Li directly asked aloud, “Qin’er, what is that thing you’re holding?”
Yan Shuqin used her sleeve to cover the luminous stone, unhappy with Ms. Li’’s expression.
“Eldest aunt, it’s just a rock that can glow. Xiaosi calls it a luminous stone. It’s worthless.”
