Chapter 163 – Enemies on a Narrow Road
As soon as this was mentioned, the guards at the county court looked familiarly at the two of them. Anyone connected to General Zhan from Xijing, even if a commoner, was not someone they dared to treat lightly, so they were let through.
“Go ahead,” one of the officers said, adding, “For land registration, you need to see Steward Yan.”
Hearing the name Steward Yan, Yan Xiaosi couldn’t help but internally curse. There was only one Steward Yan at the Xijing county court, and that was Yan Bozhang. She had just offended Yan Bozhang last night, and now she needed to get her family’s three acres of land registered. It seemed like it would be difficult.
Upon entering the county court, Yan Xiaosi kept cursing in her mind until she came face to face with Yan Bozhang.
Yan Shuxue’s face tightened the moment she saw Yan Bozhang.
Seeing Yan Bozhang sitting upright at a desk, she tugged at Yan Xiaosi’s sleeve and whispered, “Xiaosi, how could it be Uncle?”
“Enemies often cross each other’s paths,” thought Yan Xiaosi, feeling like she had the worst luck. “Sister, you forgot that Yan Bozhang is the steward of the county court. Xijing’s county court is only so big; how many Steward Yans could there be?”
The moment Yan Bozhang saw Yan Xiaosi and her sister, a smug smile appeared on his face. They must have come to him for help today. Yan Xiaosi, that rascal, had told him to get lost just yesterday, and today she had fallen into his hands. Perfect.
“So it’s my niece Shuxue and nephew Xiaosi. What brings you two to the county court today?” he asked.
Holding the land deed, Yan Shuxue nervously said, “Uncle, Xiaosi and I are here to register our family’s three acres of land. The officers said you are in charge of it.”
Yan Bozhang nodded smugly. “Indeed, I am in charge of this matter.”
“Then please help us with the procedure,” she requested.
Hearing this, Yan Bozhang laughed coldly, as if he had heard a joke. “Nephew Xiaosi, you had such a sharp tongue last night. Why are you silent now?”
Yan Xiaosi’s expression was somber. “Is Steward Yan perhaps looking to settle a personal grudge under the guise of official business?”
With no outsiders present, Yan Bozhang, remembering the humiliation he suffered last night, slammed his fist on the table in anger. “Yes, I am seeking personal revenge. If Yan Shuqin agrees to enter the county court and become a concubine for Magistrate Yao, I’ll process your land registration. Otherwise, forget about registering your land.”
Yan Xiaosi frowned. Although she was not from this era, she understood the importance of land registration. Having a land deed without the government’s registration meant the government wouldn’t recognize it and might even confiscate the land.
“Steward Yan, you’re ruthless. Since the land registration is in your hands, I, Yan Xiaosi, admit my bad luck.”
“Sister, let’s go.” Selling out their eldest sister’s happiness for three acres of land was absolutely impossible. Even if they lost the land, they could still sell it, but their beautiful and kind eldest sister only had one life.
Just as Yan Xiaosi was about to leave with Yan Shuxue, Long Yi suddenly entered.
His arrival surprised Yan Bozhang.
Yan Bozhang quickly got up and greeted him with a smile as wide as a fool’s. “Guard Long Yi, what brings you here? Does General Zhan have any instructions for me?”
Long Yi looked at him expressionlessly. “Steward Yan, is this young master Yan here to register land?”
“Ah, yes.”
Yan Bozhang was initially surprised. How did Long Yi know Yan Xiaosi was here for land registration? Then, reluctantly, he nodded in disappointment.
Long Yi glanced at Yan Xiaosi and ordered coldly, “This young master Yan is a distinguished guest of the General. You should process his request quickly. Offending young master Yan is not something a mere steward like you can afford.”
Hearing this, Yan Bozhang broke out in cold sweat, terrified. He had thought that after Long Yu sent Yan Xiaosi away, he wouldn’t bother with him anymore. Logically, a General from Xijing shouldn’t care about a country bumpkin like him.
Not only was he surprised, but Yan Xiaosi herself was also astonished. Was the War King so idle that he kept meddling in her affairs? However, this meddling was fortunate. If not for the War King’s idleness, today’s land registration might not have been possible.
“Yes,” Yan Bozhang nodded grudgingly and walked over to Yan Xiaosi, avoiding Long Yi’s gaze, and glared at her fiercely.
“Show me the land deed.”
Yan Xiaosi handed him the deed, smirking triumphantly, “Please, Steward Yan.”
Seeing her smug expression, Yan Bozhang felt like he was about to cough up blood.
After confirming the deed was genuine, he took out the land use ledger of Daxing Town, ready to change the name from Tian Qingquan to Yan Xiaosi.
Just as he was about to write her name, Yan Xiaosi stopped him, “Write my mother’s name, Zhong Suxin.”
It was customary for property and land to be registered under a man’s name, so Yan Xiaosi’s request made Yan Bozhang pause. Then he reluctantly wrote down Ms. Zhong’s name.
Seeing Ms. Zhong’s name appear in the government’s land use ledger, Yan Xiaosi pursed her lips in satisfaction. Having property under her mother’s name would make it easier for her to start a new life. In the future, with more money, she planned to buy more property and register it under the names of her elder sisters.
Seeing Yan Bozhang’s face twitching with anger, Yan Xiaosi smiled and thanked him with a bow.
“Thank you, Steward Yan.”
After leaving Yan Bozhang’s office, Yan Xiaosi courteously bowed to Long Yi. “Thank you, Guard Long Yi, for your assistance. If it weren’t for your timely help, our family’s land registration might not have been processed today.”
Long Yi’s face remained expressionless. “Young master Yan, you don’t need to thank me. It was all ordered by my master.”
Yan Xiaosi was puzzled, “Guard Long Yi, how did your master know I would be at the county court today to handle the land registration? And where is your master now? Should I go thank him in person?”
“My master had urgent business and went out with Miracle Doctor Murong. As for how he knew, Young Master Yan need not ask. Whatever my master wishes to know, no matter how well hidden, he will find out.”
“Alright then, please extend my thanks to your master. Goodbye.”
Tian Dazhuang had been waiting outside the county court for a long time and finally saw Yan Xiaosi and Yan Shuxue come out.
“Xiaosi, Sister Shuxue, why did you take so long? Is everything settled? I was getting anxious waiting here. If you hadn’t come out soon, I was about to rush in and look for you.”
Yan Xiaosi climbed onto the ox cart, replying, “We ran into Yan Bozhang, so we were delayed. Sorry, Brother Dazhuang, to have kept you waiting.”
