Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei exchanged a look. Finally, Chen Xiaobei spoke, "Ah, Magistrate Hu, how could I, Xiaobei, be worthy of your esteemed presence?"
Hearing this, Hu Fan smiled faintly and clasped his fists at Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei again. "Brother Xiaobei, I have received an imperial decree from the Crown Prince, stating that from now on, whenever a villager from Hetou Village gets married, I am to go and offer congratulations in the Crown Prince's name."
"This is a major occasion and a joyous event for Hetou Village. I must congratulate you, the village chief."
So that was the reason. Chen Xiaobei felt relieved.
"Thank you, Magistrate Hu." After expressing his gratitude, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei urged their horses forward again, riding alongside Hu Fan. Yang Chun waved to the rest of the group to wait. Since the carriages were not as fast as horses, they might as well wait a while longer until Chen Xiaobei and the others were some distance away.
Chen Xiaobei also had something to tell Hu Fan about Chen Ermao. After some pleasantries, Chen Xiaobei found an opportunity. "Magistrate Hu, my return from Wannian City was not without an unexpected encounter. Halfway back, I ran into Chen Ermao from our village."
"Oh, that name sounds somewhat familiar," Hu Fan said vaguely, not understanding Chen Xiaobei's intention.
Chen Xiaobei said sternly, "The one whose entire family was exiled to the frontier. His parents died, and he returned to observe mourning. But somehow, he disappeared from the village again."
"I found him in a state of neither human nor ghost. I was planning to bring him to you later, Magistrate Hu, for you to deal with."
Upon hearing this, Hu Fan smiled faintly and waved his hand. "Forget it, forget it. He is already an exile. I will annul his household registration, and he will no longer be a resident of Hetou Village. What happens to him, alive or dead, is up to you to decide."
Hu Fan was astute and immediately grasped Chen Xiaobei's meaning. For an exile, his death would be nothing. He could also be considered dead while alive. If a favor were to be done, it might as well be to let him die.
Without the burden of carriages, traveling only by horse, they returned to Hetou Village much faster.
Hu Fan escorted Chen Xiaobei all the way to the village entrance on the official road before reining in his warhorse.
"Brother Xiaobei, I have official duties at my yamen, so I won't be entering the village."
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself, how could he not enter now that he was here? He quickly reached out to stop him. "Magistrate Hu, you're already at the village entrance. If you don't come in, do you find the village too simple and not to your liking?"
"Not at all, not at all. Brother Xiaobei, you jest. If that's the case, then I must enter and ask for a cup of tea."
At this moment, Cui Hongyu, Liu Tie, Liu Ce, and others who had received the news were already waiting at the village entrance. Seeing Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei, they cheered.
After the cheers, Cui Hongyu led the group forward to pay their respects to Hu Fan.
Chen Xiaobei, standing nearby, instructed the village guard captain Chen Dayong and others, "Quickly tidy up, prepare tea, and get some wine and food ready!"
The crowd bustled with excitement, ushering Hu Fan into Chen Xiaobei's new home, which had been converted into the village's mess hall. Soon, Qiu Mei and others started up the stoves, busy preparing dishes.
Hearing the lively scene outside, Hu Fan thought he should show his appreciation. "I heard that Brother Xiaobei is here to marry Miss Liu, and I am very happy. I came in haste and did not bring any substantial gifts." Sudan Novel Network
As he spoke, Hu Fan waved to He Dali beside him. He Dali turned and went out, returning a moment later with a bundle.
He placed the bundle on the table and opened it. Inside was a jade Buddha, one foot tall.
"My salary as a magistrate is meager, and I have few valuable possessions. I searched high and low and finally found a decent gift. I hope you two will not find it wanting."
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei quickly rose again to express their gratitude.
After drinking two cups of tea, Hu Fan stood up. "Alright, I've had my tea. I should be going back, or I won't be able to return to the county town before dark."
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei repeatedly urged him to stay for dinner and drinks, but Hu Fan refused to budge. Finally, with no other option, Chen Xiaobei politely escorted him out of the village.
Although Hu Fan had left, the wine and food were ready.
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei, Cui Hongyu, and Yang Chun sat at one table. On another table sat Liu Tie, Liu Ce, and the Liu family. Chen Dayong, the village guard captain, and others sat at a third table.
Yang Chun felt a bit awkward sitting at this table, as the other three were family, and he was an outsider.
Chen Xiaobei raised his wine glass and respectfully said to Yang Chun, "This time in Wannian City, if it weren't for Big Brother's help, I would have likely fallen victim to treachery."
Yang Chun smiled, raised his wine glass, and clinked it with Chen Xiaobei's. "You're too kind, brother. We are brothers, after all."
Liu Rumei and Cui Hongyu on the other side also raised their glasses and drank.
While Chen Xiaobei and Yang Chun were talking, Liu Rumei briefly recounted Chen Xiaobei's near-death experience to Cui Hongyu. Cui Hongyu's eyes flickered with endless surprise and joy.
"A close call, truly a close call. In this world, everything is so coincidental. If it weren't for Brother Yang substituting someone else, they might have also fallen victim. And if Lin Yang hadn't been there, Brother Yang would likely have been in grave danger as well."
"Indeed, everything is predestined," Liu Rumei couldn't help but sigh.
That night, Chen Xiaobei's thoughts were complex. Looking at Liu Rumei before him, he thought of the deceased Huang Ying again. But seeing everyone in high spirits, he couldn't bear to disturb them. He found an excuse, "Perhaps it was the wind on the journey, I have a slight headache. You all continue eating, I'll go inside and rest for a while."
How could Yang Chun not understand Chen Xiaobei's intentions? But he couldn't leave immediately, as that would be interpreted as Chen Xiaobei asking him to leave. He vaguely acknowledged Chen Xiaobei's words, and after Chen Xiaobei entered the house, he turned to Liu Rumei and said, "Everyone is tired after traveling for days. I'll go back and rest as well."
After Yang Chun left, only Cui Hongyu and Liu Rumei remained at the table.
Liu Rumei gently held Cui Hongyu's hand and said emotionally, "Sister Hongyu, from now on, we are family. Please be understanding if there is anything amiss."
Cui Hongyu quickly shook her head. "Miss Liu, you shouldn't say that. My husband has mentioned more than once that you are a lady of high status. How could you stoop to living in a small mountain village? This was a desperate measure to rescue you."
"My husband also said that after a couple more years when things have settled down, you are free to choose your own path."
Liu Rumei smiled and shook her head. "No, no. I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay here with you and Brother Xiaobei."
"I think living in Hetou Village is quite good."
Cui Hongyu was stunned for a moment. She remained silent for a while, then looked at Liu Rumei with surprise. "Miss Liu, absolutely not. This place is nothing like Wannian City."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Oh, and I still have a property in Qingniu County. If you get tired of staying in Hetou Village, Sister, we can go and live there for a few days."