In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 897 - 902: The Old Clan Leader is Gone!

Chapter 897: Chapter 902: The Old Clan Leader is Gone!

To hear music is to understand its elegance!

With just an introduction from Qin Yueshi, Su Pan’er understood her meaning.

"The other party is merely concerned about losing their livelihood because you work for them on short-term jobs. Solving this is simple! You can stay in your hometown for a while, and in a few days I’ll send someone to find you another job. As for Shuang’er..."

Su Pan’er stepped forward and gently took Shuang’er’s hand, "My little clay monkey at home is very resilient. I was just thinking of letting Shuang’er accompany her and play for a few days. Shuang’er, would you be willing to be Yan Yan’s study companion?"

Yan Yan?

Qin Shuang’er was clearly surprised!

She turned to look at the delicately sculpted little girl in the next room. Her presence seemed to make the entire room brighten considerably. Her heart suddenly felt nervous, "I...I’m not very smart, and I don’t recognize many characters. The few that I do know were taught to me by you and Third Uncle. Can I really do it?"

To have such a rich and noble little girl, and to be asked to become her study companion?

At that moment, Qin Shuang’er’s heart pounded wildly, as if it was about to leap out of her chest!

"Good child, you can hold on to your true nature in the face of wealth and honors; you have not disappointed the teachings of your Third Uncle," she said.

Su Pan’er waved at Qin Yanyan who was looking over, "Yan Yan is also at the age to begin her education. Though, she has read through the Four Books already. If you get along with her, it doesn’t really matter how many characters you can recognize."

Qin Shuang’er bit her lip and did not agree immediately, lowering her head instead.

Qin Yanyan quickly came over, "Mother, were you looking for Yan Yan?"

While speaking, she also snuggled into Su Pan’er’s arms.

"Don’t be silly. Have you met your great uncle and great aunt yet?"

Su Pan’er lovingly stroked her head, "Come, come and meet your great uncle and great aunt, and your cousin Shuang’er."

Little Yan Yan came forward obediently, "Yan Yan has met great uncle and great aunt, hello, Cousin Shuang’er. Cousin Shuang’er, you are so pretty."

Qin Shuang’er’s face instantly blushed at the compliment.

Indeed, Qin Shuang’er was a truly radiant girl. At the age of fourteen, she was like a blooming flower bud, beginning to show her charming beauty. With shyness tinging her cheeks with a blush, she was dazzling to behold.

She hurriedly took Yan Yan’s hand, "It’s cousin who is so beautiful, like a fairy leaping out of a painting. I am so envious."

Little Yanyan had grown up in the countryside with her parents and had always been the darling of the manor. She realized that her mother was purposefully arranging for her to spend time with her cousin. With a mind to foster good relations, she sweetly responded, and Qin Shuang’er from the bottom of her heart liked Yan Yan too. It wasn’t long before the two of them started playing together.

Su Pan’er smiled at the sight of this.

"Since the two young sisters get along so well, Shuang’er can stay and accompany Yan Yan in her studies," she said.

Qin Yu and Qin Yueshi were overjoyed and their faces couldn’t express whether they were crying or laughing.

They quickly nodded in agreement. Qin Yueshi, in particular, was so excited that she seized Su Pan’er’s hand, "Third brother’s wife, you’ve really helped us out of a great difficulty! We will never forget this kindness for as long as we live!"

"Big sister, why are you saying such formalities? Didn’t you also help me a lot when I first married into the Qin family?"

Su Pan’er patted her hand, comforting her, "Let’s eat here at noon, no need to rush back."

"Good, good..."

Tears rolled in Qin Yueshi’s eyes as she nodded urgently.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu stood up, rubbing his hands, ready to offer his help, "You all sit, I’ll go see if there’s anything in the kitchen that needs help."

Qin Yu was still his usual honest self, always eager to lend a hand.

"Maybe I should help too..."

Qin Yueshi also wanted to go but was stopped by Su Pan’er, "Don’t bother, there are plenty of servants in the kitchen. Let’s just have a good chat."

Not refusing, the two chatted and laughed together. Before long, another servant came to report that the County Magistrate and Deputy County Magistrate of Yongze County had arrived!

Yongzhou City was now under the jurisdiction of Prince Wei, and the county magistrate of Yongze County had been replaced. The current Magistrate Liu appeared to be amiable and in his forties, someone who did not provoke aversion, and he entered with a series of subordinate salutations.

Su Pan’er was somewhat uncertain about the county magistrate’s visit but still played the gracious host, welcoming everyone.

By noon, Su Pan’er had ordered someone to invite Old Qin and Mrs. Qin-Li to share a meal. With many guests present, they split into several tables. Old Qin and Su Lao Si accompanied the county magistrate’s table, which also included Old Xue and Eleventh Uncle. These local officials didn’t dare to breathe loudly and left after the meal, presenting gifts before their departure.

Su Pan’er was clearly puzzled, "Strange, why did these local officials come to visit?"

Old Xue, however, saw it clearly, "Isn’t Qin Yi the Marquis Zhenguo? With you, his third-grade lady, returning to your hometown, how could these minor officials not come to pay their respects?"

"But..."

Just as Su Pan’er was about to mention the title of Marquis Zhenguo, Qin Yi had already surrendered his seal years before. But then she remembered that according to the local tradition, officials would still be addressed by their former titles even after they had returned home. For instance, ’Lu Da who angrily beat Zhenguanxi’ was still referred to by his past position of Deputy Regional Commander.

There was no getting up early without a benefit, so what were these local officials seeking by visiting her?

As Su Pan’er was pondering, Old Xue spoke in a lowered voice, "I think it has to do with Qin Yi’s raising of troops. Prince Wei, sitting in Yongzhou City, must have heard a lot. Your sudden return to your hometown makes it normal for the local officials to make this visit."

So that was it!

Su Pan’er instantly understood.

Before, she hadn’t considered this angle, but Old Xue’s hint made her instantly grasp the entirety of the situation.

A wry smile appeared on her face, "I originally thought that by hiding in my countryside hometown, I could avoid involvement. But where in the world is there truly a place of peace? Even the joyous Taohua Valley was robbed clean, let alone here?"

With the awareness of the situation, Su Pan’er did not hesitate. She quickly organized the matter, then dispatched several people to contact Qin Yi’s troops and Lui Muyi’s men.

Once the messengers had left, she took out the iron piece given to her by the clan leader the day before, examining it for a long while, but still, she could not figure out its purpose. The shape resembled a key, but what kind of lock would be opened by an iron piece as a key?

Just as she was considering another visit to the ancestral hall to find the clan leader, an unexpected report came from the Qin Family—The patriarch had passed away last night!

"The clan leader has passed away?"

Without a moment to ponder, Su Pan’er quickly took two steps forward, "Wasn’t he in good health last night? How could he have passed so suddenly?"

She had checked last night. Given the clan leader’s condition and with the prescription she had provided, he should have had at least another year or so without any issue. How could he have suddenly died?