The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 525 The Man in a Bad Mood (1)_1

Chapter 525: Chapter 525 The Man in a Bad Mood (1)_1

We mustn’t let the Fang family produce another Scholar. We’ll have to sever Fang Liuming’s path to the scientific examinations! Old Pei didn’t want to resort to shady tactics and risk getting caught, which wasn’t an easy matter.

Ever since Ms. Liangsan successfully cultivated double-cropping rice and was titled County Magistrate, Qian Wanxiu had people watching Sister Peiqin and her siblings, hoping to catch something incriminating to deliver a fatal blow. Yet until now, not a single useful clue has emerged.

Without the influence of the Shen family, without Wu Dongsi, it would have been easy to pin a charge of defying the Imperial decree on Pei Qin and the others. A few witnesses, and they’d be unable to shake off the charge. However, Pei Qin’s marriage to Mo Heng, and her continuing relations with Shen Songming, meant that even Meng Dinglun’s connections were of no use. Now, she could only hope that Wu Dongsi would be reassigned, and that the new County Magistrate would not be from the Shen faction, but a political enemy of the Shen family.

Shen Songming’s letter arrived, along with a heap of New Year’s goods for Pei Qin.

Pei Qin opened the chest and turned it upside down. It was only then, in a hidden compartment at the bottom of the chest, that she found what she was looking for. "It’s not something precious, yet it’s hidden so well..."

"What’s all this? Big sister!" Pei Qian asked, holding up a package.

"It’s none of a child’s business," Pei Qin said as she took it away and put the items into her inner bag, instructing Feng Wei to take them to the storeroom.

Pei Qian was puzzled. It wasn’t summer, so there was no need for making ice. Could these be for making fire? But how could fire be made without burning wood!?

However, she was quickly distracted by the small gifts Shen Songming had sent them.

Meanwhile, Pei Qin opened the letter, which was full of typical Shen Songming-style ramblings. Only one line was useful: Wu Dongsi would be reassigned after the New Year to be a deputy in Datong Prefecture, and the official appointment documents had already been issued. The new County Magistrate was a certain Huang, an unknown figure, whom he was currently investigating.

"Alright! Now that we have confirmation, it’s time to go and offer congratulations to Magistrate Wu!" Pei Qin put away the letter.

Mo Heng and she went to the county town to shop for New Year’s goods.

When Wu Dongsi was informed of the news, he wasn’t particularly delighted. Although he was promoted, he would have preferred a wealthy place in Jiangnan or to stay in Yuanyang County as its casual County Magistrate, which might have offered more opportunities.

Pei Qin raised an eyebrow, "Datong Prefecture may not be wealthy, but I hear it isn’t impoverished either. It’s just right for development, making it easier to gain achievements. Sir Wu, your promotion is truly a cause for celebration! Perhaps in a few years, we’ll meet again in Capital Jingcheng!"

Wu Dongsi was taken aback, then caught on as he saw the depth in her smile. Although he was a student of Elder Shen, Elder Shen was a First Rank official with many disciples; he was just one of the less remarkable ones. If he could achieve significant accomplishments in Datong Prefecture, that was something worth mentioning and could possibly lead to further promotion.

Realizing this, Wu Dongsi’s smile became sincere. He thanked Pei Qin and gave her a pile of gifts that had been received at his home, explaining that since he was leaving after the New Year, he couldn’t finish or take them all with him.

Pei Qin examined the items and saw that they were indeed of high quality. She accepted all the food items, "I’ll take them home for the little Radishes to try something new!" She declined the rest.

Wu Dongsi insisted several times, but seeing that she genuinely refused, he couldn’t help but find Pei Qin truly astute and clever. When he had first entered the official circles, he had also received guidance. Too much purity in the water means no fish; he couldn’t engage in corruption, but he had also learned that it wasn’t good to remain untouched. Over the years, he had been learning the way of moderation. Pei Qin was natural in accepting gifts, making one feel comfortable when she did. It was a pity she wasn’t born a man; with her intelligence and wit, she would have surely risen high.

Seeing him look at Pei Qin with a hint of regret, Mo Heng’s gaze grew colder.

Wu Dongsi noticed that and, realizing his gaze might be inappropriate, laughed, "Usually, this time of year is the busiest. This year, it’s rare to see Pei Qin out and about. I heard there might be good news?"