Marriage of the Di Daughter

On the morning of this day in Tongxiang, there was a light snow in the sky.

For the winter in Nanti, even if it is cold, snow is a rare thing. There are not many people on the street. Walking out of Qingshi lane, you can see many people's yards, and women are cleaning the snow particles in the yards. The happiest people are children. Snowflakes are not only natural fun, but also fresh things.

Dai Yun got up early and carefully brushed the snow particles from the branches and vines in the yard. Her young daughter, six-year-old Ping'an, was sitting quietly in the hall eating porridge that was so thin that she could look in the mirror. Ping'an also ate it with relish. From time to time, she raised her eyes and looked out the window. The snowflakes fell in droves, which was quite interesting.

Dai Yun said in the yard, "peace, close the window and don't catch a cold."

Ping An answered, got up from the stool, weighed his feet and closed the window.

Dai Yun looked at the roof and sighed. The weather was getting colder and colder. The snow melted and flowed down the broken roof. The house would be colder. If it fell on Ping'an, it would be in trouble. We have to find a time to have the roof repaired... If only there was a man at home. Dai Yun couldn't help but think so again. In the past, when Xue Huaiyuan was still there, she didn't think so, but now she often has this idea.

Dai Yun is less than twenty-five years old this year. She was born young and beautiful. She is a widow. Her husband went fishing in the river when Ping'an was just two years old. In the wind and rain that was difficult to encounter in ten years, the boat was lifted and people disappeared. Since then, Dai Yun and Ping'an mother and daughter are left to depend on each other.

It's always inconvenient to have no man at home. Feng Yutang, the new county magistrate, often wants to make an idea about her again. Dai Yun can cope with it once or twice. If it goes on like this, I don't know how long it will last. Those neighbors' uncles used to be willing to help. Because of Feng Yutang's intimidation, they didn't dare to communicate with her much, so they had to suffer in silence.

Dai Yun sighed. Anyway, she just hopes Ping An can grow up healthily. Dai Yun went to the stone table in the yard and sat down. There were unfinished stitches on the table, which she relied on to support her family. Ping An saw that she was like this. She came out with a wooden puppy and sat beside Dai Yun. The wooden puppy was made for her by Ping'an's father. Dai Yun felt even more sour when he saw this.

The mother and daughter were about to start the day's work when they suddenly heard someone knocking at the gate, "dudududududui".

"Someone is coming!" Peace road.

Dai Yun looked at the gate of the courtyard, and his heart tightened for fear that Feng Yutang would come to trouble again. Every time Feng Yutang came, it was a nightmare for her. But today's knock on the door is much milder than the impatience in the past.

Ping an opened her eyes wide and stared at Dai Yun blankly. Dai Yun had to stand up and walk to the yard door. After hesitating for a while, he opened the door.

Outside the door was not Feng Yutang, whom she hated, but a strange girl.

The girl was only fifteen or sixteen years old. She was beautiful, wearing a dark green Su embroidery moon skirt and a blue pattern Cape. The cloak was wide, making her particularly weak and petite. Her eyes were aural, and a shallow smile hung on her lips.

Dai Yun didn't know the girl, but he could recognize the material she was wearing. It cost at least 100 liang of silver.

She was a little frightened and said, "are you..."

The girl smiled at her, "my name is Jiang Li. I'm here to see you for the case of Xue Xiancheng."

Dai Yun was stunned. Ping An quietly followed, hid behind the fence in the yard, and secretly looked at the strange sister.

Before Dai Yun could speak, the girl walked in and said, "come in, it's cold outside."

Jiang Li walked into Dai Yun's yard.

The yard is still the same as it used to be. If you compare it, it is much more dilapidated and obsolete than before. It seems that Dai Yun's life is not good. When Xue Huaiyuan asked her to send money to Dai Yun, Jiang Li also came here. Ping'an was still a little girl at that time, and now it has grown so tall.

Time really flies.

Dai Yun looked at the girl and felt very hesitant for a moment. The girl named Jiang Li came into the yard without a trace of strangeness. She even sat down at the stone table and looked at her needlework. "It's done well," she said sincerely

Dai Yun couldn't help holding Ping'an, walked up to Jiang Li and said, "Jiang... Miss Jiang, I don't know what you mean? The case of Xue Xiancheng... What's the matter?"

Jiang Li looked up at her and said, "Dai Yun, Xue Xian Cheng was jailed for embezzlement of disaster relief silver, and will be executed in five days. You should not know who Xue Xian Cheng is. I want to overturn the case for Xue Xian Cheng, and I need a witness. Dai Yun, are you willing to be my witness to clear up the injustice for Xue Xian Cheng?"

Her voice was soft, but it was like a heavy hammer hitting Dai Yun's heart. Dai Yun held Ping'an's hand tighter for no reason, forced out a smile and said, "we don't know much about Xue Xiancheng. We are just ordinary people. What the government says is..."

"Why don't you know?" Jiang Li looks at Ping'an, who hides behind Dai Yun and looks at her curiously. Jiang Li reached out to her, and Ping An couldn't help walking forward for two steps. She also stretched out her chubby little hand to touch Jiang Li's fingertips.

"Peace!" Dai Yun excitedly stopped her. Ping'an was her lifeblood. She would never allow Ping'an to make any mistakes.

Ping An heard her mother's scolding and quickly withdrew her hand, but she still looked at Jiang Li curiously, without a trace of fear.

"Without Xue Xiancheng, Ping An would not have lived healthily until now, would it?" Jiang Li looked at Dai Yun, "with this, you can't become a witness. Can you say a word for Xue Xiancheng?"

Dai Yun was struck by lightning.

In those days, when her husband died early, Dai Yun was good-looking and young. There were many rights and wrongs in front of the widow's door. Some people thought of Dai Yun. It's just that Dai Yun and her late husband have deep feelings and are unwilling to remarry. When Ping'an was two and a half years old, he was seriously ill. Dai Yun had to borrow money everywhere to see a doctor for Ping'an. He recovered from the disease and spent a lot of money. The creditor had long been scared and coveted Dai Yun's beauty. He wanted Dai Yun to pay for his concubine. Dai Yun refused, so the man threatened to take Ping'an away and sell it to the brothel mother.

When Dai Yun was desperate, Xue Huaiyuan stood up. Xue Huaiyuan rescued Ping'an, who was captured, and paid off the money owed by their mother and daughter. At that time, it was Xue Huaiyuan's daughter who came to deliver the silver. Dai Yun still remembered the appearance of the Miss Xue family at that time. She lamented how there was such a charming and kind-hearted woman in the world. Ping An also liked Miss Xue family very much, and "giggled" at the sight of her.

At present, Jiang Li suddenly brings up the old story, and Dai Yun is very flustered. She doesn't want her daughter to know that she is ungrateful safely. But she can't joke about the safety of safety. Tongxiang people all know who Feng Yutang is. Those who follow others prosper and those who oppose others die. If Feng Yutang knew that he stood up as a witness, Feng Yutang would certainly attack Ping An.

As a mother, she can't watch her children fall into danger.

Dai Yun looked at Jiang Li, with a hint of prayer in his eyes: "Miss Jiang, we... We really don't know, you find someone else... Just think we're sorry for Xue Xiancheng..."

Jiang Li didn't say anything, but Dai Yun saw a trace of disappointment in the other party's eyes. At that moment, I didn't know whether it was a guilty heart. In a trance, Dai Yun felt that what he saw was not the strange girl Jiang, but the beautiful and kind-hearted Miss Xue. Her gentle smile was no longer, that is, she sat so quietly and looked at her disappointed.

Dai Yun suddenly felt embarrassed.

Jiang Li stood up, touched Ping'an's head and said, "in that case, I'll find someone else." She said to Dai Yun, "excuse me." Turn around and walk out.

That's it... Is it over? Dai Yun said, "Miss Jiang..." when Jiang Li stopped, she didn't know what to say. After a long time, she said calmly, "maybe other people in Tongxiang... Are like me..." she couldn't go on.

Jiang Li said, "I know, but if you don't do this, Xue Xiancheng really has no hope at all. I'm glad that Xue Xiancheng has helped every household in Tongxiang in the past, 568 households, which still sounds promising. If he has only helped a few people, and those people are like you, it's really disappointing." After a pause, she added, "take care of yourself and be safe. Since you have paid such a high price, don't give up."

Jiang Li left.

Dai Yun lowered his head, Ping An took her skirt, opened his eyes, innocent, and called, "Mom."

Dai Yun was in tears.

……

At the other end, ye Mingyu was knocking on the door of a family.

This family is very poor and lives in a dilapidated thatched cottage. Due to the snow and wind last night, the whole house is crumbling, which looks sad. Ye Mingyu grew up in a very rich family, and rarely saw such a poor family. His power should be strange.

A long time later, someone came to open the door, but it was an old woman in a frail age, wearing a thin cotton padded jacket. Just looking at it, ye Mingyu felt cold.

The old woman saw Ye Mingyu, but she didn't seem to see it. She asked suspiciously, "is there anyone? Are you...?"

The woman is blind and can't see anything.

Ye Mingyu said, "old lady, is your son there? I'm looking for your son." In the pamphlet written by Jiang Li to Ye Mingyu, the family clearly has a scholar son.

"You look for Wenxuan." The old woman said, "he went out to buy tofu and will be back soon. What can I do for him?"

As soon as the voice fell, someone outside said, "Mom, I'm back!"

As soon as Mo Wenxuan came home, he saw a tall man standing in front of his house. When he looked back, he saw another scar on the man's face, which was full of banditry. He was immediately startled and almost lost his tofu. He asked, "this big brother..."

"Are you mo Wenxuan?" Ye Mingyu looked at Mo Wenxuan critically. Mo Wenxuan is almost thirty now. He hasn't married yet. He's alone. It's no wonder that others are too poor. And he is a scholar with all his heart, but he is still a scholar after examination. His hair is a little messy, and he has a long beard. He is dressed in a washed white cotton robe. He can't see people clearly. He has to look closer.

Mo Wenxuan said, "yes."

"I have something for you." Ye Mingyu said rudely, "take a step to talk." He wanted to persuade Mo Wenxuan to be a witness, which naturally could not be heard by such an old woman. He motioned Mo Wenxuan to go outside and say.

Although the old woman hesitated, she didn't follow up. The family was so poor that they didn't even have a yard. Ye Mingyu had to talk to Mo Wenxuan in the open space behind the house.

Ye Mingyu said, "Mo Wenxuan, do you know that Xue Xiancheng was imprisoned?"

Mo Wenxuan was stunned, and then nervously waved his hand, looked around, and said, "brother... No, no!"

What a timid scholar, ye Mingyu disdained in his heart and said, "what are you afraid of? Will you die if you mention it? Don't worry, I'll keep you alive."

Mo Wenxuan probably didn't expect to meet such an outspoken Lord. Even though he was afraid and tried to stop it, ye Mingyu was still unmoved, saying "Xue Xiancheng" one by one, for fear that others might not hear him.

"I said, boy, Xue Xiancheng is now in prison and will be sentenced in five days. The charge is corruption and disaster relief silver. Don't you know who Xue Xiancheng is? Boy, now we want to overturn Xue Xiancheng's case and need a witness. Are you willing to come out as a witness to expose Feng Yutang and help Xue Xiancheng rehabilitate?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Wenxuan trembled like chaff and said, "no, no!"

"What have to be?" Ye Mingyu didn't like such a person at all. He said unhappily, "what can't be used? Let's talk about it! I think Xue Xiancheng helped you settle down in Tongxiang, let you study in Tongxiang, and let you test scholars. Why didn't he say that he couldn't be used? If it weren't for Xue Xiancheng, now you don't even have a copper plate to buy tofu, what would you take to raise your mother!"

Mo Wenxuan is not from Tongxiang. Many years ago, he took his blind mother to Tongxiang to run to his relatives. Who knew that the distant relative was dead, Mo Wenxuan was penniless, and he was also a stranger, almost reduced to begging for a living. If Xue Huaiyuan hadn't accidentally met him in the street and been bullied by a gang of bullies, he offered a helping hand and learned about his situation. Knowing that Mo Wenxuan was bent on learning and allowed him to study in the countryside, Mo Wenxuan was later admitted as a scholar. Although living in poverty now, Mo Wenxuan would have starved to death had it not been for Xue Huaiyuan's help. Where can I support my mother.

"It's said that every dog butcher who is righteous is a scholar. I've seen it today!" Ye Mingyu said angrily, "if Xue Xiancheng knew what he helped was such a white eyed wolf, he shouldn't have stretched out his hand to pull you. He should have let you be bullied and killed by those bullies!"

Mo Wenxuan listened in a daze, and his face turned red, Suddenly angry: "Enough, shut up! Don't I want to vindicate Lord Xue? Don't I know that Lord Xue is wronged? Benevolence, righteousness, loyalty and filial piety, I read it when I was studying! But Feng Yutang is really not a thing! Do you know how he treats those who wanted to help Lord Xue before? He hurt other people's parents, wives and children! Although I'm not a hero, I'm just a life, and I'm not afraid, as long as I can help benefactors! But I still have my mother. My mother raised me hard. Now she is blind and can't do anything. I haven't been able to let her enjoy happiness in my life, but I can't let her be in danger because of me! "

Mo Wenxuan said in one breath, his chest undulating violently. He probably never quarreled with people like this. Even his neck was red, and blue veins appeared on his forehead excitedly.

Ye Mingyu looked at him, and his anger dissipated a little, but he still hated him for being disheartened. He only said, "you don't want your mother to be embarrassed because of you, but do you want your mother to be ashamed because of you? You don't know, how disappointed will your mother be when you do this, and your mother knows it? You are such a son, and she can't look up, which is hundreds of times poorer, incompetent and lowly!"

"You!" Mo Wenxuan was blocked and speechless.

At this time, a trembling voice sounded, "Wenxuan."

The two men looked back, and I didn't know when Mo Wenxuan's mother, the blind old woman, leaned on crutches and fumbled step by step. She probably heard Ye Mingyu's quarrel, and finally couldn't help it. It's conceivable that their quarrel just now was all heard by the old woman.

The old woman asked, "Wenxuan, what this little brother said is true. Is Xue Xiancheng really in prison?"

Mo Wenxuan hesitated and couldn't answer. The old woman was blind and couldn't go out. She didn't know that earth shaking changes had already taken place in Tongxiang. He also didn't tell his mother, because he knew that with the old woman's temperament, once he knew this, he would speak for Xue Xiancheng.

But he didn't want to see his mother in danger.

"Wenxuan." The old woman's voice became severe.

"It's true." Mo Wenxuan reluctantly replied, "it has been more than half a year. Lord Xue was jailed for embezzlement of disaster relief money, and will soon be sentenced."

"Nonsense!" The old woman suddenly stretched out her crutch and severely stung the ground. It was obvious that she was angry. She said, "the people of Tongxiang all know what kind of person Xue Xiancheng is. Without Xue Xiancheng, Tongxiang would not be today. Wenxuan, please tell this little brother that you are willing to be this witness, and you can't forget your roots in life. If we don't stand up, what's the difference between us and those traitors? This is helping the tyrants!"

"But mom..."

"I know what you're afraid of. I've lived so old and have lived enough. I'm not afraid of death! If you're not afraid of death, stand out. If someone wants to harm you, my mother will bear it with you. After all these years, our mother and son have come together. What's the fear of death together? The most important thing to be a man is to have backbone. If you're afraid of death, you'll find a place to hide. I'll go out to testify with this little brother and I won't implicate you!"

"Mom, what are you talking about? How can your son let you risk yourself?" Mo Wenxuan stamped his feet anxiously, looked at Ye Mingyu, and said ruthlessly, "brother, you'd better find a place to hide my mother, and I'll go out with you to testify. My mother is right, you can't forget your roots. A traitor like Feng Yutang will go to hell sooner or later. What about me being the one who sent him to hell this time?"

Ye Mingyu had planned to give up. This scholar named Mo Wenxuan was timid, and he was the most impatient to deal with scholars. Jiang Li may be able to gently persuade him, but he really can't grind it. Even Xue Huaiyuan said that he was still unmoved by their help, which was really impossible. Who knew that at the last moment, Mo Wenxuan's mother jumped out and changed Mo Wenxuan's mind.

Ye Mingyu looked at the mother and son, and suddenly there was a trace of emotion. He was young and energetic, timid and brave, and did things regardless of the end. But many people have families and fetters, and courage is not so simple to be born. No wonder Jiang Li said that the last step is the most difficult, because people are unpredictable and there are many shackles.

But at last, someone is willing to stand up, right?

Among the 568 households, one household stood up, and there will definitely be a second household, a third household... Human nature is both evil and good.

Ye Mingyu patted Mo Wenxuan on the shoulder and said gruffly, "boy, don't hold a brave and dedicated look. Feng Yutang is a paper tiger, which is not worth mentioning. Besides, his good days in Tongxiang will soon come to an end. No one will do to you or your mother. Everyone will be all right, and there is only Feng Yutang."

Mo Wenxuan arched his hand: "it's all up to big brother."

"You're welcome!" Ye Mingyu said, "then I won't stay much longer. I have to find the next family."

"Next household?" The old woman asked strangely.

"There are 568 households in Tongxiang, and every household has received the favor of Xue Xiancheng. I want to find more than 500 households, one by one, looking for witnesses." Ye Mingyu is very proud.

"You are a good man." Mo Wenxuan said stupidly, "did you receive the favor of Lord Xue in the past by helping Lord Xue so wholeheartedly? Lord Xue must be very happy to have someone like you who knows how to repay him. I thank you for Lord Xue."

"Hey, don't talk nonsense. I haven't received the favor of Xue Xiancheng." Ye Mingyu said, "it's my niece, who has an old friend with Lord Xue's family. This time, I specially came to Tongxiang to help. If you want to thank her, please thank her. Her name is Jiang Li, and she is the daughter of Jiang Yuanbai, the first assistant. You can see it later. She is a rare good girl."

Ye Mingyu thought happily that this was the first family, so he found someone who was willing to stand up. Jiang Li must be very happy if she knew this.

For herself and for the poor Xue Xiancheng who is in prison.

……

In the county yamen, Feng Yutang was anxiously waiting for a reply.

He had to take Jiang Li's life within five days. He didn't know what Jiang Li was doing. Let alone the Xue family case, Princess Yongning would not let him go if she knew that he had screwed up.

Moreover, the twenty bodies of the people sent out and placed in the backyard of the county government really made Feng Yutang sit uneasy. Jiang Li is such a difficult enemy. Who knows what means she will use to deal with herself. Her men and horses have lost 20 of the most elite. Will she also become one of the 20 corpses next.

Feng Yutang didn't dare to think about it. The only thing that can stop his fear is to have Jiang Li killed immediately now. The trouble in the future will come later. At least for now, he must get rid of this danger that makes him uneasy.

However, the people he sent out early this morning, like the 23 people he sent out last night, have not been informed yet. Feng Yutang waited from morning to noon, and from noon to afternoon. In the evening, the light snow gradually stopped, and outsiders were calm without wind or snow.

Calm makes people anxious.

There is no news. Not only that, these people have not been found anywhere. They seem to disappear suddenly in a few moments. No one has found their trace, and even people doubt whether they really exist.

"Adult..." the gatekeeper rolled in, his voice terrified, "adult, they... They found it!"

"Found it!" Feng Yutang was shocked and stood up. He didn't even expect to hear the news of Jiang Li's death now, as long as those people were down. He asked, "where is it?"

"In... In the backyard." The little fellow was confused.

Feng Yutang's heart sank gradually. He slipped and almost couldn't stand still. He tried to cheer up and said, "go and have a look..."

But even looking at the boy's face, he knew that the situation in the backyard was bad. But Feng Yutang didn't ask, as if he would die only if he saw it in person.

Twenty bodies found in the morning before were covered with white cloth by his men and stacked in the corner of the backyard. I don't know how to deal with them. Now the snow has stopped, and there is another row of lifeless bodies in the backyard that was already empty.

Feng Yutang closed his eyes.

Such means and provocations have overwhelmed him. Jiang Li clearly has only seven people. How can he break his people one after another like chopping melons and vegetables. Are these guards all peerless masters?

But how did they quietly return these bodies to the backyard of the county government? Feng Yutang knew that since they could return the corpse to the county government without knowing it, it meant that they could take their lives quietly at any time.

But why didn't they assassinate themselves?

Feng Yutang doesn't understand. He asked, "isn't there a dumb woman in the yard? Let her out and ask her when she saw a suspicious person? If she can't speak, make gestures!"

If the dumb woman is in the yard, she may be able to see how those people came in.

The boy was stunned. It seemed that he remembered such a person and said, "speaking of it, it seems that he hasn't seen the dumb woman for a few days?"

"Is it not dead?" Feng Yutang frowned. The old woman lived long enough. Every time she saw her, she felt that she would die the next second. They never paid attention to the dumb woman, so no one found the disappearance of the dumb woman. Even if they found it, they wouldn't take it to heart. I must have died in my own house.

"Since these people failed to kill Jiang Li, Jiang Li is still alive." Feng Yutang suddenly asked, "where is Jiang Li now and what is she doing?"

The two hands looked at each other, both of which dared not say.

Feng Yutang looked angry and scolded, "say!"

"Early in the morning, Miss Jiang and Miss Jiang divided with old Ye San, walked west along the East Road of the county, knocked on the door of the people's house, didn't know what they said with the people inside, and soon came out and looked for a second house, so when did they come?"

"But I heard that they mentioned Xue Huaiyuan's name. What should be said is the Xue family's case."