Led by Song County Magistrate, a large group of people rushed to the home of Yu County Vice Magistrate. The common people who came to watch the bustle completely blocked the entrance.
Zhang County Sheriff brought over a dozen yamen runners and easily found the real official seal and a letter in the closet of Yu County Vice Magistrate's bedroom.
Seeing the genuine official seal taken out from his own bedroom, Yu County Vice Magistrate was completely dumbfounded. When he saw the letter he knew nothing about, he felt like all his bones had been taken out and he collapsed limply on the ground.
"Yu Yi!" In front of everyone, Song County Magistrate asked, "Now that we have obtained both the stolen goods and the culprit, do you have anything else to say?"
"No...not me..."
"I know it wasn't you," Song County Magistrate said. "Even if you had ten times the guts, you wouldn't dare do something so presumptuous. If you honestly tell me who instructed you to do this, I might spare your life and ensure your family will not be humiliated."
Yu Yi knew he was finished this time.
But if he died, his wife and children definitely could not protect their family property and would quickly lose everything.
Finally he steeled his heart and gritted his teeth. "I'll tell!"
...
"Why must a king speak only of profit? There is still benevolence and righteousness." The king said, "How can I profit my country?" The minister said, "How can I profit my family..."
In the bright and spacious room, Tutor Lü was reading passages from Mencius to Wang Er and Song Zhe. Looking in through the window, Li Yao saw that Song Zhe, who used to be naughty and slept during lessons, was now listening attentively.
This was a good sign.
However, because he had to work half a day every day, Song Zhe had become as dark as an African and much thinner.
His parents might not even recognize him when they saw him again.
Right when she was thinking about him, Song County Magistrate's carriage stopped outside. After the road was fixed, carriages could now easily enter Huanwan Village.
If not for Li Yao this time, not only would Song County Magistrate's career be completely ruined, he might even be thrown in jail. So he came specially to thank her.
"Mrs. Li's kindness is unforgettable for Song."
Calling himself "Song" instead of "this official" or "this county" was enough to show his sincerity.
"Magistrate Song is too polite. These are all small matters not worth mentioning." Li Yao said, "You also haven't seen Song Zhe for a long time. Why don't I ask someone to call him back?"
"There's no hurry," the magistrate's wife said. "We came today to thank you, and also have a request."
The county yamen was burned down by a fire and could not be rebuilt immediately. So the magistrate's wife wanted to stay with Li Yao for some time, which would also allow her to look after Song Zhe.
Li Yao readily agreed. Her home had many empty rooms.
After settling the magistrate's wife, Song County Magistrate bid farewell and took his carriage to visit the construction sites in various villages.
After chatting with Li Yao for a while, the magistrate's wife saw Du Xiao Hui and Song Zhe return from cutting grass in the mountains.
She had missed her son very much after not seeing him for some time, but upon seeing Song Zhe she almost could not recognize him.
Her original son was fair and fat, but now dark and sturdy, like a young ox.
"Mother, why are you just standing there?" Song Zhe said. "Please sit with Aunt Li a while longer. I picked some almond flower buds and will make flower tea for you now."
The magistrate's wife began to doubt again, was this really her son?
When had her son become so sensible and polite?
And learned how to make tea?
But even more surprises awaited her.
After making the flower tea, Song Zhe began helping to feed the goslings, sweep the yard, and occasionally went into the kitchen to help He Xiaoya stoke the cooking fire.
When lunch was ready, he took the initiative to serve the dishes and rice, and finally respectfully came before Li Yao and her: "Aunt Li, Mother, lunch is ready."
"Oh..."
The magistrate's wife looked at Li Yao, very curious how she had educated her previously naughty and mischievous son so well.
"Actually there's nothing much to it," Li Yao said. "Going through more hardships naturally makes one more sensible."
"Right," the magistrate's wife said. "Last time in the capital when buying soap, many major merchants kept trying to partner with me. I declined them all then. If you're willing, I can have them come over, to thank you as well."
Li Yao already had plans for selling soap and similar items nationally, even overseas. With transportation and information so undeveloped in this era, distant branches could not be supervised, so seeking agents was better. The people introduced by the magistrate's wife were perfect for testing the waters.
So the magistrate's wife wrote several letters and urgently sent them to the capital to contact those major merchants.
...
Ten days later, three lavishly dressed merchants arrived in Baichuan County on luxurious carriages.
Upon seeing the remote rural area, Huang Daoming really did not want to go to Huanwan Village. He said to Jia Zhanliang and Liu Yuan who came with him: "Brothers Jia and Liu, after such a long and tiring journey, why don't we just rest at the inn and have this Li Yao come see us."
Hearing this, Jia and Liu laughed and agreed.
After sending someone to Huanwan Village to summon Li Yao, the three checked into the inn.
The one sent was Xiao Quanzi. Upon asking for Li Yao's residence in Huanwan Village and arriving at her gate, he pounded heavily on the door.
"Is Mrs. Li home? I'm from the capital! My master said you must come quickly!"
The magistrate's wife, who was drinking tea with Li Yao, frowned slightly. Whose servant was this?
Just as she was about to have a maid ask, Li Yao raised her hand to stop her: "I'll have someone go deal with it."
With a look from Li Yao, Wang San'er who was practicing archery in the yard came to the gate.
"My mother's not home, come back another day."
Xiao Quanzi did not dare return without completing his master's orders. But he was not worried either, given his master's status.
"Boy, do you know who my master is?"
"Who?"
"Let me tell you," Xiao Quanzi arrogantly said. "My master is the number one merchant in the capital - Master Huang Daoming Huang! His uncle on his father's side is the current Minister of Rites, Huang the Gentleman of the Interior!"
"Huang the dead wolf?" Wang San'er frowned. "I have heard of Huang the rat wolf."
"You...you actually show disrespect to the Gentleman! Don't you fear your entire family being executed?" Xiao Quanzi laughed. "Considering a country bumpkin like you has never seen the world, I won't fuss over it today. Hurry and call your mother back to follow me see my master!"
"Scram."