The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 1923 - 1898: Xia Xia

Officer Xu bowed his head respectfully and said, "Xia Yan was a scholar in the fifth year of Da De and used to live in Songhua Alley. It’s just that there are many people there, so I only know he passed away in the second year of Da Zhen. He only left behind a daughter and son-in-law, but beyond that, I don’t know much."

County Magistrate Zhai asked, "Does he have other relatives?"

"Of course, he is from the Xia Clan in Hongtian Village. It seems he was buried in Hongtian Village after his death."

County Magistrate Zhai finally understood why Zhou Man came to him. Officer Xu, this old fox, wasn’t being honest.

As a Chief, he managed these hundred households and would not only know them well but also be aware of the connections between households and their underlying clans.

Otherwise, how would he become Chief?

Chiefs are either respected individuals or those with deep family roots, whose ancestors have lived here, so how could they not know about the residents under their governance?

They know more and with greater detail than him, the County Magistrate.

County Magistrate Zhai wasn’t new to Shangzhou; he naturally understood Officer Xu and the intricacies involved.

He snorted in his mind, glanced at the impassive Zhou Man and Bai Shan, and smirked as he asked, "Who lives in house number twenty-three in Songhua Alley now?"

Officer Xu’s body stiffened, bowing as he said, "The owner is named Xia Yi. Oh yes, he is also part of the Xia Clan from Hongtian Village, so he should be Xia Yan’s relative."

"Is the house his, or is it rented to him?"

Officer Xu glanced at Zhou Man and said, "It should be his; I haven’t heard of it being rented."

County Magistrate Zhai slid his cup and smiled, "Officer Xu isn’t familiar with his own governance, not even knowing if someone is a tenant? As far as I remember, every spring we verify the population, right?"

Tenant populations and owner’s populations are calculated separately as distinct achievements.

Sweat slid down Officer Xu’s forehead, not knowing if it was from the heat.

Manbao and the three quietly sat aside without speaking.

After a while, as Officer Xu hesitated whether to speak, County Magistrate Zhai already raised his head and said, "Someone, go to Songhua Alley and invite Old Du and Elder Zhu, and also ask for Xia Yi. Hmm, I remember Xia Xia from Daqi Lane next to Songhua Alley is also from Hongtian Village? Go and invite him too."

Manbao and Bai Shan smirked, indeed needing to find the County Magistrate; who could be more formidable than him?

Cough cough, of course, they weren’t saying County Magistrate Zhai was a bully.

Officer Xu swallowed nervously and quickly said, "Xia Xia seems to be seriously ill, he might not be able to get out of bed."

County Magistrate Zhai dismissively said, "Try to invite him first. If you can’t, invite Xia Rui."

Manbao asked, "Who is Xia Rui?"

County Magistrate Zhai: "Oh, he is Xia Xia’s son."

Manbao nodded and quietly waited.

Sitting on the bench below, Officer Xu wanted to speak several times but couldn’t bring himself to do so. The main matter was too unexpected, not only did Zhou Man appear suddenly, she even managed to reach the County Magistrate and have him step in for her.

Officer Xu pressed his thumb on his index finger’s joint, tightening then relaxing his fist repeatedly, finally speaking to restart the topic, "I recall now, Xia Yi’s family does have a property deed, so they aren’t tenants."

County Magistrate Zhai looked at Zhou Man, seeing no reaction before taking a contract he had concealed, saying, "Coincidentally, Lord Zhou also has a property deed. In the absence of nullifying the original deed, how did he obtain a new property deed from the County Governmental Office?"

Officer Xu stared silently at the contract for a long time.

County Magistrate Zhai had already issued another order, "Have the household department investigate."

He glanced at Zhou Man and said, "Check the records from fourteen to ten years ago, starting from fourteen years ago."

The clerk acknowledged and withdrew.

So everyone together turned to look at Officer Xu, and County Magistrate Zhai said, "Officer Xu, you shouldn’t be unaware of this matter, should you? Selling houses requires the Chief’s signature."

Like when Manbao wants to encircle land or buy land to build houses in the village, they need to report to the Chief. Even buying shops in the county must be communicated.

Because property and population are crucial in determining household quality, and household quality affects tax payments, upper and lower households have significantly different tax contributions.

Every Chief has or maintains a ledger in their mind, and when Officer Xu said he didn’t know if Xia Yi’s family are tenants or owners, County Magistrate Zhai felt disdainful, but etiquette restrained him.

Officer Xu sighed, knelt and confessed, knowing he had erred, and should have been more candid upon entering the County Governmental Office, unlike at home where he could mislead Zhou Man and her companions.

Officer Xu said, "Xia Yi’s house was given to him by the Xia Clan twelve years ago."

He added, "Master, Xia Yan had no heirs. After his death, the clan had rights to reclaim his land and property for redistribution. Xia Yi’s family is the closest kin to Xia Yan."

This wasn’t incorrect, but why hide it?

County Magistrate Zhai looked at Zhou Man.

Zhou Man nudged her cup, and remarked, "My father was married into the family, so the lands and property naturally belonged to my parents."

County Magistrate Zhai almost dropped his teacup, married into the family?

Officer Xu had long anticipated her saying this, his expression remained steady as he replied, "It seems back then the Xia Clan decided, seeing Zhou Yin left with Xia Xin and didn’t return, and that no one tended the couple’s graves, so they concluded they wouldn’t return, hence divided the estate."

Zhou Man sat up slightly, asking, "Where are my grandparents’ graves located?"

Officer Xu hadn’t expected her to ask this question, thinking she’d argue for her parents instead. At home, she only mentioned her parents’ early demise, without explaining further.

Officer Xu hesitated, eventually responding, "Just outside the city on Da’an Mountain."

Previously, he hadn’t said this.

Manbao and the trio glanced at him, but didn’t confront him—instead, they inquired in detail, "Where on Da’an Mountain?"

"On the eastern slope, back then your parents erected a monument, it can be found."

Manbao furrowed her brow, asking, "Why not be buried back in Hongtian Village?"

People typically return to their roots for burial.

Officer Xu remained silent while County Magistrate Zhai comforted, "Da’an Mountain is also a good place; numerous virtuous and talented people of Shangzhou are buried there."

Manbao nodded.

As they talked, the officers sent to invite people returned one by one, including an individual brought inside on a cane chair, surprising Manbao.

County Magistrate Zhai was slightly surprised, introducing the newcomer to Manbao and her companions, "This is Xia Xia. He’s a renowned silversmith in Shangzhou, with many dignitaries offering substantial sums for his silver craftsmanship."

After being brought in, Xia Xia immediately searched for Zhou Man before his gaze settled on her. He pointed, asking, "Are you the eldest daughter of the Xia Family?"