The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 1925 - 1900: Regret

County Magistrate Zhai was just about to speak when Xia Xia excitedly exclaimed, "You’re lying! Lady Xin wasn’t married off, she chose her own groom, Brother Yan’s entire estate belongs to Lady Xin and Zhou Yin. You seized their property while Lady Xin was away!"

County Magistrate Zhai glanced at Zhou Man and leaned back in his chair to drink tea, letting them argue among themselves.

Sure enough, Xia Yi’s face turned red as he immediately retorted, "Uncle Xia, don’t talk nonsense. They never returned after leaving as a couple. Who knows if Zhou Yin is a fraud who ran away with Lady Xin? Our clan had no choice but to divide Brother Yan’s estate. We couldn’t just leave the houses empty and the land fallow, could we? And don’t forget, you also took their shop."

Xia Xia sneered, "The shop still belongs to Lady Xin. I’ve been saving the rent for her all these years, unlike you all... cough cough..."

County Magistrate Zhai asked, "Was the household owner present during the estate division? Who guaranteed and signed for this at the County Governmental Office back then?"

For situations where the household owner is absent, official notarization from the County Governmental Office is necessary. Otherwise, randomly dividing someone’s property, even among relatives, leads to chaos.

Although these situations often occur in reality, necessary procedures must be adhered to. If they managed it, then someone at the County Governmental Office certainly opened the way for them.

Xia Xia’s gaze immediately locked onto Officer Xu and said, "Officer Xu guaranteed it at the time and County Governmental Office’s Xu Wenshu recorded it."

County Magistrate Zhai glanced at Officer Xu, nodded slightly, and instructed, "Summon Xu Wenshu."

Officer Xu sighed silently, understanding the situation clearly now. The three visitors must have some significant status, and County Magistrate Zhai likely couldn’t side with them. At most, he would prevent this scandal from spreading, resolving it privately without causing a public stir.

County Magistrate Zhai indeed intended for this. While appearing impartial and upright, he asked Zhou Man, "Lord Zhou, do you think we need to dispatch someone to Hongtian Village to invite folks for mediation at the County Governmental Office?"

Manbao contemplated carefully; she currently wasn’t sure of Ms. Xia’s influence in Shangzhou, but however weak, it undoubtedly surpassed her own.

Her grandparents’ graves, along with those of her great-grandparents, were located here, and returning to one’s roots meant that relocating them was out of the question.

Even for the future, she couldn’t handle it in a way that would completely sever ties.

Thus, after weighing the options, Manbao decided to adapt to changes as needed. If they were willing to yield reasonably, why shouldn’t she act kindly?

She then smiled broadly and nodded at County Magistrate Zhai, "It’s my honor that County Magistrate Zhai is willing to mediate."

A steward chimed in, "Our official is like a parent to the people; it’s his duty. Lord Zhou is too courteous."

While Manbao did not understand the underlying implications, Bai Shan already nodded with a smile, "Indeed, the official is our parental guardian. It’s not just Zhou Man, as I, myself, am now half a Shangzhou person."

County Magistrate Zhai laughed heartily, saying repeatedly, "Isn’t that so? Young Master Bai is our Shangzhou’s son-in-law."

Manbao: ...

With this connection established, County Magistrate Zhai felt refreshed, and promptly ordered someone to go to Hongtian Village, "However, Hongtian Village is quite far from Shangzhou City. If they go now, they probably won’t set out for the city until tomorrow."

Manbao nodded with a smile, "It’s not urgent; we’ll return tomorrow."

County Magistrate Zhai hoped to give Xia Family in Hongtian Village more preparation time, and Manbao was willing to afford them the time and opportunity to understand the situation. Whether through reasoning or pressure, resolving harmoniously was best.

Otherwise, if they were like Officer Xu, blindly charging ahead, Manbao wouldn’t be embarrassed, but felt breaking relations might not bode well for the grandparents’ graves still here.

Growing up hearing various stories and disputes in the village, she knew that people might even dig up your ancestral graves in anger.

Xia Xia kept trying to speak, but poor health held him back, and Old Du reached out to restrain him, shaking his head in disapproval.

County Magistrate Zhai was delighted that Zhou Man was willing to reconcile, thinking that Zhou Man was indeed a wise person, sparing everyone from further awkwardness.

Having set the tone, County Magistrate Zhai glanced at Xia Xia and Zhou Man before standing up with a smile, "Perhaps Lord Zhou would like to rest in the hall while I discuss some matters with Old Du and Elder Zhu?"

Manbao smiled and nodded, inviting County Magistrate Zhai to go ahead.

Officer Xu recognized County Magistrate Zhai’s approach and glared at the still-confused Xia Yi, signaling him to follow him out.

Xia Yi hurriedly followed, not knowing the prior circumstances, still looking bewildered, "Officer, who was that person just now? What mediation is this, and why did the official suddenly inquire about our family’s house?"

Officer Xu said, "Haven’t you realized? Lady Xin and Zhou Yin’s daughter has returned; that person sitting with County Magistrate Zhai was her. She has become an officer and is back to reclaim the house."

"How can that be?" Xia Yi said, jumping in agitation, "The house is mine."

Officer Xu shot him a look of disdain, but considering Xia Yi’s character and limited intellect, he suppressed his temper and said sternly, "The official is sending people to Hongtian Village now, but I’m afraid Xia Family members will have trouble piecing things together. You should also return to Hongtian Village and inform your clan leader and elders that Lady Xin’s daughter has returned and has made significant achievements outside, serving as an officer in the capital city, and as a renowned physician."

He strained to recall the flattering words County Magistrate Zhai had said about Zhou Man just now, "Seems she even knows some esteemed individuals in the capital; in short, she’s quite formidable, and her fiancé’s family also seems influential, perhaps a noble family."

Xia Yi nodded repeatedly, wiping sweat from his brow as he asked, "Should I urge the clan leader and elders to figure something out?"

Officer Xu gazed longingly and said, "Yes, tell them to find a way."

Anxious, Xia Yi asked, "Officer, she won’t really take my house away, will she?"

Officer Xu dismissively said, "What are you worried about? You have your clan leader."

"That’s true; the clan leader has taken two pieces of land from Brother Yan; he definitely can’t give them to that young girl. By the way, what’s Lady Xin’s daughter called? I heard County Magistrate Zhai calling her Lord Zhou?"

Officer Xu: "... What does it matter what she’s called? Seeing her appearance is enough to know she’s the daughter of Zhou Yin and Xia Xin."

"How can that be, Zhou Yin was the groom; how can she bear Zhou Yin’s surname?"

Officer Xu was infuriated, seeing Xia Yi still tangled in such matters, and said, "If she takes the Xia surname, can you return the house to her?"

"No way! That house is already mine." Xia Yi said, then pondered something else, lowering his head in thought.

Officer Xu gestured for him to hurry back, instructing, "You should go quickly and inform your clan about all this. Also, mention that Xia Xia is here, and he has already stated that the shop still belongs to Lady Xin, and he’s been collecting rent for her."

Officer Xu emphasized this matter, watching Xia Yi rush off before finally letting out a breath, frowning in silence.

Despite his calculations, Officer Xu hadn’t predicted that Zhou Man would become an officer and find County Magistrate Zhai to advocate for her so quickly.

If only he had known earlier...

But hindsight is not bought with money.