Chapter 226: Wonderful Kitchen Chapter 228: Should

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Song Miao did not rush to answer; instead, she asked first, "The case of women and children abducted during the Upper Yuan Festival has been solved, and Lv Mao has already been caught in Hua Prefecture. This was reported back to the Capital long ago. Has the Censor heard of it?"

Xin Feng immediately smiled and said, "I heard! My men told me the moment they got the news! Damn thief! He deserves it! He deserves it!!"

He grinned and hurriedly added, "They only heard a sentence or two and don't know the specifics, only that you, Young Lady, earned credit, and that Zheng Yan set an ambush and caught someone—but they don't know how cunning that Lv Mao is. How did you catch him??"

Xin Feng had followed this case from start to finish, originally one of the lead officials, and his subordinates naturally participated as well.

The case was now mostly resolved, and the victims had gradually returned home; the news had slowly spread, but he did not know the specific details.

If it were because he was seriously injured at home, the office wouldn't bother him with duties, but his men were still on duty, yet they were also excluded.

One must know that the Lv Mao case was so significant that all the hard work put in earlier had finally reached the time to reap the rewards; not being involved meant no share of the credit.

Song Miao had many dealings with the Censors and Chai Guans of the Capital Prefecture Office. At meals, she often heard them complain that their superiors played favorites, giving the easy-to-solve, high-profile major cases to their confidants, while handing unsolvable or low-credit cases and trivial matters to those without connections.

The superior they spoke of was naturally Qin Jie, but not Qin Jie alone.

Although they complained, in the end they could only make sour remarks, with no other recourse.

Having served on duty for so long, they naturally understood that officials wanted to promote their own people—if you don't favor your own, who will work for you or stand behind you in the future?

Song Miao had already guessed a few points, so she did not ask further, only recounting how she had accidentally discovered Lv Mao's features, how she told Han Li, how he immediately reported it, how they finally caught the culprit through the local medicine merchant and merchant Xiang Yuan, and the many twists and turns along the way.

The process was truly full of ups and downs; even though she merely stated it plainly without embellishment, it made Xin Feng and Du Shi hold their breath, not daring to exhale too loudly.

Until they learned that Lv Mao finally spoke such wild words, jumped into the river, but was dragged out with person and net, and heard Han Li say that such an arrangement was all inspired by the experience of an old friend of the Capital Prefecture Office who had suffered personally—Xin Feng's eyes turned red.

He was so excited his whole body almost trembled; he slapped the table hard and shouted loudly, "Good! Good! Haha!! This thief! My old leg wasn't broken in vain!!"

Song Miao smiled and said, "Not only thanks to Young Master Han. If the Censor hadn't done his groundwork carefully before, investigating Lv Mao's background and features clearly, I wouldn't have noticed that 'Rui Fusheng' was suspicious, and thus wouldn't have caught this person."

"Hey! Hey! Your credit is the greatest! Many people know his appearance and characteristics, and Kong Fuyang followed this case from start to finish; he was right there and didn't discover it either. Wanted posters have been posted in prefectures and counties everywhere. Lv Mao lived in Hua Prefecture for nearly two months, met how many people? He even dealt with the office, yet no one knew—it's all thanks to you! All thanks to you!"

"This case should count as your top credit. Have Zheng Yan request merit for you; since you don't occupy office credit, the superiors won't stop it!"

Xin Feng chattered on, his whole spirit revived, constantly calculating for Song Miao, saying, "Ask for more silver. If the office wants to give a poster commendation, don't take it—that kind of reputation isn't good to want. After all, a major abduction ring leader has mixed subordinates, and they definitely can't all be caught in a short time. Don't make yourself a target—we just want money! By all means, don't be thin-skinned!"

Du Shi's eye rims turned red; while trying to stop her tears, she couldn't help but ask, "Good daughter-in-law, now that the abduction ringleader has been caught, our old Xin put in a lot of effort before and suffered serious injuries. He has no merit, but he has hardship—please put in a word for him, see if..."

She hadn't finished speaking when Xin Feng interrupted, saying, "Hey, you woman, what rotten idea are you spouting!"

He added, "Xiao Song and Zheng Yan are not office people; who would you tell? Tell what?"

"I told you long ago: this time, don't blame others; blame only my own lack of ability!"

Du Shi also stiffened her neck and said, "If it weren't for Qin Zong, could you have suffered such injuries? Could that thief leader have run away? He relies on being from Qin Pan's family..."

"Hey, enough, enough. People have already come to admit their mistakes many times, sent so many gifts, and are willing to pay medical fees..."

"Do I care about his bit of medical fees or bit of gifts? What I care about is you, a whole person! You're injured like this, bedridden for two months; who knows if you'll leave some root of illness? What will happen when you're old? So many years of hard work, not a bit of benefit gained, and now you've been demoted!"

"Being poor at home is just being poor; I've followed you and haven't had a few good days. Always worried and anxious, long used to bitterness. What about the little ones at home? Are they to suffer too?? Won't the eldest marry? Won't the two below have dowries??"

"You, such a face-conscious person, once you return to the office..."

Unknown which sentence touched Du Shi; the more she spoke, the louder her voice, and tears flowed unceasingly.

Xin Feng was at a loss for a moment, pulling a crumpled handkerchief from his sleeve, about to wipe his wife's tears, when he suddenly thought of something. He looked up at Song Miao beside them, his hand paused, and handed the handkerchief to Du Shi, saying softly, "Hey, Young Lady Song is still here!"

When he used to be full of vigor, even if he tried to lower his voice, the commotion was still great. But now his voice was weak and listless, making Du Shi feel heartbroken hearing it.

She had just lost control of her emotions for a moment and naturally didn't want to lose face for her husband in front of outsiders. So she took the handkerchief, was about to use it, smelled sweat, glared at Xin Feng, wiped her tears hard with her sleeve several times, then stood up and said to Song Miao, "I'll go get water for you, Young Lady."

Speaking, she hurriedly walked out.

Left alone, Xin Feng watched his wife's departing back, sighed, and then said to Song Miao, "Don't take it to heart. Before, I always came home complaining about this and that, thinking I was the most capable. Your sister-in-law took it seriously."

"Now injured and demoted, I've been lying at home these two months and have started to change my mind. Or perhaps fate is predetermined, and wealth and honor are in the hands of Heaven. No matter what I do, I can't compare to others, and instead ended up with such a result. It's fine for myself, but it's a pity that my family and subordinates have to suffer with me."

Hearing this, Song Miao could only remain silent.

Xin Feng said, "If Zheng Yan asks, just tell him I'm fine. I used to blame Qin Zong, but he keeps coming to apologize, others advised me, and I've come to understand. It's not good to quarrel with him; we're just not the same kind of people and can't be compared. If I can't let it go, I lose face; what about my family? Am I supposed to pay all those medical fees myself?"

"At least he still has a conscience. Besides, Qin Pan is still backing him in the background..."

Who could have imagined that Xin Feng, once so high-spirited and unyielding, would now say such things?

Song Miao felt distressed hearing it, and hearing movement at the door, she looked up—it was Du Shi hiding outside the door.

She held a sea bowl in one hand and turned half sideways, wiping her tears.

Song Miao sat up straight and said, "I came for this matter. Young Master Han asked me to pass on two words: he said the Censor has suffered these past two months and only hopes you take good care of yourself and don't leave any root of illness. He also said that if you trust him, when you see me, just wait a bit longer—after all, you've waited so many days anyway."

Xin Feng smiled bitterly and said, "I naturally trust him, but what can waiting more do? My position has already been demoted. When I return, I won't even have two servants to order around, and I'm injured and sick. Before, it was hard enough to achieve merit alone; even with merit, I couldn't get promoted. Now, being crippled and weak, I can't even think about the future."

Song Miao did not speak immediately.

She waited five or six breaths. Seeing Du Shi not come in, she deliberately raised her voice a bit and said, "When others speak, I wonder whether I should say something. But I only came to offer comfort, to put the Censor's mind at ease. Young Master Han, however, is always different—he does ten parts of work but speaks only five parts. Since he dared to ask me to deliver such words, he must have some confidence..."

"No, no." Xin Feng kept shaking his head. "Other matters, I naturally trust Zheng Yan. But this time is truly different."

"I'm considered an old hand in the office. Though I'm not resigned on the surface, I know in my heart that I truly made a mistake this time. No matter how wrong Xiao Qin is, after all, I was the one who brought him along, and I'm the case leader. Lv Mao ran away; if I don't take responsibility, who will?"

At the door, Du Shi could no longer hold back. She took two or three steps into the room and retorted, "The person has been caught now!"

While speaking, she poured tea for Song Miao.

"It wasn't me who caught him. It was two months later, when Zheng Yan brought others to catch him. Merit is merit, and fault is fault; they can't be mixed. Otherwise, how would I manage people in the future? Without rules, it's not good for anyone above or below. I, Lao Xin, accept this fall!"

Xin Feng sighed long and hard. His whole face was gray and ashen, looking listless.

"Young Lady, don't worry. After this injury and demotion, I'm not as beastly-tempered as before. I understand reason much more now. A person must eat a pit to gain wisdom. I... sigh!"

Hearing this, Song Miao paused, then said, "Wait a bit longer. Don't be too discouraged. Young Master Han said that when the Censor sees me, at the earliest three or four days, at the latest ten days or so, there may be a turning point. Please don't think too much; take care of your health above all!"

Then she looked at Du Shi and said only, "Sister-in-law, you've worked hard. The Censor is injured and sick, and all big and small matters at home fall on you. You must also consider his mood. Unfortunately, no one can help understand and share your burden. You are the most tired and anxious one."

Du Shi, who had just stopped crying, burst into tears again.

"Yes."

Ever since learning her husband was injured, she had been in constant fear and trepidation; the man was finally sent back, and though his wounds were severe, he was at least not missing any limbs — she had not even had time to breathe a sigh of relief before she was forced to spin like a top without pause.

The two daughters were too young to speak clearly, and no matter how much she might wish to ignore them, she still had to keep an eye on them.

The seven necessities of opening a door — firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea — every single one had to be managed by her personally.

That alone would have been bearable, but her husband also needed medicine changes and care; when he fell into despair she had to comfort him; when visitors came she had to receive them; and on top of that there was...

She, too, was on the go from dawn to dusk, not stopping for a moment, her heart heavy with distress and worry, and she feared even more that there would be no livelihood in the future — yet the household had an invalid, so she could not even go out to work, only stay at home — with all this done, who would ever sympathize with her?

Du Shi wiped her tears haphazardly and forced a smile: "It is just mealtime, Young Lady, why not stay and eat before you go?"

Song Miao hurriedly declined: "I have only just returned to the Capital, there are still matters at home, so I will not linger."

She sat a while longer, first asking clearly about the Xin family's household situation, then asking about this house's situation, then asking about Xin Feng's specific injuries and the Eldest Sister's follow-up examination arrangements; only after understanding everything thoroughly did she take her leave on a pretext.

The Xin family lived outside Cao Gate, the area was crowded and mixed, and further out was Niuhang Street; along the way there were many tea houses and restaurants, all small establishments.

Before departure, that Han Li had given her a sum of silver, telling her to make a trip to the Xin family after returning to the Capital — first to deliver a message, second to check the situation, whether giving money or buying things, she was to arrange it.

Earlier she had already bought some visiting gifts, saying they were sent on Han Li's behalf, but upon seeing the Xin family's circumstances, and seeing the appearance of the Xin and Du couple, she knew giving money would absolutely not be accepted.

But with money, handling any matter was convenient.

Song Miao thought for a moment, found a restaurant nearby that looked quite decent, went in herself to inspect the tables, chairs, and floor, saw they were cleaned quite clean, then asked about the dishes, ordered two small dishes, one sesame cake, one liang of braised meat, and also porridge.

The food was soon served in full; she ate and found the taste passable, the ingredients solid, so she called the storekeeper over, first ordering three dishes and one soup, plus sesame cakes and such, then discussed with him to have two meals a day delivered to Xin Feng's house from now on.

She paid a deposit, only saying she would come back every ten days to settle accounts, and also asked the other party to introduce someone to help buy breakfast and deliver it daily, incidentally tidy housework, wash clothes and such, and also help watch the children for a bit — only half a day.

When the introduced person arrived, everything was agreed upon, and the food was also ready.

Song Miao then led the two straight to the Xin family.

This time the one answering the door was still Du Shi.

Seeing Song Miao return again, the other party was greatly surprised; then seeing the restaurant-delivered food, and the hired help who claimed they would come tomorrow to tidy up, she was startled and kept declining.

Song Miao would not stand on ceremony with her, simply sent the two away, then gently tugged Du Shi's sleeve and said softly: "Sister-in-law, I am also acting on someone's entrustment, doing a loyal man's duty; Young Master Han specially opened his mouth, if this task is botched, how will I answer to him later? Please, Sister-in-law, do not make things difficult for me."

How could Du Shi not want to agree in her heart, it was just that she truly could not bring herself to be that thick-skinned.

But the moment she thought of someone helping tidy housework, wash clothes, watch the children, and someone sending ready-made meals, she simply could not bring herself to refuse.

If she agreed, she could catch her breath a little — first she could better care for the invalid, second she could think of a way to free herself to go outside and find some work.

With a livelihood, able to earn money, she would not have to panic; otherwise, if Lao Xin one day truly could not work anymore, what would they do?

After Song Miao finished persuading, she added: "Sister-in-law, rest assured, I have only arranged for this one month; you just tell the Censor, even if he is unwilling, he must wait for Young Master Han to return and decline to him personally — I do not have that ability."

She also told her own home address, then said: "Sister-in-law, take care; if there is any urgent matter, just send someone to find me, do not be polite at all — having received so much care from the Censor, this is precisely the time to repay it!"

After Song Miao left, Du Shi arranged the food properly, then went to find her husband and told him the matter.

Xin Feng was indeed frantic, and shouted angrily: "You woman, how could you agree just like that?? Won't you firmly refuse?? Normally you only know how to be tough and show temper toward me!"

Du Shi replied with ill grace: "Back when you were in Yanjin, that Young Master Han attended to you in every way, you accepted it gladly enough — why didn't you firmly refuse then??"

"I couldn't move! And where could I out-talk him! That mouth of his!!!"

"Can you move now?? You can't out-talk Young Master Han, do you think I can out-talk today's Young Lady?? She spoke so gently, called me sister-in-law, said I was being distant, said you took care of her, considered everything for me — if I don't accept the kindness, am I to repay a kind heart with ingratitude??"

"You go tell Young Master Han yourself — Song Xiaoniangzi said it, just one month and he'll be back!" Du Shi flung her hand away, "That's about enough, you just hurry up and get better, whatever it is, we'll find a chance to thank them later!"

"What chance!" Xin Feng sighed, "In my condition, even my post is gone, who knows where I'll be sent to sit a cold bench when I go back — just a ruined household; Zheng Yan is a Taixue scholar, he'll definitely have a great future, what do I have to thank with?!"

"Didn't Young Master Han say to let us wait at ease? What if...?"

"Hah! You know it's a 'what if'!"

As Xin Feng spoke, he could not help but also raise his head and look out the window.

The sun sank in the west, the evening glow like fire.

Is there really that 'what if'?

There shouldn't be... right?