Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 322: Sinking or...

Except for Zheng Xidong, everyone else in the family kept looking out the door.

When it was completely dark, Zheng Xidong's mother couldn't help but ask, "Did you agree to do it today?"

Zheng Jiasheng also asked his younger brother who was sitting on the doorstep, "Why hasn't anyone come yet?"

"It's almost done. We can leave right after work. The old man still needs to be busy for a while." Zheng Linsheng turned around and complained to his brother and sister-in-law, "Why are you in such a hurry? This is already a matter of agreement."

"Okay, okay." Zheng Jiasheng wiped the sweat from his forehead, went into the house and poured himself a bowl of water. Seeing Zheng Xidong standing in the corner, he said, "Don't lean against the wall. Don't tear my clothes."

Zheng Xidong retorted, "I didn't rely on it."

Zheng Jiasheng frowned, put down the bowl in his hand, and said, "How come you can't tell the difference between good and bad, kid?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Linsheng turned to the inside of the door and pointed his finger in the direction of Zheng Xidong. "I'm warning you, the people coming later are not ordinary yamen runners. They are people who have a say in front of the county magistrate. If you offend them, you and your family will not be able to live in Beishan County anymore."

Zheng Xidong was not convinced, but she knew that no matter what she said or did, she could not change her situation.

After waiting for a long time, the food on the table got cold twice. Zheng Linsheng on the doorstep suddenly jumped up and said, "Here I am! Here I am! Hurry up and heat up the food again."

Zheng Jiasheng also stretched his head out to look, and indeed saw a fire coming towards this side. Before he could take a closer look, Zheng Linsheng next to him patted him, "Hey, what are you doing standing there like an idiot? Go and heat up the rice."

"Hey!"

The whole family, including their son Zheng Xichun, were ordered to do work. The small house was full of people busy and bustling.

Zheng Linsheng went to meet him and could hear his flattering voice from a distance.

Zhou Erya used the last moment to straighten her daughter's clothes, "Be open and honest, don't let others look down on us."

Zheng Xidong felt a bitter taste in his mouth, as if he was trapped in place by a lock made of unknown material, unable to move.

Soon, her uncle came in with two men dressed as yamen runners.

Zheng Xidong's eyes swept across the faces of the two people, and his heart sank little by little.

These two people don't look much younger than her father.

Zhou Erya's face was stiff for a moment, but she was older after all, so she managed to keep it together.

"Sit down." Zheng Jiasheng was the most awkward person. He didn't know what to hold in his hands. Looking at the two people who came in, he wanted to say something, but he was always tongue-tied and could only utter this one word.

Zheng Linsheng brought them to the table and sat them down. He flattered them and said, "You two haven't had dinner yet. There's not much good food in the countryside. You two should just have a meal."

Zheng Xichun stared at the stewed chicken on the table and drooled. He didn't understand what his uncle said. Was today's meal just okay? Their lunch at school wasn't even this good.

"Don't be polite, just sit down." One of the bailiffs said.

Zheng Linsheng bent over and sat next to him, calling out to Zheng Jiasheng, "Come on, why are you standing there like an idiot? Sister-in-law, don't stand there either, go to the kitchen and see what else is there, and bring it up to add to the dishes."

The other one held out his hand, "Don't bother, just eat something casually, let's get down to business."

"Yes!" The yamen runner who spoke first took a bite of the chicken, turned around and ordered Zheng Linsheng, "Call the people out to have a look. We must let Songtou know what's going on."

Zheng Linsheng half stood up, turned around and saw Zheng Xidong standing stiffly in the corner, "Xidong, come here quickly!"

"What's her name?" Before Zheng Xidong could even get close to him, the bailiff asked in surprise, "Which Xi?"

"It's a happy occasion." Zheng Jiasheng finally got a chance to speak.

Seeing Zheng Xidong's appearance, the yamen runner said, "What a coincidence! Our Songtou's name also has the character 'Xi' in it." Song Xiyu's eyes also fell on Zheng Xidong's face. He asked, "How old are you this year?"

"I'm fourteen this year." Zheng Jiasheng replied, "It's time to get married."

"I asked her."

Zheng Jiasheng rubbed his hands awkwardly and didn't dare to speak again.

Song Xiyu asked Zheng Xidong again, "Tell me yourself, how old are you this year?"

Zheng Xidong raised her head and looked at the man who was asking the question. Was she going to marry such a man? Someone who was several decades older than her. She turned her gaze to her father and her mother at the door.

"Why don't you speak?" Song Xiyu asked unhappily, "Are you dumb?"

"You can talk." Zheng Linsheng hit Zheng Xidong, "What's wrong with this kid? Why are you so shy now? If Mr. Song likes you, you will be his wife in the future, do you know that?"

He turned around and explained to the two yamen runners, "The girl is shy, she will talk."

Zheng Xiyu clenched her hands in her sleeves. Why? Why did she seem to be a different person? She stared at her father stubbornly.

But her father was busy looking at the faces of the two yamen runners and didn't pay any attention to her gaze.

"Speak!" Her uncle pushed her. Zheng Xidong was caught off guard and took several steps back.

Zheng Xidong said: "What?"

Zheng Linsheng clapped his hands, "Look, she can talk. Don't worry about this, gentlemen. Since I am the matchmaker, I will never lie to you."

Song Xiyu looked at Zheng Xidong and nodded, "He looks good, but he's a little short and doesn't have much flesh on his body."

Zheng Linsheng flattered, "If you like it, take it home and eat a few more meals with it, then it will grow!"

"Not bad." Song Xiyu said to her grandson beside her, "I didn't have this idea at first, but since you mentioned it and the person has been found, let's just do it simply."

Sun Zixiao immediately laughed and stood up to pour wine for Song Xiyu, "Don't worry, Mr. Song, I will definitely make sure this matter goes well for you!"

The reason why Zheng Xidong was allowed to stand by the table was to let Song Xiyu take a look at her. Now that she had seen her, she was sent to the kitchen by Zheng Linsheng.

In the kitchen, Zheng Xichun was clamoring for chicken legs. Zhou Erya comforted him, "We'll have some to eat after they leave. Speak softly and don't offend the guests."

Zheng Xichun was anxious, "Where will there be any left after they finish eating?"

"The adults only like to drink, your father will save some for you." Zhou Erya coaxed.

"Mom." Zheng Xidong said, "You want me to marry someone like that?"

Zhou Erya paused, not daring to look his daughter in the eye. "Your uncle is the matchmaker. Your father and I just want you to have a better life in the future. We thought that since the man is a yamen runner, you will definitely have a good life if you marry him. I didn't expect that he is so much older than you."

"I didn't think about it before, what about now?" Zheng Xidong asked again.

Zhou Erya went over and patted Zheng Xidong on the shoulder, "Listen to your father. They are from the government and we can't afford to offend them. You better be patient and don't embarrass them."

Zheng Xichun, who had been clueless before, now knew the purpose of the meal and exclaimed, "You want to marry my sister to such an old man..."

He had only said half of his words when Zhou Erya covered his mouth and said, "Keep your voice down, are you trying to cause trouble?"

Zheng Xichun pried his mother's hands apart and sat down on the ground, "I won't allow it! I don't agree!"