Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

On the road.

Fang Zheng and Li Yuanzhao sat in the carriage, looking at the scenery outside the window.

Li Yuanzhao said, "I really didn't expect them to live here for so long, and they didn't think about running away. They are quite resilient. I wonder how much they will change when they return."

Fang Zheng said, "They must be much more honest. When they come back, they will know how to study peacefully. They have also seen how ordinary people live, so at least they will have empathy."

"By the way, how do you account for Chen Yu stealing chickens?"

"That's nothing. He's hungry. Besides, after stealing, he left a note saying he would pay the money back later, which is quite kind," Fang Zheng said proudly, "My son can't be wrong. He's just too young and lacks experience."

"This child's intelligence is just like mine, and his character must be like mine!"

......

After a day of labor, Fang Chenyu and Li Yu returned to the house to rest, covered in dust and fatigue.

Mao Dan still lay on the table, diligently studying the old, crookedly bound book.

However, this time he was not tracing the book with a wooden stick, but reciting it in a low voice.

Zhou Fugui's father was still lying there quietly, sometimes sighing.

And Zhou Fugui was starting a fire and cooking on the stove.

The atmosphere in the house was quiet and harmonious, as usual.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Zhou Fugui got up to open the door and saw a person in gorgeous clothes, and his face immediately showed doubt.

The man said, "Our master has come to take the young master home."

Hearing this, Fang Chenyu and Li Yu in the house jumped up and ran to the door.

They said in unison, "My father has come to pick me up?"

The man at the door smiled and said, "He's outside. The master has come to pick up the two young masters home."

After speaking, he took out five taels of silver and placed it in Zhou Fugui's hand, saying, "Our master said, this is the reward. Thank you for taking care of these two children during this time. Sorry for the inconvenience."

Zhou Fugui took the money, and a hint of red appeared on his dark face: "Thank you, master. I didn't do much... They are very sensible."

Mao Dan didn't know when she had appeared behind Zhou Fugui, with a look of loneliness on her face.

Although Fang Chenyu was quite annoying, Brother Li was still good.

After spending so long together, now she was the only one left...

Seeing Mao Dan's expression, the joy in Fang Chenyu and Li Yu's hearts was diluted a lot.

Li Yu said softly, "Mao Dan, after I leave, you must study hard and strive to go to a girls' school. I will come back to see you when I have time."

"Okay!" Mao Dan nodded heavily.

"Mao Dan, I'm leaving too. Are you really not going to talk to me?" Fang Chenyu said hopefully.

"Hmph!" Mao Dan snorted and turned her head away proudly.

Her disgust was evident.

Fang Chenyu was immediately disappointed. After a simple farewell, he walked out of the house with Li Yu, full of loneliness.

Seeing the two children come out, Fang Zheng hurriedly waved not far away.

When the two children stood in front of him, Fang Zheng touched Fang Chenyu's head and smiled, "How was the past month?"

"It's okay," Fang Chenyu said sullenly.

This expression fell into Fang Zheng's eyes, and it was naturally the sadness of parting. It was a good thing for the child to value relationships.

Li Yuanzhao also asked Li Yu various questions. Li Yu looked up and asked, "Father, teacher. We have lived here for a month, is it too little to give them five taels of silver? It's not enough for anything. Give them more."

Fang Zheng turned around and said earnestly, "Five taels of silver is enough. Giving them more money doesn't mean it's good for them."

"Zhou Fugui used to be addicted to gambling. If he relapses after taking the money, who will be responsible? There are countless ordinary people like him in the world. If we help one family today, what about tomorrow?"

"I know what you are thinking, but there is no savior in their lives. To change their lives, they can only rely on themselves. And the court can only try to help them clear the obstacles on the road ahead. When you grow up, you will understand that this world is so cruel."

Li Yu was speechless.

Fang Chenyu, who had been silent, suddenly turned around and walked towards the house again.

Fang Zheng shouted, "Chen Yu, where are you going?"

"I forgot to take my slingshot and 'sword'. Your Highness, don't you want your 'sword'?"

Li Yu was stunned and hurried to chase after him.

When they were working before, they made several 'swords' out of branches from the woods, which were specially used for playing. These treasures could not be thrown away.

Back in the house, Mao Dan was sitting on a small stool, lost in thought.

Suddenly, she saw Li Yu and the others return, and her eyes immediately lit up. Just as she was about to speak, Fang Chenyu jumped in front of her and said seriously, "Mao Dan, are you really not going to talk to me? I'm really leaving. If you don't talk to me, I'll be angry."

Mao Dan didn't say a word and turned her head away from him.

Fang Chenyu sighed and said to Zhou Fugui, "Uncle Zhou, please take your father and Mao Dan outside to wait. I have something to say to Lao Li."

Zhou Fugui didn't understand what he meant, but he didn't object. He picked up his father and led Mao Dan out of the house.

Li Yu asked curiously, "What do you want to say?"

Fang Chenyu didn't answer. He put away his 'sword', walked to the corner, and picked up the hoe.

Then, with a sudden hoe, he swung it at the window.

He smashed the fragile wooden window to pieces.

With another hoe, he dug a big hole in the earthen wall!

Li Yu was stunned and hurriedly grabbed him: "What are you doing! Just because Mao Dan won't talk to you, you want to tear down her house! ?"

Hearing this, Fang Chenyu dropped the hoe and looked at his numb hands with a look of embarrassment.

This broken wall is so hard?

He sighed, "Hey... I've been so nice to her, and she still won't talk to me. This little girl is really annoying. Forget it, let's go."

After speaking, he ignored Li Yu's angry face behind him and walked out of the house.

When he reached the stove, he quickly pulled out two burning pieces of wood from the stove.

He walked outside and, in front of Zhou Fugui's family, he threw the two burning sticks onto the roof with a whoosh.

The roof was extremely dry after being exposed to the sun, and it caught fire immediately. The fire quickly grew, and a plume of smoke slowly rose.

This sudden scene made Zhou Fugui's family feel like they had fallen into an abyss. They stood there for a long time without reacting.

Li Yu's eyes were tearing, and he rushed forward to grab Fang Chenyu's collar: "Fang Chenyu, you bastard! What are you doing! You burned Mao Dan's house!"

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and turned around and rushed into the house.

A moment later, he ran out of the house, holding the spiritual tablet, the old book, and the wooden box containing old newspapers.

Seeing this, Fang Chenyu blinked, and his heart relaxed.

Unexpectedly, Mao Dan suddenly pounced on him and punched and kicked him, crying heart-wrenchingly: "Why do you always bully me! Why burn my house... Wuu... Just because I didn't talk to you... You are a bad person."

The small fists didn't cause any harm at all. Fang Chenyu laughed: "Mao Dan, you are finally willing to talk to me!"

"I hate you!!" Mao Dan's eyes reflected the firelight, jumping like the hatred in her heart.

Fang Chenyu didn't care. He reached out and touched Mao Dan's head, saying with pity, "Mao Dan, don't hate me. I'm leaving."

"Remember, after I leave, someone will build a new house for your family, compensate you with silver, and take your grandfather to see a doctor. It's not because someone is being generous, but because I tore down your house!"

.......