Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life Chapter 1598 - 1587: Honest Fool

County Magistrate Zhu is a seventh-rank official, a position that doesn’t mean much in the entire Lan Country, but in Anquan County, he is indeed the top authority. He is a collateral branch of the aristocratic Zhu Family, without much talent, but under the main family’s constraints, he is not considered a corrupt official. Serving in Anquan County for many years, he is simply regarded as neither meritorious nor guilty.

The only flaw is that he’s somewhat indulgent to concubines and neglects his wife, favoring his concubine, Qian Shi. Thus, even if the Qian Family did something excessive in the past, he’d turn a blind eye. But he never expected that this time the Qian Family would bring him such a huge trouble.

Who could have thought that the Heroic General, who rescued the country from peril, would come from their small county? Who knew that the family of the concubine he cherished would offend the family of the Great General?

Recalling this matter, County Magistrate Zhu is filled with regret, regretting not having restrained the Qian Family, regretting that he did not learn of this news sooner. If this incident had not occurred, having the Heroic General originating from his jurisdiction would have been such an incredible achievement! It’s conceivable that he might have even been promoted.

However, now all these hopes are to be dashed. Even if the Heroic General doesn’t hold a grudge, if the main family learns of the situation, for the sake of the household’s prosperity, they likely won’t let him off easily.

County Magistrate Zhu felt his legs go weak, and looking at Captain Wang, who insisted on a public trial, his face grew even paler.

It seems this matter is unavoidable, so he might as well handle it according to the wishes of the general’s family, hopefully earning some goodwill.

"Then let’s wait until everyone is present for a public hearing," County Magistrate Zhu said heavily, "Lord Wang and Mrs. Ye, please have a seat. I shall ensure impartial judgment."

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Zhu." Wang Yong’s attitude finally softened a bit, assisting Niu Xue Mei to sit down. Only then did County Magistrate Zhu slowly breathe a sigh of relief.

"And what about us? Where are our seats? I am the mother of the Great General, how dare you neglect me?" Old Lady Wang saw that Niu Xue Mei was receiving such good treatment, while she herself was still being guarded like a criminal, and she couldn’t help but cause a scene, immediately raising her eyebrows and eyes in anger.

At this moment, County Magistrate Zhu had understood the entire incident clearly. In the matter where the legitimate daughter of the Great General was nearly sold, while the Qian Family was indeed at fault, the one who brought up the issue was this old lady before him. Being the biological mother of the Great General, she attempted to sell the general’s legitimate daughter while he was out fighting and unable to care for the family. Could a mother even do such a thing?

Seeing Wang Yong and Niu Xue Mei’s cold gazes at this old lady, and listening to the steward’s narration, County Magistrate Zhu already had a judgment in his heart.

"How dare you cause a ruckus in the court?" he shouted, showing the authority befitting a county magistrate, nearly scaring Old Lady Wang to collapse.

"How dare you treat me this way? I am the Heroic General’s birth mother, be careful or I’ll have my son behead you," Old Lady Wang, with Ye Chun’s support, quickly regained her footing. Realizing her situation, she immediately threatened.

County Magistrate Zhu stiffened, regardless of the conflict between the general and his birth mother, they were still related by blood. If he were to take action and later their mother-son relationship mends, wouldn’t it be his misfortune? He instantly found this case to be rather thorny.

"Lord County Magistrate." It was Niu Xue Mei who spoke, having digested the fact that Ye Qiu is the Heroic General, she regained much composure, presenting herself with the demeanor of a housekeeper from a deep mansion rather than a farmer’s wife.

Wang Yong looked at her with respect, realizing he finally understood why the general was so loyal, how many farmer’s wives could achieve what his Aunt Xue Mei had?

Niu Xue Mei saw everyone looking at her, she continued, "Mr. Zhu, I know our family matters are difficult for you to judge. However, before Ye Qiu joined the army, there were signed agreements with his parents to sever parent-child relations. The truth is, if the family had been fair, we wouldn’t have resorted to such unfilial action. It’s been agreed that the elder brother’s family would support the parents, and they wouldn’t cause us trouble again."

At this point, Niu Xue Mei paused, then sighed, "Yet this time, Mother-in-law and the elder brother sold our two daughters without any consultation. To be honest, I am shocked and deeply saddened. I hope the issues between us and the parents-in-law can be resolved after my husband returns. Today, I only want Mr. Zhu to inform everyone that no one can rely on any connection to my husband to be arrogant, suppressing the people. Right and wrong, if anyone makes mistakes in the future, I hope Mr. Zhu will judge impartially and not be intimidated by claims of relationship to my husband. My husband will never tolerate anyone using his power and position to be presumptuous."

Her words were tactful, but how could County Magistrate Zhu, who came from a large family, not understand her meaning? He immediately breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the guidance on how to handle the situation.

It seems the general and his wife truly have a strained relationship with this old woman. To avoid complications in dealing with Old Lady Wang, it was suggested that they’d wait to address matters until the general returned but not hold back if Old Lady Wang acted out using the general’s name in the meantime.

Thus, County Magistrate Zhu looked at Old Lady Wang with some pity and contempt. What heart-wrenching actions must have occurred for the Great General to disregard his reputation and ignore this mother?

Considering her deed of selling her son’s daughters behind his back, County Magistrate Zhu understood. Though the Ye Family’s condition wasn’t too poor, even if the Qian Family pressed for money, there should have been no need to resort to such actions. Having served for many years, County Magistrate Zhu had seen his share of bizarre cases, including those involving bias and favoring sons over daughters, typically they were small family disputes, often difficult to address, but as this involved the Great General, addressing it was inevitable.

"Niu Xue Mei, what nonsense are you spouting? Taking advantage of my son’s absence to arbitrarily slander and defame me? What gives you the right to dictate my son’s affairs? Now, my son is a First-rank Brave General, and sooner or later, he will dismiss you, this barren peasant woman," Old Lady Wang shouted indifferently, with an extremely poor attitude.

Niu Xue Mei’s expression changed upon hearing this, clutching her skirt with white-knuckled fingers, as Old Lady Wang had touched upon a matter she was concerned with after learning Ye Qiu was a First-Rank General.

Her husband had now achieved success, would he still treat her as before? Even though she had never witnessed it herself, she had heard tales that, when men succeeded and achieved fame, mistresses often surrounded them, and their original wives met tragic ends. Moreover, she hadn’t borne him a son, so divorcing her and remarrying would seem justifiable.

While she was caught in turmoil, Wang Yong spoke up: "Old Lady Wang, I doubt you’re aware of how affectionate the general is towards Aunt Xue Mei? Even General Li, also a First-Rank General, once offered to have his granddaughter marry the general as an equal wife, and the general refused without hesitation, stating he would only ever have Aunt Xue Mei as his wife in this lifetime, he could not wrong her."