CHAPTER 1314: CHAPTER 1314: BEARING GOOD NEWS

Following behind Jinguan were other children, all older boys who understood some things. Although they didn’t understand everything, the sentence "Jinguan’s uncle, Song Chongjin, became the County Magistrate" was crystal clear to them.

The older ones who understood things quickly ran back home to tell their parents.

Even the younger ones, who did not fully understand, joined the commotion, shouting so that the whole village knew.

Song Chongjin has become the County Magistrate!

The whole village was in an uproar! This was something that had never happened before in Qilidun!

It was like a golden phoenix flying out from a mountain nest!

Villagers who heard the news rushed to the Wang Family, eager to find out what happened.

Jinguan ran home; the Wang Family didn’t have much to do today and was preparing to go to the county town. The brothers were discussing matters together.

Jinguan ran in with his shoes barely on, out of breath and voice changed: "Dad, Dad—Uncle has become an official!"

The sentence was so sudden and incomplete that the Three Wang Brothers didn’t immediately react.

It was Wang Laosan, quick-witted, who first jumped up: "Jinguan, what did you say? Did your uncle pass the scholar exam?"

Jinguan nodded vigorously: "Someone just rode a horse to report, saying our uncle passed the scholar exam and has become the County Magistrate!"

County Magistrate?!

The Wang Family could hardly believe their ears!

The County Magistrate is the parent official of a county! The biggest officials they had seen so far were the town chief and Song Chongjin, this Old Master Graduate.

The County Magistrate was a legendary figure!

Wang Yongfu was so excited he couldn’t speak clearly: "Really... really? Then... then we..."

Wang Laosan, seeing his brother being so useless, couldn’t help but push him aside and asked, "Then where is the person who reported the news?"

They had to find out clearly, right?

Jinguan slapped his head: "I rushed home to report, and left him at the village entrance!"

Wang Laosan angrily kicked him: "Hurry up and invite him in to ask properly—"

Before he finished speaking, someone at the door shouted, "Is this Lord Song’s Yue Family?"

The Wang Family Brothers quickly rushed out and saw the man who brought the news, holding the reins and peeking his head in at the doorway.

They quickly invited him into the house. The three brothers sat with him, offering tea and snacks.

Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao quickly boiled water, added tea leaves, and had Jinhua bring it up, while they started a fire, heated oil, fried four or five eggs, added water to boil, and finally added a big spoonful of brown sugar before serving.

In the countryside, this was already a very respectable treatment.

In the countryside, there were no real snacks. Good families would serve a cup of brown sugar water to guests, which was already commendable.

Having a bowl of eggs with brown sugar was extraordinary.

The man who brought the news was too rushed to even eat breakfast, following the town chief’s orders to come to Qilidun. By now his stomach was empty, and he was both thirsty and hungry.

After finishing a bowl of tea, he felt even hungrier. Seeing this large bowl of brown sugar eggs, he couldn’t bother with etiquette, and quickly devoured the whole thing. Only then did he feel comfortable.

Before he entered the courtyard, he examined the Wang Family: several courtyards deep, not built of green brick and big tile, but half the wall was made of stone, the roof tiles were neat, and the furniture inside was adequate, indicating prosperity.

Knowing his reward for bringing the good news today would probably be significant, his attitude became even humbler.

Before the Three Wang Brothers could ask, he prepared to relay the details of the news.

Before he opened his mouth, there was a commotion outside, and the door was pushed open. Lizheng and several clan leaders from the Wang, Song, and Li families hurriedly arrived.

As soon as they entered, before seeing who was inside, the Wang Family Patriarch loudly asked, "Yongfu, I heard your family’s Chongjin became the County Magistrate?"

Can’t blame him for speaking before Lizheng; he was just too excited!

Song Chongjin used to be with the Song Family, but then he severed ties, marrying a daughter of their Wang Family. As people say, a son-in-law is like a half-son; so he counts as a member of the Wang Family.

Song Chongjin becoming the County Magistrate reflects well on their Wang Family, naturally!

The Wang Family Patriarch was full of confidence, looking at the Song Family Patriarch with condescending eyes.

Serves him right! Short-sighted! How he treated Song Chongjin before, forcing the good lad to sever family ties, surely now his intestines were turning green with regret.

The Song Family Patriarch was beyond gut-churning with regret! Today he regretted as never before, wishing to cry to the ancestors in the ancestral hall!

If he had treated Song Chongjin better back then, hadn’t let him sever ties, wouldn’t the Song Family be more legitimate than the Wang Family now?

How could they let the Wang Family show off?

But it was too late for anything now. No matter how bitter, it had to be swallowed alone, with a forced smile on the face.

Lizheng, of course, could see the undertones between the Wang and Song Family Patriarchs. But he also knew that Song Chongjin was a son-in-law of the Wang Family, likely making the Wang Family dominant in Qilidun in the future.

Even Lizheng had to give the Wang Family some respect, so he wasn’t angry even when the Wang Family Patriarch spoke first, still smiling as he said, "We heard the children saying it at home, rushed over to find out! Is it true?"

The man who brought the news, hearing this, quickly puffed out his chest and coughed: "Of course it’s true! Lord Song was appointed Prefect of Chicheng County by the Emperor, and will soon take office! He has returned triumphantly under imperial order, an unprecedented honor!"

On hearing this, the Wang Family was even more jubilant, their cheeks full of joy.

Still, Lizheng held back, and though delighted in his heart, he asked, "May I ask, who is this?"

The man who brought the news quickly said, "I was sent by the town chief to bring you the good news! Lord Song and Madam arrived in town last night, and the town chief specifically asked me to deliver the message—"

Lizheng quickly understood that this kind of great news was not only wonderful for Qilidun but also a rare joy for the town; probably the town chief was hosting Song Chongjin and his family now.

He quickly said, "Lord Song has returned triumphantly, which is a great joy for our village, unprecedented in a century, and an honor for our village. We must go to welcome Lord Song home properly—"

The Wang Family Brothers were fine with this, but the other clan leaders upon hearing this, realized this was a perfect opportunity for them to shine.

If they could go to town before the rest of the village to welcome Song Chongjin and his family, wouldn’t they make a good impression and face recognition first?

Even as a Graduate, he brought them so many benefits; now he’s the County Magistrate. Although they didn’t know where Chicheng County was, being appointed by the Emperor, it must be significant!

If not to curry favor now, then when?

Immediately, several clan leaders vied to say, "I’ll go! I represent the Wang Family—"

"I’ll represent the Song Family—"

...