Chapter 42: The Magistrate’s Wife is Out.

Chapter 42

Pang Dashan, the eloquent man, was not around.

It took Chang Yan quite some effort to get Pang Dashan to understand the causes and effects.

To put it simply, using Pang's unique surname to pretend to be someone important and influential.

Whether it was true or not was not important, as long as the county magistrate of Xieyang was intimidated, that would be enough.

"But... whose county magistrate's nephew is a wandering beggar?" Pang Dashan gave a wry smile.

If it was up to him, he would definitely not be willing to do such an impersonation that would surely be exposed sooner or later.

But when he looked at Jiang Sheng, he fell silent again.

He still remembered the day with the meatballs.

Although Pang Dashan had left the dilapidated temple early, he did not actually leave. Instead, he hid behind a big tree and spied until dawn before leaving.

He watched Jiang Sheng frolic happily with her brothers, watched Xu Mo cook a big pot of rice with vegetable meatballs and call his younger siblings to eat, watched them make merry noises in the dilapidated temple, watched them light a bonfire, and even set off firecrackers.

Jiang Sheng was timid but loved to play. She insisted on lighting the firecrackers herself before dinner, but failed several times. When she finally succeeded, the firecrackers ignited and crackled so suddenly that she screamed in fright.

Zheng Ruqian rushed over first and shielded his sister in his arms.

Fang Heng followed immediately and pulled them both indoors.

Chang Yan and Wen Zhiyun all gathered around, expressing their concern one after another.

Xu Mo tended the fire gently, looking at his younger siblings with warmth.

What a beautiful scene it was. Pang Dashan was somewhat envious, and also felt a little sad.

At that moment, he regretted targeting Jiang Sheng. If he had accepted Jiang Sheng, wouldn't he be one of the people in the dilapidated temple?

It was this longing that prompted him to pounce and use his body to protect Zheng Ruqian when the yamen runner raised his wooden stick.

Pang Dashan knew he was wrong. He hoped he could make up for it this way, and hoped Jiang Sheng would not hate him even more.

The seven candied haws afterwards proved he had chosen correctly.

Pang Dashan was very happy.

Now there was another opportunity before his eyes to protect Jiang Sheng, to allow himself to integrate better into their group.

Pang Dashan couldn't bear to refuse.

"Alright, from now on I'll be County Magistrate Pang's nephew." He gritted his teeth and agreed.

Xu Mo patted him on the shoulder, "Don't be afraid, we won't let you bear this alone."

That afternoon.

Zheng Ruqian and Fang Heng returned from selling vegetables.

One drove a donkey cart, bumping up and down.

The other rode a horse, free and graceful.

When Fang Heng dismounted from the horse with stirrups, Jiang Sheng's eyes went wide, crying out in amazement.

Zheng Ruqian was indignant, "I was the one who bought that saddle!"

Yet in the end, all the compliments went to Fang the Third.

They were sprawled in the cave, bored out of their minds waiting.

When they saw Pang Dashan, they excitedly jumped up, but having not eaten for days, tumbled back down again.

Even so, someone still handed over half a steamed bun, "Boss, saved this for you. Where have you been these past few days?"

"We thought you didn't want us anymore."

The half-grown boys took turns speaking, and the cold cave suddenly became lively.

Pang Dashan's eyes reddened.

Fang Heng tethered the old donkey and walked over to pat him on the shoulder. He took out the one hundred coppers that Jiang Sheng had long prepared from his bosom, "Go buy some food for your brothers."

He and Zheng Ruqian had already found out about the situation here when they passed through town during the day.

The reason they kept pressing it down was precisely to let Pang Dashan see it with his own eyes.

As an outsider, Fang Heng left the money and departed.

Not far away, he vaguely heard the sound of wailing coming from the cave.

He shook his head and laughed.

The next day.

Jiang Sheng suddenly remembered that since Pang Dashan was impersonating "Master Pang", he would have to prepare clothes and completely wash away the image of a beggar, and make it so those familiar with him would not recognize him.

Oh, this would cost more money again.

Jiang Sheng felt the pain deeply, but to protect her family, the money had to be spent.

It just so happened to be the Lantern Festival, and the big family crowded onto the donkey carts and headed to the county town in a lively fashion.

Passing through the town, they picked up Pang Dashan along the way.

Who knows what happened overnight, but Pang Dashan's once vacant gaze was now exceptionally firm.

He tugged on Zheng Ruqian's arm, muttering, "Brother, I heard you can make money. Can I earn some with you?"

Zheng Ruqian's brow furrowed.

Transporting vegetables back and forth was big business. He did have plans to lead more donkey carts, and was distressed that he and Fang Heng lacked manpower. Then Pang Dashan came along.

"Don't worry, I don't want much money. As long as I can feed my brothers full meals, that's enough," Pang Dashan thumped his chest, "I have strength. You can ask me to do anything."

Zheng Ruqian looked at him for a long time before nodding, "Fine, learn to drive the donkey cart first. In the future you can travel farther out with me."

Pang Dashan readily agreed, overjoyed.

Up ahead, Jiang Sheng was waving her hand. He hurriedly walked over.

"This fine linen long gown looks nice. Try it on," the girl in charge of finances waved her hand grandly. "Buy it if you like it."

It was still the first time someone took the initiative to buy him clothes.

Pang Dashan accepted it reverently. Even the shoes were newly matched. Were these the benefits of working together?

He wondered if in the future he could also prepare similar outfits for his few brothers.

He was muttering to himself when he finished changing into the new clothes and walked out.

Before he could appreciate his new image, Pang Dashan was shocked to find the Jiang siblings waiting outside the clothing store surrounded by a group of armed yamen runners.