Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Ms. Liu admired Mrs. Lu for having such good children like Li Hui and Li Xin. If her precious son was still alive, he would be just like them.

"Xing'er was also a good kid, look how obedient and sensible he is," after spending time together over the past few days, Mrs. Lu also liked how obedient and sensible Zhou Dingxing was.

"Xing'er wasn't so obedient and sensible before," said Ms. Liu as she watched Zhou Dingxing playing in the yard. "My Xing'er was very mischievous in the Capital City. He would jump and skip around every day. Now he is too well-behaved."

"He will get better," Mrs. Lu comforted Ms. Liu.

Ms. Liu sighed softly, "I've already written back to my elder brother in the Capital City."

Ms. Liu's elder brother, the current Yongshun Earl, was a pragmatic man who was highly regarded by the current emperor. As the Yongshun Earl working in the Ministry of Personnel, he was mainly in charge of transferring officials. When Mrs. Lu heard this, he was overjoyed and expressed his gratitude to Ms. Liu, "Sister Liu, thank you so much."

"On the way here, I also observed quite a bit. The people of Bailang County governed by Prefect Li live in peace and prosperity, with abundant livelihoods. Even if I didn't write the letter, Prefect Li would still get a promotion," said Ms. Liu. On her journey to find her son, she had also seen quite a bit, which led to great changes in her mindset.

"To be honest, when I first came to Bailang County nine years ago, I really didn't want to stay. Back then, even just this courtyard..." she pointed to the roof, "Sister Liu, look at the main beam of the roof, there was a huge hole in it originally. When we first arrived and it rained, it really poured outside and inside the house!" Recalling the hardships when they first arrived in Bailang County, Mrs. Lu shook her head and laughed.

Ms. Liu looked up in the direction Mrs. Lu was pointing. She examined closely and saw there were repairs done. "I remember nine years ago there was a major case in Liuzhou."

"Back then, the prefect and county magistrates of several counties under Liuzhou's jurisdiction exploited loopholes to collect all kinds of taxes from the common people and passing merchants, making life unbearable here. Later, from the prefect to the county magistrates, they were all executed and had their families' properties confiscated. The position of county magistrate in Bailang County was vacant, so my father-in-law was dispatched here after his term ended. At that time, Bailang County was in an awful state, it's not an exaggeration to say it was a complete mess. After nine years of development under Prefect Li's pragmatic governance, Bailang County has become what it is today. But how could he have not gotten a promotion in nine whole years? Moreover, my family also has connections in the Capital City." Ms. Liu was puzzled in her heart but did not show it on her face.

Zi Yu walked in, "Mistress, Auntie Wang has given birth to a baby boy."

Mrs. Lu came back to her senses, "Has the master been notified?"

"Granny Chun has sent someone to inform him already. Master has named the child Yao," Zi Yu carefully reported.

"Have someone properly take care of Auntie Wang during her postpartum confinement month," Mrs. Lu did not ask further. Zi Yu withdrew to make arrangements.

"Please don't, Marquis, you humble me too much," Li Ming quickly went up to help Marquis Zhou stand and not bow.

"No, Prefect Li and Madam, if it weren't for you saving my child, my family of three would not be reunited. You two deserve my deepest bow," Marquis Zhou said solemnly as he bowed to them again.

Li Ming accepted his bow and humbly said, "Eradicating human traffickers is just within my duties as county magistrate."

"Prefect Li..."

"Marquis, I am Ming De plainly, please call me Ming De," Li Ming felt awkward being addressed as Prefect Li.

"Alright, Ming De," Marquis Zhou changed how he addressed him. "Ming De, as county magistrate you cracked such a major case, you have the talents of Bao Qing in this generation!"

"You praise me too much, Marquis," Li Ming was secretly pleased but showed increasing modesty on his face from the Marquis' high praise.

Standing at the back, Li Xia could not see their expressions clearly but listening to the two men mutually complimenting each other made goosebumps break out all over her. She really could not stand such occasions. Li Xia lowered her head to control herself from revealing an awkward expression.

Finally, after they finished praising one another, they went inside to separate guest and host seats. Li Hui led his younger siblings to pay respects to Marquis Zhou. Marquis Zhou already knew from his subordinates that it was Li Hui who first discovered the human traffickers and personally led people to capture them. The facts about Li Xia discovering the human traffickers first were concealed by Mrs. Lu and Li Ming, which would not be good for Li Xia's reputation if it came out.

Looking at the handsome and vigorous youth before him, Marquis Zhou could not help but praise, "Good, the young hero is courageous and resourceful, the Li family will prosper soon!"

"You praise me too much, Marquis," Li Ming was also proud to have a son like Li Hui.

Marquis Zhou accepted the box handed over by a subordinate, "This is the imperial gift of an engraved inkstone bestowed by His Majesty," he said as he gave it to Li Hui.

Li Hui looked to Li Ming. Li Ming was somewhat apprehensive, "Marquis, this gift is too valuable."

"Nephew, you deserve it. The elders have granted this, you must not decline," Marquis Zhou said as he held out the box in front of Li Hui. Li Hui accepted it respectfully and bowed.