Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Zheng Linsheng fell into the west gate, and before he could stand firmly, he was pushed forward by the yamen runners behind him.

The Zheng family and their entourage were driven into the county government court by Cheng Guang. The official chair in the court was empty, and the bailiffs on both sides stood with sullen faces and holding killing sticks in their hands.

The Zheng family members were so frightened that their hands and feet were shaking. After they stood firm, they even turned their heads carefully.

The four were so frightened that they dared not make a sound. Zheng Linsheng felt the urge to urinate getting stronger, but he could only clamp his legs together and hold it in.

After a long while, no one spoke in the hall. Zhou Erya held Zheng Jiasheng's arm with one hand and Zheng Xichun with the other. She had a lot of things to say, but she didn't dare to say them out loud due to the occasion.

As the sun set in the west, a bailiff came in and lit the oil lamp.

Zheng Xichun's stomach growled.

After Zheng Linsheng got over his initial nervousness, the cleverness in his heart emerged again. He quietly looked at the runners on both sides, and smiled at the nearest one with a flattering expression.

He thought that if the other party responded, he would go over and have a chat.

Unexpectedly, the bailiff refused to show any expression at all.

Zheng Linsheng was not discouraged. He turned around and smiled at the next person.

The next person ignored him too.

Zheng Linsheng is not completely without his merits. For example, now, even though the other party did not respond, he still boldly took a few steps towards the other party.

"Officer, the officer just now misunderstood. I am not from the same family as them. Please raise your hands and let me out."

Zhou Er also stared at him and also glared at Zheng Jiasheng.

The bailiff in front of Zheng Linsheng pretended he didn't hear anything. Zheng Linsheng said a few more words, but the other party still reacted the same way, so he didn't dare to speak again.

About another cup of tea later, there was finally movement.

A large group of yamen runners came in, each holding an official sword. After entering, they automatically stood on both sides of the court. There was limited space in the hall and there was no room for the people who came later, so they stood in the yard outside the court, also standing on both sides in an orderly manner without any gossip.

Zheng Xichun was so scared that tears came out of her eyes and she squeezed herself between her parents.

Meng Changqing had dinner in the study before going to the court.

She sat down on the chair and said, "I want you to come here tonight because I have something to say, but before that, I want to talk about a family matter, but it's not my family matter."

After saying that, her gaze fell on the four people from the Zheng family.

"Are you Zheng Xidong's family?" Meng Changqing asked.

Zheng Jiasheng nodded hurriedly, "Yes, I am his father."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Jiasheng saw his daughter walking in from behind them.

"Xidong!" Zhou Erya's face was full of joy. Regardless of everyone present, she ran to Zheng Xidong and hugged him.

Zheng Xidong was not moved at all by the person who rushed towards him.

"Did you tell her about this family?" Meng Changqing asked.

Zheng Jiasheng stepped forward and replied, “Yes.”

"Is the other party a man named Song Xiyu in my yamen?" Meng Changqing asked again.

At this time, Zheng Linsheng squeezed Zheng Jiasheng aside and replied enthusiastically: "Yes, Mr. Song is interested in our humble family..."

Before he could finish his words, Bafang shouted, "Shut up."

Meng Changqing sneered and asked Zheng Linsheng, "Who are you?"

"I'm Xidong's uncle."

"It doesn't matter." Meng Changqing said, "I just want to ask if your family still wants this matchmaker." "No!" Zhou Erya said bravely.

Before Meng Changqing's eyes fell on her, the uncle next to him spoke again, "Yes! Yes, yes. Women don't understand anything. Since the matchmaker has said so, she must marry him."

Meng Changqing had eaten too much salt for dinner and was feeling uncomfortable in his mouth. He looked around and hid behind Xi Bei to drink some water, then coughed.

This cough scared several people in the hall.

Zhou Erya knelt down towards Meng Changqing and said, "Even if the county magistrate is angry, my family doesn't want this marriage."

Zheng Linsheng became excited and pushed Zhou Erya, whispering to her to shut up.

Meng Changqing didn't care what happened in the hall for the time being. She just waited for Bafang to bring the tea over. After she drank a cup of tea, she continued, "Who is in charge of this matter in your family?"

Zheng Linsheng stood in front of Zhou Erya and said, "Master, I will make the decision on this matter."

Meng Changqing smiled and said, "Your brother and sister-in-law just passed away? How come it's your turn to make the decision?"

Zheng Linsheng shamelessly replied: "Our family has always been like this."

"Back off!" Ba Fang shouted, "If you still don't obey, do you want to have a taste of the county magistrate's killing stick?"

"Zheng Jiasheng." Meng Changqing said, "I remember that you are the head of the household, and Zheng Xidong is also your daughter. So, do you want to get married? What do you think?"

"I..." He hesitated and couldn't utter a complete sentence.

Meng Changqing didn't have time to wait for him to organize his words. "Zheng Xidong, your parents are here. Now your mother says she doesn't want this marriage, but your father won't say it clearly. In this case, we will follow your mother's opinion. Do you agree?"

Zheng Xidong said: "I agree."

Just as she finished her words, Zheng Jiasheng next to her cried out, as if he had lost dozens of taels of gold.

Meng Changqing couldn't stand such people, but he still spoke calmly, "Zheng Jiasheng, before I make a decision, please tell me what you want to say."

Zheng Jiasheng looked helpless again, "Nothing to say."

"It's not that you have nothing to say, on the contrary you have too much to say, but you don't dare to. You are afraid of me and the consequences, so you just let others take the responsibility so that there will be someone to blame in the future." Meng Changqing paused for a moment, then continued, "But fortunately you are a coward, otherwise your whole family would have to go to jail.

Song Xiyu and others have been arrested for embezzling money. If your family still wants to marry him, you can only stay with him."

Everyone in the Zheng family except Zheng Xidong was shocked.

Zheng Linsheng, in particular, was not only shocked, but also felt very sorry.

"Since you are not getting married, it has nothing to do with you." Meng Changqing said, "Since I have asked about it and you have come to court, I don't want you to get nothing. I will tell you a few words, and I hope you understand.

Earlier, I asked who was in charge of Zheng Xidong's marriage, and your uncle immediately jumped out and said that he was in charge.

Do you think it's appropriate? Zheng Jiasheng. "

Without waiting for the fool to respond, Meng Changqing continued, "He has no right to be Zheng Xidong's boss, and neither do you, Zheng Jiasheng. Zhou Erya, no one can force her to marry anyone, not even you."

You gave birth to her and raised her, and you have done her a great favor, which she will never be able to repay in this lifetime. Even so, you shouldn't have pushed her down the wrong path, turning a good mother and daughter into enemies.

How can you expect her to repay your kindness in the future? Who will respect and take care of you when you are old and frail?

Not to mention that you have another son, who will be taken care of by Zheng Xichun in the future. I dare say that if you do not behave properly and are disliked by your daughter, Zheng Chunsheng will not care about you.

He could just say that you sold your daughter for fame and fortune and have poor morals, and use that as a ready-made reason to abandon you, and others would still praise him for doing a good job.

Even if it is not for the sake of your children, but only for your own future, you must also see clearly who can give you support.

Back off." (End of this chapter)