Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 672 Xiao Dai's Marriage

Meng Changqing sneezed twice in a row, and Mancang, who was squatting next to him, suddenly jumped out.

"What is this child doing?" Meng Changqing picked up a handkerchief and wiped his nose.

"Young master, would you like to wear another coat?" Xiao Dai asked.

"No need, I'm not cold." As soon as he finished speaking, Mancang, who had just run out, came back with a coat and insisted on putting it on Meng Changqing.

Meng Changqing was touched and gently pinched Mancang's chubby cheeks. "Mancang is so good. They're frying lard in the kitchen. There are cracklings to eat. Go get some sugar to dip them in."

"Mm!" Mancang nodded seriously and skipped away.

Let's go back to the previous topic. Meng Changqing asked Xiao Dai, "You've never even met, and you've already made a decision like this?"

Xiao Dai said, "I'm getting old, and I'll have to get married eventually. Besides, my father wouldn't harm me."

Today, Meng Changqing received a letter from his family in the capital, which mentioned Xiao Dai's marriage.

Dai Dongwen said that Xiao Dai was getting old, and his wife hadn't mentioned finding a suitable woman in Beishan County in the past two years. So he found a woman of similar age and good health in the capital and had already sent betrothal gifts to her family.

Once the woman arrived in Liangzhou, he married Xiao Dai.

If you were to ask Meng Changqing what his opinion was on this kind of arranged marriage, he would definitely disapprove. But for the people here, this is how they have lived for generations, and the people involved have no concept of resistance. No matter how much Meng Changqing tries to cause trouble, it will only make things more complicated.

“Anyone chosen by Uncle Dai must come from a harmonious family and be of good character,” Meng Changqing said. “Once she arrives, I will personally arrange your wedding. Just one thing: once you’re married, you must treat her well.” “Of course. She was willing to come all the way from the capital to Liangzhou, and for that alone, I must thank her.”

Meng Changqing carefully observed his expression and saw that he had a happy look on his face when he said these words, so he knew that he must be more expectant than worried.

He was now looking forward to it, wondering what kind of situation the woman who had come all the way from the capital to Beishan County was in.
Are you feeling anxious and uneasy inside? Is this marriage a reluctant compromise, or something else?
Ultimately, how much agency do the chosen ones have?
Meng Changqing had also considered that since she was someone close to him, she might be able to stop Dai Dongwen. However, since the engagement had already been made, asking Dai Dongwen to cancel the marriage now would be another humiliation for the woman.

“Alright,” Meng Changqing said. “I’ll send someone to Liangzhou City to buy things tomorrow. By the way, Brother Dai, there’s still an empty house on Xing’an Street. How about we choose Xing’an Street as our new house?”

After a moment of surprise, Xiao Dai immediately refused, saying, "I'll stay in the back office."

“Although there are rooms in the back courtyard, the space is too small. It definitely won’t be enough after you get married.” Meng Changqing insisted, “You don’t need to worry about that. Since it was my suggestion, I will definitely arrange it properly for you.”

"Young Master." Although the house on the new street was empty and his young master was the county magistrate of Beishan County, it wasn't something that could be obtained just by talking. How could he break the rules set by his young master? In the end, he still had to spend money to buy it.

Xiao Dai didn't want Meng Changqing to spend too much money, saying, "You're not exactly well-off either, and you'll have many more expenses in the future."

"Money is something you can save on in some areas and not in others. This is a major life event, and you can't skimp on it."

Before Xiao Dai could speak again, the yamen runner on duty at the gate walked towards them. "Sir, Constable Li from Liangzhou Prefecture has arrived."

"Please come in quickly," Meng Changqing said.