Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 691 is about you.

Watching Bafang and Laicai leave the study, Meng Changqing couldn't help but feel envious.

Despite years of hard study, she never even had the chance to participate in the imperial examinations.

Those in positions of power divide those below them into multiple ranks, and within each rank, there is a distinction between men and women. This division is intended to exclude those who might infringe upon their interests in advance.

We're the same species, but some paths are off-limits to you.

Meng Changqing picked up a book she was reading and comforted herself, telling herself that she was already doing better than most people and that she shouldn't complain.

In the afternoon, Zuo Datou took Xiao Wuzi home and went to the county government office to explain the situation.

In fact, Xiao Wuzi shouldn't have gone home. After receiving the reward from the prefectural government, he should have gone to the county government to express his gratitude. If the county government hadn't reported his merits, how could the reward have fallen into his lap?

But Meng Changqing didn't like this rule, and since she was the one who had the final say in Beishan County, she simply abolished it.

When Zuo Datou met Meng Changqing, she was sitting on the edge of the bed drinking tea and reading a book, looking extremely leisurely. Of course, Meng Changqing rarely had such a good day.

Of course, ordinary people don't have such good days.

"Sir, the reward money has been collected." Zuo Datou stopped and reported when he was still two steps away from the small round table.

Meng Changqing put down her book. "How much?" she asked directly.

"One tael," Zuo Datou replied crisply.

Meng Changqing rubbed the Sibai acupoint under his right eye and guessed, "Is Xiao Wuzi unhappy?"

"I think he seems a little unhappy."

"Prefect Zheng didn't notice, did he?" Meng Changqing asked.

"No," Zuo Datou replied, which surprised Meng Changqing. "This Xiao Wuzi is quite something."

“It’s not that Xiao Wuzi is in the way, it’s that Prefect Zheng is not in the yamen.” Zuo Datou recounted what had happened in the yamen earlier, explaining it concisely. “Since he’s not here, you should go another day.” Meng Changqing was very willing to teach those around him some principles they understood. “The so-called reward is not that one or two taels of silver, but the opportunity for Xiao Wuzi to meet the prefect.”

Zuo Datou opened his mouth slightly, "Then I didn't mean well but did something wrong."

Meng Changqing smiled and said, "It's also my fault for not telling you in advance. But Xiao Wu probably doesn't understand this, so don't worry about it. I guess this is just his luck."

Zuo Datou was truly embarrassed, and it was from this point on that he began to genuinely take care of Xiao Wuzi.

Two days later, Bafang and Laicai had finished packing their luggage.

It's just some travel expenses, dry food, and clothes to change into on the road; there's no need to spend so much time packing.

The two men meant that they should spend more time with Meng Changqing, since he wouldn't be back in Beijing anytime soon.

The provincial examination was held at the beginning of August and the results were not released until the end of the month. If you passed, you had to stay in the capital to prepare for the autumn examination next year.

Finally, after Meng Changqing and Madam Wen urged them repeatedly, the two of them set off.

On the day they left, Meng Changqing, along with his family, escorted them all the way to Sanliting outside Liangzhou City.

"Don't meddle in other people's business on the road, be extremely careful, and when you get back, shut yourself in and study diligently. Your mother and I are not in the capital, so don't cause any trouble." Meng Changqing especially warned Bafang, "I'm talking to you, don't wander around on the streets, do you hear me?"

Bafang nodded honestly, "I heard you."

“If there are any fools who dare to jump onto the door and provoke you, don’t back down. I will write to Young Master Chen and ask him to take good care of the Meng family.”

"Young master, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on everything," Lai Cai assured him.

Meng Changqing looked the two people in front of her over and over again. They were both taller and stronger than her.

She stepped back two paces. "Get on the horse."