Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 700 Giving Up Resistance
Shu Erhua gripped her hands even tighter.

When the topic of future children came up, she seemed less resolute in her refusal. "Lord Qi, please let me think about it."

“Alright!” Qi Renli said, “Take your time to think it over.” As long as he had a chance, he didn’t mind waiting a little longer.

"I'll come to see you at this time tomorrow," Shu Erhua thought. No matter how chaotic her mind was right now, she would be able to figure things out by the end of the night.

"I'll come! I'll come at this time tomorrow." Qi Renli felt both nervous and expectant.

With an opportunity to transcend social class presented before them, how many people would refuse?
Shu Erhua knew she couldn't refuse. She could live a life of poverty and toil, but what about her future children? Who could make decisions for them? Who wouldn't want a good background?
Does she dare to take the gamble? If she takes this step, it will lead to an upward life, but if she misses, will she be able to fall back to the solid ground she was standing on?

The next morning.

As Meng Changqing passed by Qi Renli's office, he saw him wandering around inside. He knocked on the door and asked, "What brings you to the county government office today?"

The man from Qi said, "Sir, I can't do anything today."

"how?"

"Just pretend I'm sick!"

Looking at him, Meng Changqing said, "You look like you're really sick."

Qi Renli tidied up the documents on the table briefly. "I would like to ask for a day off."

Meng Changqing stepped aside without asking any further questions, "Okay, go back."

There's no need to ask, given its appearance, what else could it be?
To Meng Changqing's surprise, not long after Qi Renli left the county office, a guard came in to report, "Manager Shu from Xinjie has arrived and says he has something to discuss with you."

"Looking for me?" Meng Changqing countered. "Are you sure you're looking for me, and not someone else?"

The guard was puzzled. "She was definitely talking about you."

"Please invite her in." Meng Changqing stood in the courtyard and waited. Soon, the soldier from before brought Shu Erhua in.

"Manager Shu, please have a seat." Beside Meng Changqing was a stone bench and table in the courtyard, with cushions on the benches that Meng Changqing had just brought out. As soon as he sat down, before the other party could speak, Meng Changqing asked again, "Manager Shu, what brings you here?"

"I have something I'd like to ask you," Shu Erhua asked. "If I marry Lord Qi, will the shop still be able to operate?"

Meng Changqing blinked and looked around. In broad daylight, to ask such a shady question, he said, "If that's how you ask it, I can only answer you, no."

Officials' family members are not allowed to engage in business, as clearly stated in the law. But ultimately, the law can only restrict those below them; those above can always find a way.

Shu Erhua was clearly somewhat disappointed.

Meng Changqing asked, "Did Lord Qi come to see you?"

Shu Erhua nodded.

Meng Changqing then asked, "What reason did he give to convince you?" Of course, this question was rather offensive, so Meng Changqing immediately replied, "My apologies, my apologies. You willingly married Lord Qi? It wasn't him who forced you with his power, was it?"

Shu Erhua shook her head, thinking to herself that she hadn't used power to coerce him, but rather to seduce him.

"Have you thought it through? Once you're on this path, it won't be easy," Meng Changqing said.

Shu Erhua laughed and said, "No matter which path you take in life, it's never easy."

"Well said!" Meng Changqing exclaimed.

"Since you've made your decision, whether the shop can continue operating is something you can discuss privately with Lord Qi." Meng Changqing had given him plenty of hints.

That evening, Qi Renli anxiously awaited the answer he had been longing for.

He succeeded, but they still have many more challenges to overcome.

But Qi Renli was happy all along, and the next morning he sent a letter home to share his good news.

What he considered good news was not necessarily good news to his family.