Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 713 Talking in the Inner Room
“We kneel here voluntarily,” Qi Rui said, and Qi Xiang nodded in agreement. “We did something wrong, and we are willing to accept the punishment.”

Looking at them, Meng Changqing thought of Bafang and Laicai, wondering how they had done on their exams.

The more Meng Changqing thought about Bafang and Laicai, the more he felt sorry for Xiangrui and the other man's situation.

Although when Xiangrui showed her the letter, she also wanted to ask the two of them if they were out of their minds.

But isn't that because of limited talent?

No one is a genius who is born knowing what they can and cannot do.

It's because no one taught them. The Qi family patriarch and patriarch are such muddle-headed people, how can they expect their subordinates to be smart?

Qi Renli's face was tense. "No need to kneel before me. Since you don't treat me as your master, from now on, go find someone else! I can't afford to use you!"

That's a really hurtful thing to say.

Meng Changqing advised, "Brother Qi, words once spoken cannot be taken back. It's best to avoid saying hurtful things."

Qi Renli felt he hadn't been harsh enough, but out of respect for Meng Changqing, he couldn't say anything more.

"Shall we talk in the inner room?" Meng Changqing asked.

Qi Renli frowned deeply, but still led the way for Meng Changqing by taking a half-step ahead.

The two went into the inner room. Meng Changqing found a chair and sat down. Seeing that Qi Renli was still immersed in anger, Meng Changqing said bluntly, "Brother Qi, you know in your heart that if anyone is to blame, it really can't be blamed on Qi Xiang and Qi Rui."

Qi Renli was about to retort, "If they had any brains, they wouldn't have done such a stupid thing."

"But who ordered them to do this?" Meng Changqing said, "If it were someone else, would they do it if they were ordered to do something that is detrimental to you? Even if it were me, if I asked them to do something related to you, they would think about it before acting."

Why don't they think about this at all, or refuse it at all?
They are all their masters, they are just obeying, what's wrong with that?

They don't realize your parents would harm you, not even your parents themselves." Qi Renli was speechless.

Meng Changqing didn't rush to continue. Seeing a rather unusual little jade piece on his table, he naturally picked it up and played with it.

After Qi Renli calmed down a bit, he continued, "It's normal for you to be angry, but shouldn't they be the ones to suffer all of this anger?"

The man from Qi stood in silence. How could he possibly voice the grievances he truly wanted to express?
"To put it bluntly, you are the main reason things have turned out this way," Meng Changqing said. "You insisted on choosing such a difficult path, and you even dragged Manager Shu into it. You didn't understand your parents well enough, which is why things have turned out this way."

"Put your hands on your heart and think about it, am I right or not?"

Qi Renli sat down opposite Meng Changqing. "You're right."

“In this matter, you certainly wouldn’t agree if I said Qi Xiang and Qi Rui were completely without fault.” As Meng Changqing spoke, she stared intently at Qi Renli’s expression. Seeing that he seemed to agree with her point of view, she continued, “They were wrong, but not in a big way, at least not irreparably. When you came to Beishan County, they followed you without hesitation. Back when you were in danger in Hongfu Village, which of them hesitated even a second?”

We've been together for so many years. Even if we're now master and servant, the bond of companionship is undeniable, isn't it?

At this point, Qi Renli was somewhat moved, and his expression was no longer solely one of anger.

"You've vented your anger today, are you really going to let them leave?" Meng Changqing asked.

Qi Renli opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything. His mind was in a mess, and he couldn't think of anything for the time being.

"Where can they go after they leave? Will they go back to your parents in the south? You should think about them too."

Qi Renli blinked. Xiangrui and the other two, who had been listening outside, also felt their eyes welling up with tears. Finally, someone had spoken up for them.

Meng Changqing suddenly lowered his voice and asked Qi Renli, "Excuse me for asking, but regarding your marriage, are you determined to listen to your parents or follow your own wishes?"

“If I’m willing to listen, why should I try to persuade Manager Shu?” Qi Renli said.

"Keep your voice down!" Meng Changqing leaned a little closer to him. "If you're really going to do this, you can't push Qi Xiang and Qi Rui out of here. You're already on a rough road. It's always better to make allies than to leave yourself isolated and helpless."