Transmigrated into a fat wife, farming, raising children, and picking up husbands

The room was so quiet that you could hear the occasional bird calls outside the window and the faint sound of dice rolling in the distant lobby.

Several breaths later, Bai Jingchuan's lips seemed to twitch slightly, like a smile, but not quite.

He finally reached out, took the cloth bag, opened it, and revealed a pile of loose silver and copper coins inside.

He glanced at it, didn't count it carefully, and put it aside.

He picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, opened the account book in front of him, found the "Lin Xiuer" column, and drew a long ink line on the name to indicate that the accounts were settled.

He raised his head and looked at Lin Xiuer again, the deep meaning in his eyes resurfacing like an undercurrent beneath the water.

"The accounts are settled, and the principal of ten taels has been received. Madam Lin, take care of yourself."

Bai Jingchuan's eyes shifted several times, and his gloomy expression seemed to contain more elusive calculations and weighing of options.

He didn't mention interest or make things difficult for her, which surprised Lin Xiuer.

What's wrong with Mr. Bai today? Why is he being so agreeable?

She stood in front of the table, staring blankly at Bai Jingchuan for a long while before she finally reacted.

Seeing the other person's earnest expression, she didn't think he was faking it. She didn't dare say anything more and quickly nodded, "Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Bai."

After saying that, he pulled Ping An and turned to leave, as if afraid that this man surnamed Bai might suddenly change his mind.

Walking briskly until she left Xinglong Casino and stood on the sunny street again, Lin Xiuer finally exhaled a breath of stale air, feeling that the air outside was much fresher.

The sunlight outside was a bit dazzling, but it felt warm on her skin. She couldn't help but grab Ping An's arm, a bright smile of relief spreading across her face.

"That's wonderful, my husband! This debt is finally paid off! And it went even more smoothly than I expected!"

Lin Xiuer had already planned that if they insisted on interest, she would give them three taels to settle the matter peacefully.

Unexpectedly, this guy surnamed Bai was so easy to talk to today. He only took their principal and didn't make things difficult for them at all.

The entire repayment process went so smoothly that Lin Xiuer felt it was almost unreal.

Seeing her happy expression, Ping An's stern features softened, and he gently squeezed her hand. "Yes. A weight has been lifted from my mind. Now, shall we go to the yamen?"

"Yes! Let's go to the yamen!" Lin Xiuer said with high spirits and bright eyes. "Yes, let's see if that garden really only costs three taels."

Walking down the street, although she still felt a little unreal, she had made up her mind never to set foot in a gambling den again. No matter what their schemes were, she would just stay away from them.

Peach Blossom Town isn't very big; if you walk quickly, it only takes about two incense sticks' worth of time to go from one end to the other.

The east side of the town is the liveliest place because it is next to the dock.

Although the dock in Peach Blossom Town cannot compare with those big wharves, there are still quite a few cargo ships coming and going from the south and north every day, carrying grain, salt, cloth and mountain goods, all of which dock there.

A main street, lined with shops, naturally sprang up along the dock.

Grain shops, cloth shops, general stores, teahouses, taverns, and several inns catering to boat passengers.

Wanfu Teahouse is located on this street, in a perfectly situated spot, directly facing the pier. From the window seats on the second floor, you can see the sails coming and going on the river.

Xinglong Casino was also located in the east of the town, but not on the main street of East Street.

It is hidden in a small alley called Willow Alley behind East Street.

The town has about two or three hundred households, including businesses and farmers, with a population of about a thousand.

To get there from the dock, you have to walk through two narrow alleys and turn three corners before you can see the faded red-painted door.

This place is quiet amidst the hustle and bustle; it was probably opened here to avoid attracting attention.

After all, the government doesn't officially care about gambling, but it's not good to be too blatant about it either.

The center of the town is the administrative center of Peach Blossom Town.

A cross street runs east-west and north-south. On the west side of the street, there is a small market where people usually set up stalls to sell vegetables and needles and thread.

A few steps north, you'll find the town government office—gray walls and black tiles, two old locust trees at the entrance, and a gleaming drum and stone lions.

The street in front of the yamen (government office) is called County Front Street.

It wasn't long, only twenty or thirty zhang. Besides the government office, there were a few other households, all of whom were prominent figures in the town.

Turn south from Xianqian Street, go through two alleys, and you'll reach South Street.

The Wu family mansion is there, along with a few smaller households.

South Street is much quieter than East Street, and most of the residents are locals who don't run businesses.

The west side of the town is deserted.

There used to be some residents, but ever since the rumors of the abandoned garden being haunted spread, people have moved away over the years, and no one dares to build new houses there, so gradually only some scattered old houses remain.

If the school weren't still here, even these scattered old residents would probably have tried to move away.

Walk west through a few paths, and you'll see the old garden where vines entwine the beams and wild foxes make their dens.

If you go four or five miles west of the town, you'll reach that old cemetery.

The government office in Peach Blossom Town is a gray brick building, with two old locust trees providing shade in front of it.

The gray brick walls were somewhat mottled, but the grievance drum at the entrance and the two stone lions were polished to a shine, exuding an official majesty that was "small but complete".

The gate was wide open, and inside, several crooked trees could be vaguely seen, their branches stretching out haphazardly.

It was Lin Xiuer's first time in such a place, and she was a little nervous. She took a deep breath and pulled Ping An across the threshold.

Upon entering, there is a small courtyard with bluestone slabs on the ground and scattered weeds growing in the gaps.

On both sides were low corridors, and one could vaguely see several yamen runners in black robes sitting or standing inside. Some were drinking tea, some were chatting, and some were dozing off.

Directly in front is the main hall, with the door open, through which you can see the plaque inscribed with "A Bright Mirror Hangs High" and the koan inside.

"Stop! What are you doing?"

A young constable who was sunbathing under the eaves saw them, lazily got up, and slammed his fire stick on the ground.

Upon seeing this, Lin Xiuer immediately put on a smile and curtsied.

"Greetings, sir. This humble woman wishes to inquire about the sale of that abandoned garden in the west of town. Which official should I contact?"

The young constable frowned slightly, looked her up and down, his gaze lingered on Ping An behind her, and then pointed inside: "Looking for Master Mei, go east, the first room is his duty room."

Lin Xiuer thanked them and followed the directions eastward with Ping An.

A wooden sign hung above the door of the duty room on the east side, reading "Signing Room". The door was half-open, and the faint sound of abacus beads being manipulated could be heard inside.

Lin Xiuer gently knocked on the door.

"Come in." A slightly casual male voice came from inside.

Pushing open the door, you enter a small room filled with various files and ledgers.

Behind a desk by the window sat a man in his forties or fifties with a goatee, dressed in a gray scholar's robe and wearing a square cap, fiddling with an abacus.

It was none other than Mei Liangxin, Master Mei.