Chapter 24: Return

Old Mrs. Xu anxiously awaited back home. Although her three daughters-in-law were unaware of what had happened, when they looked at their mother-in-law's, they also became uneasy and anxious.

When one was waiting, time always seemed to pass more slowly.

It was the first time in her life that Mrs. Xu felt as if a year had passed in a day.

　　...

Fubao did not know how long she had slept; everything was hazy and even her consciousness was a little vague. 

She felt very uncomfortable and oppressed. On top of that, she was still unable to wake up.

Her knowledge of the outside world was completely hazy.

"Did I have a nightmare again?"

Fubao wanted to move, but she felt like she was being held down, completely stuck.

"I don't want to have a nightmare; I want a sweet dream! Let me weave a sweet dream for myself!"

With such thoughts in her mind, Fubao slowly fell asleep once again.

...

In the yard of the Xu residence, Mr. Xu and his two sons finally returned, along with the county magistrate and some government officials, as well as the soldiers in charge of town defense.

County magistrate Zhuo Qiu was a good official, dedicated to his duties. After seeing Mr. Xu and the jewelry in the sandalwood box, he immediately summoned the officials in the county town, as well as Deng Jian, who was in charge of town defense.

After that, the brigade rushed to Spirit Water Village at the fastest speed.

After Mr. Xu gave Mrs. Xu some reassurance, he took the county magistrate and the others to the back mountain of Spirit Water Village.

"Enclose the mountain!"  Zuo Qiu and Deng Jian ordered at the same time.

Immediately, the county office soldiers and the town defense soldiers surrounded the entire back-mountain alcove.

Considering how late it was getting late, Zuo Qiu and Deng Jian did not start the search immediately. They merely surrounded the area and waited for dawn to arrive.

In fact, before Zuo Qiu and Deng Jian led the people over, they had already sent someone to the prefecture and the main city.

If they could really find the tribute gift that had been stolen 20 years ago, it would be a huge credit on their part, and a promotion would be just around the corner.

The tribute gifts were definitely worth a fortune, but when compared to successful careers as country officials, they were insignificant.

The choice was obvious. It was only Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu who had a limited vision, worrying that they would be killed for that money.

　　...

The sudden appearance of the county officers and soldiers in the Spirit Water Village scared the hell out of the village head and the villagers, who thought that there was a big case happening in their village.

With a palpitating heart, the village head, Guan Laoqi, asked to meet with county magistrate Xuo Qiu. Upon hearing that the matter had nothing to do with Spirit Water Village, Guan Laoqi let out a huge sigh of relief.

Then, Guan Laoqi summoned the villagers, and everyone worked together to prepare dinner for the group of people who had come over from the county.

The county magistrate Zuo Qiu naturally appreciated Guan Laoqi's obedience.

Despite this appreciation, Xuo Qiu would not open any door of convenience for Guan Laoqi. At the very least, he would take care of him a little when it wasn't a big deal.

What concerned Zuo Qiu more was the Xu family!

So much so that Zuo Qiu and Deng Jian both stayed at the Xu residence for dinner.

Seeing that the Xu family had an opportunity to treat both the county magistrate and the head of town defense, the villagers became slightly jealous.

Although it was just a meal, it was the face!

"The Xu family is really incredible; they can establish relationships with the nobles!"

"Isn't that so?"

"Having green smoke coming out of an ancestral grave is indeed different!"

"Why isn't smoke coming out of my ancestral grave?"

"Should we burn more paper money for our ancestors?"

"Great idea!"

The villagers of Spirit Water Village were envious of the Xu family's good fortune, but they were rarely jealous. Afterall, if the Xu's family prospered, as the folks in the same village, they would more or less benefit alongside them.