Chapter 278: Chapter 278: The Cantankerous Old Man
"That’s how it should be, that’s how it should be."
Liu Qinghe especially agreed with this approach.
But this way, Lord County Magistrate will have to wait a bit longer for news.
So, Liu Qinghe looked apologetically at the young servant.
The young servant, being quick-witted, immediately understood: "This matter does indeed need much discussion. For today, let’s leave it at that. I should hurry back."
"Take care on your way, young master!"
Seeing the other rising, Liu Qinghe stood up as well, clasped his fists in a salute.
Qi Quanjin followed suit.
After the three watched the young servant leave, they took their carriage and departed the teahouse.
After picking up the elderly from the Liu Family, the group strolled around the street a bit more.
Upon realizing that it was growing dark, they hurriedly drove out of town.
It hadn’t rained recently, so the ground was dry. Coupled with lantern lighting, the speed wasn’t fast, but it wasn’t dangerous either.
However, by the time they reached the village, it was already nearing midnight.
The villagers were asleep, but the patrolmen were still on duty.
Since the village was building walls, a lot of items were piled up outside.
Previously, with no one arranged to guard them, every morning they’d discover some things had been stolen.
If not a few bricks, then a few logs.
For a few bricks and logs, they couldn’t just search house by house and had to let it slide, but soon they organized a patrol.
With the patrol team, the incidents of theft stopped.
This had made Qi Quanjin very upset, and after discussing twice with Yi Meng, Yi Meng suggested a reward and punishment system.
For instance, if a night patrol goes ten times without any theft, the team is rewarded with ten coins.
If anything is stolen, the team’s wages are docked, with the amount depending on the value of the stolen items.
However, the docked amount would exceed the value, not be less.
This effectively prevented any inside theft.
The patrolmen were startled by the distant lanterns.
They quickly informed the others that someone was approaching.
When Qi Quanjin and his group reached the village entrance, they were met by nearly every man in the village.
Seeing that it was Officer Liu and the village chief returning, everyone heaved a sigh of relief, greeted them, and went back home to rest.
"Brother Quanjin, I must say, your village is truly united."
Entering the Qi Family Mansion, Liu Qinghe couldn’t help but sigh.
He had just witnessed the flames at the village entrance gradually increase, each lit by a man running out from their homes.
Qi Quanjin chuckled: "Unity is a good thing, unity is a good thing."
Despite his words, Qi Quanjin inwardly praised his wife.
If it weren’t for his wife suggesting the reward and punishment system and organizing the patrol, how could the village have changed as it did?
Qi Zheng hadn’t slept, and only relaxed upon his old wife’s return, pretending to wake up startled, sat up accusingly: "Why come home this late? It’s not like there aren’t any inns or courtyards in the city to stay a night."
Mrs. Qi sat on the heated bed, turned to help her little granddaughter remove her outer garment and retorted, "I’ll sleep wherever I please. What’s it to you, you cranky old man? Are you sleeping or not? If not, go sit in the main room!"
"Why should I go to the main room? Whoever wants to go can go, but I won’t! I’ve worked all day, unlike some people who played around all day."
Qi Zheng said as he lay back down, pulling the thin blanket over himself.
Looking at his childish demeanor, Mrs. Qi nearly burst out laughing but managed to hold it in.
Seeing him pretend to sleep and remain silent, Mrs. Qi became a bit anxious.
She hurriedly pushed his shoulder, foregoing wiping her granddaughter’s hands: "Hey, are you really asleep? Get up, I have something to tell you!"
"What’s there to say? Say it tomorrow! Worked all day, my old bones are exhausted."
Qi Zheng said, turning his body forward.
Mrs. Qi laughed in exasperation: "You work? Who in the village dares let you, an old man, do work? Get up, the son and daughter-in-law are coming over to discuss something, how does it look to lounge on the heated bed?"
"You’re the one who’s getting old!"
Qi Zheng sat up with a jolt: "Oh, you old woman, you go to the city once and come back to dislike me?"
Mrs. Qi initially failed to notice his oddity, but now she suddenly got it, couldn’t help but giggle: "Who’s disliking you? Would I have stayed with you for these many years and had so many children if I did? Alright, act decently, don’t let the children see and laugh at you."
"Hmph! I’m their father, who dares laugh at me!"
Despite his words, Qi Zheng’s tone noticeably softened.
Mrs. Qi handed over the sleeping granddaughter to Qi Zheng, saying: "You hold her first, I’ll get some hot water for little Manbao to wipe her hands and feet. And stop being upset, next time I’ll definitely take you to the city."
"Hmph!"
Qi Zheng grunted.
Seeing his wife really head to the kitchen for water, he finally spoke: "There’s warm water on the opposite stove, not hot, you can use it directly."
"Got it."
Mrs. Qi waved her hand.
As soon as she entered the kitchen, she felt it warmer, with the scent of burnt wood in the air.
Though the kitchen candlestick was near their sleeping room, the kitchen was small, no matter how dimly, she could see vapors wafting from the iron pot on the opposite stove.
It was clear the old man had prepared it.
The cranky old man was just upset not being taken along to town and was sulking like a child.
Shaking her head in resignation, Mrs. Qi brought the mixed warm water and cloth into the room: "Wipe little Manbao’s face and hands, do it gently, don’t wake her up."
"Why should I wipe?"
Qi Zheng frowned.
Despite doting on his little granddaughter, his wife sure finds it easy to boss him around!
Mrs. Qi gave him a look, mockingly said: "I’ll go make noodles for a certain cranky old man!"
"Alright, you go ahead! I’ll wipe Manbao’s face."
Qi Zheng, hearing this, immediately grinned.
Cranky old man, as long as there’s noodles.
Mrs. Qi said, "Oh, you!" and left the room.
When Qi Quanjin and Yi Meng, along with Qi Ercai arrived, they saw Mrs. Qi kneading dough.
"Mother, kneading so late at night?"
Yi Meng quickly stepped forward, reaching to take over the work.
Mrs. Qi dodged and said, "No need for you here, go inside and discuss proper matters with the old man! I’m just making some noodles, it won’t take long, you all eat a bit too."
Yi Meng wanted to say more but was pulled by Qi Quanjin into the room. Before entering, Qi Quanjin shook his head at his wife, signaling not to insist on helping.
