Started as a mute girl? I prospered in the lean years

"You don't have to be so polite, sir." Shen Huaixu looked innocent, "What's your name, sir?"

"I am so humbled that I cannot forgive you for your surname, Qiu."

"Master Qiu, I am passing by here. I miss my brother so I came to visit him. After asking around, I found out that he went to the state capital. I cannot stay here for long. Do you know when my brother will be back?"

Brother? County Magistrate Qiu was secretly shocked. He didn't expect that the rumored Lady Mingyi was so close to Jiang Xun that she kept calling him brother.

"This..." County Magistrate Qiu hesitated, "My Lady, this place is far from the provincial capital, and the round trip will probably take some time. How about I send someone to deliver the letter as fast as possible..."

Shen Huaixu interrupted him, "Brother, since you have official business to attend to, it's fine. I happen to have nothing to do, so I'll stay here for a few days. May I ask, sir, is there a good place to enjoy the scenery here?"

When the county magistrate heard that the young county lord wanted to stay in his territory, he felt a little anxious, but he did not show it on his face.

He seemed to be embarrassed and said, "I'm sure you've seen it all along the way. Ji County is a small place. It suffered a disaster a few years ago and has not fully recovered until now. It's not a good place to go."

"It is just as you said," Shen Huaixu replied proudly, "I am tired of seeing all the mountains and rivers along the way.

In this case, I will not bother you any more. We will stay here for three days to experience the local customs and habits. If you come back within three days, please send someone to Ningyuan Inn to inform me. "

After saying that, she turned and left.

The county magistrate's voice came from behind, "My lady, your words are too polite. I respectfully send you off."

"Miss, that man is just a small county magistrate. Why do you have to be so polite to him?" Xiaoman asked curiously.

She felt it was strange when she saw the two of them talking back and forth just now.

Shen Huaixu snorted and laughed, "Since I came to Huai'an Prefecture, I found out that there are many rumors about me in this huge world."

She came from Huai'an Prefecture, so the rumors about her were the most prevalent here. Sometimes you could hear a lot of them when passing through busy streets.

Xiaoman immediately became interested and said excitedly: "I didn't expect that the young lady had such a great reputation in Huai'an Prefecture. It is said that you led a village to escape famine and accidentally went to the south of the Yangtze River. By chance, you saved the Marquis, who happened to be your biological father..."

When resting at the previous inn, Xiaoman happened to meet a team of escorts talking about this matter. She sat near them and listened with great interest.

"Some people even said that Miss relied on the favor of His Majesty and His Majesty and gave a plant as a birthday gift at the birthday banquet, saying that you are arrogant because of your favor..."

Xiao Man said angrily, "I almost had a fight with that person. How could they know how much benefit the people would get if that grass was planted on a large scale? They are so ignorant! They are just sitting in a well and looking at the world from afar!"

She once planted a sweet potato out of curiosity and didn't take much care of it on a daily basis. When the harvest came, it produced several fruits. They were sweet and delicious, and easy to fill the stomach, but a little choking.

For the lower-class people, the last point can hardly be considered a disadvantage. After all, they are already grateful for having enough food to eat.

"They say I am spoiled and arrogant, how can I not pretend? Besides," Shen Huaixu pondered, "that county magistrate seems to be eager for me to leave."

"Is there something fishy going on?" Xiaoman immediately perked up. She finally had a chance to show her ability, so she volunteered, "Miss, why don't you hand this matter over to me? I will definitely find out what this County Magistrate Qiu is doing behind the scenes!"

"What if I misunderstood? Go and find out the family background of this Qiu and report it to me first." Shen Huaixu said.

After all, this was the territory under the jurisdiction of her second brother. If she acted rashly and was discovered, it would probably put her second brother in trouble.

Xiaoman responded immediately.

Ningyuan Inn is the best inn in the small place of Ji County. Behind the inn there is a small river that runs through the north and south of the county. The water of the river is clear and green, and willows are swaying on the bank.

Shen Huaixu took a nap after lunch, as if to make up for the sleep she missed on the road. When she woke up, her cheeks were rosy, her lips were red, and her long eyelashes were slightly drooping, looking unusually soft.

I finally struggled to get off the bed and went to the window. The sun was setting, and the golden light was shining on the water, which was a beautiful sight.

She looked at the river quietly for a long time until there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

Xiaoman walked in with the information she had heard.

"Miss, I have thoroughly investigated the family of County Magistrate Qiu. His surname is Qiu and his given name is Qi. He is the second child in the family. When he was young, his family was poor and he was sent by his family to work as a helper in the Chu family, a wealthy family in Ji County.

Later, Qiu Qi was noticed by the young lady of this family, and they fell in love with each other. However, Miss Chu's father did not agree with the marriage. Qiu Qi knelt at the door of the Chu family for three days and three nights, almost dying of dehydration. Only then did the head of the Chu family agree to the marriage.

Until now, the Qiu family still lives in harmony, which is the envy of others and has become a good story in Ji County. Qiu Qi was able to get the job of Ji County Magistrate, which was also due to the Chu family's involvement. "

"It's not easy to climb from a helper to the position of county magistrate." Shen Huai knocked on the window frame with his knuckles and said, "What is the status of the Chu family in Ji County?"

"They have been here for many years and are one of the most powerful families."

Shen Huaixu smiled and said, "He's a local tyrant. Having such a subordinate is enough to give my second brother a headache."

"Miss," Xiaoman hesitated, "I heard something on the street and I don't know if I should tell you or not."

"speak."

"The current head of the Chu family is named Chu Hao. His wife gave birth to three sons and two daughters for him. Because the youngest son was born with congenital deficiencies, the couple loved this youngest son very much. A few days ago, their youngest son unfortunately died after falling ill. The couple was heartbroken. Some people said that the Chu family seemed to want to arrange a ghost marriage for this youngest son..."

Xiaoman swallowed his saliva, "Such situations seem to be not uncommon in Ji County. There are also 'ghost matchmakers' in the folks who specialize in finding marriages for the dead."

Shen Huaixu was silent for a moment, then turned around to look at the scene of the setting sun shining on the water. There was no longer the beauty he had just felt, instead he only felt a desolate and eerie feeling, filled with a chilling atmosphere.

"Are they looking for the dead or the living?"