Chapter 248: Chapter 248: The Magistrate Summons You

“Alright, it’s still something uncertain. Why are you two getting all worked up? It’s getting late. Eldest, you should head back to your room and rest. You’ve been busy all day. Are you going to the government office tomorrow?”

Liu Qinghe quickly responded, “Yes, I’ll be returning to the government office tomorrow.”

“Hmm, then rest early!”

Mr. Liu Sr. said this, removed his outer garment, and was about to lie down on the brick bed.

Liu Qinghe dared not delay, hurriedly exited his parents’ room, and went to his own room across the way.

As soon as he entered, he saw his wife looking at him.

Cheng Huihui waved her hand, signaling Liu Qinghe to come closer.

When he sat on the brick bed to take off his shoes, Cheng Huihui asked quietly, “What did Mother say to you?”

“Nothing much, just to keep my little sister’s marriage in mind.”

Liu Qinghe didn’t mention the Qi Family.

This matter was still uncertain, so it’s best not to say much.

Cheng Huihui replied with an “Oh,” and then said, “Husband, are we really going to move to that village?”

“Yes, the house in the city will be left for Chengzhi for his marriage, and the remaining rooms will be for the other sons to get married.”

As Liu Qinghe spoke, he took off his outer garment: “Having a house in the city makes it easier to propose marriage.”

Unexpectedly, Cheng Huihui pouted, “Husband, you are the eldest son of your parents, and Chengzhi is their eldest grandson. By right, this house should be left for our family.”

“That’s not right. The second and third brothers and I were all born to the same parents, how can we divide it like that? Anyway, this decision is already made.”

Liu Qinghe wasn’t happy hearing these words.

Cheng Huihui grew more discontented: “Why can’t we say it like that? Even if we don’t follow seniority, based on what’s most pressing for our family right now, the house should still be left for us.”

Avoiding Liu Qinghe’s interruption, Cheng Huihui quickly started analyzing for him: “Look, first and foremost, it’s about Chengzhi’s marriage. This needs arranging, right? As the new mother-in-law, can I possibly not keep an eye on my daughter-in-law after my son gets married, and instead move out the moment she enters the door?”

“There’s no such logic under the sun!”

“Besides, talking about you—you’re working as a Government Official at the government office—how many days off do you get in a month? If we really move to the village, will you go with us or not?”

“If you go, how many hours will commuting back and forth take every day? If not, where will you live? Will you stay with your son and daughter-in-law?”

“If I were dead, leaving you alone with them wouldn’t be an issue. But I’m still alive and well, so why should we live apart as a couple?”

After hearing these reasons, Liu Qinghe fell silent.

He really couldn’t bear to live apart from his wife.

And thinking about living only with his son and daughter-in-law in the future, without other family members, made him even more uncomfortable.

Liu Qinghe knew his wife had her little calculations, but those were centered around him, so he didn’t mind.

After some thought, Liu Qinghe said, “Let me think this over and see how I can talk about it with Mother and Father. Anyway, building the house will take some time, so there’s definitely a chance.”

Seeing that she had convinced Liu Qinghe, Cheng Huihui felt a sigh of relief inside and, giving a verbal response, got up to pour foot-washing water for Liu Qinghe.

In the room opposite, Mr. and Mrs. Liu Sr. were also having a private conversation.

“Old man, I think the eldest son’s wife might not be willing to move to the village with us.”

Mrs. Liu Sr. pulled a thin quilt over her husband and said, “And I also feel that if the whole family leaves, leaving the house to Chengzhi seems inappropriate. What do you think we should do?”

Mr. Liu Sr. hummed, “What to do, once the new house is built, it’ll be clear. Alright, it’s late, let’s sleep!”

“Oh, you old man, I just can’t sleep!”

Mrs. Liu Sr. gave him a reproachful look, blew out the candle, lay down, and added, “It’s not a bad idea for the eldest son’s wife to stay, but I’m afraid the other two daughters-in-law won’t be pleased.”

Mr. Liu Sr. turned his back to his wife and said, “If they aren’t willing, just leave the eldest sons of both families behind to look after them together. After all, they all have things to do in the city, living there most of the time, and going to the village for breaks.”

“Yes, that works.”

Mrs. Liu Sr.’s concerns quickly dissipated.

Her old man’s solution was indeed effective, a single word shattered the stone weighing on her heart.

…

Although Hu Kaicheng was the county magistrate of Concord City, his matters were neither too many nor too few, but he placed great importance on the development of Yongping Village.

So, upon hearing that Yongping Village recruited many outsiders to help build houses and walls, and was even busy constructing a school, Hu Kaicheng directly summoned Liu Qinghe.

Just as Liu Qinghe had clocked in and was listening to his superior arrange patrol duties for the day, he saw the steward hurriedly approaching.

Everyone quickly saluted and greeted the steward.

The steward waved his hand and said, “You all continue with your duties, Qinghe, come with me. The magistrate is calling you.”

“Yes!”

Hearing that the county magistrate was summoning him, Liu Qinghe didn’t dare delay, quickly following the steward.

After the two had walked far away, the remaining Government Officials gathered together to start discussing.

“Old Liu really hit the jackpot, catching the magistrate’s attention. I bet he’ll rise up in rank soon enough.”

“Isn’t that so? Ah, when the Qi Brothers came looking for someone to guide them, we all thought it was too far and left it to Old Liu. Didn’t expect him to have such good luck.”

The Government Officials huddled together, some with sour tones, others with envy.

The arrest officer also felt uneasy hearing this.

Liu Qinghe was around his age. If it weren’t for inheriting this Government Official role from his father and having close ties with the former arrest officer since childhood, this new arrest officer position wouldn’t have gone to him.

If Liu Qinghe gets the magistrate’s favor and is promoted to arrest officer, what will happen to him?

He’s been the arrest officer for several years now; stepping down to be an ordinary Government Official would be a disgrace.

“Alright, enough chattering, hurry and start patrolling the streets!”

In a bad mood, the arrest officer waved everyone out, leaving himself to sulk alone in the government office.

Meanwhile, Liu Qinghe followed the steward for quite a distance before quietly asking, “Steward, do you know why the magistrate wants to see me?”

“Good news, rest assured!”

Even the steward, who now favored Liu Qinghe, thought this. Initially, he assumed that Liu Qinghe would remain in his Government Official position for life; he didn’t expect the current turn of events.

Seeing things this way, as long as Yongping Village continues on its trajectory, Liu Qinghe becoming an arrest officer is just a matter of time.

Hearing this, Liu Qinghe felt relieved, thanked him, and said no more.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep