Chapter 2042: Chapter 2042: Lodging Arrangements

Village Chief Ruan, being singled out, could only wrinkle his brows and step out from the crowd, the corners of his mouth twitching stiffly. “County Lord, our Ruan Family Village is crude and simple. It’s a country place, I’m afraid it will wrong you.”

“That doesn’t matter. It’s not like I’ve never had hard days. For my grandmother’s sake, I’m willing to put up with it.”

Village Chief Ruan, “…”

He secretly took a deep breath. “By rights, I’m the village chief of Ruan Family Village, and your status as county magistrate is right here in front of us. As the village chief, I ought to be the one to host you. It’s just that there are too many people in my house, too many eyes, and the children are young and noisy. I’m afraid they might offend the county magistrate. If you’re sure you’re staying in the village tonight, why not… stay at Ruan Dali’s house instead?”

As he spoke, Village Chief Ruan gave a look to the man beside him, who immediately ran out to find Ruan Dali’s parents.

Only then did Village Chief Ruan continue, “Ruan Dali is a steward in charge of oil pressing at your Lu family’s workshop, so he’s familiar with you. Their family just expanded and renovated their old house not long ago, and they don’t have many people at home. I imagine you’d feel more at ease and comfortable living with them. What do you think, county magistrate?”

Anyway, he had no intention of letting Shu Yu stay at his own place. This County Lord Lu was strange and unpredictable; who knew what she might do next.

Shu Yu fell silent, looking as if she were considering it.

Just then, someone squeezed in from outside the door—a middle‑aged couple. As soon as they came in, they hurriedly saluted Shu Yu. “County magistrate, we’re Ruan Dali’s parents. We heard you’re going to stay overnight in Ruan Family Village. Our place is fairly big. If you don’t mind it, please come stay at our home.”

Compared to Village Chief Ruan’s hidden agenda, Ruan Dali’s parents truly wanted to host Shu Yu out of genuine sincerity.

If not for the county magistrate, their family wouldn’t be living such a good life now.

Today, the villagers of Ruan Family Village had almost packed the entire Ruan family compound, and Ruan Dali’s parents had been standing outside the gate all this time. So when Village Chief Ruan sent someone to call them, they came in immediately.

Shu Yu looked at the slightly nervous couple and nodded. “Alright, then I’ll impose on you.”

The couple instantly brightened and quickly stepped to the side. “This way, county magistrate, please. We’ll take you over.”

Seeing both sides reach an agreement, Village Chief Ruan secretly let out a breath and then put on an act as he instructed Ruan Dali’s parents, “Chengchun, it’s an honor for your family that the county magistrate is willing to stay with you. You must treat the county magistrate well, don’t slight her, understand? If the county magistrate is lacking anything, just come to my house and tell me. Whatever I can provide, I’ll do my best to provide.”

Ruan Chengchun and his wife nodded, their expressions indifferent. They didn’t much feel like dealing with Village Chief Ruan and simply busied themselves warmly escorting Shu Yu out the door.

When the Ruan brothers saw Shu Yu’s figure getting farther and farther away, they finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she was leaving, once she walked out this door, the pressure on them would lessen a great deal.

However, just as Shu Yu reached the doorway, she stopped again.

The Ruan brothers’ hearts clenched at once, and then they heard her say, “What hours are you going up the mountain tomorrow? I’ll come over. I said I’d see my grandmother off on her final journey, and I’ll do as I said.”

The Ruan brothers very much wanted to say that she didn’t need to come at all.

But facing Shu Yu’s earnest gaze, the Ruan family’s eldest son took a deep breath and said, “Counting the hours, we’ll be going up the mountain during 5 a.m to 7 a.m.”

“5 a.m to 7 a.m.” Around six o’clock. “That’s quite early.”

The Ruan family’s eldest son nodded immediately. “Yes, far too early. It’ll affect the county magistrate’s rest. How about…”

“How about I just go to bed early tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll be there on time tomorrow.”

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