Taking advantage of this time, Chen Xiaobei invited Hu Fan into his home. Drink some tea and chat, but it is obvious that Hu Fan seems a little absent-minded. From this point, Chen Xiaobei is more certain that Hu Fan has another purpose. I am afraid that he is here for Liu Rumei. If he thinks so, arrange for Liu Rumen to go home early. Get ready, you guessed it right.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiaobei said to the village protection team member next to him, "Go to Chen Dayong and ask, if we go to such trouble to assemble a team, aren't we asking for embarrassment in front of the county magistrate?"
Hu Fan smiled and waved his hand, "It's not in the way, it's not in the way, it won't take more than a minute and a half."
The village protection team member agreed and went to find Chen Dayong.
Of course Chen Dayong understood what Chen Xiaobei was thinking. To tell himself to go faster was actually to make himself slower.
After struggling for nearly another meal, Chen Dayong finally came in slowly. His face was dusty gray and his hands were still black with charcoal ash.
"Chief Xiaobei, we're finally almost together."
Looking at Hu Fan next to him who was already anxious, Chen Xiaobei pretended to be apologetic and said, "Magistrate Hu, I'm really sorry for keeping you waiting for so long. Let's go and take a look."
Hu Fan nodded and followed Chen Xiaobei out of the yard and onto the street, where he saw a dark crowd in front of him.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei coming, people naturally became much quieter.
Chen Xiaobei first enthusiastically asked Magistrate Hu to stand on the big stone, and then he raised his voice and said, "Listen up, everyone, Magistrate Hu is here today on behalf of the Crown Prince."
Chen Xiaobei opened his mouth and made a gesture of invitation to Magistrate Hu. Hu Fan was very satisfied with the effect. He smiled and waved to everyone present, "Fellow folks, you have worked hard. I am here today on the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince to help a man named Chen Xiao from Hetou Village. Send a congratulatory gift to the villagers in the north."
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that Chen Xiaowen did a lot when he was in Qingniu Mountain. He has always remembered it in his heart. When he learned that Chen Xiaowen was getting married, he specially ordered me to send him a congratulatory gift."
Upon hearing these words, everyone present immediately went crazy, "Oh, I really didn't expect Brother Xiaowen to be appreciated by the prince!"
"Yes, yes, if the prince can send a congratulatory gift in person, it will be the first one in our Hetou Village."
"I told you that I have the prince's appreciation. What kind of wife do you think I can't marry? I think it will be a loss if I marry Mudan."
"Come on, won't he marry Mudan and leave it to you?"
Listening to everyone talking, talking and laughing, there were also a few messengers over there, carrying two large boxes from the carriage and opening each one to reveal silk and satin.
The other one was opened, and inside were some things for food and clothing, such as bowls and plates.
In this era, porcelain cups and porcelain plates are not particularly rare, and you can buy them if you have money, but the ones you buy are more crudely made, and things like this that are given by the prince are naturally much finer. What comes from official kilns is not something you can buy if you have money. It is a symbol of status.
Seeing these things, the villagers naturally burst into exclamations again.
Seeing the surprised expressions in the villagers' eyes, Hu Fan was greatly satisfied. Of course, he also breathed a long sigh of relief. He had successfully completed what His Highness the Crown Prince had told him.
At this time, Chen Xiaobei also breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Xiaowen had gained all the dignity he wanted. This matter would soon spread throughout the neighboring villages. By then, Chen Xiaowen would be able to straighten his back when he went to Cuijia Village.
Calculating that the time has been spent here for nearly an hour, I believe Liu Rumei has already prepared everything that should be prepared.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiaobei came to Magistrate Hu, smiled and clasped his fists again and said, "I think you should follow the rules of our Hetou Village. Since you are here to send gifts, you must stay for a meal at noon anyway. Let us As a landlord."
Hu Fan neither agreed nor declined, and followed Chen Xiaobei back home again. After sitting down, Hu Fan finally began to change the topic. He looked around pretending to be surprised.
"Hey, brother Xiaobei, after being here for so long, I realized why I didn't see Miss Liu today."
"Could it be that after you married her into the house, you hid her and didn't let her come out to meet others?"
Sure enough, it was because of this that Chen Xiaobei felt at ease. Fortunately, Liu Rumei was allowed to hide. Otherwise, this plan of pretending to be sick would have failed before it even started.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiaobei immediately started performing, and he put on a sad face.
"Well, Magistrate Hu, logically speaking, these things shouldn't be spoken out and disturb your interest. But since you asked about this, I have to tell you."
Hu Fan was startled when he saw Chen Xiaobei's tone, "What on earth is going on?"
Chen Xiaobei let out a long sigh, "Magistrate Hu, to tell you the truth, yesterday Rumei and I went to the ancestral graves and burned some paper money for the ancestors, but we fell ill when we came back."
"It was better yesterday, but I couldn't get out of bed early this morning."
Hu Fan was very surprised when he heard this, "Could it be that he was possessed by some evil spirit?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head repeatedly, "We have already sent people to ask for the Taoist priests. I'm afraid they won't arrive until tomorrow."
"By the way, Magistrate Hu, what arrangements do you have with Rumei?"
Hearing this, Hu Fan shook his head repeatedly, "No, no, that's not true. Alas, now that you say it, I really don't feel at ease. Do you think it's convenient? I want to go visit Miss Liu."
Chen Xiaobei knew that Hu Fan must go and see him, otherwise Hu Fan would not feel at ease, and he might not be able to fully explain to him after he went back.
"Okay, Magistrate Hu, then I will accompany you for a walk."
Chen Xiaobei was in front, taking Hu Fan with him to Liu Rumei's residence. As soon as they entered the yard, there was a strong smell of burning paper. There was also a charcoal brazier in the middle of the yard with some unburned yellow paper in it.
Seeing this scene, Chen Xiaobei was a little surprised. Although he had spoken lines with Liu Rumei yesterday, he didn't expect Liu Rumei to be able to perform so well. These details were all done well.
Even Hu Fan was shocked when he saw the yellow paper in the basin.
At this time, Xiaoqing also came out of the house to greet Hu Fan and Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei pretended to be in pain and asked Xiaoqing, "How is Rumei? Are you asleep or awake now?"
"Back to my uncle, the lady just woke up. I asked her what she wanted to eat, but she said she had no appetite!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "In that case, go and invite the young lady out quickly, and tell her that County Magistrate Hu is here to visit."
Xiaoqing turned around and ran in. Chen Xiaobei also made a gesture and invited Hu Fan into the main room.
Entering the room, tributes were placed on the table in the middle and three sticks of incense were lit.
It seemed like that, Chen Xiaobei secretly sighed, this Liu Rumei is also an excellent actor.
With little effort, Xiaoqing helped Liu Rumei out.
