Chapter 525

Liu Cui could hardly believe that after living half a lifetime, she could actually eat from an “iron rice bowl.”

She and several outspoken old lady friends from the workshop formed a mediation team, specifically responsible for petty matters in the two streets near the Xianghua Courtyard.

The monthly silver was not much, just half a tael.

But that was an official's meal, under the jurisdiction of the prefectural office, and they could talk directly with the Prefect and even file complaints.

When Liu Cui took on the task, she was still in a daze, with a vague feeling of manna from heaven, or an unrealistic dream-like experience.

It was Jiang Sheng who opened her big round eyes to remind her, "Auntie, you can't lose face for us women. You have to handle things beautifully.”

Only then did Liu Cui come back to her senses, clenching her fists, "Don't worry."

The matter was not complicated. Two families were in conflict over the care of an elderly person. The eldest son's family, who worked away from home most of the year, only gave money but no effort. The second son was idle at home, giving only effort but no money.

For many years things had been quite harmonious, until the elderly mother passed away, leaving behind only the taciturn old father. The daughter-in-law of the second son said outright that she and grandpa were difficult to get along with, and wanted the eldest son's family to take grandpa away.

The daughter-in-law of the eldest son refused outright, saying she had already given money.

The daughter-in-law of the second son put her hands on her hips and scolded that her years of hard work were enough to offset that expense, and the in-laws should be supported by one family each in the first place.

Neither side would back down, and they almost took it to court. After persuasion from the elders of the clan, they were currently trying to resolve the conflict.

The eldest daughter-in-law insisted that since the second family had accepted the money, they should take on the responsibility of caring for the elderly. The second daughter-in-law pleaded emotionally about the hardship of caring for the in-laws. Liu Cui did not go in immediately, but hid outside to listen for a while, then went with a smile to visit the neighbors.

After inquiring several times, she finally had it all figured out and took her fierce, capable lady friends and the dignified yamen runners arrogantly inside.

"Who are you?" the second daughter-in-law was full of suspicion about the people who suddenly came in.

"I am here by order of the Prefect to resolve disputes," Liu Cui barely held back her nervousness.

The second daughter-in-law immediately became angry. "We want the Prefect to resolve this, who needs you women to resolve it? We want to take this to court, do you understand court? "

"That’s right, that’s right," the second son echoed softly at her side.

Liu Cui was not annoyed, and did not even refute her. She just rolled up her sleeves and said, "Do you really want to go to court? Then your conscienceless money making will be made public."

In resolving petty disputes, it was important to make good use of gossip.

From the neighbors, Liu Cui learned the truth——the second family took money but did not wholeheartedly care for the elderly couple. It was the old woman who painstakingly supported the couple. She barely maintained their life before passing away.

Now that the old woman was gone, only the old man who couldn't work was left. The second family was extremely fed up with him and tried to drive him out several times.

As someone's children, the first family at least gave money while the second family gave nothing. Instead, they wanted to take money from the older brother. This was really inhuman.

"You two are greedy and unscrupulous, and undutiful. This will affect your children’s future prospects for the civil service exams. Your sons won’t even have a chance at the exams," Liu Cui spat on the ground. "It’s unconscionable for you to act like this."

"Yes, unconscionable," several older ladies echoed.

The yamen runners were even more indignant.

Only then did the second family wilt like limp cucumbers, confessing everything.

Liu Ciu took the opportunity to discuss with the first family and learned that they wanted the money back and to take father away to care for him. She nodded in satisfaction.

The matter came to a perfect conclusion, and the dispute was finally nipped outside the yamen gate.

Xu Mo heaved a sigh of relief, stroking his robe as he walked back. "It’s a good method, but relying too much on someone’s moral character is risky. It’s better to have checks and balances among several people."

He wrote out an order for Anshui Prefecture to add another group of “women warriors", specifically to handle various disputes.

They did not have the power to act alone, but monitored each other. If there was a problem, they could report it directly and work together to resolve difficulties. They were scattered in various corners of the county town. If a relative was involved, they would recuse themselves, and did their utmost to exert positive influence.

Prefect Xu could finally concentrate on dealing with all the wandering beggars, and quickly sent a memorial to the Prince in the abundant capital.

The happiest one was Jiang Sheng. “Big Brother, now that the beggar matter is resolved, can you accompany me to order new clothes? I ordered clothes for everyone.”

Considering everyone had been away recently, Xu Mo could only smile and nod, “Okay.”

The siblings strolled leisurely through the streets of Anshui Prefecture, holding candied haws in their hands, pastries stuffed in their pockets, and jade pendants around their waists.

While Jiang Sheng was eating enthusiastically, she suddenly heard noisy anger, followed by a woman's screams.

Before she could react, she saw a woman pass by hurriedly, one she looked a little familiar. Behind the woman followed an enduring but angry middle-aged man.

They both had injuries, as well as traces of fights, bites and scratches. There were broken pieces scattered on the ground, apparently smashed items.

These kinds of things were usually domestic disputes, where the couple would fight but make up afterwards, and outsiders should not meddle.

But when the woman glanced at Xu Mo, her footsteps faltered. At the same time, tears welled up in her eyes.

She seemed incredulous. Shivering, she looked at him for a long while, before covering her bruised face and fleeing without looking back.

"That’s... Miss Niu from the Niu official's family?" Jiang Sheng came back to her senses.

Her tall and handsome elder brother after five years still had undiminished elegance.

The arrogant and commanding Niu Xianxian, however, had sunk to become an ordinary woman fighting with her husband in the street.

She didn’t know whether to feel the magic of time, which could sculpt a person into such an unrecognizable state, yet also allow one to start afresh and grow incredibly.

Niu Xianxian sobbed as she left, unable to face not just Xu Mo, but more so her former arrogant self.

"The clothing shop is just ahead. Let's go," Xu Mo did not linger.

But before they could take a step, their way was blocked again.

The newcomer this time was unfamiliar, dressed neatly with a respectful and polite manner. "Excuse me, do you know if there is an 18-year-old merchant youth surnamed Zheng here in Anshui Prefecture?"