GBP Chapter 167 A Woman in Official Position (2)
Chapter 167 A Woman in Official Position (2)
The next day, while Shi Wanxia was still dreaming, Shuyun, accompanied by a young girl, waited outside her door and knocked. "Sister Shi, it's Mao Shi (5:40 AM). You should be at work by 5:45 AM. Get up quickly," Shuyun called softly.
Shi Wanxia mumbled a response, turned over, and went back to sleep. Shu Yun shook her head helplessly, turned to the girl beside her, and said, "You wait here, I'll go wake her up." With that, she pushed open the door and went in.
A faint fragrance filled Shi Wanxia's room. Shuyun walked to the bedside, gently nudged Shi Wanxia's shoulder, and said, "Sister Shi, it's time to get up, or you'll be late."
Shi Wanxia slowly opened her eyes, glanced at Shuyun, then at the sky outside the window, and muttered, "So early? I haven't had enough sleep yet."
Shuyun said with a smile, "Sister Shi, today is the day you officially take office as an official in the county government. You are the first woman to hold an official position since ancient times!"
Shi Wanxia sighed helplessly, sat up, rubbed her eyes, and said, "Okay, I'll get up now."
Shuyun prepared toiletries for Shi Wanxia and then left the room. After Shi Wanxia finished washing up and changing her clothes, she came out of the room. She saw the girl standing at the door, holding a bundle in her hand.
Seeing this, Shuyun explained, "Sister Shi, this is her job. She is responsible for calling you and protecting your safety every day. This girl knows some martial arts, and I have also arranged a man for you. He is also highly skilled in martial arts."
After hearing this, Sister Shi nodded slightly, feeling satisfied with Shuyun's arrangement.
"Alright! By the way, little sister, what's your name?"
Shi Wanxia smiled gently. This little girl looked to be around fifteen years old, with a pretty face and a striking, spirited air. Her appearance was also very pleasing, and Shi Wanxia liked her quite a bit.
"Reporting to the Lord... Sister Shi, my name is Liang Shiqing. You may call me Shiqing."
Liang Shiqing almost said the wrong thing, and dared not look at her with trepidation.
Shi Wanxia didn't take it to heart. "Liang Shiqing, what a nice name. And she's pretty too."
After saying this, she hurried to the main hall for breakfast. She had already explained to Shuyun that these people should not be treated as servants. They were also unfortunate people, and since we had already led them out of their misery, we couldn't let them live in self-loathing and despair. No one is born a slave.
Shuyun brought breakfast to the table, but Shi Wanxia immediately told her to go back to sleep, saying it was still early.
"Shuyun, you should go back to sleep! It's so early. You must be tired."
Shuyun smiled faintly and shook her head. "I'm not sleepy, Sister Shi. Today is your first day reporting to the yamen, and I'm still a little worried. If anything happens, come back."
Shi Wanxia couldn't help but laugh out loud, almost choking. "What are you saying, little girl? Nothing will happen. Don't worry! By the way, Shiqing, sit down and eat with us!"
Shi Qing quickly refused, saying that this was unreasonable and how could they be so presumptuous?
"Do not......"
Before she could finish speaking, Shi Wanxia pulled her down to sit and quickly served her a bowl of porridge.
"Eat quickly, it's getting late."
Helpless, Shi Qing could only carefully and cautiously pick up her bowl and begin to eat, while Shi Wanxia would occasionally put food on their plates.
"You can't do this. You can't do this in the future. You are like me. I am not your master, but your older sister, understand?"
Shi Qing's eyes reddened, but she swallowed her tears without any backbone and buried her head in her food. She used to be the daughter of an official family; her father was a soldier guarding the frontier. He was beheaded for a crime, her mother committed suicide, and her elder sister ended up in a brothel. She too became a servant, never expecting to meet someone as kind as her sister.
She will definitely work hard and save money to buy her sister's freedom.
The three quickly finished their meal and went outside. A carriage was waiting there, and Lin Yu, yawning, had been waiting for some time. Shi Wanxia nimbly climbed into the carriage, and the group hurried to their destination.
Large lanterns lit up the night sky outside the county government office. Winter days are long, and Lin Yu dropped Shi Wanxia off and then returned home. Shi Wanxia led Shi Qing into the government office, where the constables were busily moving about.
Shi Wanxia entered the main hall and saw the magistrate sitting behind his desk, reviewing case files. She stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Excellency, I, Shi Wanxia, have come to report for duty as ordered."
Magistrate Cui raised his head, glanced at Shi Wanxia, and asked, "You've arrived. It's like this: there are no women's versions of the official robes for the registrar, and the weather is cold. Women are generally weaker, so you can wear your own clothes. I'll instruct the county clerk to give you your official badge later."
Shi Wanxia said, "Thank you for your consideration, sir."
Magistrate Cui thought it best to arrange for the county officials to meet with her. So he ordered everyone to come to the main hall and greet Miss Shi.
Soon, the county officials gathered in the main hall and found two young women standing there. When did they arrive? Were they here to report a crime so early?
Cui Zhihao slammed the gavel, startling everyone present, who all turned their gaze toward the magistrate.
Cui Zhihao awkwardly touched his nose. "Alright, stop arguing. This is Miss Shi, my newly appointed registrar from today onwards."
The yamen runners immediately started discussing among themselves.
"Female registrar, Your Excellency, this is...."
"That's right! There's never been a woman holding an official position before! It's unheard of!"
Choi Ji-ho looked displeased and slammed his gavel again to silence the murmurs.
"Alright, stop talking. Miss Shi was specially hired by me. Remember, you can call her Miss Shi from now on. Magistrate Wang, give Miss Shi her official credentials in a moment. Alright, everyone disperse!"
The crowd at the county government office remained stunned for a long time, but they had no choice but to obey the magistrate's orders. A woman it was; their magistrate wasn't even afraid of the prefect, and they dared not risk offending him.
County Magistrate Wang then led Shi Wanxia to the side room where she worked. "Miss Shi, this is where you work. The registrar is mainly responsible for managing documents, data, files, and finances, as well as conveying the magistrate's orders."
"This job is relatively easy. Miss, please stay here and take a look at these files. I still need to assist you in investigating the case, so I'll take my leave now."
Inside the main hall, an elderly man sighed softly. He knew the magistrate's temperament well; once he made a decision, it was difficult to change it. He looked at his granddaughter beside him, his heart filled with worry.
At this moment, Magistrate Cui sat in the hall, his face grim. He was also troubled; the case was full of suspicious points, but the Prefect was pressuring him to close it as soon as possible. Helpless, he had no choice but to come up with this expedient solution.
Just then, a woman was brought in. Her face was haggard, and her eyes revealed a hint of fear. The magistrate looked at her, feeling a pang of pity, but he hardened his heart and began the interrogation.
The woman's name was Lin Wan'er, an ordinary peasant woman. She claimed she was innocent, but had no evidence to prove her innocence. The county magistrate inwardly groaned; this case was becoming increasingly difficult.
Just then, a young scholar entered. He introduced himself as Lin Wan'er's fiancé, named Zhang Yu. He told the magistrate that Lin Wan'er had been framed and that he had evidence to prove her innocence.
Magistrate Cui was overjoyed upon hearing this. He immediately ordered Zhang Yu to present the evidence. Zhang Yu took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to the magistrate. The magistrate opened the letter and his face immediately turned extremely ugly.