CHAPTER 110: CHAPTER 110: THE COMPLEXITY OF HUMAN NATURE

Wen Nuan, this little girl, has very proper values.

Meng Yao smiled gently, "Then I will certainly not betray your trust."

Wen Nuan nodded firmly, "I believe in you, Madam."

After breakfast, Meng Yao greeted a few people and left the inn alone.

After a night of brewing, there was a more substantive anger in the eyes of those looking at Meng Yao.

Most of the inn’s guests were students preparing for exams. Chen He knew what they cared about most. His methods, though dirty, captured the students’ psychology and successfully incited their anger. The reason no one stepped forward to question her was probably that nobody wanted to be the first one to do it.

After all, she had connections with the County Magistrate.

This time, it wasn’t Chen He following her.

After Chen He spread the word, many people wanted to follow Meng Yao.

Meng Yao went straight to the front gate of the Government Office. Perhaps Ren Zhong had instructed them, the Government Officials courteously invited Meng Yao inside.

Those following Meng Yao thought it over and boldly stepped forward to inquire.

"Brother Official, I’m a candidate for this exam session. While wandering just now, I seemed to see the mother of a fellow candidate from the inn, and she entered the Government Office. May I ask what it was for?"

The Government Official looked at the person suspiciously.

The scholar quickly explained, "Just an ordinary citizen, who would go into the Government Office without reason? I thought, if there’s anything, I could carry a message back to the inn."

Oh, a warm-hearted scholar, huh.

The Government Official smiled, "Well, you are overthinking it. There’s nothing wrong. The Madam was invited by our County Magistrate."

The Government Official even addressed her as "Madam."

The County Magistrate openly invited her into the Government Office.

It seems that there really is something between that woman and the County Magistrate...

The Government Official watched in confusion as the scholar staggered away, a bit puzzled at how someone so young could have trouble with their legs.

Meng Yao met the frightened young girl in the guest room.

Her eyes were swollen and red, her face pale, and her gaze somewhat hollow.

It was obvious that the girl hadn’t rested well the previous night.

"Although the Government Office will manage your grandmother’s funeral, you know that they will just follow the procedures, and the ultimate goal is to lay her to rest. The details in between might not be done well. The old woman worked hard all her life. Can you bear for her funeral to be handled carelessly?"

In front of someone immersed in grief, comfort words usually fall on deaf ears.

So, Meng Yao went straight to the point and directly uncovered the pain.

Sure enough, the girl’s eyes flickered, no longer staring blankly.

"The old lady probably prepared her burial clothes herself, right? As her granddaughter, you should know where they are kept. If there’s no coffin prepared in advance, I can tell the officials to get one ready. As for the burning papers and gold ingots, I hear they need to be folded by close relatives to reach the deceased. I’ll prepare some gold paper and accompany you to fold them?" Meng Yao said slowly, her tone gentle.

The little girl burst into tears again, her voice hoarse, "It was all for me, it was all for me..."

"You were the one she couldn’t let go of the most. She certainly doesn’t want you to blame yourself," Meng Yao gently patted the girl’s shoulder. "If you keep being like this, the old lady won’t rest in peace. On the contrary, she would be relieved to know you’re safe."

"I grew up living with my grandma, and I haven’t had the chance to truly repay her..." The little girl cried even harder.

"So, living well in the future is the best way to repay her," Meng Yao gently comforted her.

After crying enough, the little girl wiped her tears, "Thank you, Madam, for comforting me."

"I was invited by the County Magistrate, so don’t worry about it," Meng Yao said. "If there’s anything you need the Government Office to do, just let me know, and I’ll tell the County Magistrate."

"That bad person, will he be executed?" the little girl asked through gritted teeth.

"He is a wanted criminal with many murders on his record. Once his crimes are revealed, he certainly will be," Meng Yao said.

"That’s good, that’s good," the little girl murmured.

"Madam Zhao, there’s someone outside the Government Office looking for Luo Qingqing," a Government Official said outside the guest room.

"Do you want to meet them?" Meng Yao asked Luo Qingqing.

Luo Qingqing nodded, "Yesterday’s incident made quite a stir. If someone found me here, it’s definitely Brother Shan."

Luo Qingqing took the initiative to explain to Meng Yao who Shan was.

He was the husband arranged for Luo Qingqing by Granny Wang before she became paralyzed.

He was also a kid from a poor family, an honest and diligent person who often helped the grandmother and granddaughter with chores.

Luo Qingqing’s face showed a hint of happiness.

After all, the visitor was someone she believed she could rely on.

But Meng Yao wasn’t so optimistic; human nature is always unpredictable.

Moreover, the commotion yesterday wasn’t small. Shan could only find the Government Office because someone told him what happened.

"Then I’ll accompany you out," Meng Yao said.

Hopefully, she was overthinking it.

"Or, you could invite him in," Meng Yao thought for a moment and said.

If something happens, it’s more private here.

Who knows what might happen out front?

The Government Official readily agreed, "No problem."

The County Magistrate instructed that any reasonable request from the Madam could be granted.

Before long, a simple-looking young man was led in by the Government Official.

Upon seeing someone close to her, Luo Qingqing couldn’t help but cry again.

Shan looked flustered, opening his mouth but not saying a word.

On the other hand, Luo Qingqing, between sobs, said, "Brother Shan, from now on, I only have you."

This statement seemed to put Shan in a difficult spot.

He rubbed his hands together, his gaze wandering, "Qingqing, don’t cry now, you’ll hurt yourself."

He didn’t ask if she was okay, nor did he take the initiative to say, "Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered."

Meng Yao watched coldly the Shan that Luo Qingqing described as simple, honest, and dependable.

"Qingqing, my mother said I’m not getting any younger, and I can’t afford to wait. Granny Wang has passed away, and as her only granddaughter, you’re supposed to mourn for her," Shan hardened his heart and revealed his intentions. "So, let’s just call off our engagement."

Neighbors said Qingqing was disheveled.

His mother said their family’s daughter-in-law had to have a clear reputation.

Although this was somewhat dishonorable, it was better than being laughed at later.

Moreover, his mother said, how come their family was the only one targeted by robbers? Maybe it was Qingqing’s restlessness that brought this misfortune.

If he truly married her, it would certainly bring unrest to the family in the future.

Even though he was a bit unwilling to part with Qingqing, he still thought his mother made a good point.

If Qingqing was not chaste, marrying her would make him miserable his entire life.

Luo Qingqing was stunned, "Brother Shan, what are you saying?"

"My mother said that since Granny Wang is gone, your family has it hard enough. We won’t ask for the engagement gifts back. But the hairpin my grandma gave my mother needs to be returned; it’s meant for our family’s daughter-in-law," Shan added.