PAMPERED CONSORT OF THE FRAGRANCE ORCHARD.BOOK 1

Chapter 54. Ninth of The Ninth Month's Wine

They were people from the same village after all, so seeing Du Quan look this remorseful, Li Ming Fu also somewhat softened. But recalling that he not only wanted to steal Du Xiao Li’s money, but also wanted to kill her, his anger in the end didn’t go down. He absolutely can’t allow something this malicious happen in his village!

“Xiao Li, how do you want this matter to be handled?” Li Ming Fu looked to Du Xiao Li and asked.

Although this Du Quan cried very sorrowfully, Du Xiao Li still saw a trace of resistance in his eyes. Knowing that he wasn’t really regretful, she said, “Um, village chief, if we have him beaten to death, it would be a bit too cruel. We can’t just selfishly decide his life and death after all. How about have him sent to the authorities, how it should be handled, the authorities will definitely know.”

Li Ming Fu thought for a moment and felt it was doable. Thus, he said to Shi Da and the others, “You all escort him to my house. Tomorrow, we’ll send him to the authorities together. Xiao Li, go rest early.”

“Thank you village chief.” Du Xiao Li said bowing to Li Ming Fu.

Li Ming Fu waved his hand at her and lead the crowd down the mountain.

Compared to being suspended on a tree and beaten for a whole night, life and death difficult to predict, getting sent to the authorities seemingly was a bit better. Thus, Du Quan obediently followed Li Ming Fu and the others.

“Just now really scared me. When he pounced over, why didn’t you dodge?” After everyone had left, Luo Qi looked to Du Xiao Li and asked.

“I knew that you’d arrived. Besides, he can’t hurt me anyways.” Du Xiao Li said with a smile. “Alright, now that the matter has been settled, time to go back and sleep. Silver, time to sleep.”

Silver followed Du Xiao Li back into the room. He curled up on the ground and closed his eyes. Du Xiao Li also lied down and fell asleep.

Luo Qi stood in the courtyard, helplessly shaking his head. Afterwards, he returned to his room to rest.

Meanwhile, Leng Er came to Han Ming Yi’s room.

“Young master, Du Quan had gone to the girl’s house to steal and got caught. Right now, the village chief has already taken him away, preparing to send him to the authorities tomorrow.” Leng Er had what he saw just now reported to Han Ming Yi.

Han Ming Yi was silent for a while, before saying: “Tomorrow, go tell Sun Zheng, isn’t the coal mine at the border of the town short on manpower, let him go do some contributions.”

“Yes, young master.” Leng Er turned around and went out. Han Ming Yi had a lousy money pouch carrying money taken and stared at it for a while, before finally putting out the lantern and returning to bed to sleep.

In the following days, Li Xue Qing didn’t come to find Du Xiao Li again. Only Hong Jie came a few times to buy tangerine. On the first of the ninth month, after selling the last batch of tangerines, Du Xiao Li told Hong Jie that the tangerines have all sold out, and that she was preparing to have the tangerine trees transplanted over to this side some time later.

Hong Jie also had predicted as much and said that she’ll return to tell madam. After handing over the money, she then left.

Ninth of the ninth month; climb high and drink wine.

(T/N: This is also know as the Double Ninth Festival; the date has a bad omen according to the traditional Chinese spiritual concept of yin and yang, because nine is a yang number. So on this day it’s customary to climb a tall mountain and drink wine to cleanse yourself. Also the date is in accordance to the lunar calendar.)