Chapter 48 Chrysanthemum

  When he saw that his hands were blackened by the pot bottom ash in the stove, the servant quickly fetched a basin of water for him to wash his hands.

  Xiao Jia Ding washed his hands and came out of the main gate. Luo Cun was busy asking, "Does Xiao Zhii still want to go somewhere for investigation?"

  Xiao Jiading shook his head: "No need, we just came to take a look and are ready to go back."

  "Xiao Zhiyi has worked hard on this case, and it's his first time coming to our village. I've already prepared some fine wine, and I'd like to invite Xiao Zhiyi to join us."

  Xiao Jiading smiled and nodded in agreement.

  The village head is the most basic cadre of the county government, and it's convenient to get along with them for work. China is a society that values relationships, whether in ancient or modern times, everything relies on connections, even official business. Subordinates need superiors' connections, but superiors also need to maintain good relations with subordinates to facilitate the smooth implementation of policies. Therefore, when invited by the village head to dinner, as long as there's no other reason not to, one should still give face.

  Arriving at Luo Village's Zheng family home, a person stood at the entrance, a stout man with a beaming smile and a courteous bow. He gazed out at the throngs of people gathered in front of Xiao Jia Ding's residence.

  Luo Cun Zheng hastily stepped forward to introduce, it turned out that this fat man was actually the township head of Wutai Township where Huang Yan Village is located, equivalent to the village chief. Xiao Jia Ding's trip down to investigate the case was a temporary decision, and he did not notify the township head, nor did he know how he got the news and rushed here.

  The village head is surnamed Liu and brings several people with him, who are also local gentry.

  After the two sides exchanged greetings, they walked inside. Luo Cunzheng's home was very large with many houses and servants, looking like a wealthy household. Two tables were set for the banquet, and Dai Shou and his men were arranged at the other table.

  Xiao Jiading, under the leadership of Luo Cunzheng, arrived at Zheng Tang, where a large table of mountain and sea delicacies had already been set up. Xiao Jiading was naturally seated in the main seat, with Liu Xiangzheng and Luo Cunzheng accompanying him on either side, while other local gentry sat below them.

  Luo Cunzheng introduced this Liu Xiangzheng, saying that his ancestors were wealthy and that he was even more prosperous in this generation, with a family fortune of millions. He had a kind heart to benefit the local people, so he took on the task of Xiangzheng, which was to bring good fortune to his fellow villagers.

  It turns out that this Liu Xiang Zheng is a rich second generation, and it seems that he used money to get the position of Xiang Zheng, which in turn brought him more wealth.

  "Gentlemen, today we have a distinguished guest from our county magistrate's office, Xiao Shao, who has taken great pains to investigate the murder case in our Huangyan Village. As local landlords, if we don't treat him with utmost hospitality and care, our village will lose face! So, let this be a warning: anyone who doesn't show respect to Xiao Shao by offering him wine, tea, or eggs will have to answer to me, Liu!"

  At this time, he toasted Xiang Jia Ding and asked him to drink a cup. He himself drank two cups.

  Those people hastened to offer a toast to Xiao Jia Ding, and it was also Xiao Jia Ding who drank one cup while they drank two. They said many flattering words. Xiao Jia Ding was generous and returned the toast, making these village heads, village officials, and rural gentry feel honored and surprised, repeatedly saying that Xiao Jia Ding was kind and gentle, loving the people like his own children.

  This remark was originally made about the county magistrate and other parental officials, but now it is being used to flatter Xiao Jia Ding. However, Xiao Jia Ding dared not accept it, repeatedly waving his hand and saying that he just treated them as old friends, like brothers, and had nothing to do with loving the people like a son. These people were even more moved, and under the influence of wine, they began to address Xiao Jia Ding as "brother" or "younger brother".

  At the banquet, Liu Xiang was talking non-stop to Xiao Jiading about some anecdotes of local officials and recent activities, trying to show off his familiarity with these people. Xiao Jiading was not interested in such people and changed the subject when Liu Xiang was excited, too lazy to listen to him boast.

  As everyone was already showing signs of intoxication, Xiao Jia Ding said it was getting late and they should start their journey back. However, Liu Xiang Zheng and others repeatedly urged them to stay, saying that it was already late to return now, so why not rest here for the night and head back early tomorrow morning? They had already arranged accommodations.

  Xiao Jiading smiled knowingly and said, "Alright then. I'll be troubling you all."

  Luocun Zhengyi was overjoyed and immediately continued to toast, while calling for several big girls and daughters-in-law from the village to come and toast. Although ancient times were very particular about the separation of men and women, this mainly occurred during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when it reached an abnormal degree. In the Tang Dynasty, however, there was not such a fuss. Although it was not as open as modern times, it was not as rigidly constrained as one might imagine, especially in rural areas where etiquette was relatively relaxed. This can be seen from these big girls and daughters-in-law.

  Several women came in, and Liu Xiang immediately understood Luo Cun's intention. He stood up with a smile and said: "Great! With so many beauties here, let's give our seats to them and have them keep Shao Dage company for drinks!"

  While they were talking, the servants had already brought over several cushions and rearranged the seating. In front of Xiao Jia Ding, Luo Cun Zheng arranged a seat, with one person sitting on either side. The others sat down beside the village head, village chief, and other local gentry.

  Xiao Jia Ding narrowed his eyes and took a look, these few compared to Ya Niang and Chi Mei, can only be considered as having some charm, but still pleasant to the eye, especially the village girl's rustic flavor, which was particularly refreshing.

  To his left was a woman wearing only a thin, light-colored spring shirt on this chilly early spring evening. When she leaned against his shoulder to toast him, half of her snow-white ** was exposed from the opening of her shirt, dazzling people's eyes. To his right was a shy young girl who was dressed very conservatively and looked extremely uncomfortable. Sitting next to him, she wanted to get close to Xiao Jiading but felt too embarrassed.

  These women took turns to toast Shao Jia Ding, each time they toasted, either hugging his arm or leaning their slightly sweaty bodies against him, saying some flirtatious words and throwing a few coquettish glances, making everyone in the room burst into laughter. Of course, except for the shy girl sitting next to him, when she toasted, she didn't hug him or throw any glances, but just bashfully held her wine cup, not even knowing what to say.

  As night deepened, Xiao Jia Ding had already become 70-80% drunk, and the banquet finally dispersed.

  Luocun Zheng let the housekeeper arrange for Liu Xiangzheng and other gentry to rest, saying that he still had some words to say to Xiao Jiading. After Liu Xiangzheng and the others left, Luocun Zheng leaned in close to Xiao Jiading's ear and whispered: "These few women, which one has Big Brother Xiao taken a liking to? I'll let her accompany you, or else, let them all accompany Big Brother, how about that?"

  Xiao Jia Ding slanted his drunken eyes at him, curled up the corners of his mouth and smiled, saying: "Others have families to support, can't just be a songstress like this, isn't that not good?"

  Luocun Zhengyi heard Xiao Jiading's words and didn't say anything about death, so he immediately felt at ease and said in a low voice: "Don't worry, big brother, these few women are very obedient, I've already arranged everything. There won't be any problems!"

  Xiao Jiading nodded and said, "Just sit next to that little girl on my left."

  Luocun Zheng smiled, it turned out that Xiao Jia Ding liked a little greener girls. He quickly agreed and said to the women waiting at the door: "Tulip! You come in!"

  The blushing girl then came in and stood before Xiao Jia Ding and the others, her head lowered.

  "Help Brother Xiao back to his room to rest, and listen to him!"

  The last sentence "listen to me" was full of meaning, and the chrysanthemum seemed to have received instructions in advance. Her pretty face turned even redder, her head lowered, and she grasped Xiao Jia Ding's arm.

  Xiao Jia Ding deliberately wrapped his arm around her waist, this action made Chrysanthemum's body tremble. Instinctively wanting to dodge, she immediately stopped.

  Xiao Jiading said, "Let's go!" As they walked out the door, Luo Cun was leading the way in front. When they passed by those village women, Xiao Jiading saw the expressions of admiration and jealousy on their faces.

  The room arranged for Xiao Jiading to stay in was actually Luo Cunzheng's own master bedroom, and he himself moved to another place to live. When they reached the door, after seeing them off, Luo Cunzheng said "Xiao Dage, rest well" and personally closed the door.

  The room was lavishly decorated, with thick carpets on the floor. In the innermost part of the room stood a large bed, also intricately carved, with crimson curtains hanging from it. In the center of the room was a round table, upon which sat a red lantern, as well as a jug of warm wine and several dishes of food. Apparently, these were prepared for their next program downstairs.

  Chrysanthemum also saw the wine and dishes on the table, and asked in a low voice: "Xiao Da Ge, are you still drinking?"

  "Not drinking for now. Close the door."

  Chrysanthemum walked to the door, locked it with a slightly trembling hand. After returning, she supported Xiao Jiading and walked all the way to the bedside to sit down. Chrysanthemum said in a low voice: "Then I'll serve you, big brother, to wash up."

  "I'm drunk, no more washing! Let's go to bed! You go blow out the lantern!"

  The chrysanthemum's delicate body trembled again, she glanced at him and lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought.

  Xiao Jiading deliberately hummed: "What? Unwilling?"

  Chrysanthemum hastily shook her head, her originally rosy face turned pale, and she quickly got up to blow out the lantern. She slowly returned to the bedside.

  "Come on! My good baby!" Xiao Jiading hugged Chrysanthemum tightly, laughing lewdly and rolled onto the bed, dropping the curtains.

  At this time, behind a small window lattice, Luo Cun was that pair of drunken eyes, revealing a smile, and turned to leave with satisfaction.

  Falling onto the bed, Xiao Jia Ding let go of the daisy that was lying on his chest, belched, and said in a low voice: "You're called Daisy?"

  "Hmm..." She remained motionless on top of Xiao Jia Ding, because she didn't know what Xiao Jia Ding would do next. She could only follow Xiao Jia Ding's arrangements.

  "How many people are there in your family?" Xiao Jiading asked.

  "Eight." Chrysanthemum's voice was very soft, she was somewhat puzzled, this village head who had been extremely flattering to her brother, how could he care about her family.

  "Are you married?"

  "Nothing..." Chrysanthemum's voice was a little shy.

  "Is there a wife at home?"

  "Nothing..."

  "You're so beautiful, how can you not have a mother-in-law?"

  "My family is too poor..."

  "Ah!" Xiao Jiading gently patted her back, "Tell me the truth, how much money did Luo Cun pay your family to have you accompany me for this one night?"