Chapter 91: Miss Liu, Thank You For Your Gift
Officer Zhou cried and then wiped his tears while walking into the house.
He walked upto the table and sat down. He looked at his wife and daughter while continuously wiping his tears, but his vision was always blurry.
Zhou Mingzhu wiped away Officer Zhou’s tears. “Father, don’t cry. I’ve reunited with Mother. This is a good thing. You have to take care of yourself and live a long life.”
Zhou Mingzhu felt like crying too.
Officer Zhou looked at his wife and said, “I’ve found our daughter. You can rest assured now.”
The woman smiled gently. “I’m relieved. I’ll take good care of our daughter and never lose her again.”
Officer Zhou knew that this was the last time they would see each other.
He hugged the woman and Zhou Mingzhu, crying and laughing at the same time.
Happy times are always short. At dawn, Officer Zhou opened his eyes and suddenly started crying again.
His wife woke up and asked him. “What’s wrong?”
Officer Zhou laughed and sobbed. “I-I’m happy.”
The woman smiled. “If you’re happy, you should be smiling. Why are you crying?”
Officer Zhou wiped his tears and smiled back. “Yes, I should smile. I want to smile.”
The woman got up and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Officer Zhou smiled and went to the government office after eating.
As soon as he entered, a constable came over and said, “Officer Zhou, Magistrate Wei is looking for you urgently. Hurry up and go. He seems to have something to tell you.”
Officer Zhou nodded and went in.
On Wei Shilai’s desk, the envelope had been unfolded. He looked at Officer Zhou and said, “I called you here because I have something to tell you.”
Officer Zhou’s eyes were red. “I already know. Mingzhu is gone, right?”
Wei Shilai was stunned for a moment before nodding.
A month after Zhou Mingzhu was sent to the capital, she died. The cause of death was unknown, but Wei Shilai knew that she died because of the black pill.
Zhou Mingzhu had been living as Hong Ying for more than ten years. She knew that there was a huge criminal organization pulling the strings behind the scene. The black pill was used to control people. Once the pill was not taken in time, they would die.
Wei Shilai paused and said, “My condolences.”
Officer Zhou smiled. “I know. I’m not sad. I’ve already received the best gift.”
Her daughter had gone peacefully and could still be reunited with her mother. Someone had helped him.
Zhou Mingzhu had committed so many sins over the years. Officer Zhou had asked the monk before. Those, who had sinned, needed to pay their debts unless someone could exorcize her and wash away her sins. Other than Liu Sanniang, he couldn’t think of anyone else who was capable of doing that.
Wei Shilai was relieved. “That’s good. Her body has been cremated. I’ve already asked someone to bring back her ashes.”
Officer Zhou knelt down tearfully. “Thank you, Magistrate…”
After burying his daughter’s ashes beside his late wife, he no longer had any regrets.
Wei Shilai held up Officer Zhou. “There’s no need to thank me. You can leave.”
Officer Zhou’s eyes turned red with gratitude. He was unlucky, but he was also lucky.
Wei Shilai wanted to give him a holiday, but Officer Zhou refused. He was not sad and did not need a break. Besides, the government office was so busy now, so could he take a break?
After getting off work at night, Officer Zhou went to Willow Street.
Hearing knocks on the door, Liu Erlang went to open it and saw that it was Officer Zhou.
Madam Wei said to Liu Erlang, “Go, get a bowl.”
Liu Erlang went to get a bowl. Officer Zhou did not refuse. Just as he was about to speak, Mr. Liu said, “Let’s talk after dinner.”
Officer Zhou smiled and nodded. After dinner, Officer Zhou stood up and bowed to Liu Sanniang. “Miss Liu, thank you for your gift. If not for you, I might not have been able to find my daughter in my life. Thank you.”
“Uncle Zhou, get up.”
Liu Sanniang went to help Officer Zhou.
Officer Zhou took out a hairpin wrapped in a piece of cloth. “Miss Liu, please accept it. This is a gift from my family.”
Liu Sanniang took it graciously.
Only then did Officer Zhou straighten his back and thank her sincerely again before leaving.
Liu Erlang chuckled. “Sanniang, are you going to charge people for your service in the future? I heard that Granny Li charges at least a tael.”
After Liu Erlang finished speaking, he realized that he said something he shouldn’t and immediately jumped away. He said to Madam Wei, “Mom, mom, mom, don’t hit me. I didn’t mean to say that.”
Liu Dalang smiled and shook his head.
Madam Wei rolled her eyes at Liu Erlang. “I can’t wait to beat you to death, you brainless thing! Your sister is so capable. She needs to charge people at least ten teals. She is not at the same level as Granny Li.”
Madam Wei was proud of her daughter.
Liu Sanniang smiled. Her mother had already come to terms with her being a psychic.
Mr. Liu was also happy to see this. As a family, no matter what happened, they had to be harmonious. They could rest assured once Liu Sanniang married Chu Yan.
What happened in River Village caused a huge sensation. Fortunately, the emperor was just, and so was the magistrate of Yong County.
Because the case was too big, the emperor didn’t punish them heavily. Those who were guilty could go home after being exiled for three years. As for the villagers of River Village, they had to pray for their daughters every day for three years.
After that, the emperor added a new law. If someone killed their children, they would be punished with more than five years in exile.
It could also be considered as a warning to the world. The Xia Dynasty was a dynasty with laws. It was not a reign where people could do whatever they wanted just because their children were born by them.