Chapter 258 - 259: Lateral Transfer

Chapter 258: Chapter 259: Lateral Transfer

Ancient Wen Heng rubbed Jin Qianqian’s belly and said in a low voice, "I hope this little guy isn’t as mischievous as his older brother when he comes out."

Jin Qianqian said, "He’s just a bit more active, that’s all. We can teach him as he grows. Do you think this one might be a girl?"

Ancient Wen Heng shook his head emphatically. "This is definitely a boy. Did you forget what Doctor Chu said? Based on the pulse reading, there’s no doubt it’s another boy."

’I admit, I’m being selfish,’ Jin Qianqian thought. She really didn’t want to have a daughter, to have her child suffer the same hardships she had. Besides, giving birth here was truly like walking through the gates of hell and back.

Usually, she appeared calm, but at that moment, after being in labor for a day and a night without giving birth, she had been terrified.

Even knowing that a second birth would be much easier than the first, the very thought of that pain made her want to shrink away.

But unfortunately, this wasn’t something she could back out of or negotiate. She could only brace herself and face it head-on.

"The snow has stopped for the past two days. Do you want to go back and check on things?" Jin Qianqian never would have imagined that right after her pregnancy was confirmed, Ancient Wen Heng would pack their bags the very next day and move her and their child to live here in Dao City.

He had been by her side all this time, only going out occasionally to handle matters.

Even though their businesses back there were managed by Xiao Dongzi and the steward, they still needed to check in on them from time to time.

"Xiao Dongzi is watching things over there now. If anything comes up, he’ll come here. As for our home, have you forgotten? My older brother and the others come by every other day. If there were really a problem, they would have come to find us.

We can all go back together in a few days for Mother’s birthday celebration."

"That works too. Xiao Dongzi has really grown up fast. I never thought you’d find me such a good helper at the city gate." As Jin Qianqian spoke of this, an irrepressible smile spread across her face.

Although Xiao Dongzi had only just come of age, perhaps because of the hardships he had endured in previous years, he was willing to cast aside his pride. He cherished his current life and was full of drive every day.

He not only helped Jin Qianqian manage her main operations but had also helped her launch many new business ventures over the past two years.

In the nearby cities, they no longer supplied goods to outsiders; instead, Xiao Dongzi had led his own team to capture the local market.

"He was lucky, too. Otherwise, he might have frozen to death under the wall that winter." Ancient Wen Heng sighed again. ’A person’s fate can be so strange sometimes. The slightest change can alter everything.’

Just like him and Qianqian, who had traversed two different space-times to finally find this blessed union.

"There’s one more thing I need to tell you," Ancient Wen Heng said, recalling the news he had received that day. "Magistrate Tian’s term is up. I heard he’s being transferred laterally to a small county in the south."

Jin Qianqian was unfazed. "It seems Mrs. Tian is disappointed again. It’s a shame, after all those subtle reminders for me to ’do my part’ before Mr. Tian’s big promotion."

It was probably because of that time Zeng Nuwan had tried to get the secret formula for her younger brother. In subsequent gatherings, she had always subtly led the other ladies in isolating Jin Qianqian.

After experiencing this a few times, Jin Qianqian found such gatherings dull and gradually began to decline most invitations.

"Tian Xiuwen is actually a decent man. After all, in his years as the parents official, he has done right by the local people.

It’s just a pity... they say you should marry a virtuous wife. His lateral transfer this time is inextricably linked to that ’good wife’ of his."

Jin Qianqian looked up at him. "So, you had a hand in Mr. Tian’s transfer this time."

Ancient Wen Heng smiled but said nothing. Jin Qianqian knew this was his way of getting even for her.

"His wife is shortsighted, but Mr. Tian is still a decent official." Jin Qianqian’s assessment was fair. If he had truly been a corrupt official, they could have skinned him alive, no matter how powerful his backer was.

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "It’s precisely because he’s a decent man that I found him a relatively prosperous county in the south. Otherwise, he would have been sent off to some remote backwater."

Jin Qianqian was speechless. ’...And that’s him showing mercy?’ She could only hope that Mrs. Tian would learn her lesson this time.

&

「Fu County Government Office」

Tian Xiuwen clutched the transfer order in his hand, storming all the way to the rear courtyard. When he saw Zeng Nuwan approaching with a smile, he slapped her squarely across the face.

"My lord," Zeng Nuwan cried out, stumbling and nearly falling. She clutched her face, staring at him in utter shock.

"Are you satisfied now? It would have been one thing if you were no help, but you actively held me back.

Based on my record of achievements, there is no way this should have been a lateral transfer."

Zeng Nuwan asked timidly, "But wasn’t it all arranged? How could it be a lateral transfer?"

"Who arranged it with you? For years, I have worked diligently and governed Fu County with great order. Considering my handling of the refugee settlement, even if I wasn’t promoted three ranks, I should have at least moved up one step.

But it’s all because of you, you foolish woman! Not only were you no help, you brought this trouble upon me.

Now look, I’ve become a laughingstock among my colleagues."

"How could this be? I haven’t done anything!" Zeng Nuwan still felt deeply wronged. She had barely left the house recently, so how could this be her fault?

Tian Xiuwen sneered, "Have you forgotten Mrs. Gu? Did you really think she was just some Scholar’s Wife you could push around as you pleased?

Let’s not even mention Gu Juren’s friendship with Prince Bai. Just consider the backer they have behind them! I’m just a minor County Magistrate, yet you dared to pick a fight with them."

At this thought, Tian Xiuwen rubbed his face in frustration. Even if the Emperor hadn’t publicly acknowledged it, anyone with any connections knew that Prince Bai was acting on the Emperor’s behalf.

"And is Mrs. Gu someone to be trifled with? The soap workshop she runs produces goods for imperial tribute! With that connection to the palace alone, where did you get the audacity to challenge her?"

Zeng Nuwan stumbled back a few steps, grabbing the corner of a table to keep herself from collapsing. "I haven’t seen her in months, so it’s impossible that I offended her. My lord, are you mistaken?"

Seeing her still making excuses at a time like this, Tian Xiuwen scoffed, "Have you never heard of holding a grudge?

I warned you more than once, but you never took it seriously. And now, years of my hard work have all been ruined by you.

You’re so devoted to your family’s brothers, aren’t you? Why don’t you just go back and stay with them from now on!"

Zeng Nuwan’s face went white as a sheet. "I’ll go and beg them! They can’t ruin my lord’s career over such a small matter! Is there no justice in this world?"

"Shut your mouth!" Tian Xiuwen roared. "Is my position not precarious enough for you? Do you want me to be sent home to farm the land?

If you continue to make such an unreasonable scene, for the sake of our children’s future, I will have to divorce you and send you away first."

Zeng Nuwan covered her face and began to weep. "I really didn’t know they would retaliate like this! I only grumbled a little, I didn’t actually harm them. For them to do this to my lord... isn’t that going too far?"