From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!

Chapter 591: Chapter 587 Offended the Government Officer (Update 1)

”They’re coming, they’re coming...” Mrs. Lin shouted excitedly.

The eldest family, initially having walked far away, squeezed toward the courtyard gate as if they had discovered some treasure.

The sound of firecrackers grew closer, and the once pale-faced members of the Old Mu Family now had a bit more rosy complexion.

The great event they’ve all been hoping for so long is finally here.

”Everyone, let’s perk up, keep your energy up, the glory of our Old Mu Family is about to arrive!”

Mr. Mu stood up himself and ordered his sons and daughters-in-law, acting very much the patriarch.

Everyone stood on tiptoe and waited, and from the village entrance came the shouts of the government officer.

”It’s the Old Mu Family’s joyous occasion, the documents, the documents are here...”

The villagers were already watching the excitement, and upon hearing the sounds, those who hadn’t come out began directing, while others followed behind the horse to the Old Mu Family.

This arrival included three government officers: one from Qianzhou Prefecture, one from the county town, and another arranged by the town, together bringing three documents. Without one, Mu Dade continuing the imperial exam wouldn’t be easy.

The sound of firecrackers finally reached the entrance of the Old Mu Family, and everyone saw a man in government officer attire hop off a black horse.

There were still bits of unburnt firecrackers tied to the horse’s rump.

The crackling sounds were particularly festive.

”Congratulations, Mr. Mu, your son has passed the provincial exam, ranking sixth!” The government officer said to Mr. Mu.

Mr. Mu was instantly overwhelmed with joy, disregarding the documents and bowing deeply twice to the officer.

”Thank you, Lord Officer, thank you, Lord Officer! Our Old Mu Family can finally hold our heads high!”

The other members of the Old Mu Family saw the officer holding red-paper-wrapped documents, and their eyes lit up.

Mrs. Lin boldly stepped past Mr. Mu and grabbed the documents.

She pretended to open and carefully read the documents.

Yet her actions were no different than a bull drinking tea or a wild boar rooting the ground, only adding a bit of humor.

”Old Second Daughter-in-law, what are you doing with the documents? You don’t even recognize the characters, hand them over to your elder brother.” Mr. Mu looked up, seeing Mrs. Lin holding the documents pretending to understand.

”Father, I’ve seen it. This thing is genuine!” Mrs. Lin said.

Mrs. Lin’s voice was loud, causing the other Old Mu Family members to laugh, but the officer’s face changed.

He came to offer congratulations but was made fun of by a farmer woman, and how could he swallow the insult?

He didn’t want to stay at the Old Mu Family any longer, only intended to collect his reward quickly and leave.

”Congrats again, Mr. Mu. Your son Mu Dade has passed the exam...”

The officer repeated what he had said before.

Actually, in general, at a time like this, the family of the exam-passer should bring out food prepared for the officer and offer them some money as reward.

The Old Mu Family had never had someone pass the exam before, so naturally, they didn’t know these customs.

But the officer didn’t realize that the Old Mu Family was ignorant, assuming they were deliberately being difficult, coughed and reminded again.

”Mr. Mu...”

This time, Mu Dazhong interrupted.

”Lord Officer, you don’t need to repeat one thing three times; none of us in the Old Mu Family are deaf. My father and brother are both healthy, aren’t they?”

Everyone chimed in, but Mrs. Jin noticed something was wrong. As she was about to take out money, the officer quickly mounted his horse and clicked his heels.

The horse sprinted off.

”Wow, that officer is really dedicated; he left without even drinking water!” Mu Xiangxiang, who hadn’t spoken, suddenly interjected.

Mrs. Jin then realized they might have offended the officer from Qianzhou Prefecture, because he left without any tea or reward, having prepared nothing...

”It’s over. I think we upset the officer from Qianzhou Prefecture. He came without tea, without reward, without any preparation...” Mrs. Jin exclaimed.

”Sister-in-law, you’re overthinking it. The officer is from a big place; how could he care about our few pennies?

He’s probably in a hurry to deliver documents to other families. Didn’t you see the red embroidered ball hanging on his horse’s head? It’s about catching the hour!”

Mrs. Lin, acting like an expert, educated Mrs. Jin.

Mrs. Jin didn’t believe Mrs. Lin’s nonsense, and planned to wait for the other two officers to come and then offer them money. Little did she know, the people from the Old Mu Family waited an entire day.

The second and third documents never arrived.

Those who knelt for a day were nearly ready to fall at the slightest touch.

Mu Dade hadn’t kneeling since the afternoon, but his heart was still full of questions.

Why did they deliver the first document, but not the others?

As night fell, Mrs. Jin lay on the bed, unable to figure out the day’s events.

She thought it might be because they offended the officer, given that the officer was from Qianzhou Prefecture.

But on a closer think, it seemed unlikely; after all, this was an assignment arranged by the court. Even if offended, they wouldn’t dare not send, as imperial exams are not trivial.

”Mr. Dan Dan, what do you think of this?” Mrs. Jin tossed the dilemma to Mu Dade.

”What can I think? It’s probably trouble caused by the second family; one told people not to repeat themselves, another doubted the document. How could they not be upset?”

The more Mu Dade spoke, the more he resented the second family.

His second brother had been lazy since childhood, and marrying a wife had brought more troubles.

”So what do we do now?” Mrs. Jin was anxious, as without the documents, nothing could be done.

”For now, there’s nothing to worry about. Those local Wang Bas in the village don’t know there are three documents. Tomorrow I’ll go to the county town to ask about it; this matter can only be solved there.”

Mrs. Jin was confused, only thinking Mu Dade was going to find someone for help, unaware that Mu Dade was going to see his childhood sweetheart who had become the County Magistrate’s minor wife in the county town.

”Mr. Dan Dan, honestly, I can’t stay in this house any longer. The second brother and Mrs. Lin are the kind of people who will hinder you, even if you become an official!” Mrs. Jin said.

Mu Dade understood this well, but his parents were still alive, and if he did anything too outrageous, he’d be scolded.

Mu Dade knew, even though he was his parents’ favorite son, the other families often received scolding, yet his father liked saving face. If the other families went out and claimed he had forgotten his roots, Mr. Mu would definitely ask him to take the whole family along.

”Mr. Dan Dan, have you forgotten what you promised me? Even if you have, think about this: who brings the whole family to take office? Our second mistress was abandoned and relies on others for living.

You have to support the younger sister, Xiangxiang, who eats so much, no family can afford it. You have to cover these two, do you really want to divide the hard-earned money with such people?”

When Mrs. Jin talked about these people, it was basically a complaint.

”I don’t want to, of course not, but my parents won’t pass this hurdle!”

”Then force the Old Mu Family to split up! Once they’re split off, they have no reason to depend on us. We only have to take care of my parents, and then we’ll live well, won’t we?”