Stepmother in charge: Making a fortune through farming and raising her children to fight back

Outside the Zhuangyuan Hall.

As soon as Yun Zhenzhen finished speaking, a couple squeezed in and knelt down in front of County Magistrate Wang.

"Sir, we two humble servants beg you to help us. Last year, we sent our son to study at Zhuangyuan Hall, but after just three days, he came back crying. He said the students there were bullying and not only didn't give him food, but they also kept waking him up at night. Every time they saw him studying, they would mock him. Some even soaked his books with slop and threw them in the toilet..."

"My son is a promising student, but he was bullied outside. The next day, I wanted to ask them to return the money, but they chased me out and threatened to make my whole family pay if I dared to report him to the police."

Shopkeeper Zhou immediately scolded him: "You are talking nonsense..."

Before he could finish his words, another woman squeezed over.

"She's not talking nonsense. This is how it is. We pay to study at the Zhuangyuan Hall, but only the young masters of rich and powerful families can truly receive instruction. Students from poor families will be bullied..."

As the two men spoke out boldly, a group of people squeezed in from the outside, knelt on the ground, and began to tell about the injustices they had suffered.

Even families in the county may not be able to earn a few taels of silver a month. For ordinary families, being able to afford the ten taels of silver tuition fee has already emptied their family's savings. However, not only did the people who were sent here not learn anything, but they were bullied and humiliated.

If the children who have just entered the institution do not join them in bullying others, they will be bullied by the group. They will have to eat the worst leftovers and soup, and they cannot even go to bed. They can only sleep on the floor with straw as a mattress. Over time, they will have no energy to study and their grades will often plummet.

A group of people knelt on the ground and cried. Manager Zhou could no longer bear it, and knelt down in fear, trembling all over.

In the end, the county magistrate ruled that Zhuangyuan Hall must fully refund the tuition fees of all the oppressed students and each family must pay an additional two taels of silver as compensation. The yamen runner who had aided and abetted Shopkeeper Zhou's atrocities was finally punished. As for the county lieutenant, he would have to bear the consequences when he returned.

After the Zhou family members went to the county government office to return all the silver and money, they felt heartbroken.

In the past few years, I finally earned a little money and had some property thanks to my connections with the county government. Now, overnight, I'm back to the days before liberation.

Shopkeeper Zhou said viciously, "A village girl from the village dared to mess up our Zhuangyuan Hall to such a state. If this continues, no students will be willing to come to study here. I will make her pay for this debt in full."

"Dad... let's just forget it." After all, Zhou's son is still a child. He lost most of his soul after going to the county government office. How could he have the courage to continue to find trouble?

What's more, he had inquired in the county government office and found out that Qin Yun was very popular with the new county magistrate and he often visited her home. With such a relationship, how could our Zhou family afford to offend her?

Shopkeeper Zhou said coldly, "Who said I should confront her openly? If openly doesn't work, can't I do it covertly?"

Wait until this recent hype is over and let her wait and see.

After the Zhou family returned the money, the onlookers gradually dispersed. For a while, Qin Yun's name once again resounded throughout the streets and alleys of the county.

Everyone talked about Qin Yun with great interest, and every alley was discussing her deeds. Even those who had seen her in person felt proud of it.

I feel more confident when I go home and tell others gossip.

After finishing the work, County Magistrate Wang also returned to the county government office to handle other matters, leaving Lu Yunfeng behind.

"Thank you, Mr. County Magistrate." Yun Zhenzhen bowed slightly to express her gratitude.

Today she only asked the eldest brother to invite the county magistrate over, but she didn't expect that the county magistrate would also come. His methods must have been involved in this, so he deserved this thank you.

"Yunding County's officials are impartial and fair in handling cases, helping the people resolve their problems. This is truly a blessing for the people of the entire county."

"Madam Yun, you're too polite." Lu Yunfeng pursed his lips slightly and looked carefully at the woman in front of him. Although her facial features were not absolutely beautiful, a hint of determination could be seen on her face. The sunlight shining on her skin made him feel inexplicably dizzy.

Lu Yunfeng clenched the hands hidden under his sleeves and couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

"Cough cough."

He prepared himself mentally for a while before taking something out of his sleeve and handing it over: "This is a gift from my grandmother. I thought it would suit you very well, so I brought it here especially for you."

Yun Zhenzhen looked closely and found that it was actually a hairpin with lifelike rose patterns carved on it. It was obvious that this thing was very valuable.

As far as she knew, in ancient times, giving a hairpin as a gift could be considered a token of love.

She was a little bit unbelievable. The County Magistrate was... pursuing her!?

You have to know that she is a widow with three children, and she is also an ordinary village girl. The county magistrate is an official after all, and his family conditions are pretty good. How could he fall in love with her? This is too magical.

Seeing her hesitation, Lu Yunfeng quickly continued, "I don't mean anything else. It's just that it's not appropriate for a grown man like me to have something like this in my house. I thought Madam Yun was still young, so it wouldn't be a waste to keep it."

Yun Zhenzhen took a step back and didn't accept the gift. "No merit, no reward. The County Magistrate is already doing me a great favor by helping me with my case. How can I accept such a valuable gift for nothing?"

"I will repay your kindness tomorrow. If you need any help, please let me know. I have things to do at home, so I'll take my leave now."

After saying this and performing a great salute, Yun Zhenzhen turned around and left.

Looking at her departing back, Lu Yunfeng felt a little empty in his heart.

Although he didn't expect Madam Yun to accept it right away, it was still hard for him to accept the rejection.

He didn't know when it started, but he began to admire Qin Yun more and more from a bystander. This little fox was bold and careful, gentle yet resolute. He had never met such a woman in his life before, and it was hard not to be moved.

From the initial admiration, to the unconscious desire to visit her home later, it has been a while since I last had a meal at her home...

No problem, he put the hairpin into his arms.

There is still a long time, and one day, he will slowly walk into her heart and become the person who stands shoulder to shoulder with her.