Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1074: Blessings

"Stop talking. Someone, gag this wicked woman and throw her into prison." County Magistrate Zheng couldn’t be bothered with listening to Mrs. Lai’s vile words, and ordered the Government Official to imprison her along with Mrs. Niu and their party.

As for the Niu Qiao’er sisters.

"Village Chief Niu, these are your family’s girls. Take them back and care for them well; do not let anyone mistreat them." Although County Magistrate Zheng was displeased with Niu Qiao’er sisters’ past schemes against Gu Jin’an, he pitied them and did not want them to suffer anymore, he specifically instructed.

"Yes, I understand clearly. I will ensure that the sisters do not suffer anymore." Village Chief Niu was overjoyed. Oh heavens, Mrs. Niu’s family was finally captured and sentenced. Niu Fu Village’s bitter days were finally over.

No other village chief would be so exhilarated, but everyone feared those reckless villains. Those with families and homes wouldn’t dare confront them.

"Sir, a commoner has a request and asks for your help!" Hunter Bai kneeled down with a thud, directly asking County Magistrate Zheng: "The commoner has feelings for Niu Qiao’er, pities her years of suffering, and wishes to marry her as a secondary wife; I beg the official to let us lawfully become husband and wife."

Niu Laoda and Mrs. Lai had both been imprisoned. His wish to marry Niu Qiao’er dependably required the elders of the Niu family clan to intervene, but Hunter Bai was wise and decided to appeal directly to County Magistrate Zheng. If the Magistrate orchestrated the marriage, Qiao’er would gain greater respect within the Bai Family.

County Magistrate Zheng listened and nodded in satisfaction. Hunter Bai seemed decent, but he still asked Niu Qiao’er: "Are you willing?"

Having endured hardships, Niu Qiao’er didn’t hesitate to nod: "The young woman is willing; Brother Bai has always been the kindest to me."

Previously, she was reluctant to marry Hunter Bai due to his age and having two daughters, but adversity showed true feelings. He didn’t scorn her and wished to continue being kind, which she recognized as her fortune.

Seeing her willingness, County Magistrate Zheng readily agreed with Hunter Bai: "Alright, I shall act as the parental figure and oversee your marriage arrangement. Once the Niu family’s case is settled, I will instruct the official matchmaker to complete the six rites."

Niu Qiao’er and Hunter Bai were overjoyed, gratefully kowtowing to County Magistrate Zheng: "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate, for your immense favor. The young woman/commoner is eternally grateful!"

"Remember, do not commit evil in the future." Having accepted their gratitude, County Magistrate Zheng left them with this instruction.

The matter of the Niu family wasn’t over yet. Steward Zheng, following protocol, compensated Niu Qiao’er, the victim: "From their belongings, eighteen taels of silver and two silver-plated hairpins were found. They are compensations for you, keep them well."

Receiving the compensation, Niu Qiao’er was truly elated, repeatedly thanking Steward Zheng.

Steward Zheng didn’t linger. After giving her the compensation, he departed.

Witnessing this, Village Chief Niu exclaimed: "The County Magistrate is indeed a good official! When you marry, you should give thanks towards the county government."

Village Chief Niu was not an ignorant man; on the contrary, he had seen much. Which is why he was so shocked upon seeing Niu Qiao’er receive compensation.

"Yes, we will remember, Chief not to worry," Niu Qiao’er and Hunter Bai replied.

Then Village Chief Niu advised: "Keep that silver well, don’t spend it all too lavishly. Save some for Qiao’er, as she will need it when she marries."

Speaking of Niu Qiao’er, Hunter Bai said: "Village Chief Niu, this rescue of Qiao’er was much thanks to Qiao’er. When I and Qiao’er marry, I’d like to bring Qiao’er to live with us. She’s about the same age as my two daughters; they can keep each other company. What do you think?"

Village Chief Niu had no objections; he nodded in agreement: "Qiao’er is Qiao’er’s sister, willing to raise her is a good thing."

Hearing this, Niu Qiao’er felt more grateful towards Hunter Bai, and after leaving the government office, she whispered an apology to him: "Brother Bai, I’m sorry, I was immature before and hesitant to accept, please don’t..."

"Qiao’er, there’s no need for that. I’m much older than you, also a widower with two daughters. It’s reasonable for a young girl not to want to marry me. Let’s not dwell on these things, let’s just live well from now on," Hunter Bai said with a smile, genuinely kind to Niu Qiao’er.

Since he had already been married and had children, he did not mind Qiao’er’s lost purity. Marrying him would allow her a decent life.

Niu Qiao’er was moved to tears once more but quickly composed herself: "Yes, let’s live well from now on."

She promised: "I will treat Jin Fu and Yin Fu well, not let them suffer."

Jin Fu and Yin Fu were Hunter Bai’s daughters whom Qiao’er had taken care of for some time for silver, so she knew them.

Hunter Bai smiled: "I trust you."

The case of Niu Laoda’s couple murdering their daughter was quickly concluded. The Government Officials, following Niu Qiao’er’s directions, excavated the baby’s remains from a mountain outside Baihe Town. The forensic doctor examined the bones and indeed discovered a shattered cavity on the skull.

On the seventh day, Niu Laoda and his wife were sentenced to be executed and displayed, their two reckless sons were apprehended from the Lai Family and sentenced to exile.

Upon discovering Niu Qiao’er was the whistleblower, they furiously cursed her: "Wretch, vile wench, to harm your own brother. Just you wait, if I live, I’ll ensure the Bai family perishes miserably!"

But these threats were made in vain, as they alongside Fourth Son He’s family, and Mrs. Niu, were sent to work in the mines, only to die from exhaustion within a few months.

...

When Gu Jinli heard these events from Erqing, she only made one remark: "Serves them right, to murder their own daughter, what kind of beasts are they."

She knew women were devalued in ancient times, yet such acts of murdering one’s biological daughter were deeply reviling.

However, Little Niu Qiao’er turned out to be indeed cleverer, more formidable than Qiao’er, to be able to go against He Jinwa at such a young age. If she stays on the right path, her clear perception and daring actions assure a future of prosperity.

"Little Niu Qiao’er certainly deserves praise. She stayed at the Bai Family, behaved well with their daughters, Bai Yinfu now even calls her Aunt," Erqing mentioned again about Mrs. Liu and others: "Mrs. Liu, Hu Taoya’s mother, and Liang Furong’s mother were penalized with twenty strokes and fined three taels of silver. After the punishment, they were released home."

He Tianwa’s Family, He Laosou’s family, He Laixin’s Family, Lu Huoya’s Family, and Lu Shankui’s family were all severely beaten by Village Chief He and Lu Gen Sheng in the ancestral hall. Each household was fined a few taels not to mention, their misconduct recorded for offenses, with warnings of expulsion upon recurrence.

As for other He family and Lu Family People, the same rules applied; failure to heed lessons meant expulsion instead of a mere fine.

Regarding He Daqian’s Family and Fourth Son He’s case, He family and Lu Family People were greatly intimidated, all promising not to scheme against Gu Family again.