The Marquis' Wife
Giving tax exemption

The next day the village chief Miao and the clan elders came to visit again but Lu Xiang had Lu Tao who was guarding the gate tell them to come on a school day off, he could not skip school just because he served parents who wanted to take advantage of him.

"Did Xie Hsien's title make Lu Xiang arrogant?! He was even toying with an old man like this!" The Li clan elder bellowed furiously at Lu Tao.

"Old man, you can't say that. Master Lu can't skip school because he wants to see you, right? My master was studying directly under the guidance of Juren Zhao, do you guys feel more important than Juren Zhao?".

The elders of the Li clan and the others were shocked and scared. "Ten-of course not. You're talking nonsense!" They said panic.

Lu Tao smiled obliquely, his master has already taught him how to win the debate with a stubborn person like them. "It's good that you all feel that way, it would be surprising if there were rumors circulating that the village head and clan elders were prioritized compared to Juren Zhao. Therefore, come on school holidays, Saturdays. On Sunday my master will leave for Fucheng to continue the exam".

Village chief Miao and the clan elder were speechless and went home with a grumbling face due to an unattainable goal.

Adelia who heard Lu Tao's report smiled in satisfaction, how is it possible to obtain something without any effort. There is no sustenance that falls in the sky.

&&&

A few days later, they came back and finally met Lu Xiang. Perhaps due to coming twice but to no avail, the faces of the elders grew sour when faced with Lu Xiang.

"Lu Xiang's. Previously uncle wanted to congratulate you on the title Xie Hsien you got, new uncle can say now because you are not in the village".

The words of the village chief Miao meant that Lu Xiang had become oblivious of where he came from.

Lu Xiang smiled sincerely, as if not hearing the subtle innuendo of village chief Miao. "It's okay, Uncle Miao. I also asked because I could not visit the village because of the myriad of tasks given by teacher Zhao, it was very difficult to go to the village because I was living in the uncle city".

The place I'm from now is Cheng town not Miao village.

Elder lips pulsating speechless. They became impatient and wanted to open the main topic of their arrival destination.

"We came here because we wanted to discuss something for the good of Miao village but..." His eyes glanced at Adelia who was sitting beside Lu Xiang, hearing in silence.

"Uncle Miao wants to discuss what?" Lu Xiang pretended not to understand the gesture of the village chief Miao who wanted to drive Adelia out of the living room.

"Would Adelia go to the kitchen to prepare lunch, this would be a long discussion". Patriarchies are very closely attached to their bones and do not want women to interfere in whatever discussion they do.

Adelia smiled innocent. "It's okay uncle. We have a lot of waiters who can make lunch".

"It's Adelia's men, don't interfere!" The Lu clan elder said bluntly.

Lu Xiang's eyes turned cold while Adelia was surprised by the exaggerated movements. "Didn't uncle come here to talk about the good of the village? I'm also a Miao villager, right uncle? So why can't I take part in this discussion?".

Adelia then widened her eyes. "Am I not a resident of Miao village?".

"Aadellias! We don't have much time to deal with your insinuations. Now get out of here, your place in the kitchen is not here!" Elder Miao said impatiently.

Adelia was not at all intimidated by the angry tone of elder Miao and instead laughed sillyly making the elders and the village chief grow even more furious but the woman's words left them stunned.

"Uncle. Did you forget that this is my home? Not yet anything uncle was already angry. Is uncle sure Lu Xiang will agree with your purpose in coming here?".

The village chief Miao and the clan elder simultaneously turned to the cold-faced Lu Xiang.

The faces of the elders softened, they laughed grimacingly. "You misunderstood Adelia, we're going to talk about something you don't understand. After all the results of this discussion all depended on Lu Xiang's own decision".

The elders became angry that they felt disrespected but their purpose in coming to Lu Xiang's house made them hold back the anger. "Alright if you say so Lu Xiang".

"We came here because we wanted to ask you for help Lu Xiang. Even though you only lived for a few years in Miao village, we already consider you like family" Elder Li said.

Adelia and Lu Xiang were still silently listening.

"This past year the crops in Miao village were not good enough because there were so many pests and not enough rain water that many families were deprived of food, especially when it comes to paying the harvest tax for the kingdom. The huft! The villagers are getting worse".

Elder Li silently waited for Lu Xiang to speak up but the man still silently listened.

"So we thought it might be helpful if the villagers didn't have to pay the land tax, but you know for yourself that's not possible".

"Hm? I thought it would be probably uncle" Adelia replied.

"really? So you want to help..."

"Hasn't Miao Sheng already a Hsien scholar? I heard that Hsien scholars get a 10-hectare land tax-free, if it's used for village purposes then it would be very helpful right?". Cut Adelia with a joyful expression.

All the old men present there were stunned, for a moment they lost their voices. Actually the village chief Miao had already come to the Miao family and conveyed the same thing but Miao Lan's grandmother went berserk when she heard of their purpose of visiting. So Lu Xiang was the only person they could manipulate and take advantage of.

Adelia gasped as if realizing something, she would not give them a chance to defend themselves. "Don't uncle have not come to the Miao family home and said the same?! It was impossible for uncle, because uncle and the villagers were helping the Miao family a lot compared to Lu Xiang. It would be absurd if uncle didn't come to the Miao family instead to be enthusiastic to our family".

Adelia and Lu Xiang's gazes turned cold. Help is indeed help, Adelia does not mind the decision of her husband who wants to help children so that it is not as difficult as her husband in education, but the help obtained easily will turn into an obligation in the eyes of the person who is helped, but the help will be, he did not want to keep a leech that wanted to suck the blood of his family.

If today they easily get a land tax exemption letter then tomorrow they will ask for money or something else.

The atmosphere in the living room was suddenly silent. "Adelia, we've asked Miao Sheng the same thing but..."

"Grandmother Miao Lan isn't willing to give it away? Is Grandma Miao Lan's status higher than uncle's as village chief and clan elder?".

The faces of the middle-aged men reddened at Adelia's question.

Adelia felt that it was enough to suppress the psychology of the village chief and clan elder, she saw her husband who was met with a nod.

"Uncle. I am so grateful for the help my uncle gave me when I was in a difficult time, actually, I had also intended to provide a tax exemption letter for Miao village but because of the many things I have to do, I have not had the chance to convey this to my uncles".

"I will give 15 acres of tax-free land to Miao village for the school fees of children who want to study, he said, so that not only me and Miao Sheng become scholars in Miao village but also other children, that will make our village will be greatly appreciated by yamen officers and mayors when they want to collect other taxes".

The faces of the village chief and clan elders also changed to shine, finally their goal of coming here was achieved.

"Uncle can make me an example so that the Miao family also contribute to the land release letter".

"That's a good idea" replied village chief Miao. They laugh happily with this they will be able to save more money than usual. Although Lu Xiang said that all land tax money would be donated to children's education, no one knew if they only took part.

"Then what about the money? How much money do you want to give Lu Xiang?".

The question of the Miao clan elder left Adelia and Lu Xiang stunned.