In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 149 Prefect of Fufang County

The family of three also smiled sweetly. Ming Luoying sat on a cotton cushion on the other side of the kang table, while Ning Ziqing brought two stools from the kitchen and sat around them on the floor.

“Mother, this family didn’t exist before. I saw them before entering Beixiao City. He led his scouts on a mission to capture enemy soldiers who had infiltrated the pass, and I helped them out a bit. But he didn’t mention giving up his residence, so I didn’t know that at the time.”

"Yes, Captain Shang came to report that he was safe a few days ago." Ning Shi nodded and replied with his hands on his knees. "He's a capable young man. The border troops are tough, and he was able to become the captain of the scout team on his own merits, which shows that he is ambitious."

"Yes, if we meet again, I will thank him properly for giving us such a nice courtyard."

"The resettlement of criminals is the responsibility of the magistrate of Fufang County, and the current magistrate of Fufang County is Bai Qingting, the eldest son of the second branch of the Bai family."

"The Bai family?" Ning Xiaoxi put down her bowl. "The Bai family of Qingping?"

“The second branch of the Bai family had a falling out with the clan thirty years ago and was expelled from the clan.” Ning Shi understood Ning Xiaoxi’s meaning. “Being expelled from the clan is different from being separated from the clan. After being expelled, they are no longer part of the Celestial Master lineage, and they are not allowed to join the Celestial Master lineage again.”

Ning Xiaoxi took a candied fruit from the plate and put it in her mouth. "Father, were they really exterminated from their clan?"

"While this is one way, no one would be willing to try it. Being expelled from one's clan is far worse than being exiled; one's entire clan will look down upon them. Although Bai Qingting is a son of a concubine, he is exceptionally intelligent and learned, and was quite prominent in the capital. It's only because of his expulsion that he can only serve as a county magistrate in this remote region, never to enter the prefectural capital again." Ning Shi still remembered the scene of their silent farewell when he saw Bai Qingting off. At that time, he only knew that Bai Qingting was being sent to Youzhou, with his specific post to be determined by the King of Youzhou. He never expected that they would meet again after his exile. This situation is truly unfortunate.

"Father knows Magistrate Bai?" Ning Xiaoxi stared at Ning Shi curiously, knowing from his expression that something was amiss.

Ning Shi smiled and shook his head. "The friendship we shared when we were young is now gone. He can only guard the border, and my father has been exiled. It's quite a rare opportunity for the two of us to be together."

Ning Xiaoxi's eyes darted around. "Father, if I have a connection with the Bai family of Qingping, will it affect the county magistrate?"

"Being expelled from the clan means that the two families are no longer related and can be considered as two separate families."

"So that means we can do it one by one?"

"Yes, one by one."

Ning Xiaoxi nodded. Then it was alright. Her relationship with the eldest branch of the Bai family was indeed quite complicated. If the second branch, which had been expelled from the clan, were added to the mix, it would be a headache just thinking about it. She didn't like complicated things. Now that things were settled, she would just pretend she didn't know anything.

"The county magistrate is dispatched by the royal court and appointed by the King of Youzhou. There is also a garrison commander, whose appointment is the prerogative of the King of Youzhou. Therefore, the military and political affairs of Fufang County are separate."

"County magistrate, garrison commander, and the Celestial Master Pavilion?" Ning Xiaoxi shook her head slightly. The power distribution in this small county town was quite balanced. If there were another one, it would be perfectly stable. "Father, we just need to do our own job. I think this place is too complicated. Let's just mind our own business!"

"Yes, that's what your father thinks too. We're already criminals, and all we and your mother hope for is that you and Ziqing can live out your lives peacefully and that you and Ziqing can live safely."

Ning Xiaoxi smiled and nodded, then turned to Ning Ziqing, "I need to register at the Celestial Master Pavilion in two days. Has your brother completed his registration?"

“When Centurion Xiong took over, a clerk from the Tianshi Pavilion came to register him.”

Mentioning Centurion Xiong, Ning Xiaoxi remembered, "Mother, I met Xiong Wei on the way back and we've already established a cooperative alliance. I can tell my second cousin that after we get to Kuang City, we can visit the Xiong family first and see which trade routes they are willing to give us."

“Okay, I’ll talk to your second cousin tomorrow and have him pass on the message to your eldest uncle as well.”

The family is exchanging information.

Suddenly, voices came from outside the door.

"Is Ning Shi here?"

When Ning Shi heard his name called, he quickly got up and went out. Ming Luoying, Ning Ziqing, and Ning Xiaoxi followed him out of the room.

Outside the gate, a carriage was parked, followed by four guards. A servant called out a question and then waited by the fence.

Ning Shi strode out, opened the door, and replied, "This sinner, Ning Shi, is here."

An official dressed in a dark blue official robe stepped down from the carriage. The official's eyebrows and eyes looked very similar to Bai Qingnian's, but his nose and mouth were more refined. He was not so serious, had a kind expression, and a smile on his lips. He was also thin and capable.

“Brother Ning Shi, please stop calling me a sinner. I am here to read out the King’s decree of pardon.”

Ning Shi looked up at the man with a joyful expression, then turned to Ming Luoying and Ning Ziqing standing in the courtyard and called out, "Wife, Ziqing, come quickly, the county magistrate has come to read out the pardon."

As soon as the voice fell, Ming Luoying took Ning Ziqing's hand and quickly walked to the door. Following behind Ning Shi, they knelt down before Bai Qingting to pay their respects.

"By imperial decree, Ning Xiaoxi, daughter of Ning Shi, former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, is granted amnesty. She is exceptionally intelligent and entered Youzhou to assist the Youzhou garrison in resisting the attack of the beasts. Her military merits have offset the crimes of her relatives. Therefore, Ning Shi and his three clans are hereby pardoned as criminals and allowed to remain in their original place of exile as commoners."

After Bai Qingting finished reading the pardon, he reached out to help Ning Shi up. "Brother Ning, His Majesty is benevolent. From now on, you and I can work together here."

Ning Shi glanced back at Ming Luoying, who had been helped up by Ning Ziqing, before replying, "If the county magistrate values ​​me and there is anything I can do to help, I will do my duty without hesitation." Then he looked up at the courtyard and said, "Xiao Xi, come and greet the county magistrate."

Ning Xiaoxi then walked briskly out of the courtyard and respectfully bowed to the county magistrate, saying, "Ning Xiaoxi, the second daughter of the Ning family, greets Your Excellency the County Magistrate."

Bai Qingting looked at Ning Xiaoxi with kind eyes, "Brother Ning, you have given birth to two fine children, which has earned the King's praise. The young lady has brought honor to the Ning family."

Ning Xiaoxi bowed again, "Thank you for your praise, sir."

Bai Qingting nodded to Ning Xiaoxi, then turned to Ning Shi, "Brother Ning, since the royal decree has been issued, let's go together to change the household registration. From now on, you will be a resident of Fufang County!"

Ning Shi nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, I will follow the orders of the county magistrate."

Bai Qingting glanced at the Ning siblings again, then turned and got into the carriage.

Ning Shi turned around and patted Ming Luoying's arm, then glanced at his children. "I'll go with you to change our household registration. From now on, we'll be registered in Fufang County." The change in their status made Ning Shi's face glow, and his eyes lit up.

"Father, when you come back, bring a pot of good wine so our family can celebrate!" Ning Xiaoxi said excitedly, clinging to Ning Shi's arm.

"Alright, wait for Father to come back!" After saying that, he turned around and sat in the carriage with the servant, and left with a big smile on his face.

Ning Xiaoxi took Ming Luoying's arm and said, "Mother, from now on, we can settle down in Fufang County without worry."