The River Dragon Demanded a Husband, So the Scholar Stepped Forward novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: Five Names on the List

"Not finished," Liyan said. "It was finished the night the river fell."

Ma Dechang shook the bowl so the slips rattled.

"The Wan took a husband. Fair enough. But the Black Water has a claim to the same rite, and Lord Hongde is a generous lord."

"Five girls from this village to serve in his palace for a year. Kitchens, linen, sweeping. All paid."

"By whom?" said Liyan.

"By the headman. On the Lord's behalf."

Behind Liyan, in the dim schoolhouse, the bed creaked.

Ma's small eyes slid past his shoulder and widened.

Mingjue was sitting up in the narrow bed with the quilt around his waist, wearing Liyan's spare gray robe, which stopped above his wrists.

"Your Majesty," the headman croaked, and began to fold down at the knees.

"Do not kneel," said Mingjue. He sounded very tired. "Liyan?"

"I'm handling it."

He put on his patched blue robe.

He took the bowl out of Ma's hands.

"Ring the bell," he said to the nearest boy, who had run up in the rain. "The school bell. Everyone."

By the time the square was full, the rain had thinned to a drizzle.

Farmers stood in wet straw hats.

Women stood with their arms folded.

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