The Imperial Court's laws were one thing, but in practice, once it came to the local level, because Wang Xiaojing and his family had once rebelled, their household would receive special attention and surveillance from the county yamen. There would be follow-up visits every so often.
And when it came to local preferential policies, such as exemptions from certain labor duties and taxes, households like theirs were often placed last in line—or stripped of the right altogether.
There was no appealing something so dependent on random chance.
Since Magistrate Wang had brought it up specifically, it meant he could make it happen. For households like Wang Xiaojing's, nothing could be better for helping them reintegrate with their neighbors.
Father and Mother had set an example.
Pan Yun smiled sweetly.
Beside her, Pan Su seemed thoughtful.
After their friendly exchange, Pan Su had finished offering incense and taken out ten taels of silver to purchase Peace Talismans.
Pan Yun drew out two Peace Talismans from her sleeve, folded them neatly in a strictly businesslike manner, and handed them over.
Ten taels bought two talismans. She did not throw in an extra one.
Magistrate Wang did not believe in such things, so he casually tucked his Peace Talisman into his wife's pouch and hung it at her waist, with no intention of asking it to protect him.
Pan Su said thoughtfully, "I saw that my lord and Daoist Priestess Pan had quite a pleasant conversation just now."
Magistrate Wang stroked his beard. "I do not know whether she truly possesses the means of an immortal, but she has compassion in her heart and does not covet power or influence. She truly lives up to her reputation."
Pan Su said, "Before we came, my lord suspected her of being someone who fished for