"Where the hell is this an 'amnesty certificate'? It's clearly calling me here to sign a deed of sale!"
Qin Yao simmered with anger.
He took a deep breath, cupped his hands toward Tang Leiyue, and said, "Sir, this junior is poorly learned and has long been used to idleness and sloth.
"Even if I am stripped of my criminal status, I would not dare hope to serve as an official or clerk in the yamen."
"Hmm?"
Tang Leiyue's old face darkened. "From the sound of it, you are unwilling to sign the blood contract and remain to serve at the village yamen?"
Seeing the other man refuse to let up, Qin Yao had no choice but to use his grandfather as an excuse. "It is not that this junior is unwilling to serve. It is simply that my grandfather is advanced in years, and having been away from home for so long, he has begun to miss it dearly.
"This junior only wishes to earn a living by copying texts and writing on others' behalf, then accompany my grandfather back to our old home. I beg you, sir, to grant this request!"
This time, before Tang Leiyue could speak, Registrar Wang and the other two village clerks saw their superior's face turn black and rushed to play the vanguard, sneering and cursing at Qin Yao.
"You filthy thing convicted of cheating! You got lucky as hell and had your criminal status pardoned, and now you no longer know the height of heaven or the depth of earth?"
"You dare defy Village Chief's well-intentioned arrangements? You truly don't know what's good for you!"
"Exactly! For trash like you, Village Chief is rewarding you with a full belly. You ought to be overflowing with gratitude!"
"Boy, could it be that you