Chapter 32: Killing Without a Blade

Zheng Wangshi and Zheng Si Que mother and son finally left Liu Cheng that day, but their silver was reduced by more than half.

The Liu Cheng magistrate is also a vicious one.

They didn't even regard Zheng Si Que's future father-in-law, the present imperial tutor Xie Zheng, as anything, and only after mercilessly stripping off a layer of his skin did they consider letting him go.

And Cheng Yi, who saw Zheng Si Que off at the magistrate's office, even put on a show, digging into his own pocket to give Zheng Si Que fifty taels of silver.

"Old bastard!"

Zheng Si Que, walking out of the magistrate's office, hated it so much his teeth ached.

Magistrate Ou Feng extorted three thousand taels of silver from him, halving his assets, then later gave him fifty taels through Cheng Yi—a clear case of keeping public and private separate.

"Son, only by enduring the bitterest hardships can one rise above others!"

"Whatever cannot knock you down will only make you stronger."

Zheng Wangshi, however, had let it go.

She believed that with her son's abilities, he would eventually rise to prominence. Then, that would truly be a gentleman's revenge—ten years is not too late.

But before that, she had to make sure her son would not be defeated.

"Mother, the son knows."

"This matter, the son will keep in mind."

Zheng Si Que answered through gritted teeth.

When the two were far from the magistrate's office, Magistrate Ou Feng wore a sorrowful face; although he had indeed prepared to ask the top scholar for some silver, his original thought had been that a thousand taels was the most.

But he never dreamed that the Xie family's little ancestor would actually find him.

Three thousand taels, not a single copper coin can be missing!

Although with the three thousand taels the road repairs in Liu Cheng could be done splendidly, he had also offended the top scholar to death, and might even be eyed by the Grand Tutor Xie in the capital.

However, faced with the Xie family's little ancestor, he dared not refuse.

Refusing this prince consort would have the Grand Tutor Xie deal with him, and even the Emperor might take notice.

Difficult!

Too difficult!

Ou Feng, what regret!

How did I end up being assigned as magistrate of Liu Cheng in the first place?

"Magistrate Ou, you've collected such a huge sum—look at your face, why aren't you happy?"

Returning to the rear hall, upon seeing Xie Zian, Ou Feng heard these words.

"Prince Consort, this lowly official has indeed offended the top scholar!"

"And your elder brother, if Grand Tutor Xie knew of this, he would not spare this lowly official either!"

Ou Feng slumped into his seat; now he had already begun to think about where to retire after his term. As for returning to his hometown? He didn't dare.

"Magistrate Ou, relax!"

"The Top Scholar is giving back to his hometown elders, voluntarily donating silver to repair the city roads; you helped him accomplish this good deed, so he should thank you!"

"As for my elder brother, with such a son-in-law who knows how to conduct himself, he will only be pleased."

"Rest assured, from now on I, the young master, will cover you!"

After seeing Cuiyu's performance, Xie Zian guessed that without applying some pressure, that top scholar might just leave.

Of course, if Zheng Si Que voluntarily went to the magistrate's office, Xie Zian would no longer bother with this matter; however much silver Zheng Si Que produced would be fine.

But if Zheng Si Que planned to leave Liu Cheng directly, then he could only help his wife vent her anger.

One thought leads to heaven, another to hell.

And all of this, Zheng Si Que was completely unaware.

……

The top scholar took out three thousand taels of silver to benefit the elders and villagers of Liu Cheng.

This news, under the magistrate's deliberate promotion, quickly spread throughout Liu Cheng.

However, no one spoke a good word about him.

Only because of Cuiyu's previous performance, it was said that the Zheng family just needed to send the silver to the magistrate's office.

Therefore, this sum of silver became a debt that the Zheng family owed to the Shen Family's Third Branch.

All because of a marriage engagement, how highly the Shen Family's Third Branch valued this future son-in-law? Three thousand taels of silver was merely a trifling betrothal gift.

The Zheng family had enjoyed these benefits for so long, yet because Zheng Si Que became the top scholar and climbed higher, they withdrew the engagement—what utter ingratitude!

"This little ancestor, truly kills without a blade—so vicious, so absolute!"

When the gossip of Liu Cheng's commoners reached Magistrate Ou Feng's ears, he felt deeply moved.

The future of this top scholar is worrisome!

Although Liu Cheng is a small place, as long as it lies within Dayong's territory, there is nothing the emperor or the high officials in the court do not know.

Yet Zheng Si Que, facing all this, still cannot explain.

For as soon as he explains, it confirms his deed of ingratitude.

But if he does not explain, the matter will slowly become fact.

Not to mention that the Shen family had also once wanted to dissolve the engagement—that was not a fault.

You say your self-esteem was hurt?

Oh, then when you accepted their betrothal gift, why weren't you hurt?

"No, the eldest daughter of the Shen Family's Third Branch is even fiercer!"

Ou Feng pondered the whole affair's origins and consequences repeatedly, only then realizing that the matter originated from this young lady of the Shen Family's Third Branch whose engagement was broken off.

"Everyone says the man is talented and the woman beautiful!"

Arriving at this couple's place, tsk tsk……

Ou Feng muttered twice, then realized that from now on he too counted as a person of the Prince Consort.

Thus, relieved, relieved, he could sleep easy!

He, however, is one of our own.

No need to worry about any scheming from this couple.

As for outsiders?

What's it to him? He's just a petty county magistrate of the seventh rank, his term ending at year's end, and he still doesn't know where he'll be transferred to!

……

"Young Master, should we prepare to withdraw?"

Xie Lu sought out Xie Zian, feeling that their stay in Liu Cheng had been too long.

Now that the top scholar Zheng Si Que has left Liu Cheng, the engagement between his young master and that Shen Family young lady is basically settled, so it's time to depart.

"Not in a hurry!"

Xie Zian gave a faint smile: "I still haven't even met my wife!"

"Little ancestor, we said not to meet before the wedding!"

"It's fine; as long as she doesn't know who I am, that's enough, right?"

Xie Zian always felt that the voice he heard that day belonged to Shen Yunyao, but without verification, his heart has remained in turmoil.

"Little ancestor, the young madam stays at the Shen Family every day; you can't see her either!"

Xie Lu felt that their young master had gone mad.

Xie Zian gave a hehe laugh and said, "Uncle Lu, want to make a bet?"

"No bet!"

Xie Lu decisively refused—do you think he's stupid?

Xie Zian shrugged and let out a breath: "I plan to have Ou Feng inscribe a stele to commemorate this round of road repairs in Liu Cheng."

"You guess, after my wife finds out, will she come out to watch the fun?"

"I won't guess!"

Xie Lu turned and walked away.

However, he was also curious whether the young madam would come back to watch the fun.

Will she?

……

Shen Family.

When Cuiyu hurriedly reported the news to Shen Yunyao, Shen Yunyao sat there, her gaze a bit strange—did this count as leaving her name in history?

At least, there should be a record of her in Liu Cheng's local gazette.

"Miss, let's go watch the fun!"

"I heard the County Magistrate even specially hired an acrobatic troupe!"

(End of chapter)