Chapter 210: From a Fake Pairing to a Real One

At worst we can just tell that kid to keep coming back; after all, they're working hard to pair the two, trying to turn the fake pairing into a real one.

Shexian also falls under Weicheng's jurisdiction, but it's closer to Beiguan.

Winter is especially long, and Tianhe Town seems to be the climatic watershed.

To the north, it starts getting cold as soon as October arrives; to the south, it doesn't get cold until after November—a full month difference. Strange, isn't it?

To the north, spring, summer, and autumn together total only five months, yielding one season's worth of grain per year; to the south, they add up to seven months, providing two seasons' worth of grain annually.

Nevertheless, the court, based on this climate, levies only one season's grain tax there, yet the people still cannot eat their fill or stay warm.

The emperor assigned him here; first, to make his daughter forget him, and second, to see the abilities of the new top scholar.

Upon arriving at Shexian, the old County Magistrate and the new County Magistrate handed over duties; the old County Magistrate cheerfully packed his belongings and left, without a hint of lingering.

Yuan Jiaqi looked at the dilapidated Xian Ya and his own residence, felt not discouraged, and thought his whole body was brimming with fighting spirit.

The more it was like this, the more he was determined to achieve a breakthrough.

A rumble of thunder sounded in the sky; the townsfolk looked up, then continued their conversation as if nothing had happened.

After establishing the constabulary, the thugs, hooligans, and tyrants in the County Town were dealt with thoroughly.

Within a month of taking office, he organized the County Town of Shexian into great order, no longer the chaotic mess it once was.

Just because of that mouth, the Tian Family won't improve either.

Seeing the common folk scrambling for water, their faces full of respect as they passed him, made him feel that if he failed as an official, he would truly be letting the people here down.

"No one will force you to marry her with a knife at your throat."

Thinking of the ten thousand taels of silver his wife gave, it felt like a drop in the bucket.

He couldn't help but dismount, walked toward Qiao Mai, then sat opposite her, staring at her absentmindedly.

It was terrifying—how had she become like this? What had she gone through in the five years he was away?

He swallowed, looked at Qiao Mai again, and saw that she was just like an ordinary woman, leisurely sipping tea in front of the shop, showing no sign of anything unusual.

Yuan Jiaqi stood atop the city tower, gazing at the Guan Dao to the south; he hadn't been home for a month and truly missed them.

The two hurriedly fell silent, and Tian Sanzhuang turned his head and saw Qiao Mai.

Want to lodge a complaint upward? Then they'll have to see if Prefect Wang will give them a chance; they might even get beaten back.

"Eh, eh"

In an instant, Yuan Jiaqi's reputation surged, and the common folk said it was he who brought hope to this place.

The more he thought about his body, the hotter it got; after being a monk for five years, he was already going mad longing for a woman.

Not only that, he also put up money, began hiring people to repair the Xian Ya and his own residence, and the silver he spent came entirely from his own pocket, never tapping the collected taxes.

He took office in late May, and in early June recruited twenty yamen servants, ten per team, each led by a captain.

Her sharp voice instantly snapped Tian Sanzhuang to attention.

Qiao Mai stared at him coldly, the murderous intent in her eyes slowly unfurling; Tian Sanzhuang looked into her eyes as if seeing a mountain of corpses and a sea of flames, and was so frightened that he sprang up, ran to his horse, breaking out in cold sweat.

Under his sweet talk and flattering advances, the girl secretly gave him Two Hundred Taels of Silver, and together with his own money, they bought a modest house in the County Town.

The Tian family really dared to speak; everyone knows the obvious, yet no one dares to call that girl a sow, but they do—truly a trouble‑making mouth.

"Congratulations!"

"I say, old sister‑in‑law, stop bragging," someone who knew the details said disdainfully.

He furrowed his brows, "Father, mother, stop chatting aimlessly in the town from now on; I am now an official envoy, and the influence is not good."

"Go ahead, go ahead!"

Now she sits upright in the chair, her entire bearing like that of a young lady from a great household.

He does what he says, acts on his words; swift and decisive, the new official lit three fires upon taking office, burning brightly, reaching the hearts of the people.

Qiao Mai cracks sunflower seeds, watching the scene with relish.

"It's only natural; they even bought a house in the County Town for my son. My family is poor, and they used a dowry as Betrothal Gifts. You see how wonderful this girl is!"

Just this alone makes the common folk feel that Yuan County Magistrate is a good official.

The marriage was set for the end of June; Tian Sanzhuang lacked the means to arrange further Betrothal Gifts, so he shamelessly coaxed the girl into offering half of her dowry as Betrothal Gifts, which were delivered to the Deputy County Magistrate's household.

"Right, I'm sorry; thinking of our past, I couldn't hold back."

Qiao Mai, having nothing to do, wandered out and sat outside her own shop, where she heard the old Tian couple chatting across the street.

"She's not as good as you."

The disaster in Shexian was worse than in the south; to support Yuan Jiaqi, Qiao Mai dug many pits around Shexian late at night, storing a lot of water.

Then she publicly recruited yamen servants; those who had previously resigned could reapply, but they had to be of good conduct, respected among the people, and capable.

He left, and the Tian couple continued bragging.

"Father and mother, go home; the son has gone on duty."

"You just ignore the bond? As if we were ever husband and wife."

Tian Sanzhuang mounted his horse, glanced back at the Tian couple.

"What's the big deal? It's just that she has high standards, picking someone of this age."

"Qiao Shi, I am getting married."

But there's no rush; everything must be done slowly. Transforming Shexian won't happen overnight.

Qiao Mai couldn't hold back, bursting into a giggle.

Not to mention, although her looks are average, her skin is very fair, especially on her neck, hands, and wrists.

Tian Shi pursed his lips, "What's the fear? As long as the Deputy County Magistrate can help my son, I'm even willing to marry a sow."

"If you nod and agree to reconcile with me, I'll cancel this marriage!"

"Ugh, what's good about it? The dowry is a loss; they say the girl isn't pretty, is quite plump, loves food and laziness, and never does any work."

"Listen, my son is handsome, sweet‑mouthed, and capable; he's been taken by the Deputy County Magistrate's maiden, and the wedding date is set for the 26th of this month—an auspicious day."

The sky thunders without rain; they've become accustomed to this.

"I heard the County Magistrate's daughter is already eighteen."

"I warn you, I have a man, my man is an imperial official, a hundred times, a thousand times better than you. My past? My past was eaten by dogs; you're not worthy of talking about the past with me. Get out of my sight right now!"

Trying to buy a house in the County Town is really too hard.

Through continual Effort, Tian Sanzhuang finally won the favor of the Yi County Magistrate's daughter.

At that moment, Tian Sanzhuang, riding a high‑headed horse, came down the Nantian Guan Dao and saw Tian Laohan and the two of them again babbling nonsense here.

All workers work a day, get paid a day, never owe the villagers their wages.

He took his men around the entire County Town, sighing constantly, noting that the surrounding city gates and towers needed repair, the walls needed fixing, and the villagers' lives needed improvement.

Fortunately he had the silver his wife gave him and the helpers sent by the gentleman; the first thing he did was dismiss all the officials.

He also used the girl's private money to hire a matchmaker to propose a marriage.

Qiao Mai's face darkened, "Constable Tian, watch your words!"

In truth, the County Magistrate wasn't pleased with this marriage arrangement, but his daughter was of marriageable age, plain‑looking, and suitors were scarce. This time, after much difficulty, someone proposed, and she liked him, so he turned a blind eye and consented.

The two secretly pledged lifelong commitment, yet Tian Sanzhuang, apart from the two‑hundred‑plus taels of silver he received after discharge, had no other assets.

At that moment, yellow dust rose on the Nantian Guan Dao as several guards cleared the way, a luxurious carriage in the middle, followed by more guards, driving toward here.

There was no one else on the road, yet the forward guards kept shouting.

"Everyone step aside, step aside,"

Qiao Mai raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself, the people in that carriage were either rich or noble, with a display larger than the Prefect's, surely not to be trifled with.

(End of Chapter)