Chapter 57: Ye Hanshuang's Ambition and High Spirits, Testing Old Wang Again (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Pei Shaoqing did not want the news of him imprisoning the Yaoguang Saintess to leak out, so he had deliberately drawn close to her and lowered his voice while mocking her just now.

But even so, he still specifically warned everyone present to keep their mouths shut and not go out and talk nonsense.

Of course, a warning alone was not enough.

So he said loudly again, "Everyone has worked hard today. Chen Zhongyi, make the arrangements; reward each person with one hundred taels of silver, and after your shift, go to Qunfang Yuan to drink until you drop. Put the tab on my account."

Ever since he arrived, this Qunfang Yuan had almost become a long-term strategic partner of the Hundred-Household Office.

Hmm, he needed to ask Qunfang Yuan for a commission on the spending.

Otherwise, next time he would treat the brothers to some other chicken coop.

"Yes, sir!" Chen Zhongyi replied with a cupped-hand salute.

Song Youcai shouted, "Thank you for the reward, sir!"

"Thank you for the reward, sir!" The Jing'an Guards who had reacted shouted, their faces flushed red with excitement.

Why were they willing to risk their lives for Master Pei?

Aside from the fact that Master Pei had a background and was their superior, it was because he never treated his brothers unfairly.

Not to mention the gold and silver rewards after every job.

He had already treated everyone to an open-table feast at Qunfang Yuan several times, with one single-head abalone per person.

Although fresh abalone was not as precious as dried abalone, it was not cheap either, and it was tender; they only dared to go once or twice a month to satisfy their cravings and improve their lives, while usually they just ate salted fish at home to get by.

Therefore, they swore to serve Master Pei to the death!

"Clean this place up." Pei Shaoqing dropped this sentence, glanced at Liu Yuheng, and walked out.

Liu Yuheng, Zhao Zhilan, and Ye Hanshuang followed.

Pei Shaoqing deliberately slowed his pace, and after Liu Yuheng caught up, he spoke slowly, "Thanks to you again today, Madam, otherwise my life would have been in danger."

Being able to counter-kill today was, first, because the Yaoguang Saintess was arrogant and lacked social experience, leading to a misjudgment of his strength; second, it was because Liu Yuheng was there, otherwise the Yaoguang Saintess could have escaped even with her injuries.

"This is my duty, and fortunately I arrived in time; otherwise, if the Young Master were harmed by a villain, I truly would not know how to face my Senior Brother." Liu Yuheng lowered her head slightly, her soft voice like a breeze in a mountain stream.

Pei Shaoqing was not only a great benefactor to the Iron Sword Sect.

He would also be the husband of her beloved disciple in the future.

Both publicly and privately, she did not want anything to happen to him.

Pei Shaoqing said solemnly, "I won't say much more in the way of thanks; I will keep this matter in my heart."

Liu Yuheng pursed her lips and smiled, nodding slightly; as she lowered and raised her head, her ample bosom trembled.

"Madam, that Demon woman won't be able to break through her dantian on her own, will she?" Pei Shaoqing asked, feeling uneasy.

Liu Yuheng shook her head, "Young Master need not worry. Every three days I will reseal her dantian. She is currently injured, so wanting to break through her dantian without external help is simply wishful thinking."

"With your word, Madam, I am relieved. I will also trouble you with the task of feeding her water every day." Pei Shaoqing nodded and continued, "Madam, please return to the residence to rest first. Lan'er and Sister Shuang will come out with me."

"Mm." Liu Yuheng responded softly.

Watching her curvy, gourd-like figure disappear from sight, Pei Shaoqing looked at Zhao Zhilan, "Was it you who notified Madam Gongsun?"

"Yes, Young Master." Zhao Zhilan answered softly.

"Well done." Pei Shaoqing revealed a satisfied smile, "I'll shorten your probation period to two months. After two months, as long as I am satisfied, I will take you into the household."

"Really? Thank you, Young Master!" Zhao Zhilan's eyes lit up instantly, and she bowed in great joy.

But then her pretty face flushed red, and she realized belatedly, how could she be so base?

Just because there was a chance to become a concubine a month early, she felt this was a great favor.

She bit her red lips tightly, feeling ashamed in her heart.

Ye Hanshuang curled her lips with an expressionless face.

It was just eating and wiping clean; it was something anyone with a mouth could do. If she could do it, why could this little girl be a concubine for her elder brother? She secretly made up her mind to find an opportunity to let her brother know that she was no worse than an outsider!

She wanted to fight for a breath of air, not to prove how amazing she was, but to tell others that she would personally take back what she had lost!

A surge of ambition rose deep within Ye Hanshuang's heart.

…………………………

About a quarter of an hour later, at the County Government.

Seeing Pei Shaoqing being led in by a page boy, Wang Xianling put down his official documents and stood up to welcome him, "I was wondering why the magpie kept calling; so it was a distinguished guest arriving. What wind blew Flag Officer Pei to my County Government today?"

In that instant, Pei Shaoqing was certain that Wang Xianling had not yet seen the Yaoguang Saintess, and did not even know she had arrived in Tongzhou, so he was relieved.

That woman was truly confident; she didn't contact the local branch as soon as she arrived in Tongzhou, but came straight to him.

Being too arrogant would come at a price.

Having achieved one of the purposes of his visit, Pei Shaoqing felt much more relaxed. He walked slowly to a chair with a cup of hot tea, sat down, picked up the cup, blew the foam away, and began to sip it leisurely.

Wang Xianling was stunned for a moment, then looked around with a serious expression and said sarcastically, "I thought this was your Hundred-Household Office; I didn't walk into the wrong place."

"Wang Xianling is becoming increasingly acerbic. I was just thirsty and didn't have time to answer, wanting to drink some tea first, and you mock me like this." Pei Shaoqing shook his head, put down the teacup, and said, "Fine, I won't drink it, is that alright?"

"If you've drunk it, finish it, otherwise the rest will just be poured out." Wang Xianling sat down with a thud, shook his sleeves, and asked again, "Why did you come to see me? Is it about the case of the three kidnapped girls?"

"My Jing'an Guard already solved that case. The five culprits were hiding in a deserted Earth Temple outside the city and were beheaded by us on the spot." Pei Shaoqing said without changing his expression.

In any case, that was how it would be written in the case files.

"So fast?" Wang Xianling was stunned and subconsciously inquired, "When those three women came to the County Government to report the case, their clothes were neat, not looking like they had been defiled. Has Flag Officer Pei investigated the reason why the culprits kidnapped them?"

Hearing this, Pei Shaoqing relaxed again and took the opportunity to ask with feigned confusion, "Old Wang, they came to your County Government first; didn't you ask?"

"I was trying another case at the time, how could I be distracted by your Jing'an Guard's case." After answering, Wang Xianling added, "Besides, I was afraid of delaying the case, so I sent them directly to the Hundred-Household Office."

The second purpose of coming to the County Government had also been achieved.

Pei Shaoqing was completely at ease this time and shook his head pretentiously, "I really don't know the motive for the crime; those five were tight-lipped until they died."

"Then it seems this case is not simple. Perhaps there is someone behind them; they were doing this in a premeditated and organized way." Wang Xianling analyzed it seriously.

"Perhaps." Pei Shaoqing replied perfunctorily, then picked up his teacup and took a sip, "Besides thanking you for this case, I also wanted to ask if your brilliant Yaoguang Sword Immortal has arrived in Tongzhou?"

"None," Wang Xianling replied without the slightest hesitation.

Pei Shaoqing deliberately let a look of suspicion appear in his eyes, "Really?"

"Really none!" Wang Xianling wore a helpless expression.

He was also puzzled; logically speaking, in terms of time, the Saintess of the Light-Shaking Sect should have arrived recently, but their branch had yet to receive any relevant news, let alone see the person.

Could she have gotten lost?

"If she doesn't come, I'll be on pins and needles every day she doesn't show up!" Pei Shaoqing shook his head with a feigned air, stood up, and said, "Fine, I won't disturb you while you handle official business, Old Wang, I'll take my leave."

"Walk slowly, I won't see you out," Wang Xianling nodded and said.

As soon as he stepped out of the County Government, Pei Shaoqing, who had just looked slightly dispirited, instantly revived to full health, walking down the street with his head held high, composed and with long, steady strides.

(End of chapter)