Chapter 201

Chen Wuji brought Qin Zhanhong and that investigator he didn't know into the courtyard; the originally noisy scene instantly fell silent, and everyone's gazes snapped over.

Most of the clansmen didn't know the Imperial City Department, but they could see that the investigator wore official robes.

"Hong Dou, bring two more sets of chopsticks over." Chen Wuji called out, then said to the others, "Eat and drink as you please; these two are my friends."

The clansmen's gazes toward Chen Wuji instantly changed.

Even though a few nights earlier they had brandished knives, ready to chop up all the dog officials in Yunan City, they were still shocked that Chen Wuji had friends who were officials.

After all, in their eyes Chen Wuji was just like them.

They were all honest, hardworking farmers.

Officials, they could chop, but they couldn't know them.

Chen Bushi gave Chen Luozi and Xiong Paozi a look without changing his expression, quietly making a gesture to keep silent.

Han Chunshen stared at the investigator and Qin Zhanhong for two glances, then lowered his head and continued eating by himself, though his gaze was a bit distant, unknown what he was thinking.

Xue Hongdou brought over the chopsticks, placing them somewhat nervously in front of Qin Zhanhong and the investigator.

"Thank you." Qin Zhanhong smiled politely.

Although everyone had never met, Qin Zhanhong knew very well about Chen Wuji's family; their background had been thoroughly exposed.

"Go ahead and eat." Chen Wuji, seeing the atmosphere a bit solemn, called out again.

The crowd responded in a scattered manner, then continued eating.

But the atmosphere remained dry and stiff.

Everyone just buried themselves in eating and drinking; the only sound in the hall was the clatter of meals.

These big, rough men each acted prim and proper, like little girls.

Chen Wuji couldn't improve it, so he buried himself in feeding his stomach.

His hungry stomach had already growled who knows how many times.

After the meal, Chen Bushi and the clansmen almost couldn't wait to leave.

Han Chunshen and Xiao Yuji also wanted to leave, but Chen Wuji forcibly stopped them.

Now the outside world is unsettled; the danger of encountering peril on a night road is too high.

Han Chunshen and Xiao Yuji were a bit wary of Qin Zhanhong's status, but considering the actual situation they didn't refuse further and stayed at Chen Wuji's home.

Although Chen Wuji's home had only two rooms, the kang was large.

Two kangs squeezed together could sleep ten people without problem.

Conditions were limited, and no extra allocation was needed: men in one room, women in another, while the servants Xiao Yuji and Han Chunshen brought went to crowd together with the Yuan Jinshi brothers.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning after daylight, Xiao Yuji hired Xiong Paozi's ox cart to haul the furs and left together with Han Chunshen.

Qin Zhanhong, however, was not in a hurry and had no intention of leaving.

In the morning he took Huo Sanniang for a stroll around Chen Wuji's home; upon returning, he again helped Huo Sanniang get busy smoking meat.

However, the handsome and bright matchmaking official also had things he wasn't good at; lighting a fire he did clumsily. So-called helper ended up being more of a troublemaker.

Only after lunch did Chen Wuji and Qin Zhanhong leave the house together.

He wanted to go to the Xianya to pay a call on the new magistrate and see which MilitaryHousehold plot had been assigned to him.

Before entering the city, Chen Wuji was coaxed and threatened by Qin Zhanhong into touring Qin Zhanhong's boudoir, gaining an in-depth understanding of the art of the human body twice, after which he was allowed to proceed.

Yunan County Office.

The bloody smell and turmoil of the past few days had long vanished; the Xianya now still looked stern and solemn, as if nothing had changed.

The guards stationed outside the Xianya saw Chen Wuji, courteously clasped their fists and asked his purpose, then went in to report; there was not a hint of obstruction.

Chen Wuji suddenly realized that in Yunan City he seemed to have acquired a bit of status.

When that guard came out again, behind him followed Chen Xingyuan, his face flushed from drink; even before he arrived, a strong scent of wine rushed over.

Before he could even greet, he sniffed and suddenly fixed his gaze on the food box in Chen Wuji's hand.

"Wuji, what are you carrying?" Chen Xingyuan asked.

"A dish." Chen Wuji said.

This is the field crabs prepared for Han Chunshen and Xiao Yuji.

Those two had rushed out in the morning; there were field crabs on hand at home, and the Yuan Jinshi brothers had caught several these past days, keeping them temporarily in tanks of spring water.

Chen Wuji had previously promised Han Chunshen that if he made field crabs when going to the city he would bring a share; after they left today, Chen Wuji suddenly remembered that he had stir-fried some at noon and brought them along.

Chen Xingyuan's eyes lit up as he looked at Chen Wuji, "I've heard Little Brother Wuji makes excellent dishes; today I must have a good taste—hurry, hurry, don't keep the magistrate waiting."

"You're drinking with the magistrate?" Chen Wuji asked in surprise.

"Exactly." Chen Xingyuan put his arm around Chen Wuji's shoulders, pushing and shoving him into the Xianya, "You don't know our newly appointed Qin magistrate—he's a genuine wine lover; the County Assistant Feng has already been toppled by him; you've come at just the right time, perfect for saving the situation."

Chen Wuji was quite curious whether this Qin magistrate knew that Chen Xingyuan had split Zhu Wei with a single blow.

If he knew, daring to drink like this with Chen Xingyuan right after taking office shows he's also bold.

In the side hall, a young man of medium build, his face scholarly yet with a hint of coldness, sat upright sipping tea; seeing Chen Wuji and Chen Xingyuan enter, he immediately broke into a full smile, set down his teacup and personally came forward, "I have just taken office, Brigadier Commander Chen has come to congratulate me—you give me too much face; please, please sit."

This move caught Chen Wuji off guard.

Who's giving face? This guy is just giving too much face!

The rank of a brigade commander in the Provincial Troops is roughly equivalent to that of a regular constable.

This move by the magistrate made Chen Wuji almost doubt whether he had become some big official.

"Your humble servant is panicked; how dare I trouble the magistrate to personally receive me—it truly overwhelms your humble servant!" Chen Wuji set down the gift in his hand, hastily clasped his fists and spoke politely.

The Qin magistrate took Chen Wuji's hand, flicked his head dismissively, and said, "You shouldn't talk like that; we're in the same boat—what does rank matter? This meager magistrate will still have to rely heavily on you two in the future."

"How dare I, how dare I. Magistrate, you truly don't deserve such flattery; your humble servant is lowly and timid, I really fear I'll fall flat!" Chen Wuji joked, self‑deprecating.

The Qin magistrate laughed loudly, personally took Chen Wuji's hand and led him to the seat, saying, "I come from tenant‑farmer stock, Brigadier Commander Chen from a hunter background; now we both serve as officials in the same county, we ought to be close. Don't bother with empty formalities—you're late, so first punish yourself with three cups."

"I accept punishment!" Chen Wuji said with a dry laugh.

Is this guy being a bit too enthusiastic?

After all, he's a county magistrate, yet he's trying to curry favor with a Provincial Troops Brigade Commander—why is he so awkward?