Chapter 257: What Sort of Creature
Although Wen Xiuyi had said he didn’t need Xun Feng to follow him, the next day, after Xun Feng dropped the children off at the academy, he returned to pick up Wen Xiuyi and headed straight for the county office.
When Magistrate Chen saw Xun Feng, he stood up from his stool instantly; he hadn’t expected Wen Xiuyi to bring Xun Feng along.
He laughed awkwardly. “Guard Xun Feng is here as well.”
Xun Feng greeted Magistrate Chen with an exceptionally aloof fist-and-palm salute.
Wen Xiuyi glanced at Magistrate Chen. “Xun Feng said he had nothing to do at home, so I let him tag along. I hope you don’t mind, Magistrate.”
Of course, Magistrate Chen didn’t mind. Although Prince Fu had left Xun Feng at the Wen household, the man was ultimately a royal guard who had served by the Prince’s side; there was no telling if he was keeping an eye on them on the Prince’s orders.
Now that Yunwu Town had been personally selected by the Emperor as the pilot town for the new grain, his future would be bright as long as he handled this matter well.
Magistrate Chen was smart enough to understand that much.
Checking the time, it was almost time to leave.
“Let’s be off, then,” Magistrate Chen said, smoothing out his robes.
“Alright.” Wen Xiuyi looked no different than usual, except for the fact that instead of his daily short jacket, he had donned a long robe today. With the imposing and majestic Xun Feng by his side, he seemed to possess even more of an official aura than Magistrate Chen—a result of his innate bearing.
When they arrived at Zui Xian Tower, Manager Lu spotted them immediately.
“Magistrate Wen, Magistrate Chen, welcome.” Manager Lu bowed.
Magistrate Chen nodded. “Manager Lu, is the private room I asked you to prepare ready?”
“It has been arranged exactly as you requested, Magistrate. When my wife heard you were hosting a guest at our restaurant today, she specifically ordered me to send over a few bottles of fine wine—absolutely top-tier, just brought in from the South,” Manager Lu replied.
Magistrate Chen’s smile widened, and he happily followed Manager Lu upstairs.
Upon reaching the private room, everything was arranged as promised, even including young women playing musical instruments—exquisite and refined.
Manager Lu bowed slightly. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. Just summon the waiter if you need any dishes served.”
Magistrate Chen nodded. “Go ahead with your work, Manager Lu. Notify us immediately if the distinguished guest arrives so we can go down to receive him.”
“Yes.” Manager Lu retreated, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
Wen Xiuyi and Magistrate Chen sat by the table drinking tea, while Xun Feng stood by the door cradling his sword, acting like a temple guardian.
“Xun Feng, are you thirsty?” Wen Xiuyi asked, ready to pour him a cup of water.
Xun Feng saluted. “Thank you, sir, I am not thirsty.” He was perfectly stiff and formal, completely unlike his usual lively demeanor at home.
Wen Xiuyi let out a slight sigh; once they stepped out, everyone started putting on an act.
Before long, a waiter knocked on the door and whispered that the distinguished guest had arrived. Magistrate Chen stood up and hurried out to greet him, and sure enough, the person stepping through the main gate below was none other than Meng De.
Magistrate Chen hurriedly beckoned Wen Xiuyi to follow him down.
Wen Xiuyi followed reluctantly. He didn’t want to welcome this hypocritical dog of a man at all. Whenever he thought of what this man had done to Datou in the original book, Wen Xiuyi wanted to have Xun Feng butcher him on the spot.
Thinking of this, Wen Xiuyi leaned over and whispered to Xun Feng, “Feng, is it a crime to kill someone?”
Xun Feng followed suit, leaning his head in and whispering, “Uncle, that depends on who it is you’re killing.”
Wen Xiuyi: “…” Forget it. He was just thinking about it. He obediently followed Magistrate Chen downstairs.
Meng De was wearing a cyan long robe, accompanied by two young servants. He was currently being received by Manager Lu. Wen Xiuyi stood on the stairs, looking down—the man hadn’t changed much since he was young. He looked respectable enough, but who would have guessed he was a hypocritical, sycophantic wretch?
When Meng De heard movement, he looked up and saw Magistrate Chen descending the stairs with Wen Xiuyi in tow.
“Master Meng, Master Meng! I apologize for failing to greet you sooner!” Magistrate Chen hurried over with an enthusiastic bow, his demeanor so obsequious he looked ready to cling to Meng De.
Meng De noticed Wen Xiuyi was walking a bit slowly. He scanned his former fellow disciple and found that he hadn’t changed much, though his physique seemed a bit stronger, and he looked much more tanned.
Meng De nodded at Magistrate Chen before turning his attention to the slowly approaching Wen Xiuyi with a smile. “Junior Brother Wen, it has been many years, but you haven’t changed much.”
Magistrate Chen froze. “Jun… Junior Brother?”
They knew each other? Why did this man surnamed Wen know everyone?
Wen Xiuyi detested Meng De, but he had to play the part. After all, one does not hit a smiling face; if he put on a cold front now, it would only make him look petty.
“Senior Brother Meng, it has been a long time.”
Meng De smiled slightly. “Indeed. So many years have passed; to think we would meet again as colleagues. Magistrate Wen, ha ha ha.”
Magistrate Chen finally reacted to their banter. He laughed heartily. “So, Master Meng and Brother Wen are old acquaintances! That is truly wonderful. Come, come, Master Meng, let us go upstairs and chat slowly, so the two of you can reminisce properly. Shopkeeper, bring up the best tea and snacks immediately!”
Manager Lu complied instantly. “Yes, Magistrate!”
Magistrate Chen respectfully invited Meng De upstairs. As Meng De walked past Wen Xiuyi, he paused slightly, locking eyes with him. The upward curve of his lips seemed to be declaring his victory.
Wen Xiuyi rolled his eyes without hesitation. What sort of creature.
For a moment, sparks practically flew where their gazes met.
Meng De wasn’t annoyed; he let out a hum that only the two of them could hear and stepped onto the stairs.
Magistrate Chen, oblivious to the undercurrents, was still basking in the joy of their acquaintance. He remarked to Wen Xiuyi, “Brother Wen, I never expected you to be an old acquaintance of Master Meng. You must chat well later and build a good relationship; it will only be to your benefit.”
Wen Xiuyi wanted to tell him: Build a relationship? If Magistrate Chen knew their current situation, he’d be so regretful he’d slap himself silly.
“Very well, Magistrate, rest assured. I will certainly have a ‘good’ chat with him.” Wen Xiuyi gritted his teeth as he spoke the last two words.
Magistrate Chen, smugly thinking he had made the right decision by bringing Wen Xiuyi along, followed Meng De upstairs with a spring in his step.
Xun Feng whispered to Wen Xiuyi, “This man is no good. Uncle, you need to be careful.”
“Rest assured, I know what I’m doing.” Did he not know exactly what kind of wretched character this guy was?
Dusting off his robes, Wen Xiuyi followed them up. Since he had been invited to accompany him, he might as well “accompany” him properly, right?
