Chapter 85: Jiexi Enters the Imperial Palace
Deep winter.
The back courtyard of the county office.
The County Magistrate’s concubine, Liu Xian’er, wore a snow-white dress, her eyes red as she threw herself into the Magistrate’s arms.
Liu Xian’er had been a gift from a local squire, given to the County Magistrate shortly after he arrived in Ming County, before he had brought his wife and concubines with him.
They had enjoyed a very sweet period.
After all, the County Magistrate was new to the area and felt quite lost; having a confidante at that moment was very nice.
Moreover, although this confidante wasn’t a peerless beauty, she was young and lovely, came with a generous dowry, and was quite knowledgeable about the local area, so the County Magistrate had doted on her for quite some time.
However, things changed after his wife and concubines arrived.
His wife was the daughter of a concubine from a prominent family, with much broader horizons than this squire’s daughter, and the County Magistrate quickly cast her to the back of his mind.
Ming County was bitter and cold, a place people passed through on their way to exile, so naturally, it wasn’t much of a place to be.
The County Magistrate desperately wanted to advance his career, but his connections were mediocre and his abilities were average; having wasted many years, he could only sigh that his talents were unrecognized.
Occasionally, he would go to sit in Liu Xian’er’s room.
For the past few days, Liu Xian’er had been weeping and wailing; he had tried to avoid her, but had been caught again.
“Master, you must avenge Xian’er.”
Not wearing his official robes, the County Magistrate looked a bit thin; unable to break free, he had to comfort her: “The county has already issued orders to capture those bandits.”
“But my family’s assets were actually seized by the lowly peasants in the village. Master, please help me get them back.” Liu Xian’er’s eyes were bloodshot, and she stomped her feet, feeling deeply wronged.
The County Magistrate thought to himself, do you think I haven’t thought of that? By the time he received the news, it had been a long time; he had sent Yamen Runners to investigate, and they reported that the men, women, old, and young in the village all wielded sticks, using them as spears and swords, and were incredibly fierce.
Bandit infighting? Impossible, absolutely impossible. It was likely they had entered the village and been caught like turtles in a jar by the villagers, then slaughtered clean.
The people in that village had been ruthlessly oppressed by Master Liu, and every one of them was full of bandit-like ferocity—more savage than actual bandits. With so many troublesome matters at hand, it was better not to provoke them for now.
“I asked you before, didn’t you say your family assets were all used as your dowry and there was no money left? Now, what assets could there be? I have matters to attend to, no more nonsense with you.” The County Magistrate pushed his concubine away and fled in a panic.
Even more absurd was that Jiang the Second had originally been a helper at the county office, but now this helper actually had subordinates to do his work for him???
Even he, a dignified County Magistrate, had to attend court in person.
…
Deep winter.
Jiang Mansion.
Madam Jiang’s belly was protruding, and her face had become rounder.
Yet she hadn’t become unsightly; on the contrary, she looked even more beautiful.
The old saying goes that if one is pregnant with a girl, the mother will become more beautiful.
She was busy with her pregnancy and didn’t often go before the Old Madam; she hadn’t managed affairs to begin with, and now she was even more pampered.
Jiang Rong had been much better recently and wasn’t having nightmares, but he no longer went to the County School, thinking only of finding fun things to do all day.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wan was with her grandmother and learned that Jiang Yu hadn’t become a concubine because that squire had actually been wiped out!!!
She was shocked.
The prayer beads the Old Madam was rubbing suddenly scattered all over the floor; the string had broken.
…
Deep winter.
The Imperial Palace.
The high walls were imposing.
A shrill voice shouted: “Newcomers, keep up! Today, I will teach you the first rule: Remember your status. We are the lowliest ants here; even the blue bricks on the ground are more valuable than us. When you meet a noble, do not look them in the eye. Only look up when the noble tells you to.”
A group of men in grey robes followed in an orderly fashion.
They were all quite young.
Occasionally, there was an older one or two, either because they had connections or because they had some ability.
Among the crowd was an exceptionally handsome man, taller than the rest, and he looked older than the others, but his features were refined—he had a feminine beauty and stood out remarkably.
The eunuch leading the way at the front paid special attention to the newcomer.
He revealed a satisfied smile.
Such a handsome appearance, it makes one want to spoil him!
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