Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Ding Si rushed back to the capital night and day and went straight to the Zhou residence.
When Li Yu heard the news from Ding Si, she finally understood why she had been uneasy these days. She was even more worried that Li Qing would be harmed by the bandits hiding in Le County.
After sending Ding Si off, Li Yu immediately got someone to call Zhou Jia back from the government office. She began to pack her luggage and prepared to rush to Le County.
After Zhou Jia returned to the residence and heard the news that Ding Si brought back, he was also worried.
He was worried about Li Yu going to Le County to see Li Qing, but he couldnât stop her.
Seeing Zhou Jia looking at her worriedly, Li Yu went forward and hugged him.
She said gently, âXiao Xi, donât worry. Ah Qing has just arrived in Le County. They wonât attack so quickly. If I donât go and something happens to Ah Qing, I wonât be at ease for the rest of my life. Wait for me at home. Iâll definitely come back safely. â
Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu and hugged her tightly. He said reluctantly, âGo! Iâll go to Sirâs place to get you some pills. Bring Ruyi and Ji Xiang along. You can take care of each other if you go together.â
Li Yu said softly, âAlright, Iâll bring them along.â
An hour later, Li Yu brought Ruyi and Ji Xiang out of the city and sped toward Le County.
On the way to Le County, Li Qingâs family encountered heavy rain and were delayed in a small town for a few days. At dusk in late March, they finally arrived at Le County.
The convoy entered the city from the east city gate of Le County. Li Qing, Liang Cheng, and the others rode horses and saw that the streets were relatively clean and neat, but the pedestrians on the streets were sparse. The shops on both sides also looked cold and cheerless.
Grandmaster Lin Su said to Li Qing, âCounty Lord, this Le County looks a little deserted!â
Li Qing nodded and said, âIt might be because itâs dusk. The vendors have all packed up and gone home.â
Lin Su looked at the hurried pedestrians on the street. âThat might be the reason. â
When the convoy arrived outside the county office, the two bailiffs at the entrance shouted at them, âHurry up and leave. This is the entrance of the county office. Itâs not a place you should come to.â
Lin Su went forward and said to him, âOur master is the newly appointed county magistrate of Le County. Who is in charge?â
When the bailiff heard the private advisorâs words, he immediately changed his expression and smiled obsequiously. âSir, please forgive me. I failed to recognize a formidable person. Iâll invite County Magistrate Wang over now.â
The bailiffs left behind looked at the carriages and the scars on Liang Chengâs face, as well as Hu Zhong and the othersâ murderous expressions. They shrank back behind the door in fear.
Li Qing looked at the entrance of the county office. The mountain shape of the Le County office in front of him looked even more majestic than the Lin County office in the capital. There were a few gilded words on the lintel.
At this moment, a middle-aged man with a medium build, ordinary looks, and a ruddy face walked out of the government office. He had a gentle smile on his fair and fat face, and his eyes were shining.
County Governor Wang smiled and bowed to Li Qing. âGreetings, County Lord.â
âLord Wang, thereâs no need to stand on ceremony.â Li Qing smiled and helped him up. He smiled and asked in a probing tone, âI wonder if Lord Liu is still in the county office?â
County Magistrate Wang sighed and said, âLord Liu has been lying on the bed for many days. When he learned that you were here, he has already moved from the county office to the inn behind the county office to stay. After you hand over the position, Lord Liu will set off for the countryside to recuperate.â Li looked guilty. âItâs all my fault for being delayed on the way.â
Wang Ping said sincerely, âLord Li, youâre thinking too much. Lord Liu has been sick since he took office for a year. Heâs been looking for doctors and medicine for the past two years. Heâs also in a hurry to go back to see a doctor. Lord Li, are these all your carriages? Iâll get someone to help you pull them into the back hall. â
Li Qing shook his head. âThereâs no need to call anyone. Just someone to lead the way.â
âYes, sir.â Wang Ping cupped his hands at Li Qing and turned to the bailiff at the door. âHou Wen, come and lead the way for Lord Li.â
A bailiff called Hou Wen hurriedly ran over and bowed to the two of them with a smile. âYes, Lord Li. Please follow me.â
Hou Wen led Li Qing and the others into the county office.
The county office had three courtyards. They passed through the middle corridor and entered the second hall. Then, they passed through the second hall and arrived at the back hall. The east and west courtyards were on both sides of the back hall. Beyond that was where the families lived.
Hou Wen smiled and said to Li Qing, âLord Li, Iâll go out first. If thereâs anything, get someone to call me from the front office.â
Li Qing nodded and said, âOkay.â
After Ah Lei stuffed him with a pouch, Hou Wen felt the hardness inside and retreated with a smile.
Fan Mingfang carried Dongdong out of the carriage and instructed the servants she had brought, âGranny Yun, Nanny, Xiaonong, clean up the room. Granny Yang, Granny Lin, carry the bedding into the house.â
The few of them replied in unison, âYes, Madam.â
Old Madam Yang and Old Madam Lin moved the bedding from the cart.
Granny Yun, Nanny Xu, and the servant girl, Xiao Qiong, were busy entering the house to check.
Liang Cheng, Ding Yi, and a few escorts carried the large luggage into the house.
Granny Yun and the others walked into the house and saw that it was clean. Even the window paper had been changed.
They scrubbed the room before carrying the things into the house one by one and placing them neatly.
Hou Wen took the pouch and returned to the front office happily. He waved it in front of his colleague, who was leaning against the porch pillar. âBrother Wang Zhi, Iâll treat you to a drink tonight.â
Wang Zhi looked at the pouch in Hou Wenâs hand enviously. âYouâre quite lucky! Itâs obvious that Lord Li has a background. Look at the horses, the big green mule cart, and the men accompanying them. All of them are murderous.â
Hou Wen nodded. âThis county magistrate looks much more energetic than Lord Liu. Weâve never seen such a good-looking person in Le County. Heâs even more handsome than those girls.â
The two of them were chatting happily and didnât see Wang Ping walk behind them. Wang Ping patted Hou Wenâs shoulder. âGo to the inn at the back and tell
Lord Liu that Lord Li is here.â
âYes, sir.â Hou Wen smiled ingratiatingly and retreated.
Wang Ping glanced at Wang Zhi. âGo to the second hall and see if those old women are back. If theyâre not, go to the house and call them to come to work quickly.â
âYes, Master.â Wang Zhi hurriedly walked towards the second hall.
Li Qing took Dongdong from Fan Mingfangâs arms. Seeing Dongdongâs tired look, he touched his forehead and said gently, âSon, weâre here. Look, this is where weâll live in the future.â
Dongdong wrapped his arms around Li Qingâs neck and said softly, âFather, I donât want to be here. I want to play with Brother Yueyue and Brother Xingxing.â
Li Qing laughed. âSilly child, your brothers are in the capital! Weâve already traveled a long, long way. Weâll be here for a long time before going back.â
Dongdong twisted around. âI donât want to! I want to go home. I want to look for my brothers!â
Fan Mingfang went forward and carried him back. She coaxed him softly, âDongdong is an obedient baby. Daddy is very tired. Mother will bring you into the house to sleep..â
Comments(0)
Join the discussion — sign in to leave a comment
Sign In to CommentNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!