Chapter 210 - 210: Making It Real

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

At the most, he would have Yuan Jiaqi come home often. After all, they are trying to match this pair and hopefully turn a fake bond into a real one.

She County also falls under the jurisdiction of Wei City, just closer to the North Gate.

Winter here seems particularly long, as Tianhe Town marks the turning point in temperature.

To the north, it starts getting cold by October, while in the south, it doesn’t get cold until November. There’s a month of difference.

In the north, there are only five months of spring, summer, and autumn combined, yielding one harvest season per year. In the south, there are seven months, allowing two harvests.

The court only collects taxes for one harvest in the southern region. Yet the people there still struggle to have enough to eat and wear.

The Emperor assigned him to this place for two reasons. First, he wanted his daughter to forget about him. Second, he wanted to test the abilities of the new top scholar.

Upon arrival in She County, the old governor handed over the duties to Yuan Jiaqi, quickly packed up, and left without any attachment.

Yuan Jiaqi looked at the shabby county court and his mansion and didn’t feel discouraged. Instead, he felt filled with determination.

The more challenging the situation, the more he wanted to achieve something.

Fortunately, he had the money his wife gave him and the assistance Old Master Wang sent. His first step was to dismiss all the officials.

He then publicly recruited new court clerks. Those who had resigned could reapply, but they had to have good conduct, be respected among the people, and possess the ability.

Furthermore, he used his money to start the repairs of the county court and his mansion. All the funds came from his pocket and didn’t touch the collected taxes.

All the workers were paid daily, ensuring they didn’t owe anything to the townspeople.

This action made the people realize that Governor Yuan was a good official.

He kept his word and acted promptly. He took charge right away, creating a sense of order in the county, unlike the previous chaos.

The situation in Shexian County was even worse than in the south. To support Yuan Jiaqi’s efforts, Qiao Mai dug many pits around She County overnight to store extra water.

This immediately improved his reputation, and the people felt he brought hope.

The sight of people lining up to collect water and their respectful gestures when passing by him made Yuan Jiaqi realize he couldn’t disappoint the people of this place.

He took office in late May. In early June, he recruited twenty police, organizing them into ten groups with a leader for each.

The creation of these teams helped straighten out the thugs, ruffians, and bullies.

Want to report a case to the higher authorities? They needed to consider whether the county governor would give them a chance. There was a good chance they’d receive a thrashing instead.

Within a month of taking office, the county was tidied up, and the town was no longer as chaotic as it used to be.

As Yuan Jiaqi and his men patrolled the county, he sighed repeatedly, realizing that the city gates, walls, and the people’s lives all needed improvement. Thinking of the ten thousand taels Qiao Mai gave, he felt it was just a drop in the bucket.

However, he knew that transforming She County wouldn’t happen overnight.

Standing on the city tower, Yuan Jiaqi looked south toward the official road. It had been a month since he last visited home, and he missed his family.

Through continuous effort, Tian Sanzhuang had finally won the favor of Yi County’s governor’s daughter.

The two secretly agreed to marry, but aside from the two hundred taels he received upon discharge from the army, he had no other financial assets.

It was challenging to buy a house in the county town.

Under his sweet words and appealing looks, the girl secretly gave him two hundred taels. With that and his savings, he bought a smaller house in the county town.

He then used the girl’s secret funds to arrange a matchmaker and propose.

In truth, the county governor was unsatisfied with this match, but his daughter was getting older and wasn’t particularly attractive. Since few offered proposals, and this one was to her liking, he reluctantly approved the marriage.

The wedding was scheduled for the end of June. Tian Sanzhuang had no means to provide a betrothal gift, so he persuaded the girl to use half of her dowry as the betrothal gift, which he sent to the county governor’s house.

Qiao Mai strolled outside her shop and overheard Tian Sanzhuang’s parents across the street.

“I’m telling you. My son is handsome, has a sweet tongue, and is capable. The county governor’s daughter has set her sights on him, and they’ve already set the date for this month, the 26th, an auspicious day.”

Qiao Mai munched on some melon seeds, watching the scene with relish.

“I heard the county governor’s daughter is already eighteen.” “Who cares? She has high standards; she chose a guy of this age.”

“Aunty, stop bragging,” Someone in the know remarked disdainfully.

“Why can’t I? She even bought a house in the county for my son. Our family is poor, but she used her dowry as a betrothal gift. Isn’t this girl wonderful?”

“Ugh, what’s good about it? Who would willingly pay their way in like that? I heard that the girl is not only unattractive but also quite chubby and idle. She doesn’t do any housework at all.”

Madam Tian sneered, “So what? As long as the county governor can help my son, I’d marry him a sow.”

Qiao Mai couldn’t hold back a burst of laughter.

The Tian family was bold. While it was common knowledge, no one dared to

say the girl looked like a sow. Instead, it was the Tian family who risked

offending others with their sharp tongues.

Because of this mouth, the Tian family won’t have a bright future.

Just then, Tian Sanzhuang arrived on horseback, kicking up a cloud of dust as he passed. Seeing his parents gossiping at this place, he furrowed his brow.

“Mom, Dad, please don’t gossip around town anymore. I’m an official now, and it’s not a good influence.”

“Okay.”

His parents immediately closed their mouths, but Tian Sanzhuang noticed Qiao Mai.

She sat straight in front of her shop, exuding the air of a wealthy lady.

Even though her appearance was ordinary, her skin was quite fair, especially her neck, hands, and wrists.

The more he thought about her, the hotter his body became. After being a monk for five years, he had longed for a woman to the point of madness.

Unintentionally, he dismounted and walked over to her, sitting across from her, gazing at her with fascination. “Madam Qiao, I’m getting married.”

“Congratulations!”

“She’s not as good as you.”

“No one’s forcing you to marry her.”

“As long as you agree to reconcile with me, I’ll cancel this wedding!” Qiao Mai’s expression hardened. “Officer Tian, mind your words!” Her stern voice quickly sobered Tian Sanzhuang.

“I’m sorry. I just remembered our past, and I couldn’t hold back.”

“I warn you; I have a man. My man is an imperial official, a hundred and a thousand times better than you. What past? My past with you was eaten by dogs. You’re unqualified to talk about our past. Get away from me right now!” “Are you so unfeeling? We used to be husband and wife.”

Qiao Mai glared at him, and her eyes exuded a sense of danger. Tian Sanzhuang saw her gaze, and it felt like he had witnessed a mountain of corpses and an ocean of blood. It sent a shiver down his spine, and he immediately stood up, running to his horse, drenched in cold sweat.

It was too frightening. How did she become like this? What did she experience in those five years?

He swallowed and took another look at Qiao Mai. She appeared to be a regular woman, sipping tea leisurely outside her shop without abnormalities. Tian Sanzhuang mounted his horse and glanced back at his parents. “Mom, Dad, go back home. I need to handle official business.”

“Sure, sure!”

As he left, the Tian couple resumed their boasting.

A roll of thunder echoed in the sky. The people glanced at the sky and continued chatting, seemingly undisturbed by the thunder without rain.

They had grown accustomed to such situations.

Suddenly, a cloud of dust rose on the official road to the south. Several guards led the way, and in the middle was a luxurious carriage. A few more guards followed, headed in their direction.

Although there were no other people on the road, the guards at the front were still shouting.

“Clear the way, make way!”

Qiao Mai raised an eyebrow, realizing someone important sat in that carriage. The situation appeared even grander than the magistrate’s. It seemed unwise to provoke them..