Chapter 75: Yang, the Young Magistrate, Is Quite Impressive

In the early morning light, Song Zhen’s expression grew much more solemn, making Yang Xuan think of a guardian deity. The two of them led their horses, attendants following behind, moving forward at a slow pace.

“I heard you complained recently?” Song Zhen asked.

Yang Xuan hadn’t expected him to know about this. “It was just a passing remark.”

Mobilizing the garrison troops within the pass required the Ministry of War’s approval, but when Yang Xuan saw dozens of soldiers blocking the mountain road while no one helped with the rescue, he had grumbled about it.

“Some say you’re currying favor with the people,” Song Zhen continued.

Yang Xuan paused, feeling wronged, and said, “Minister Song, that’s slander.”

“It was said by one of the assistant ministers,” Song Zhen replied.

Are you trying to say the assistant minister slandered you?

“It’s slander!” Yang Xuan insisted.

Song Zhen suddenly smiled slightly. “Speak less of such things in the future.” With that, he mounted his horse and rode off.

Yang Xuan scratched his head, thinking the fierce general’s smile just now had carried a hint of mockery.

When he arrived at the county office, Zhao Guolin sought him out first.

“Lesser Treasurer, I heard someone accused you of currying favor the other day, and Minister Song of the Ministry of War rebuked them on the spot, saying they were just looking for something to do.”

Old Song!

Yang Xuan turned toward the Ministry of War and bowed in gratitude.

Zhao Guolin followed suit.

Wen Xinshu, just entering, asked, “Lesser Treasurer, who are you two paying respects to?”

“Give him a good beating!” Yang Xuan pointed at him.

Zhao Guolin obliged with a fierce thrashing.

Wen Xinshu crouched down, shielding his head. When the beating ended, he looked up and asked, “Lesser Treasurer, Qiu Sheng commented at the time, wondering why Minister Song would speak up for you.”

Qiu Sheng got cold feet?

Later, when Yang Xuan saw Qiu Sheng in Huang Wenzhen’s office, the latter still wore that insincere, sly smile.

“Blue-skinned inflammation!” Zhuque muttered.

“You did well this time,” Huang Wenzhen commended him with the grace of a superior.

“Your praise is too generous, Magistrate,” Yang Xuan replied, finding such humility rather hollow. Yet seeing the five county bailiffs offering congratulations, unable to disguise their envy and resentment, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction.

“Oh, by the way,” Qiu Sheng said with a smirk, “Lesser Treasurer, you were away for some days this time. One of your junior clerks made a blunder, so I took the liberty of dealing with it in your stead. I trust you won’t mind?”

He called it stepping in, but the pride in Qiu Sheng’s eyes was obvious.

No doubt, that junior clerk must have failed to show this old superior respect and suffered his retribution.

But is there any harm in that?

A crowd of old foxes watched Yang Xuan closely.

“Of course I mind,” Yang Xuan replied earnestly. “What business was it of yours?”

Qiu Sheng’s smile froze. Yang Xuan turned to Huang Wenzhen and said, “Even if there’s punishment to be meted out, it should be done by the Magistrate. That’s not just overstepping bounds, that’s losing all sense of decorum and forgetting who is truly the pillar of our Wannen County!”

Huang Wenzhen’s own smile stiffened for a moment. He then frowned and said, “Arguing at this hour only spoils the harmony. Let’s disperse.”

Back in his office, Yang Xuan immediately summoned the junior clerk, learned it had been a minor issue, and offered some gentle consolation.

“Lesser Treasurer, would you like to patrol the streets?” someone came to ask.

As the legal officer, Yang Xuan had plenty to do. Patrolling was mostly for deterrence, reminding him of police patrols in movies and TV.

“It’s like being the chief of police in the county. The chief doesn’t patrol that often...” The green light flickered a few times.

Yang Xuan knew what mattered now was to accumulate merit and seniority, waiting for the right moment to advance.

Entering the East Market, he happened upon the patrolmen chasing a thief—a scene of utter chaos.

The thief sprinted madly, smashing two vendor stalls. The vendors ignored their businesses and joined the pursuit, shouting curses as they ran.

The thief hurled stolen goods behind him, accidentally knocking over a woman.

The woman, falling, grabbed the man beside her. Someone behind helped steady her. “Careful, madam.”

The woman turned back.

Both froze in surprise.

“Yang Xuan?!”

“Zhao Sanfu?” Yang Xuan glanced at his hand—no wonder the touch just now hadn’t felt soft.

Zhao Sanfu turned and pinned the man beneath him, who screamed in pain.

“Mirror Terrace business,” he announced.

Suddenly the area fell silent, except for the thief still running.

“So noisy!” Yang Xuan frowned.

The thief, heading straight for Yang Xuan, saw Wang Lao’er blocking the way and launched a kick.

The onlookers then saw Wang Lao’er swat at him like a fly.

Smack!

The thief was slapped to the ground. The pursuing patrolmen grabbed him by the hair and yanked hard.

Good heavens!

The bystanders gasped.

The thief’s face was nearly flattened by that slap.

Cao Ying quickly covered, putting on a solemn face. “His face was always like that. I saw it clearly when he lunged over.”

“Oh, yes, that’s right!”

“Exactly, I saw it too.”

An old scoundrel murmured, “Wang Lao’er doesn’t know his own strength. Only you, my lord, can restrain him. What if he kills someone with a slap one day?”

“He’ll probably kill someone at home first,” Cao Ying replied, troubled.

Wang Lao’er seemed unconcerned, still eyeing the rack of lamb hanging at a shop across the way.

Meat!

Zhao Sanfu had already subdued the suspect, and with others helping, he went to change back into men’s clothes.

To mask his embarrassment, he said, “There was no other choice.”

“Actually, you look good in women’s clothes,” Yang Xuan comforted him.

Zhao Sanfu cleared his throat. “After the Wang family mine incident, Mirror Terrace began investigating. I’ve been watching this man for days. Today, when he tried to escape, I acted.”

“Who is he?”

“A medicine seller.”

Yang Xuan looked the man over, saw his calm demeanor, and shook his head. “He’s courting death.”

Once they found out who had poisoned the Wang family, there would be no end to their vengeance. No, they would stop at nothing to get even.

Zhao Sanfu prepared to leave, handed the prisoner off to his colleagues, and caught up with Yang Xuan.

“What is it?” Yang Xuan thought it must be something serious.

Zhao Sanfu looked grave. “Don’t ever mention me wearing women’s clothes again.”

“Of course, old Zhao,” Yang Xuan nodded. “But honestly, it suited you.”

Damn!

Only then did Zhao Sanfu realize his chest was still padded. He reached inside his collar, pulled out two crescent-shaped flatbreads, and pointed at Yang Xuan. “By the way, you’ve made quite a splash this time—be careful.”

Yang Xuan thought it was a joke.

On his way home after work, a cart horse suddenly went mad and charged straight at him...

“If this was an accident, my surname isn’t Yang!”

Once home, when Yi-niang heard what had happened, she dragged Yang Xuan off to worship the gods.

“You must have some evil aura on you, my lord. Quickly, make an offering so the gods can suppress it.”

Yang Xuan was forced to offer three sticks of incense—no problem. But then for dinner, he was told to eat vegetarian.

At his age, he could hardly go a meal without meat. Vegetarian food...

He protested fiercely.

“Everyone!” Yi-niang said sternly, and all had to eat vegetarian at dinner.

“Meat!” Wang Lao’er poked at his rice and vegetables pitifully.

“You can have it tomorrow,” Yi-niang replied, head down, eating her greens with purpose.

Everyone watched her.

Bang!

Chopsticks hit the table. Yi-niang shouted, “Why aren’t you eating?!”

The old scoundrel shrank his neck. “I’m eating, I’m eating!”

Cao Ying coughed.

Wang Lao’er remained the same. “Yi-niang, I want meat.”

With a stern face, Yi-niang rose and left.

“She’s angry now,” the old scoundrel said to Cao Ying. “Whoever provoked her should go placate her, or tomorrow we’ll all be living on air.”

The longer they waited, the more uneasy they felt.

Yang Xuan was just about to check on her when Wang Lao’er’s nose twitched. “I smell meat!”

In a flash, he darted into the kitchen.

Soon after, a large clay pot of stewed lamb was brought out.

“Eat, eat, eat!” Yi-niang served everyone a large piece, leaving only broth behind.

Cao Ying was touched. “Yi-niang, you’re not eating?”

“I’m not.”

As Yang Xuan sat, the sunset flickering, he noticed a glimmer at the corner of Yi-niang’s mouth.

She’d snuck a bite in the kitchen.

After dinner, they took a stroll to digest. Life was so pleasant, one couldn’t help but sigh with happiness.

Of course, it would be even better without guests.

Zhao Sanfu breezed in like a gust of wind.

“That man refuses to talk.”

“What about Mirror Terrace’s methods?” Yang Xuan thought the place must be infamous for its tortures.

“We tried them all,” Zhao Sanfu said gloomily. “He bit off his own tongue. At first we thought he feared he couldn’t endure the torture, but later learned he was afraid someone skilled in interrogation might cast a spell on him and make him confess.”

Yang Xuan tried biting his own tongue—just a little pressure hurt unbearably.

Zhao Sanfu did the same.

The two fools stood there in awkward silence.

“But he could still write!” Yang Xuan objected.

“Yes, but as it turns out, he’s illiterate.”

That night, Yang Xuan had a nightmare of being captured and tortured, interrogated for treason.

He woke before dawn, the scenes vivid as if they’d really happened. But soon they faded away.

Dreams are strange, but reality is stranger.

Early the next morning, Yang Xuan arrived at the county office, planning to slack off, but was summoned by Huang Wenzhen.

“The palace has called for you.”

Yang Xuan hurried to the palace gates.

An impatient attendant stood waiting. “What took you so long?”

“Yes, sir,” Yang Xuan replied, knowing explanations would be wasted at times like this.

“Today, Princess Nanyang of Southern Zhou is hosting a banquet. The imperial consort will attend for some leisure, and you are to stand guard.”

“Yes, sir.”

Only then did the attendant go inside.

“My lord, such banquets are usually for noble ladies. What matters is whether you make a memorable impression on the imperial consort—it’s important for our future,” Cao Ying said.

The old scoundrel asked, “Why not noblewomen?”

Cao Ying shot him a look of disdain. “At this hour, the noblewomen are still in bed.”

Damn!

The old scoundrel grumbled and withdrew from the debate.

Yang Xuan and his entourage arrived at the Southern Zhou guesthouse.

Zhang Jing came out to receive them, feeling someone staring at her. She looked closely—it was Wang Lao’er.

He was practically drooling!

What a lecher!

Zhang Jing strode out with disdain.

“The princess is hosting today. Your protection isn’t needed.”

How self-important, Yang Xuan thought lazily. “Her Highness the Imperial Consort will be attending. I was ordered to guard her.”

Zhang Jing was speechless.

They waited a long time. Near midday the imperial consort’s carriage finally arrived.

Wang Lao’er was hungry. “We’re here for the food.”

Yang Xuan wanted to kick him, but Jiao Li had already arrived.

“Her Highness is here.”

Yang Xuan turned and went inside.

“Princess, please step aside. I need to inspect the site.”

It was necessary.

Yang Xuan searched the banquet area thoroughly, then sent word to the front courtyard.

“Her Highness has arrived.”

As the announcement sounded, the elegantly dressed Nian Ziyue emerged from the pavilion.

Her bright, spirited eyes swept over Yang Xuan as he walked toward the corridor.

“Oh!” she exclaimed.

Cao Ying added, “My lord, there are several young ladies as well.”

The imperial consort had brought along a flock of chattering young ladies, among them one haughty figure—none other than Wang Xian’er, whom they hadn’t seen in ages.

Nian Ziyue went up to greet them, bowing. “Your Highness.”

The plump, fair-skinned imperial consort took her hand, looked her over carefully, and smiled. “What a treasure Southern Zhou has produced.”

Nian Ziyue offered a few modest words, but the imperial consort, seemingly careless, remarked, “I hear you’ve had many suitors pestering you, and the local officials can barely keep them at bay. I think...perhaps a noble, jade-like gentleman might serve as a proper deterrent to those pests.”

This—

Throwing away the donkey after grinding the grain?

No, it couldn’t be!

Standing in the corridor, Yang Xuan’s mind raced.

No, she clearly means a prince—a noble, jade-like gentleman.

Is she suggesting a marriage alliance?

Yang Xuan looked up, sensing that it would be hard for Nian Ziyue to refuse, but agreeing would be even worse.

It would be best to defer to the emperor and empress of Southern Zhou.

Everyone thought the same.

Nian Ziyue’s luminous eyes slowly turned and she pointed toward Yang Xuan in the corridor, speaking up.

Her melodious voice echoed through the garden.

“Lesser Treasurer Yang’s protection is more than sufficient.”