Chapter 61 of 100

Chapter 61

16 min read4,086 words

In the county office, in the flower-viewing pavilion of the back garden, a sumptuous banquet was laid out, filled with chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Most precious of all were a dish of garlic sprouts stir-fried with meat, a dish of green beans stir-fried with meat, and a dish of chives stir-fried with eggs.

These three dishes seemed ordinary, but they were actually quite expensive. It was early spring in Sankou County, and the common people mostly ate vegetables that could be stored for a long time, such as Chinese cabbage and white radishes. Vegetables like garlic sprouts, green beans, and chives, which were difficult to store, had to be rushed from the warm south, making them more precious than silver, and not something that ordinary people could afford.

Several people were seated around the banquet table. The one at the head of the table was a young man in his early twenties, dressed in a blue scholar's robe, elegant and refined. Next to him sat a middle-aged man in his forties, with a leopard-like head, round eyes, a swallow-like chin, and tiger-like whiskers, his face dark. His aura was restrained, and sitting there, he resembled a resting tiger.

Below these two, two more people were seated. One was another middle-aged man in his forties, dressed casually, with long, slender fingers and a gentle, pleasant smile. However, his narrow eyes somewhat marred his overall demeanor. The other was the oldest person present, over fifty, with gray hair, dressed in official attire, his body slightly hunched.

The two accompanying guests were none other than the county magistrate of Sankou County, Wu Qi, who held a seventh-rank position, and the county clerk Jiang Yefan, who held a ninth-rank position.

Wu Qi raised his wine cup and toasted the young man, saying, "Third Young Master, I wish you success in your imperial examination in the capital. May you top the list and secure a place among the top three. I believe it won't be long before we hear good news from you."

The Third Young Master smiled modestly and replied, "Magistrate Wu, you are too kind. There are thousands of scholars from all over the country who are well-versed and highly talented. I believe I have some knowledge and will likely make the list, but securing a place among the top three is not so easy. I can only hope for a fifty-fifty chance."

Wu Qi secretly sneered. He referred to himself as a subordinate in front of a scholar in his twenties, out of respect for the Third Young Master's father. He didn't expect the Third Young Master to put on such airs, speaking as if he were his superior and Wu Qi his subordinate.

Although he was somewhat displeased, Wu Qi did not dare to show it. The Third Young Master was not an ordinary person. His father was Wu Qi's direct superior, the governor of Mingchuan Prefecture, Shao Kehan. Shao Kehan was not just a fifth-rank official; his father had once held a second-rank position as a provincial governor and was now retired. Shao Kehan's father-in-law was the current Pohun Marquis, who was related to the emperor and deeply trusted by him.

The Third Young Master was handsome and well-learned, and was very much favored by his maternal grandfather, the Pohun Marquis. The middle-aged man seated below the Third Young Master was specifically sent by the Pohun Marquis to protect him. This person was said to be a famous martial arts expert and a grandmaster who later joined the military and became the Pohun Marquis's personal bodyguard. He was respectfully known as "Sleeping Giant" Jiang Shan.

This time, the Third Young Master was heading to the capital to participate in the imperial examination. He passed through Sankou County and specifically came to thank Wu Qi. How could Wu Qi not go all out to entertain him?

"Father," a clear and pleasant voice interrupted the conversation. Wu Xuemei, accompanied by two maids, walked gracefully over, like a willow swaying in the spring breeze, and stopped in front of Wu Qi, saying, "It's time for you to take your medicine. Mother specially asked me to bring it to you."

Wu Xuemei took the medicine bowl from the tray held by one of the maids and handed it to Wu Qi.

Wu Qi chuckled, took the bowl, and drank the dark medicine in one gulp. Then he said, "Thank you and your mother. Tell her that I have an important guest to entertain, so she should rest early and not wait for me."

Wu Xuemei nodded, took the bowl back, and bowed, saying, "I will take my leave."

Just then, the Third Young Master suddenly said, "Miss, please wait a moment."

Wu Xuemei stopped and looked at the Third Young Master with a puzzled expression, asking, "Young Master, what do you need?"

At this moment, she appeared like a well-mannered and gentle young lady, and the arrogance and tyranny she usually displayed seemed to have never existed.

The Third Young Master's eyes had been fixed on Wu Xuemei since she came over. He had heard that Wu Qi's daughter, Wu Xuemei, was a great beauty, and today, he found that the rumors were true.

The Third Young Master got up from his seat, walked to Wu Xuemei, and bowed politely, saying, "I believe you are the daughter of Magistrate Wu. I have heard much about your virtues, and today, I find that you surpass all the rumors. I cannot help but feel admiration and a desire to be closer to you."

With that, the Third Young Master smiled, a well-practiced smile, and continued, "Let me introduce myself. I am Shao Chuanjie. My father is the governor of Mingchuan Prefecture, and my grandfather, who is now retired, was once a provincial governor. My maternal grandfather is the Pohun Marquis. I am determined to succeed in the imperial examination this time. If you could bless me, I would be even more confident."

Wu Xuemei smiled and said, "I wish you success in the imperial examination and a place among the top three."

"Having your good wishes, I will certainly return as the top scholar," the Third Young Master said with great confidence.

Jiang Shan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up, "Magistrate Wu, I wonder if your daughter is already betrothed?"

Wu Qi quickly replied, "Not yet."

Jiang Shan nodded and said, "That's good. What do you think of the Third Young Master?"

"The Third Young Master is excellent, a man of great talent," Wu Qi answered smoothly.

"Since you think the Third Young Master is good, what do you think about him becoming your son-in-law and your daughter marrying him as a co-wife?" Jiang Shan asked, squinting his eyes.

"This..." Wu Qi secretly drew a deep breath. Wu Xuemei was his beloved daughter, and he did not want to see her suffer, but he also dared not offend the Shao family.

"Being a co-wife is a bit low, can't my daughter become the Third Young Master's official wife?" Wu Qi argued for Wu Xuemei.

Jiang Shan snorted and said, "Do you know who you are? A mere seventh-rank county magistrate with no great prospects. Don't think your daughter is so precious. In the capital, there are countless daughters of high officials and nobles waiting to become the Third Young Master's co-wives or concubines. Your daughter getting a co-wife position is a great favor. Magistrate Wu, will you agree or not? If you agree, give me a clear answer."

Wu Qi's face was a mix of emotions. Jiang Shan was right. He had no powerful background, and being a seventh-rank county magistrate was the best he could achieve. Before his retirement, there was little chance of promotion.

If he offended Shao Chuanjie, he might not even be able to keep his position as county magistrate, and there could even be a risk to his life.

Governor Shao Kehan had many ways to deal with him. Even if nothing else, the charges of corruption and bribery alone could ruin him.

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