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Chapter 85
Cold winter.
In the backyard of the County Government Office.
Liu Xian'er, the young concubine of the County Magistrate, was wearing a snow-white dress, her eyes reddened as she flung herself into the old master's embrace.
Liu Xian'er was a gift from a local gentry family to the newly arrived County Magistrate before he brought his wife and concubines.
They had enjoyed a sweet period together for a while.
After all, the County Magistrate was new to Ming County and felt lost, so having a pretty companion to converse with was delightful.
Moreover, although Liu Xian'er was no celestial beauty, she was young and charming, came with a generous dowry, and was well-acquainted with the local area, so the County Magistrate doted on her for some time.
However, things changed after his wife and concubines arrived.
His wife was from a prominent family, far more sophisticated than this country girl, and the County Magistrate soon cast Liu Xian'er aside.
Ming County was a bitter, cold place, a necessary stop on the road to exile, so it was hardly an enviable posting.
The County Magistrate was determined to advance his career, but lacked connections and ability, so he spent many years bemoaning his lack of opportunity.
He would occasionally visit Liu Xian'er's quarters.
In recent days, she had been weeping and wailing, and he could barely avoid her.
"My lord, you must avenge me," Liu Xian'er cried.
Without his official robes, the County Magistrate looked somewhat thin and struggled to break free, only able to console her, "The county has already issued orders to capture those bandits."
"But my family's assets were seized by lowly villagers, my lord. Please help me reclaim them," Liu Xian'er's eyes were red as she stamped her feet in anguish. The County Magistrate thought to himself, 'Don't you think I realized that? By the time I received the news, it was long after the fact. When I sent officers to investigate, they reported that the villagers, men and women, young and old, wielded sticks like guns and swords, ferocious beyond belief.'
'It couldn't possibly be bandits fighting among themselves - that's unthinkable. The villagers must have ambushed them like catching snakes in a jar and slaughtered them cleanly.'
'These villagers, oppressed so harshly by Old Master Liu, have all become brazen bandits themselves, more fearsome than real bandits. With so much trouble already, it's best not to provoke them further.'
"You told me before that your family's assets were your dowry, and there was no other money left. What other assets are there? My lord has matters to attend to and won't waste words with you." The County Magistrate pushed his concubine away and fled in a panic.
Even more absurdly, Second Jiang, who used to be a lowly county runner, now has his own subordinates working for him???
A County Magistrate like himself has to attend court sessions in person.
...
Cold winter.
The Jiang Manor.
Mrs. Jiang's belly was showing a slight curve, and her face had grown rounder.
Yet she did not appear less beautiful, but rather more radiant.
The old saying goes, if a woman is carrying a daughter, the mother will become more beautiful.
She was focused on nurturing her pregnancy and did not often appear before the Old Lady, as she did not manage household affairs and could be thoroughly pampered.
Jiang Rong had been doing much better lately, no longer plagued by nightmares, but he did not attend the county school either, spending his days plotting mischief and fun.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wan learned from her grandmother that Jiang Yu had not taken a concubine because the gentry family was wiped out!!
She was startled by the news.
Old Lady Jiang's prayer beads suddenly scattered across the floor, the string snapping.
...
Cold winter.
The palace.
Towering walls soared overhead.
A shrill voice called out, "Newcomers, follow me. Today we'll teach you the first rule: remember your status. We are the lowliest insects, the bricks underfoot are worth more than us. When you encounter nobles, do not look them in the eye. Only raise your head when they tell you to."
A group of men in gray robes followed in orderly fashion.
Most were quite young in age.
There were one or two older ones, either with connections or some special ability.
Among the crowd was an exceptionally handsome man, taller than the others and appearing slightly older, but with a beautiful, almost feminine countenance that made him stand out.
The leading eunuch at the front noticed this new arrival.
He smiled with satisfaction.
'Such a pretty face, it makes one want to defile him!'