Chapter 329 Wearing a Lady's Robe

The presence of Lord He, a sixth-rank official in the capital, was enough to deter Dahe Village from provoking him, let alone the He family, who were far away in the capital.

For a moment, everyone fell silent. They felt unwilling to swallow their pride, but they lacked the means and confidence to do so.

“This is only the second day,” Cheng Wanwan said quietly. “From now on, there will only be more government officials entering the village.”

Specialized personnel are needed to survey the well shafts, and the Ministry of Works is needed to repair office buildings and roads. Many officials are also needed to supervise the workers' work. Roughly speaking, at least forty or fifty officials are needed, which would take up a lot of buildings.

If the officials had been polite and provided the villagers with appropriate compensation, it wouldn't have been a problem for everyone to stay in thatched huts for a while. However, the other side was far too arrogant. Not only did they occupy the houses, but they also killed the laying hens and injured the villagers. This was the behavior of bandits!

Cheng Wanwan continued, "I'm going to meet with Lord He to see what he thinks. If he regulates the behavior of his subordinates, then our Dahe Village will back down. But if Lord He lets it go, we must take measures. What do you all think?"

The village head, obedient to Cheng Wanwan's orders, immediately nodded: "Grandma Dashan, our whole village will follow your arrangements."

Cheng Wanwan's gaze fell on Master Yu and He Xiao.

Master Yu sighed and said, "Alright, I'll do my part too. If there's anything I can help with, just let me know."

He Xiao pursed his lips: "I'm at your service at any time."

Cheng Wanwan laughed: "Xiao He, all you need to do is keep an eye on the patrol team and make sure they don't clash with the officials. Master Yu, there really is a big matter that I need to trouble you with..."

After she finished speaking in detail, everyone in the room nodded solemnly and went about their business.

She returned to her room, took out a set of lady's clothes from the closet, and decided that since she was going to meet an official, she should go with full presence.

If Lord He doesn't give this Lady Sui face, then don't blame her for making a big fuss about this.

Wu Huiniang came in and helped to dress her properly, comb her hair, and then put on her crown.

Although she had seen it once before, Wu Huiniang was still somewhat shocked: "Mother, you look so beautiful in this dress, like a noble lady who stepped out of a painting, exuding elegance. I didn't even dare to look directly at you..."

Cheng Wanwan coughed and said, "Come on, help me walk."

You have to project a strong presence to negotiate with others. Even if there's a huge difference in official rank, you can't lose in terms of aura.

After all, she was the highest-ranking person in Dahe Village. If she acted timid and hesitant, the officials would be even less likely to take the people of Dahe Village seriously.

Cheng Wanwan placed her hand on Wu Huiniang's arm and walked out of the inner room step by step.

It was afternoon, the sun was shining brightly in the sky, the sunlight of late winter and early spring was very strong, and it shone warmly on people. The crown on her head reflected the light, and the dress she wore was embroidered with gold and silver threads, making her seem to glow.

Chunhua quickly came over: "Auntie, let me help you this way."

She walked out of the courtyard and onto the main road in the village.

Everyone in the village knew where she was going, and they all stood by the roadside with respect in their eyes, watching her go.

It wasn't far from her house to Manager Yan's house. After passing a small grove of trees, she arrived at the entrance of a brick and tile house, where two government officials were guarding it.

Upon seeing her attire, the two officers were stunned and didn't react for a moment.

Wu Huiniang spoke calmly: "This is Lady Sui, personally appointed by the Emperor. She has important business to discuss with Lord He. Please inform her of this."

Cheng Wanwan was slightly surprised. The timid and fearful eldest daughter-in-law of the past was now neither humble nor arrogant, and her eyes did not dodge. It turned out that without realizing it, the eldest daughter-in-law had slowly grown up.

"So it's Madam Sui." The official's attitude became slightly more respectful. "However, the lord is currently on business and it is not convenient to receive guests at this time. Please come back later, Madam Sui."

Cheng Wanwan nodded: "Then I'll wait here."

Whether Lord He truly had something to do or was lying, she would simply wait here.

Suddenly, a howl rang out.

"Give me back my wife!"

Zhao Shagen's voice grew louder as he approached, a hoe in his hand. Just as he was about to strike, he was stopped by the people following behind him.

"Shagen, don't do anything foolish," Zhao Yougui pleaded tearfully. "This is a high-ranking official from the capital. We can't afford to offend him. Do you want our whole family to be beheaded...?"

“But Shuiqin…” Zhao Shagen sobbed, “Shuiqin is pregnant, just pregnant, and she won’t let me tell you…”

Cheng Wanwan's face was as cold as ice.

Occupying houses and stealing things is one thing, but Lord He even went so far as to forcibly abduct a woman.

Is there no law anymore?

She said coldly, "Zhao Yougui, Zhao Shagen, you two, break down the door, I want to come in!"

Although she didn't like Sun Shuiqin, Sun Shuiqin was from their Dahe Village. If she was ruined like this, then there would be a second and a third people who would be ruined!

Zhao Yougui didn't dare to do it at first, but when Cheng Wanwan spoke up, he didn't care about anything else and went to bang on the door with Zhao Shagen, one on the left and one on the right.

"Insolence!" The guard at the gate drew his sword from his waist. "You audacious scoundrel, you're asking for death!"

"If you have the guts, then come at me with a knife." Cheng Wanwan stepped forward. "I am the Lady Sui, personally appointed by the Emperor. Although I am only a ninth-rank official, it is a title bestowed by the Emperor himself. How many second- and third-rank ladies in the capital have ranks but no titles? Having a title proves that I have a name and a reputation with the Emperor. How many of you dare to touch me?"

The two goalkeepers were stunned.

"Help! Help—!"

The voice of a terrified woman came from inside the courtyard.

Zhao Shagen's eyes were bloodshot with rage. Taking advantage of the guards' inattention, he suddenly rushed forward and caught Sun Shuiqin as she rushed out.

"Shagen!" Sun Shuiqin cried out in terror, her face turning pale. "Help! Help me!"

After her family was evicted from the house, she went back alone to get her bedding, only to be spotted by the officials. They dragged her directly to see Lord He. She thought something good was waiting for her, but instead, Lord He leered at her and then ordered her to take off her clothes... Although she was dissatisfied with her husband, Sha Gen, she was unwilling to be defiled for no reason. A married woman who was openly violated had only one way out: death. She didn't want to die.

But the more she struggled, the more excited Lord He became.

Just when she thought she was finished, she heard Zhao Shagen's voice.

She had never thought the voice was so pleasant. She rolled off the bed and ran outside, straightening her clothes as she ran, and finally managed to escape.

Seeing her like this, Cheng Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief. Her clothes were still neat, thankfully nothing bad had happened...

"You little bitch, how dare you run away!"

A figure ran into the courtyard. It was He Yan, disheveled. He had taken off half of his clothes, but this wretched woman had managed to escape.

"Lord He," Cheng Wanwan said, blocking the doorway, "Is it because Lord He has a habit of taking an afternoon nap? Is it inappropriate for me to visit at this time?"

He Yan's gaze fell on Cheng Wanwan: "You are Lady Sui? Ha, a mere ninth-rank lady, yet you dare to act so arrogantly in front of me!"

Cheng Wanwan lowered her head, neither humble nor arrogant: "This humble woman has something to discuss with you privately, sir. I beg you to make an exception."

At this moment, many villagers came to watch the commotion at the gate of the house. Although they did not gossip, their eyes said it all.

He Yan flicked his sleeves and said, "Come in."

Cheng Wanwan stepped inside, and Wu Huiniang and Chunhua wanted to follow, but she shook her head: "Wait for me outside."

This Lord He has some unusual hobbies, so it's best not to let the young girl hang around in front of him, lest she cause trouble for no reason.