The county magistrate personally paid a visit, and as a nominal Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Tao naturally had to give him some face.

However, Master Tao was very protective of Tao Rui.

"Father, your son has never done such a despicable thing. Moreover, forging and stamping seals is a serious crime punishable by confiscation of property. Your son would never dare to do such a thing!" "Lord Liu, please see the truth!"

Mr. Tao's mother passed away two years ago, and he has been staying at home for three years to observe the mourning period, so he has been idle at home all day.

"Lord Liu, there must be some misunderstanding here?" Master Tao said.

Magistrate Liu said, "Lord Tao, the case must be thoroughly investigated. Someone, bring a seat for Young Master Tao." A yamen runner brought a chair from the Tao residence and had Tao Rui sit down.

It made Master Tao look a little better.

Four prisoners and members of the Niu family were kneeling below the hall. Xiao Heng and Gu Yu had official titles and did not need to kneel, so only Xiao Fubao and the two maids had to kneel.

However, Xiao Heng held her in his arms, preventing her from moving, and said, "You don't need to kneel, he can't accept it."

Little Fu Bao rubbed her fair, milky face against Xiao Heng's chest, whimpering that her little brother seemed to have not only grown taller and gained some weight, but also developed some small muscles.

I really want to touch it...

Xiao Heng felt a cute little thing tugging at his clothes. Perhaps because he was wearing something a bit thicker than summer clothes, the little guy couldn't get it off, and then rubbed against his chest through his undergarments.

Like a soft and adorable little kitten.

Xiao Heng grabbed the little baby's soft hand and whispered, "Stop fooling around!"

This case is not complicated.

Lord Liu broke out in a cold sweat during the interrogation, because Vice Minister Tao stood there so imposingly. As the saying goes, a higher rank can crush a lower one…

Although Vice Minister Tao held only a nominal title and was in mourning for his father, he was a powerful and influential figure whom a mere county magistrate like himself could not afford to offend.

"Young Master Tao instigated the prisoners to cause trouble, which was originally a matter of official career and economic disputes. In that case, Your Excellency, why don't you compensate him with some money and estates, close down those shops, and discipline him properly? Everyone can then let the matter rest. After all, your son's private forgery of seals and his business dealings would be a big problem if the two scholars made a fuss about it," "It wouldn't look good for Your Excellency either. After the mourning period, Your Excellency still has to return to the capital to report on your duties, doesn't he?"

Little Fu Bao pouted unhappily.

This county magistrate is timid and afraid of trouble.

Being afraid of offending this person and that person, you end up pleasing neither side.

If you accept the compensation, although it seems like a good thing, you'll always feel like you've swallowed a fly.

However, they couldn't afford to offend Vice Minister Tao and his associates, and they couldn't afford to offend Minister Tao in the capital either. Moreover, he had business dealings with Madam Fang's nephew.

Little Fu Bao is unhappy.

If only her father could become an official, but he wouldn't even be willing to be a village head, and even if he were, he wouldn't be able to become an official; at most, he could be a village head or something.

Master Tao quickly smiled apologetically:

"I am willing to compensate for what I owe! I am willing to compensate for two stakes and four shops, I only ask that you two scholars forgive me."

Master Tao's attitude sounded very good; it must be said, Master Tao was very generous.

However, Young Master Tao was no kind person, and Little Fu Bao was indeed as uncomfortable as if she had swallowed a fly.

Xiao Heng gently patted her back and said softly, "It's alright, he won't be able to keep this up for long!"

Upon hearing this, Master Tao's expression changed. He thought to himself, "This kid is too arrogant. If he passes the imperial examination in the future, he will inevitably cause trouble for his family in the officialdom."

Xiao Heng accepted the compensation on behalf of Xiao Fubao.

In his previous life, when he held immense power, the Tao family, an official family, was only a mid-level official family in the capital. Especially after Minister Tao died, the Tao family, which held nominal titles, basically declined.

But their family's scandals became known throughout the capital.

He didn't mind bringing the Tao family's scandal forward. Although it would offend Master Tao, it would actually help Master Tao solve a problem.

After the county magistrate left, Master Tao caught Tao Rui and berated him. The young master Tao was only seventeen years old, young and impetuous. Although he was born out of wedlock, he was Master Tao's only son and had been outstanding since childhood.

Whether it was writing calligraphy, composing poetry, competing in literary talent, or managing business and daily affairs, he was quite capable. Under his management, the Tao family's estates, properties, and shops were raking in money every day.

Although officials are not allowed to engage in business, they can rent out some of their land and forests, but the rent is definitely negligible compared to the profits.

Tao Rui had been pampered since childhood and had never suffered such humiliation before. He couldn't help but feel resentment towards the Niu family.

They are just ordinary peasants who, after acquiring a few meager possessions, dare to challenge the Vice Minister's family. This is utterly outrageous.

However, even if a peasant family goes into business, they will find other ways to cope. The Niu family was building a commercial street while also running a pig farm.

Presumably, they are not so well-off financially.

It's not difficult to deal with.

After scolding his son, Master Tao turned to Xiao Heng and Gu Yu with a forced smile and said, "It's all because my son is ignorant. Please forgive him, Scholar Gu and Master Xiao."

Xiao Heng now holds the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations at the provincial level), and in the past, Juren could be addressed as "Master".

Gu Yu, with a rather nonchalant demeanor, said, "I've long heard that Old Master Tao is a skilled disciplinarian, but now it seems that's not entirely true."

Old Master Tao was Minister Tao.

Master Tao's father.

Although Master Tao had never passed the imperial examinations and was granted the position of Vice Minister by the emperor's personal favor, he was known for his virtue and talent.

When disasters struck the capital, people tightened their belts and donated money for disaster relief. Master Tao was often among the first to contribute.

Gu Yu meant that Master Tao's reputation for virtue was merely superficial, and that neither he nor his son had proper upbringing.

Master Tao's expression was rather unpleasant.

Although he and Gu Yu served in the same court, Gu Yu had been fighting on the frontier for ten years and had not returned to the capital for ten years. He had already returned home to observe mourning for his parents two years ago. Therefore, Master Tao did not recognize Gu Yu, the commander.

Little Fu Bao rubbed against Xiao Heng's chest. Xiao Heng patted the restless little head and said, "We, master and disciples, only hope that Master Tao will keep his family in check. It seems that these are indeed extraordinary times."

As Master Tao listened, his expression turned slightly cold. He couldn't help but recall the time when his mother passed away two years ago. It was the duty of children to observe mourning for their parents after their death. Children only needed to observe mourning for their parents for three years before they could return to court.

However, several officials in the court submitted memorials requesting that he and his son resign from their official posts and return to their hometown to observe mourning for their wives and mothers.

He donated so much money, which benefited the people and pleased the emperor. Those officials who couldn't afford to donate or were unwilling to donate money were inevitably criticized by the emperor and turned their jealousy towards the Tao family.

Master Tao's expression was solemn.

After the county magistrate and Xiao Fubao and his party left.

Master Tao ordered his men to beat Tao Rui half to death.

"Master, you can't do this! Rui'er is your only son!" Aunt Yang cried miserably, lying on the ground.

"Beat him!" "Oh, he's useless. Bring a rope and strangle him to death. It's better to keep this spendthrift good-for-nothing around to bring trouble to the Tao family in the future!"