Chapter 31: Tea-making and changing clothes are embroidered with bamboo leaves, and a black gauze hat is worn on top.

The high and thick walls of the torture chamber isolate the outside cold wind and light.

The moss is a slightly yellowish green, mixed in the cracks between the bricks, witnessing the wailing of the prisoners passing by.

"Sir, I won't do it again. I know I was wrong." Sha Jingtian curled up in the corner, with blood in the corners of his mouth and nostrils.

The thatched mat beneath him was dry, rough and messy.

He was already thin, and now he was almost skin and bones, with empty eyes and mumbling moans.

"Tell me! How did you get in touch with the outsiders?" Cai Miao shouted, waving his whip.

After the incident at the city gate a few days ago, Cai Miao felt ashamed.

It happened that the prisoners were being escorted to the central government office, and he asked for trial himself so that he could have some peace.

The whip hit his red and swollen back, and Sha Jingtian trembled all over. The ugly wrinkles on his forehead were twisted into an untieable knot. He was exhausted and fainted again.

"Pfft." Cai Miao spat impatiently and turned to ask the jailer, "Where's the principal offender?"

"Your Excellency, the prefect said that he wants to personally try the Danu man." The jailer trembled with fear.

Are the words of the prefect the imperial edict?

Cai Miao felt a little indignant that a higher-ranking official could crush someone to death.

All men want is power and money. If he doesn't spend money in Yaoyue Tower, even a little courtesan will dare to avoid him.

Cai Miao looked at the blood dripping from the tip of the whip and felt his blood boiling in his chest.

Especially when it comes to the end-of-year military performance review, his superiors always tell him: "Your Excellency will make your own arrangements."

However, the officialdom in Daliang has been turbulent recently, and unexpected events may happen. Even a noble person may die soon.

Cai Miao decided to make some arrangements for himself.

Walking out of the small torture chamber, the central government office is still spacious and bright.

Before the sound of New Year's firecrackers was heard, pine branches, cypress leaves and soapberries were already hung in front of the door.

For a prefect during the Spring Festival, he not only has to deal with the complicated welcoming and seeing off of guests, but also has to care about the people's livelihood and well-being under his jurisdiction.

"It's good to be in the northern border. You don't have to worry about career advancement. It's suitable for retirement." The housekeeper whispered and gave Gui Zhier a mischievous smile.

After all, this is the most desolate and remote "exile place" in Daliang.

"Prefect Ma doesn't think so." Guizhier commented sharply.

The former prefect Ma Lu never forgot his original intention and worked actively even though he was demoted here. I think he has now arrived in Hangzhou and is busy preparing New Year gifts for his backers.

In today's officialdom, some people curry favor, engage in corruption and bribery, while others retreat at the right time to protect themselves. Those who report good news but not bad news are often rewarded, while those who speak out and offer advice often face a bad outcome.

I wonder who Liu Shanyuan is?

Guizhier followed the housekeeper around the courtyard with ease and came to the side courtyard of the second hall.

"You go ahead and do your work. I'll wait for you, my Lord."

She did not comment on the housekeeper's deliberate flattery and attempts to build closer relationships, but she did not want to offend someone who smiled at her.

"Our master has gone to the outskirts of the city to hold the Spring Festival Ceremony. After the seal is passed, the government office will not be open for work, but there is still a lot of work to do."

The housekeeper kept on nagging as usual, and his words revealed his heartache for Liu Shanyuan.

He doesn't look like an ordinary legal advisor in a magistrate's house, but more like a servant who has watched his master grow up since childhood.

The so-called sealing means that government offices at all levels choose an auspicious day within three days before the New Year to seal their seals and suspend official business.

After the seal was sealed, the superiors led a team to visit the poor and needy people and understand their sentiments.

On the following day of the Beginning of Spring, the prefect would personally plow one or two ridges of land in the nearby fields to pray for a good harvest. At the same time, he would whip the spring ox and offer sacrifices to the God of Agriculture.

Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish.

The policies established by the founding emperor of Daliang during the Yongjing period are still in use today.

But nowadays, most officials just go through the motions and think that everything will be fine after they seal it.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

Liu Shanyuan walked over quickly with a gentle tone like the gurgling stream in the mountains.

He wore a scarlet silk robe embroidered with bamboo leaf patterns, a black gauze hat, and his boots were stained with some country mud.

Although he was wearing an official uniform, he was not overbearing and seemed to have the strategy to govern the world, so he was calm and decent.

"Greetings, sir." Guizhier turned around and bowed slightly.

She did not touch the gift that the Linghe County Magistrate asked her to bring, and directly asked the camel-colored cotton-robed attendant to take it back to the central government office.

She doesn't have to worry about trying prisoners or submitting files.

I don't know why Liu Shanyuan called her.

"No need to be so polite, let's go inside and talk." Liu Shanyuan glanced at Gui Zhi'er's pale face and said, "Get the young lady a hot pack and some hot tea and snacks."

He is meticulous.

Guizhi'er was secretly surprised. She had her period these past two days, and the weather in the north was freezing cold, so she was indeed a little afraid of the cold.

From the outer room of the side courtyard to the inner room, there is a different world.

The place where the prefect stayed was very simply furnished, with a nanmu drum-shaped desk in the middle. The whole thing was plain, and it was equipped with all the necessary pens, ink, paper and inkstone.

The beech wood bookcase on the back is simple and comfortable, with smooth patterns.

"Huh?" Gui Zhi'er's eyes were drawn to one of the ornaments. "Is this... the Bodhi tree from India?"

"The young lady is really knowledgeable." Liu Shanyuan was slightly stunned.

The leaves of the carved Bodhi tree are heart-shaped, the branches are stretched out, and the purple-red figs are lively and vivid.

Good deeds will lead to the Bodhi tree, and cause and effect will be revealed.

Seeing that he didn't want to talk more, Guizhier tactfully didn't ask any more questions.

Liu Shanyuan personally changed the black tea for Guizhier and brewed it slowly. A little tea swayed out of the cup and saucer, and he carefully wiped it with a towel.

Guizhier knew that although he seemed slow and deliberate, his mind might be in turmoil.

"Have you received the calligraphy and paintings that County Magistrate Luo selected?" Gui Zhier asked proactively to break the dull atmosphere.

After asking, I felt a little regretful. Giving gifts and accepting bribes didn't seem to be something that could be brought to light and was not worth talking about.

"Heh." Liu Shanyuan chuckled, his voice coming from the depths of his throat, low and magnetic.

"There's nothing special here. Only the silk painting 'Landscape and Chess Game' is a treasure." He showed no interest.

"There are also some silk rouge, which should be given to the young lady?" Liu Shanyuan took a sip of tea, his eyes deep.

He was dressed in official uniform, like a piece of deep red amber, his handsome profile close to Gui Zhier, yet seemed distant.

"Please take care of them all at once, sir." Guizhi'er was also not interested.

She was just curious about why Magistrate Luo was trying so hard to please his superiors and attaching so much importance to the Spring Examination.

"He's anxious to return to the Nanlin government office. In the annual performance evaluation, taxes, recruitment of talented individuals, and the attitude of superiors are all very important."

Liu Shanyuan seemed to see through Gui Zhier's thoughts and commented lightly.

In just a few words, her doubts were answered.

"Young lady, please have some tea." Liu Shanyuan stood up, "I'm going to the inner bedroom to change clothes."

He left after saying this.

After a while, the sound of water splashing was heard behind the screen, and hot mist was swirling.