Until Chunniang, who was beside him, took the initiative to turn over and breathed sweetly into his ear, "No matter what I was like before, we are now husband and wife."

Yes, no matter what, they are husband and wife, a couple who have already gone through the wedding ceremony. I misunderstood before.

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Qian Dayong threw all his mental turmoil aside, rolled over, and pinned Chunniang beneath him.

When the night was deep and quiet, Qian Dayong was still muttering to himself, "Chunniang, wait for my good news tomorrow."

The good news finally arrived the following evening.

When Qian Dayong and his men escorted several people, bound hand and foot, into the city, the city's residents realized that the government officials had gone out early that morning to arrest bandits.

Chunniang has quit her job as a waitress and hasn't left the house in the past few days. Even the news of the bandit capture was told to her by a neighbor.

"Your man has really done a great job this time," the neighbor said with envy. "With such a great achievement, he'll probably get more than just a reward; he'll also get a promotion."

Chunniang smiled back, "It's all for the court's service; I don't even know if I'll get promoted."

"I think it's almost certain," the neighbor said with a smile, trying to build rapport with her. "Don't forget to look out for us neighbors when the time comes."

After seeing off the neighbor who came to deliver the news, Chunniang's serene smile vanished the moment the door latch was lowered.

She hurried to the backyard and stood quietly by the door. After a while, there was a knock on the door. Chunniang listened carefully and opened the door after confirming that it was the right person.

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"Everything is ready. You need to leave the city now." The man who came was a bearded man. Chunniang led the carriage out from the backyard.

The man took the reins, looked around, and seeing that no one was pulling the carriage away, Chunniang immediately closed the back gate.

Hearing that bandits had been captured, most people went to watch the spectacle and no one noticed what was happening.

Xu Yi suddenly felt inspired to paint a picture of Fu Man'er today. As soon as he finished eating, he took her to the warm pavilion. After Fu Man'er yawned countless times, Xu Yi finally finished the painting.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Fu Man'er couldn't wait to run over and take a look, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Xu Yi put the calligraphy brush aside, and upon hearing this, asked with a smile, "Are you praising your own beauty?"

Fu Man'er wrinkled her nose. "I was praising how well you're drawing."

Xu Yi raised an eyebrow at her, and then Fu Man'er looked at the painting and said, "The people in this painting are so lifelike, even the smallest details are captured."

"The artist captured nine-tenths of the subject's beauty; the technique is truly exquisite."

"No matter how beautiful the technique is, it can't compare to your beauty." Xu Yi praised Fu Man'er, "I didn't capture all of your beauty in the painting, so I hope you won't find it offensive."

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Fu Man'er didn't know the meaning of humility. She patted Xu Yi on the shoulder like a teacher and said earnestly, "It's okay, just try harder next time and try to draw me as beautiful as I am."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but laugh. Who would be so shameless as to make such a request?

Xu Yi, however, said with a serious expression, "My wife is right, I will try harder."

The two chatted and laughed in the warm room, showing no sign of the rumors circulating outside that Xu Yi had gone home to sulk.

When the news of Qian Dayong and his accomplices' return from catching the thief came, Xu Yi was still somewhat surprised. "It seems that Qian Dayong's daily trips outside the city during that period were not in vain."

Xu Yi was surprised because he had previously spoken with the county magistrate. They had sent a small number of people this time, and although they were willing, they were unable to do so. Their main purpose in going was to intimidate the bandits.

This deterred them from robbing and looting at will, and they were only allowed to wait until after the New Year for the imperial court to send reinforcements to suppress the bandits.

After all, the terrain on the mountain is complex, and it is winter. There are countless wild animals on the mountain, and it would be very dangerous for the officials to go up the mountain rashly.

But even in such harsh conditions, Qian Dayong was still able to capture the bandits, which is truly astonishing.

"Maybe he just got lucky and happened to run into the bandits, which he managed to capture in one fell swoop," Fu Man'er said casually after hearing this.

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She herself didn't quite believe it when she said it. In the dead of winter, the bandits were all hiding well. Who would be so bored as to come out and wander around waiting to be caught?

"Oh right, now that he's done this, the position of deputy commander is practically his for the taking!" Fu Man'er suddenly remembered this.

Xu Yi nodded. "It's pretty much a done deal." Even if the people below didn't bring it up, the people above would.

Especially now that the year is coming to an end, the best reward for those who have made meritorious contributions is either a reward of money or a promotion, so that they can have a peaceful and happy New Year.

Fu Man'er snorted, "If he causes you trouble again after he gets promoted, I'll put a sack over his head and beat him up."

Fu Man'er disliked Qian Dayong somewhat. He looked tall and imposing, but his eyes were filled with too much calculation.

Xu Yi chuckled and chimed in, "Remember to find a secluded alley, otherwise it might be hard to say if someone sees us."

Fu Man'er knew Xu Yi was joking, but she was serious. Anyone who dared to bully her should think twice before taking action.

After the bandits were captured, Qian Dayong didn't waste a moment. He personally escorted them to the prison and then personally accompanied the county magistrate for interrogation.

Three bandits were captured, all young men. They weren't frightened. Qian Dayong went up to them and yelled and cursed, and in just a few words, he got them to explain what had happened.

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The county magistrate, who was prepared to interrogate the man until midnight, had barely said a few words when a signed and sealed confession was presented to him.

The confession stated that there were ten bandits in the mountains, all of whom had fled from the south. They used to live off the mountains, but when winter came, they had nothing left.

That's why they robbed passing merchants a while ago, stealing their grain and winter clothing.

“Sir, I’ve asked around. These bandits were just trying to protect themselves, and they haven’t touched the merchants’ money,” Qian Dayong said.

The county magistrate looked up at the three young men opposite him and said, "Look at those skinny guys. They want to rob people? They'd be better off beating up someone tougher."

"Are all the bandits in the mountains like you, all looking like bundles of firewood?"

Although the county magistrate had never seen bandits before, shouldn't bandits be strong, muscular, and ferocious?

These three were quite aggressive at the beginning, but now they've all shrunk back and stopped talking.

Qian Dayong quickly replied, "Sir, according to these three men, some of the bandits on the mountain are quite formidable, but they are often hungry and lack strength."

"I was lucky today to run into the three of them looking for food, otherwise I would have returned empty-handed."

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Qian Dayong didn't need to recount the process of catching the thief himself; the officials who accompanied him had already told the story a thousand times over.

According to the plan, all they needed to do was bang gongs and shout at the foot of the mountain to make the bandits on the mountain panic and not dare to come down the mountain easily.

However, Qian Dayong said he wanted to go into the mountains to see if he could run into any bandits who had come to investigate after hearing the noise.

There were three other people who went in with him, but the four of them were a little distance apart. They only realized that the bandits were nearby when Qian Dayong shouted.

It was the sound of the gong below that startled the bandits. Seeing the officials, they panicked. Qian Dayong, with unprecedented bravery, charged forward and subdued two of them.

Once the others caught up, they easily subdued the last person.

"Da Yong is becoming more and more humble these days," the county magistrate said with a smile. "If you hadn't suggested going up the mountain to take a look, we still wouldn't have caught these three people."

"I don't believe this is just good luck. You, Qian Dayong, have real skills."

"It's getting late today. Tomorrow, I will personally host a celebratory banquet for you."

"You are a great hero of our Lan Town, and I must toast you."

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For the county magistrate, such a political achievement before the New Year was an unexpected delight, so he now found Qian Dayong pleasing to the eye no matter what.

Although Xu Yi did not participate in the interrogation, as the leader of the guard, he still went to the prison as usual.

The bandits imprisoned here were still beyond his expectations. It seemed that being a bandit was not easy these days. Judging from their physique, they were even worse off than beggars in the city.

The bandits' confessions have been handed over to the government office, and their punishments have been decided. It is said that these three bandits answered all questions and had a good attitude, which can be considered as making amends. They will only serve two years in prison before being released.

Qian Dayong's appointment letter came down quickly, and Xu Yi brought it back to him.

In front of everyone, Xu Yi handed the appointment letter to Qian Dayong, saying, "Congratulations, Deputy Commander Qian."

The moment this somewhat unfamiliar title was uttered, Qian Dayong was instantly excited. Even though he had known this moment was coming, he still couldn't contain himself.

"Thank you very much, Commander Xu. If it weren't for your poor health, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to make a contribution," Qian Dayong said to Xu Yi as he accepted the letter of appointment.

When Xu Yi suddenly stopped participating in the bandit suppression, the county magistrate gave him an excuse: Xu Yi had suddenly caught a cold and had to stay in bed, so he couldn't go out.

"It's getting colder and colder, Mr. Xu, please take good care of yourself and don't catch a cold again."

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Anyone with eyes could see that it was just an excuse the county magistrate had come up with, but Qian Dayong just had to bring it up at this particular moment.

Looking at his smug expression, Xu Yi said in a deep voice, "The weather will clear up after these few cold days."

"We'll be waiting for Deputy Commander Qian to display his prowess again and capture the few remaining bandits on the mountain."

"I will certainly live up to Commander Xu's expectations," Qian Dayong shouted confidently, clasping his hands together.

Their eyes met. Qian Dayong's eyes were full of smugness and provocation, while Xu Yi remained calm and composed. The sparks between them were fleeting.

Qian Dayong was quickly defeated, and just then someone congratulated him, so he turned around.