Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating "getting off work" and lost in their own thoughts.

Suddenly, without warning, Feng Qingyun's urgent and excited voice rang in Qin Qianluo's mind: "Luo Bao, Luo Bao, this prefect has something fishy going on, a really big one!"

Inside the Golden Palace, Qin Qianluo was feeling bored and wondering which TV series to watch to pass the time.

Who would have thought that Feng Qingyun's urgent voice would suddenly ring in her mind like a thunderclap, instantly pulling her back from the selection process.

She froze on the spot, her eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

After a brief moment of surprise, Qin Qianluo quickly regained her senses, casually turning her head and flashing her gaze like lightning towards the prefect who was about to give his report in the hall.

The man was dressed in a slightly worn but neat official robe, and the folds in the hem seemed to hide some untold stories.

His expression was respectful, but a hint of nervousness was faintly revealed between his lowered eyes. His hands trembled slightly as he unfolded the memorial, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Qin Qianlu examined him carefully, scrutinizing every detail from his hair ornament to the soles of his boots.

Aside from these subtle signs of tension, nothing else seemed amiss.

She became increasingly puzzled, and filled with doubt, she turned her head back as if nothing had happened.

The officials who had been silently composing their memorials were suddenly pulled by an invisible thread and all looked up.

Their gazes, like arrows, all turned to the prefect, their eyes gleaming with curiosity as they exchanged meaningful glances.

They seemed to be silently exchanging their guesses about this "big scoop".

Some ministers frowned slightly, secretly pondering the governor's usual conduct, trying to find clues.

Some gently stroked their chins, a half-smile on their faces, as if they had already sensed something unusual.

The ministers' curiosity was instantly piqued, and they all quietly pricked up their ears.

Like a group of vigilant little animals, they don't miss any subtle sound, for fear of missing any crucial information.

Upon hearing the commotion, the Emperor's usually dignified gaze turned slightly serious as he scrutinized the prefect in the hall.

He sat up slightly, his hands gently resting on the armrests of the dragon throne, the gold thread embroidery on his dragon robe gleaming in the morning light.

His expression revealed a hint of anticipation, his eyes fixed on the prefect.

They seemed to want to see through his body to uncover the secrets hidden deep within his heart, ready to hear what astonishing things were going on.

Qin Qianluo turned around, her heart burning with anxiety, and urged urgently in her heart, "Yunbao, what's the juicy gossip? Tell me quickly, stop keeping me in suspense!"

His tone was full of barely suppressed curiosity and eagerness, as if he couldn't wait to uncover the truth behind this mysterious "big scoop".

Feng Qingyun naturally wouldn't keep Qin Qianluo waiting any longer; she simply raised her jade-like fingers lightly.

A softly glowing light screen instantly unfolded in the space where the two were connected by spirit. The light and shadow flickered on the screen, and a little-known past slowly emerged.

"Do you see that official standing in the hall? That is Xu Jingzhi, the prefect of Linyuan County."

Xu Jingzhi came from a truly impoverished family, and in his childhood, fate showed him its cruel fangs.

With his mother passing away early, the burden of the family suddenly fell on his father's rather thin shoulders.

In those years, the family lived a very hard life, but even under the dim light, Xu Jingzhi still studied diligently.

The father worked day and night, toiling in the fields and making a living on the streets, trying every possible way to support the family. The father and son supported each other and persevered through the difficult years.

As time went by, when Xu Jingzhi was sixteen, his father entered into his second marriage.

Xu Jingzhi not only did not object at all, but was overjoyed.

In his simple and honest heart, his father had raised him alone for many years, experiencing all the bitterness of life.

Now that someone is by my father's side, caring for him, doing his laundry and cooking, I can focus on my studies without worrying about his daily life.

His stepmother brought her son and daughter with her when she married into the Xu family.

The two children had not received much education since childhood and were spoiled by their mother, so they were quite spoiled and willful.

When they first arrived at the Xu family home, the younger brother often acted unreasonably, and the younger sister always complained about the simple environment of the house.

Xu Jingzhi didn't mind at all. In his heart, as long as his stepmother could treat his father sincerely and the family could live in harmony, what did it matter if his younger brother and sister were a little spoiled?

He often used the coins he had saved to buy little trinkets for his younger siblings.

She patiently taught her younger brother to read and write, took her younger sister to play everywhere, and tried her best to fill this blended family with warmth in her own way.

Xu Jingzhi studied diligently and was devoted to learning. During those days of burning the midnight oil, books became his closest companions, and knowledge became his weapon to change his destiny.

Finally, in the imperial examination, he distinguished himself with his solid knowledge and outstanding performance, successfully embarking on his official career.

(Happy Little New Year to all my lovely ladies in the North! How did you spend your Little New Year? What delicious food did you eat?)