Walking at the front, clearly the leader, Zhan Heqing coldly sized up the fawning madam in front of him.

He remained unfazed.

But the madam seemed even more frightened by his expressionless and fierce look, and she lost her footing and knelt down, facing Zhan Heqing.

As the newly appointed magistrate of Huaihe County, he was more like a military officer who had been risking his life than a county magistrate, with his serious and aloof demeanor.

Not many people in Huaihe County knew him, this cold and taciturn magistrate.

Indeed, that was the case. Zhan Heqing was the eldest son from the capital. This time, his family specially arranged for him to be sent to a relatively remote county so that he could have political achievements and be promoted.

Of these counties, Zhan Heqing chose Huaihe County at first glance, not for any other reason than his rebellious uncle who had gone to Huailin to serve as the county magistrate.

He can be closer and visit his uncle while he's there.

However, upon arriving in Huailin, he discovered that the previous magistrate of Huailin County was an ambitious but unrealistic minor official who had left behind a lot of messes. When he took over, he was busy for quite some time. He was looking forward to visiting his uncle when he received a letter from his uncle before he even went to Huailin.

After spacing out for a while, Zhan Heqing returned to find the madam kneeling on the ground: "???"

He coughed lightly, looking around at the prostitutes and male customers who resembled quails.

A flicker of disgust crossed his eyes.

They're all scoundrels who lust after women and do shady things; let them kneel as they please.

Zhan Heqing revealed a man and a woman behind him, Qingzhu and Qingtao, who had smiling faces and sharp eyes.

"I'm not here to cause you trouble. These two people have something to do. Communicate with them properly and don't try anything funny."

"Also, I am the magistrate of Huailin County."

Madam: ? ? ? How could she possibly dare to play tricks on the people brought by their county magistrate?

Looking at the terrified madam, Qingtao said with a forced smile, "We are Qingtao and Qingzhu, servants of Xie Yin, the newly appointed top scholar of His Majesty. We have come here specifically to pick up our Master Xie's sister, Xie Hongyu, at the behest of the top scholar. So please, madam, name your price and let us take Miss away."

The madam was filled with doubt; so much time had passed that she could no longer recall the matchmaker's original name.

She asked in confusion, "But Miss, where do I have Miss Xie's people?"

Qingtao smiled gently, but her eyes flashed with cold light: "Perhaps you also know that our young lady has another title—matchmaker."

The madam's composure was completely shattered.

The madam was puzzled and reluctant to part with the idea that a top scholar's younger brother had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, except perhaps because of that shameless matchmaker.

After all, the matchmaker's aura still attracts many followers.

But seeing the menacing looks in their eyes, she couldn't bring herself to refuse. She slapped the trembling Old Zhang hard: "Quick, hurry up and take the red..."

Qingtao's sharp gaze pierced through her, and she abruptly changed her words: "Please ask Miss Xie to come out."

She had never been so keenly aware that the matchmaker was a powerful figure she couldn't afford to offend.

...

"Then please give me fifty taels of silver, no, thirty taels of silver, ten taels of silver." Before the waiter could pay, the madam changed her mind.

Qingtao smiled insincerely and said, "That won't be necessary. We should repay the madam for her 'good care' and give Miss Xie the money she owes. We should pay whatever amount is due."

"This is a real painting of Xu Zhenren that our master found by chance. It is worth ten thousand taels of silver. Please accept it, madam."

After saying that, Qingtao carefully handed the painting tube to the madam.

The madam accepted it almost without hesitation, overjoyed.

"Ha, thank you for your generosity, thank you for your wisdom. Miss Laiqing, please keep Miss Xie's indenture safe."

Qingtao carefully put away the indenture. Miss Xie hadn't come down yet, and she would have to personally instruct Miss Xie to handle the indenture properly later.

Zhan Heqing watched this scene silently, somewhat surprised, and marveled at the soft-heartedness of the top scholar. This was clearly a madam who bullied his sister, yet he treated her so gently. He was truly a heartless person.

What Zhan Heqing didn't expect was that Qingyin wasn't being kind; she was actually trying to send the madam to hell ahead of time.

Not just anyone can keep her money.

Meanwhile, the matchmaker also understood the message from Lao Zhang. She was so startled that she dropped her teacup on the ground and it shattered.

But she laughed.

"Hahaha, good, good, she's really starting to trust Ain more and more."

The matchmaker laughed until tears streamed down her face, and she casually wiped them away with her slender fingers.

Old Zhang didn't know why the matchmaker suddenly laughed. Perhaps it was because her younger brother was happy to have become the top scholar?

Looking at the matchmaker whose identity was different from before, Old Zhang's thick voice became a little weak: "Then, Miss Xie, shall we go down? The people downstairs are getting impatient."

The matchmaker waved her hand, leaving no room for argument, and said, "You go out and wait over there first. I'll change my clothes and come down."

Old Zhang opened his mouth, wanting to urge her, but looking into the matchmaker's eyes, he didn't dare.

The matchmaker's eyes revealed a hint of the way those important figures looked at her; she no longer resembled the delicate courtesan she once was, and he dared not treat her so casually anymore.

After Old Zhang left, Qinghe, who had been following Hongniang from a lowly maid to a personal maid, finally snapped out of her daze and looked at Hongniang:

"Madam, what's going on?"

Qinghe had many questions, such as when the lady had an extra younger brother, how this younger brother suddenly became the top scholar in the imperial examination, and how he came to pick up Hongniang. Hongniang seemed to know all of this, but after thinking about it for a long time, Qinghe only asked a few questions.

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