Zhao Changqing stared at her unabashedly.

He Youyou had already put the clothes she wore yesterday into the dryer, but they weren't dry yet. She was thinking of getting another one, but she forgot that the exit wasn't in her bedroom today.

However, for modern people, wearing a sundress simply means showing more skin.

He Youyou did not feel any discomfort.

Zhao Changqing didn't think so either.

His eyes felt comfortable.

The dark green silk dress made her skin appear even whiter and glowing.

Her silky hair cascaded down her back and shoulders, adding to her charm.

"Good morning," He Youyou greeted him casually.

Zhao Changqing didn't even blink: "...Good morning."

"Um... I'm going back to my room," He Youyou said, and started to walk out.

"etc."

Zhao Changqing got out of bed and draped his coat over her shoulders.

A sliver of clarity remained in his mind.

He can see He Youyou in this state, but others can't.

Even though He Youyou was quickly wrapped up tightly, she didn't refuse.

"Thank you, I'll be going now. See you later."

The mistress, wearing the master's outer robe, left the master's room.

Seeing all this, the money steward's head started to ache again.

Even though the master bought the courtyard next door, he insisted on staying in the side room of the He residence.

The mistress went into the master's room last night and stayed all night. This morning, she came out of the master's room wearing his clothes.

...

Oh dear, my head is throbbing from thinking about it.

He couldn't control it anymore.

I don't want to care, I don't care who it is, I'm just giving up.

That day, Zhao Changqing indeed went to the government office.

I don't know how I talked to Prefect Xie, but after the talk, everything went very smoothly.

The government issued a document stating that Jizhou is short of grain this year, and the use of grain to brew wine is prohibited throughout Jizhou for one year.

Later, about half a month later, the imperial court issued an edict: "In years of famine and high grain prices, the way to ensure sufficient food is through frugality. The five prefectures and counties in the north shall not arbitrarily produce wine or consume grain."

After Zhao Changqing finished procuring provisions, he also had to return to Youzhou.

Before leaving, He Youyou gave him a few bottles of wine.

"With the alcohol ban in place, it will be harder to buy alcohol even if you want to. This is wine from my hometown; take it back to Youzhou to drink."

Zhao Changqing's gaze never left her face: "Soldiers are not allowed to drink privately except at a reward banquet."

Hearing this, He Youyou pretended to take the wine back: "Then don't bring it, give it back to me."

Zhao Changqing reached out and hugged the wine, along with her hand, into his arms: "I'll hide it and drink it."

"Hiding it to drink would be disobeying military orders."

"Then wait until we're on leave, outside the barracks, and find a secluded spot to drink secretly."

He Youyou then withdrew her hand.

Zhao Wenqi waved to the Fourth Prince on horseback: "Uncle, take care on your journey, I'll miss you."

Zhao Changqing smiled and said, "Kid, your good days are numbered. Enjoy yourself here for a month and don't cause any trouble. In another month or so, I'll personally escort you back to the capital."

"Huh?" Zhao Wenqi asked with a mournful face, "Why?"

"You heartless brat. Your mother is due to give birth in a month or so, and you're out there having a good time, completely oblivious to your surroundings, not even wanting to come home. Don't you miss your parents? Don't you want to see your newborn siblings?"

Zhao Wenqi had nothing to say, and could only mutter in a low voice, "Okay, then Uncle, don't go back too early."

Zhao Changqing was too lazy to pay him any more attention.

His gaze then turned to He Youyou, lingering on her for a long time.

The steward, being very perceptive, immediately stepped forward to shield He Youyou upon seeing his reaction, and bowed to Zhao Changqing, saying, "Governor Zhao, please take care on your journey!"

Unsurprisingly, I was given a disapproving look.

Even when he was riddled with holes, Butler Qian didn't back down an inch.

Zhao Changqing had no choice but to pull on the reins and ride away with the Left Guard.

The horses' hooves clattered onto the official road.

They drifted further and further apart.

Another half month passed, and the imperial-built memorial archway was completed.

The prefect personally went to the Han family to hold the unveiling ceremony for the memorial archway.

A large red silk cloth fell from the main building of the archway, revealing four large characters inside: "Yize Township".

When the report was submitted to the emperor, a clerk in the government office once tried to be clever.

He offered a suggestion to Prefect Xie: "Sir, this Madam Han is a widow. Why don't we report her as a virtuous widow?"

The clerk meant well.

Chaste women, virtuous women, loyal ministers, and filial sons are four groups that the government and the court particularly like to praise.

If a place has a few exemplary figures of chastity and martyrdom, it is considered a political achievement for the local officials.

This shows that the local officials have done a good job in educating the people, and the people are of outstanding virtue.

It can also be a significant part of the triennial assessment.

The clerk thought that his words had hit the prefect right where it hurt.

But to everyone's surprise, it hit Prefect Xie right where it hurts.

Oh, virtuous woman...

What is that?

That was a woman who remained chaste and refused to remarry...

(A martyr is a woman who refuses to be humiliated and commits suicide to uphold her integrity.)

Once this chastity arch is erected, she can never remarry.

Remarrying would be defying the imperial decree and deceiving the emperor.

It is a serious crime.

If Lady Han cannot remarry, then... what will happen to him, the widower?

Xie Zhihong wanted to curse.

However, as a prefect, he always presented himself as a refined and cultured man.

Even in front of subordinates, he must never lose his composure; he could never bring himself to swear or curse.

However, Xie Zhihong is a cultured person.

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