Ye Daquan was very angry; he still wanted to wait for Magistrate Lu.

But Granny Fang just stood there, smiling.

Ye Caiping said, "Big brother, let's go home!"

"Hmph!" Ye Daquan then flicked his riding whip.

The carriage slowly departed from the government office.

As he walked, Ye Daquan muttered under his breath: "What the hell? What does it matter to her whether my little sister gets married or not? Did she miss her meal? And she's banging on the table and chairs like that."

Inside the carriage, Old Mrs. Ye was trembling with anger: "That magistrate's wife seems to be doing this for Cai Ping's own good, but why does she seem to have us cornered?"

"And things have been very strange lately. We've never seen so many matchmakers coming to our door before, but suddenly they've all started coming after the magistrate's wife. I have a feeling this is related to the magistrate's wife?"

She had found it strange from the start, but dared not think of the magistrate's wife. After all, she was of noble status, so why would she scheme against her own daughter for no reason?

Ye Daquan said angrily, "Then it must be her! She deliberately finds some ugly people to smear my little sister, and then talks about her cousin or someone else. With that as a comparison, my little sister will choose them."

Grandma Ye then thought of the recent rumors: "But... how could she have even smeared the county magistrate?"

Ye Caiping said, "This is called cutting off the fuel supply. The county magistrate is an official, and his reputation is important. If such rumors were to spread, the county magistrate would definitely avoid me."

Old Lady Ye said, "Is this because... you're afraid the magistrate will take a liking to you? This way, it will directly cut off any possibility between you two."

"Damn! Who could have come up with this?" Ye Daquan's eyes widened. "What do we do now? I'm afraid all the constables will side with the magistrate's wife. We can't even see the magistrate. How are we supposed to deal with her?"

Ye Caiping said, "This rumor was meant for the county magistrate. If he knows how to handle it, then he will."

...

There was a lot of gossip in the village, but no one dared to let it reach Ye Caiping's ears.

After all, Ye Caiping was the boss of most people, and a furniture workshop was also being built, so the villagers didn't dare to say anything.

The next day, Ye Caiping was drawing in her study when Xiao Yan came in and said, "Auntie, the magistrate has arrived."

Ye Caiping frowned: "He came in person?"

"Hmm." Xiao Yan nodded timidly. "They're in the outer hall. Should we call Grandpa to come along?"

Because the other party was the county magistrate, she dared not refuse him entry.

Now that the rumors are getting nasty, Xiao Yan wants another man to be present.

Where is your great-grandfather?

"They're in the fields."

"No need, I'll go."

People have already arrived and entered her house. No matter how many people are meeting together, outsiders can't see them, so what difference does it make?

Ye Caiping arrived at the outer hall, and Xiao Yan stood silently to the side.

Magistrate Lu, dressed in plain clothes, was sitting in a chair with his advisor, Luo. Upon seeing her, he stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"Madam Ye, I'm so sorry, I never expected Madam to do such a thing."

Ye Caiping asked, "Does the lord know what the lady has done?"

Magistrate Lu said, "I heard from the yamen runners and servants that you came to see me yesterday. But I was in the middle of a case at the time, so you went to see my wife instead."

"Madam wants to arrange a marriage for Lady Ye. Lady Ye disagrees; she... seems rather adamant."

Ye Caiping raised an eyebrow: "That's all?"

Magistrate Lu's face flushed red: "And..."

Ye Caiping laughed at the joke: "Last time, after the magistrate caught Gu Han, he came to see the yellow cassava. His wife also came. When I went out with the magistrate, his wife actually told my mother that she wanted to arrange a marriage for me."

"Later, many matchmakers came, talking about all sorts of shady families. They also spread some unsavory rumors about you. Yesterday, when we came to see you, your wife wanted to arrange for me to marry one of your cousins."

Magistrate Lu's face darkened further upon hearing this: "I... know as well."

"I knew it, Your Excellency is very perceptive."

Magistrate Lu was made even more embarrassed by what he had been said, and he gritted his teeth and said, "I'm not afraid to admit it, but my wife is very jealous. Of the two concubines we originally had, one died of illness and the other was sold."

“Aside from the son and daughter she bore me, I have no other children. But I have been silently enduring it because of my children.”

"Over the years, whenever I glance at a certain woman, she always causes trouble."

In the end, Magistrate Lu even began to complain: "I really don't want to hide it, but this matter... was also done by her. I'm truly sorry."

Ye Caiping said, "Actually, it's nothing. Now that the magistrate knows, he can tell his wife to rest assured. If I, Ye Caiping, have even the slightest thought for you, may I be struck by lightning."

Magistrate Lu's face flushed red: "Yes, yes, yes. I already reprimanded her yesterday. She has already admitted her mistake. How about I invite Madam Ye and her family over for a meal? If there's any misunderstanding, we can talk it out face to face."

Ye Caiping was wary: "Thank you for the invitation, sir. Since you have already thought it through, there is no need for you to come again and cause any more trouble. Also, since you are of such high status, next time you need something, just send a servant to deliver the message. No matter what it is, I will do my best to assist you."

Magistrate Lu looked at her, startled, and nodded: "Madam Ye is right. I have lost my composure. I shall take my leave now."

Ye Caiping quickly bowed and saw him off.

After Magistrate Lu left, Old Lady Ye walked in from behind the door.

When Magistrate Lu arrived, she was picking vegetables in the garden. Upon hearing the news, she immediately returned and overheard the entire conversation.

Grandma Ye said, "Rumors are already circulating, yet he still came to our door in person?"

Ye Caiping's face also looked very unpleasant.

Xiao Yan said, "I saw that he came in a horse-drawn carriage, but the carriage didn't have any government markings. With so many merchants coming to pick up goods, as long as he doesn't show his face, how would the villagers recognize him?"

Grandma Ye finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

But not long after, Granny Zhao arrived.

Ye Caiping and Grandma Ye were picking vegetables in the corridor when they saw her rushing over and their faces darkened.

Granny Zhao plopped down on a small stool and said, "I heard the magistrate came to your house again?"

Grandma Ye was startled and snapped the water spinach in her hand: "How did you know?"

Granny Zhao waved her hand dismissively: "Hey, don't think we won't know just because the carriage was changed. That coachman, he's been here with the magistrate before! We all know him. Caiping, you really have no connection with him?"