"Nonsense!" someone below shouted.
Zhao Xiheng glanced down and saw that the Prefect of Ji'an was blushing and his wife was covering his mouth and pressing him down. Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, his wife could no longer cover his mouth.
"Ducks generally feed on weeds, snails, and insects. Unless they are extremely hungry, how could they possibly eat rice? As long as the number of ducks is controlled, this method is mostly feasible," he said confidently.
Shen Du'an's eyes widened, but he kept emphasizing, "The master and the magistrate would not lie to me. The magistrate has provided me with food and clothing for more than ten years and has done me a great favor."
Wei Li kicked the table. "If you're really completely useless, then he's crazy. Why did he raise you for over ten years for nothing? And take you everywhere he goes?"
The subordinates couldn't help but start whispering among themselves. No wonder Jiangdong County always gets rated "excellent"; it turns out they do it by skinning people alive. If they had known there were such benefits, they would have all learned from them.
Zhao Xiheng couldn't help but rub her temples, feeling sorry for the young man. He was so grateful for a bite to eat. If he really had such talent, he would have everything he needed, not just enough to eat and wear.
She was also angry. The Jiangdong County Prefect's behavior was truly heartless. On the one hand, he belittled people, saying that they were no good and no good, and on the other hand, he wanted to use their talents for his own purposes. How could there be such a heartless person in the world?
"What else did he make you do?" Zhao Xiheng asked, suppressing her temper.
Shen Du'an was clearly still reeling from the fact that the Jiangdong prefect had used him, and he shook his head groggily, "No... I didn't do anything."
The wife of the Prefect of Jiangdong quickly raised her hand, "I know, I have told you everything. I only ask that you let me off the hook. I was not involved in this matter and am not an accomplice. Although there is suspicion of withholding information, please forgive me for my voluntary reporting."
This couple is a classic example of abandoning each other in times of trouble; when one is in trouble, the other quickly distances themselves to protect themselves. They can only share wealth, not hardship.
Zhao Xiheng and Wei Li were utterly shocked by the couple's marital relationship, but they still nodded in agreement.
Wei Li silently tightened his grip on Zhao Xiheng's hand.
“On weekdays, all the official documents submitted from below are reviewed by Shen Du’an. He also has to do the pruning of the flowers and plants in the mansion, and help out in the kitchen. Whenever Shen Du’an is not attending classes or reviewing official documents, he has to do all of these things. Shen Du’an is an adopted son, and he should have an allowance of one or two taels of silver a month, but this shameless old man keeps it all for him. Even hiring a day laborer outside costs money, but Shen Du’an is just a free laborer. He goes wherever he is needed and is extremely useful.”
The wife of the Prefect of Jiangdong spoke at length, afraid that she would seem insincere if she spoke too late. She took a breath and finally tugged at Chen Du'an's clothes, "This garment was made the year before last, and it's all washed white. He gets up at 3:00 AM every morning and rests at 1:00 PM, without a single day off for 365 days a year."
Shen Du'an mumbled in a daze, "This is a blessing, and also a test for me. Good deeds will surely bring good results. Heaven will favor those who are diligent, hardworking, sincere, and selfless. The small efforts I'm making now will naturally be rewarded when the time is right."
Wei Li was already numb from listening, and couldn't help but close his eyes, even afraid that hearing another word would poison him.
Zhao Xiheng suddenly felt a pang of sadness. What a load of rubbish about good fortune! After more than a decade of brainwashing, this young man can no longer distinguish between truth and falsehood. Even a donkey needs carrots to keep pulling the millstone, right?
Working year-round without rest, without benefits or wages, is outrageous just to think about.
"Let him approve the memorials, let him compile the summaries, he's done everything you're supposed to do! What are you still doing as the Prefect of Jiangdong? Why not just give him the position too! Are you just going to sit around doing nothing and eat for free? At least you can raise a pig and then slaughter it for meat at the New Year, but what good are you?" Zhao Xiheng was so angry that she threw wine at the Prefect of Jiangdong. "Did you peel off your left skin and stick it to your right? You're shameless on one side and thick-skinned on the other! You have absolutely no ability and you're just a useless person holding a position. You're like a mudfish with a little salt trying to pass yourself off as seafood. If you can't do the job, then get out!"
Wei Li was dumbfounded. He comforted her and told her to sit down quickly. "You were telling me to calm down just now. Why aren't you calm down now?"
However, he was quite happy, finally he wasn't the only one being scolded by Zhao Xiheng.
"I shouldn't have stopped you just now. I should have let you kick that beast a few more times." Zhao Xiheng couldn't help but put herself in his shoes, and the thought made her scalp tingle. She had already restrained herself from using foul language, after all, she still had to maintain some dignity in front of others.
Not only Wei Li, but everyone below was also stunned. They never expected that Zhao Xiheng, who looked so gentle, weak and timid, could be so eloquent when she started cursing. They blushed and put themselves in her shoes, feeling like they were also mudfish dipped in salt.
However, with Zhao Xiheng being so shrewish, if her daughter were truly given to Wei Li, she might not even survive half a year under her control.
This Jiangdong prefect is utterly shameless! He's a complete skin-peeling devil, not only working for free without paying, but also brainwashing people into believing in blessings.
If doing more work brings good fortune, then why doesn't he do it himself?
If this continued, there would be no turning back. The governor of Jiangdong wiped his face and tried to argue, "I have recognized Shen Du'an as my son, and it is only natural for a son to serve his father..."
"Did you give birth to him or raise him? Just because you give him food doesn't mean you can act like royalty. Even if you give him food, it's what he earned through his own work, it's what you're obligated to give him."
He wanted to argue a few more words, but Wei Li interrupted him, "Shut up, the Jiangdong Prefect is a useless official, his virtue and ability are not worthy of his position, he deceives his superiors and subordinates, and has no respect for the law, drag him out."
Zhao Xiheng didn't stop them this time. After all, someone had set a bad precedent, and if they weren't dealt with severely, more people would follow suit in the future.
At that time, not only will all the talented people be held captive by the lower classes and enslaved by them, making it difficult for them to hold the imperial examinations; this kind of oppression and brainwashing of others will also corrupt the atmosphere of the entire Pingzhou and allow the powerful and wealthy to further monopolize the officialdom.
“My lord… this humble one…” Shen Du’an knelt down with a thud, hesitant to speak. He had been exploited for so many years, and this was the first time someone had told him that it was wrong to be treated this way. He couldn’t believe it for a moment and couldn’t react. He instinctively wanted to protect the governor of Jiangdong County.
Wei Li nodded, "Don't worry, you won't be without work in the future. You'll have as much good fortune as you want."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Shen Du'an's breathing became labored, and he suddenly fainted.
Shortly after, a bloodcurdling scream echoed from outside the waterside pavilion. Wei Li glanced indifferently at the crowd below and said, "Who dares to be like him? His present is your future. Do a good job with this year's imperial examinations. I don't believe that each prefecture can't produce a single competent talent."
Everyone was trembling with fear, and all agreed.
Wei Li was satisfied. He was always the one who could exploit others, so how could he let someone as talented as Shen Du'an be left in someone else's hands and enslaved by them?
The farce has ended, the moon is already high in the sky, and the banquet should be over.
Some people had no intention of putting anyone near Wei Li and were ready to leave, while others, having witnessed Zhao Xiheng's fierceness when she cursed, also backed down. But there were always a few extremists who, with a gambler's mentality, decided to give it a try.
"My lord, please wait!" An official pushed his daughter forward.
"These are pastries that I specially made for my lord and his wife. Please accept them." The young lady, with her beautiful eyes looking expectant, nervously stumbled over and presented the plate.
Zhao Xiheng nodded. "Put it on the table."
The man below frantically winked at his daughter. The young lady blushed and glanced at Wei Li, then bit her lip shyly and said, "I have admired you, my lord, for a long time. I only wish to be by your side, even without a title."
Generally speaking, if a beautiful woman takes the initiative to throw herself into one's arms and one takes a liking to her, one should accept her, especially if she is the daughter of a subject. Even if one is not entirely satisfied, one would reluctantly accept her to save face for the subject, since the matter has already been made so explicit, it would be rather unreasonable not to accept her.
However, no one looked at Wei Li, but instead turned their attention to Zhao Xiheng, waiting to see her reaction. Would she stand up and slap this woman across the face?
Wei Li also looked at Zhao Xiheng, who said awkwardly, "Don't look at me, it won't do any good."
She thought this young girl was too young to see clearly. Why did she have to fall for Wei Li? Did her family even know he was an old dog? Anyone with a small heart would be driven crazy by him.
She knew Wei Li wouldn't agree and would most likely overturn the table, but she still couldn't help feeling a little unhappy, a kind of anger and resentment that her possessions were being coveted.
Zhao Xiheng casually picked up a pastry that the girl had placed on the table. It was pink, very delicate and beautiful, and had a milky smell.
"Want to try some? They've already made it." Zhao Xiheng narrowed her eyes slightly and held it to Wei Li's lips.
Her actions conveyed one thing, but her eyes betrayed another: even if I feed you, you can't eat it; if you dare to eat it, you're dead.
Wei Li dared not. He had turned his head to look at Zhao Xiheng just now because he was afraid that she would be angry. He was about to speak when he smelled the fishy smell of goat milk in his breath.
His face turned deathly pale, and he suddenly grabbed the table and began to gag. Zhao Xiheng quickly patted his back and handed him water to rinse his mouth. "It's been more than four months, why aren't you better yet?"
This was something she never expected. Nowadays, Wei Li rarely feels nauseous at the smell of anything. What was mixed in here that caused such a strong reaction?
Zhao Xiheng sniffed carefully; the milky smell had a hint of fishiness, so it was probably goat milk.
Wei Li struggled to sweep the plate of pastries away, "Take it away! Get out of here!"
The young woman turned deathly pale, and ran down to kneel, crying, "My lord, please forgive me."
I didn't expect that not only would I not eat it, but the smell would make me nauseous. Isn't that just looking down on her cooking skills?
"Our lord is unwell today, so everyone may leave." After saying this, Zhao Xiheng quickly led Wei Li around from the back, and the rest of the people gradually dispersed.
The young woman was left kneeling on the ground, sobbing and wailing.
Wei Li and Zhao Xiheng sat on the railing by the pond, enjoying the breeze. The fresh scent of plants wafted over the lake, slightly easing Wei Li's discomfort.
He buried his face in Zhao Xiheng's neck, wrapped his arms around her waist, and complained in a soft voice, "Adan, they all bully me."
Even though she knew he was faking it, Zhao Xiheng still softened, hugged him, patted his back, and gave him a piece of tamarind cake.
In the shadows, Wei Li gritted his teeth, his narrow eyes filled with malice.
Those who sowed discord between him and Zhao Xiheng deserve to die.
"Although she did something wrong, it doesn't warrant taking her life, do you hear me?" Zhao Xiheng slapped his head. People like the Jiangdong governor should be punished if they deserve it. He was in a position of power but did not fulfill his duties and bullied the innocent. But this young lady tonight is not a crime. Just teach her a lesson if she has any ulterior motives.
Wei Li was startled, his narrow eyes widening. How did Zhao Xiheng know what he was thinking?
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