What news do you have?
"Lord Zhu, my name is Lu Xiaonan, and I am Han Luoxue's second uncle."
Lu Xiaonan bowed respectfully, making sure to introduce himself first.
Hearing this person rambling on about trivial matters instead of getting straight to the point, Lord Zhu frowned in displeasure: "Get to the point!"
His voice was cold, and his round face was devoid of any smile.
It was clear that he was in a very bad mood. Lu Xiaonan also sensed something was wrong; he had come here today to sell information.
"Lord Zhu, it's like this." Lu Xiaonan tried hard to think of an explanation: "Didn't you tell me before that I could report any news about Han Luoxue or Han Yuchen to you?"
Lord Zhu did say that, but he's almost forgotten about it.
He had just suffered a loss at Han Luoxue's hands, so why would he need their information?
Seeing that Lord Zhu did not refute, Lu Xiaonan hurriedly said, "My wife went back to her parents' home today and also found out about Han Luoxue and the others."
Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the people in the room became somewhat strange.
However, no one spoke up or interrupted Lu Xiaonan. Seeing that no one stopped him, Lu Xiaonan continued, "Han Luoxue and Han Yuchen will definitely return before the New Year. That's what her mother said. Lord Zhu, this information of mine is absolutely reliable."
Seemingly afraid that people wouldn't believe her, Lu Xiaonan spoke with exceptional firmness. Han Jinghua had already said that Yunniang wouldn't lie.
After Lu Xiaonan finished speaking, Lord Zhu slowly said, "Is this the news you came to tell me?"
"Yes, I think this news should be useful to the adults, since there are only a few days left until the New Year."
"Heh heh, men, drag him out and give him twenty lashes!"
Lord Zhu's face suddenly turned cold, and he shouted angrily.
As soon as he finished speaking, two constables rushed forward, one on each side, grabbed Lu Xiaonan's arms, and dragged him out.
"Ah, Lord Zhu, I've come to provide you with information, and I'm telling the truth!"
Lu Xiaonan struggled, unable to understand why, after providing such useful information, Lord Zhu not only failed to reward him but also punished him with twenty strokes of the cane!
He had never been beaten this much in his entire life.
Waaah, if I had known that coming to deliver the message would bring no benefit and would only result in a beating, I would never have come.
Fortunately, he was afraid of arriving too late, so he specially borrowed an oxcart.
"Hmph, your news is true, but Han Luoxue has already returned! What good is it for you to tell me now that Han Luoxue might return before the New Year!"
Don't let Lord Zhu's somewhat rugged appearance fool you; he's usually quite careful with his words. Perhaps he's a bit greedy and likes to take advantage of others, but he rarely swears or curses. The fact that he's suddenly using profanity now is mainly because he's suffered too much today.
First, he was so angry at Han Mingyuan's house that he fainted, and then he was tricked and beaten by Magistrate Wen.
There are quite a few people in front of Han Mingyuan's house today. Too many people know about this, so there's no way to keep quiet about it.
When he got back, he flew into a rage, smashed a lot of things, and hit several people.
He was still breathing heavily, and he was still thinking about how to handle the matter, making sure the people below didn't know that he wanted to embezzle the grain.
If word gets out, he won't be able to keep his official position anymore.
At this moment, Lu Xiaonan arrived, bringing with him outdated news. How could he be happy?
However, Lu Xiaonan was shouting and yelling when he was being pulled away, so he didn't hear Magistrate Zhu's last words.
"Lord Zhu, I've always been loyal to you, you can't hit me!"
"ah……"
A cry of pain rang out as the plank outside the yard fell down, and Lu Xiaonan screamed in agony.
The sound startled everyone in the room, but Lord Zhu's mood unexpectedly calmed down.
Isn't Lu Xiaonan Han Mingyuan's brother-in-law? Han Luoxue's uncle? Hitting him is like slapping both of them in the face.
If they knew that Lu Xiaonan had come to inform on him… Lord Zhu’s mood improved considerably.
Magistrate Wen knew Lord Zhu very well; he could tell what she was thinking just by looking at her expression.
"My lord, you mustn't do this. If Han Luoxue and the others find out, no one will come to deliver messages anymore."
Actually, it was unwise of the adults at this time. If Lu Xiaonan were to go out and spread rumors, who would dare to stand on Lord Zhu's side in the future?
"You still dare to say that?"
With a loud slap, a hand landed on Magistrate Wen's face.
Magistrate Wen had already been slapped several times today. He gritted his teeth and continued to persuade him, "Sir, you really shouldn't have acted at this time!"
"If word gets out about Lu Xiaonan, no one will come to you with information anymore."
"You still dare to talk!"
Lord Zhu raised his chubby hand, but this time Magistrate Wen took a step back, avoiding his large, fat hand.
"I'm quitting this county magistrate position."
He was truly fed up with the foolish Lord Zhu. He was clearly not very smart, yet he was always resorting to petty tricks and was utterly useless.
"you……"
The county magistrate took off his official robes and sneered, "You can keep doing this all by yourself."
Without waiting for Lord Zhu to speak, he strode out.
"You, you can leave now, and you won't get a single penny."
In recent years, the economy has been bad, and the monthly salaries in government offices have also decreased significantly.
In recent months, they haven't received any salary at all.
Lord Zhu thought he could use this to control him, but unfortunately, Magistrate Wen only paused for a moment and said coldly, "I can tell the difference between a little silver and my life."
"You...you've gone too far..."
Lord Zhu stomped his foot in anger again, while the sound of the wooden board being struck outside continued. At first, Lu Xiaonan shouted at the top of his lungs, but now his voice was hoarse and had become softer.
After a while, a bailiff came in and said in a dutiful voice, "Your Honor, the twenty strokes of the cane have been carried out!"
"Drag him in!"
"Lord Zhu shouted angrily. The man was startled and quickly went out, grabbing one arm each and dragging Lu Xiaonan inside."
The two men did not let go, and Lu Xiaonan's legs dragged on the ground, his buttocks covered in blood, making him look extremely pitiful.
Do you know why I punished you with this?
Lord Zhu walked up to Lu Xiaonan, stared at him with his small eyes, and asked, word by word.
"I... I don't know."
"Han Luoxue and the others returned long ago, and I have already met with her!"
"Ah, this... how is this possible?"
They went to Hutouya Village today, but Han Luoxue hasn't come back yet.
They were only back for a short while, how did that person get back so quickly?
If that's the case, then Lord Zhu shouldn't have punished him. At most, he would have just kicked him out. Although Lu Xiaonan didn't know the reason, he could guess that there must be something else going on.
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