"General Gu, lunch is being prepared. If you and Miss Qiu do not mind, please come with me to the Xu residence for a meal," said Prefect Xu.
Father Jiang originally wanted Gu Qian to stay for a meal, but since Prefect Xu had already said so, he couldn't say anything more.
"General Gu has been busy all night. Why don't you rest with me for a while in the mansion before going to Lord Xu's mansion for a meal?"
Gu Qian nodded, "Alright." He hadn't slept well for two nights and needed to catch up on his sleep.
Qiu Yan originally wanted to go along, but Jiang Liu pulled her away to the courtyard where Jiang Lian and his wife lived.
After everyone else left, only Jiang's father and Prefect Xu and his daughter remained. Prefect Xu looked around and asked, "Is Qiu Dafu at home?"
"Yes." Father Jiang nodded. Qiu Dafu and Zheng Hong, upon hearing the question, walked out of the artificial hill and appeared in front of Father Jiang and Prefect Xu.
When Jiang's father looked at Qiu Dafu again, his eyes remained indifferent.
If Qiu Dafu has no interest in his daughter, he will definitely treat her with great hospitality. Conversely, even if Qiu Dafu manages to get close to Gu Qian, he will never back down.
He has his own principles and looks down on people from the countryside.
Upon discovering that Prefect Xu and Qiu Dafu had something to say to each other, he arranged for Prefect Xu to sit in the main hall and sent a servant to serve him a pot of fine tea.
Inside the main hall, Prefect Xu stood silently watching Qiu Dafu.
The air around him seemed to freeze because of his seriousness.
Qiu Dafu remained calm and collected, patiently waiting for the prefect to ask his questions.
Zheng Hong and Xu Qing, who were standing to the side, were getting a little anxious.
Xu Qing: What exactly does Father mean? Shouldn't I thank him?
Zheng Hong: Lord Xu, please say something.
After a long silence, Prefect Xu finally said, "Qiu Dafu, was it you who came up with this terrible idea to burn down many of my government offices?" The worst part was that his study was burned down.
Qiu Dafu paused slightly, then nodded. "Yes."
Zheng Hong felt a chill run down his spine and quickly knelt down, saying, "Your Excellency, the fire that night was started by me; it had nothing to do with Brother Qiu."
Qiu Dafu: "The idea was mine, Zheng Hong, don't say anything more."
Xu Qing's expression changed. "Father, it was Brother Qiu who saved you."
Prefect Xu's tense expression suddenly softened, and he shook his head helplessly, "The files are destroyed. Now we have an explanation for His Majesty."
Qiu Dafu clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "It was my fault, and I am willing to accept the punishment."
Prefect Xu laughed heartily, helped Qiu Dafu up with both hands, and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for your generous rescue that day. Please accept my bow."
Zheng Hong stared blankly. He silently got up, stepped aside, and became invisible.
The prefect is really good at scaring people.
He was terrified, thinking that the prefect was going to find Brother Qiu to punish him.
Damaging government offices and burning case files are no small crimes; in serious cases, they can be punished with the death penalty.
He was a subordinate of the county magistrate, and usually he could only kneel and pay his respects to the prefect. But now, the prefect himself was paying his respects to Qiu Dafu. What an honor this was!
The contrast between before and after made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Qiu Dafu quickly stepped forward and held Xu Zhifu's arms with both hands, saying, "Your Excellency, please don't do this."
Prefect Xu looked at Qiu Dafu with a smile, his brows full of admiration, "Don't refuse, you are worthy of this gift."
Xu Qing lowered her beautiful eyes, glancing at Qiu Dafu every now and then, her heart pounding.
This man stood tall and imposing, with a dignified and handsome appearance.
He's just a bit old.
Thinking of the scene when Qiu Dafu saved her father that day, Xu Qing looked at Qiu Dafu seriously, bowed and said, "Brother Qiu, please accept my bow."
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