Before Fu Zhun's hoarse voice completely faded, Su An interrupted him with a sigh that sounded both sighing and helpless: "I actually have a life goal."
"I want to get rich and live a normal, happy life with my family."
After a pause, Su An looked at him with clear eyes, "This goal is very ordinary, isn't it? But what I want is a simple and easy life, to be able to do what I want, and for my family to have no worries."
"I don't want to get involved in the storm."
Su An's words were soft, but when they landed on Fu Zhun's heart, it was as if a branding iron had burned a hole in it, and a faint, throbbing pain spread silently.
"Is that so..." He swallowed hard, managing to squeeze out two hoarse words.
Yes.
From the moment she first met Su An, she was not someone who cared about status or position. At that time, selling steamed buns every day was her greatest joy and pleasure.
The girl was carefree and pure, with no interest in power or him...
Fu Zhun's lips curled into a bitter smile as he tried to put on his usual smile, but the bitterness in his heart rose up, and he remained frozen.
Su An's heart skipped a beat when she saw his lost and cold expression.
Why is he reacting so strongly?
That shouldn't be the case...
Even if there is something between them, Fu Zhun is a prince. What kind of beautiful women hasn't he seen? There's no need for him to act like this after being rejected.
Su An bit her lip reluctantly, wondering if she had spoken too harshly and damaged the prince's confidence.
"Well, actually, it's not that I don't like you, it's just that..."
Fu Zhun suddenly raised his eyes, and a burning intensity blazed in them.
Such dramatic ups and downs caused him to unconsciously clench his fists and his breathing to become heavier.
"I see."
Su An blushed and was speechless. "Understand?"
She didn't even know what she was saying, so how could he understand anything?
Fu Zhun's eyebrows slowly lit up, and he stared at her intently with a deep, warm gaze: "My feelings do not conflict with your goals."
"Su An, I will give you the stable life you want, just wait for me."
Su An: "..."
ah?
What do you mean by waiting or not waiting? How is it about waiting or not waiting?
"Is there some misunderstanding...?"
Su An looked at Fu Zhun with a blank expression, while the other party was in a good mood and just stared at her with a smile.
There must be some misunderstanding.
Su An twisted her fingers in confusion, unable to figure it out, so she changed the subject and asked, "Let's not talk about that. Did you come here so early in the morning for something?"
Fu Zhun's gaze fell on the two fingers she was clenching, and he nodded.
"Lin Yong was searching for the group of troublemakers yesterday, but lost track of them at the foot of the mountain. He only managed to capture a dozen or so ordinary villagers who were not very skilled."
"Villagers?" Su An was taken aback.
Fu Zhun said, "They were local villagers who also participated in the riot. Later, we traced them back to Yujia Village and found out through investigation that the entire village had participated in yesterday's riot."
"They mingled in the crowd to ambush the officials, creating an opportunity for the group to escape. Because of the large number of people, it was difficult to sentence them."
"Good heavens!" Su An slammed his fist on the table in anger. No wonder Old Yu was so arrogant; he had incited and won over quite a few people!
"Is the person we caught at the county government office? I'll go check it out right now!"
"Together." Fu Zhun secretly raised his hand, signaling Jian Yi and the others to follow.
When they arrived at the county government office, they found that the situation was even worse.
A large group of villagers surrounded the entrance to the county government office, protesting with great emotion.
"Why can't we local people participate in the construction of the cement road? All the benefits have been taken by the refugees, while they don't care about our lives and arrest us from Yujia Village without even asking any questions!"
"That's right! Refugees are pitiful, but aren't we farmers pitiful too?! This magistrate doesn't care about the people of Fuyou County at all; he's only biased towards outsiders!"
"You corrupt official, come out here and release them! Give us justice!"
The shouts and curses echoed throughout the land. If they weren't afraid to trespass on the government office and give it a handle against them, they probably would have already rushed in.
“This…” Su An was shocked.
How could a road construction project that was meant to benefit the people be so easily instigated into public outrage?
That's absolutely infuriating!
However, before Su An could do anything, the villagers at the very back saw her and recognized her at a glance.
"She's Su An! The one in charge of the cement road!"
A group of villagers instantly turned to her with menacing eyes, like wolves and tigers.
"Fine, what a stinky woman! Instead of staying home to be a good wife and mother, she insists on meddling in things. How can a woman like you manage such important matters!"
"It must be you who colluded with that corrupt official to try and force us ordinary people to our deaths. You're such a despicable wretch who deserves to be taught a lesson!"
Several villagers who were closest rushed forward and raised their hands to slap Su An.
But the next moment, he was blocked by dozens of sword guards, who instantly drew their swords.
They didn't even make a move; just a flash of cold, sharp sword light and an aura of killing intent erupted, and the villagers who had rushed out were instantly silenced, frozen in place.
Fu Zhun coldly glanced at the group of villagers and ordered, "Clear the way."
"Anyone who dares to misbehave again will be killed without mercy."
The voice wasn't loud, but the icy words sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.
The villagers looked at each other in bewilderment, a deathly silence falling as if their throats had been choked. The sword guards made way for them wherever they went.
Su An followed Fu Zhun and finally entered the county government office without any hindrance.
This kind of thing really needs to be done by really good people.
She sighed inwardly, while Lin Yong, who had received the report, hurriedly came out and said, "This humble official greets Your Highness and Miss Su."
Su An's eyes widened, and she looked at him in astonishment.
At this moment, a sour smell wafted from Lin Yong, making him look like he had fallen into a swill pit, with scattered vegetable leaves on his head, looking extremely disheveled.
She frowned: "Did those villagers put this on Lord Lin?"
Lin Yongxin nodded, utterly exhausted.
“Yesterday, we interrogated the villagers we arrested and learned that the troublemaker, Lao Yu, came from Yujia Village and later moved to the prefectural city. Moreover, Lao Yu is the old village chief’s son, so I just took the old village chief away.”
The people of Yujia Village chased him all the way to the yamen (government office). He only had sixteen yamen runners on duty, but the other side had more than a hundred.
Su An was completely bewildered; he never imagined that the old man could involve such a considerable force!
Fu Zhun frowned slightly and said, "Bad people come from poor and remote places. The Yu family village has gathered to attack officials appointed by the imperial court. They can no longer be treated as ordinary people. Let's send troops to suppress them."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yong felt it was inappropriate and cupped his hands, saying, "This humble official intends to interrogate the old village chief first. If Yu Family Village remains obstinate, it will not be too late to suppress it."
The old village chief had just been taken away and was in the yamen (government office). He saw the people after walking a few steps.
Unexpectedly, the old village chief had a kind face. His hair was gray and his back was hunched. When he saw Lin Yong, he leaned on his cane and bowed shakily.
Su An couldn't help but feel worried for him, and her brows furrowed even deeper.
This old village chief doesn't seem like the kind of person who would be unreasonable and incite a riot.
Before Lin Yong could ask any questions, the old village chief coughed twice and said calmly, "Your Excellency, there's no need to ask. I'm practically in my grave; I really don't know anything."
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