The old magistrate of the Provincial Administration Commission, Lord Mei, was at home admiring his newly acquired calligraphy and paintings. These were works by famous artists from the previous dynasty, which he had been eyeing for a long time.
Now that I've finally got my hands on it, I'll have to show it off to those old guys.
Just as Master Mei was stroking his beard, considering who to invite to appreciate the famous painting together, a servant came to report that Ming Zhaoshuo and Magistrate Ling of Chengyang County were requesting an audience.
Master Mei's hand, which was stroking his beard, trembled. He then looked at the servant and asked, "Who did you say has arrived?"
The man replied, "It is Ming Zhaoshuo and Magistrate Ling."
Upon hearing this, Elder Mei muttered to himself, "This Ming Zhaoshuo is a rising star in the court recently, so it's not good to avoid him. And why is the Ling family boy here?"
That kid never comes to the temple without a reason; he must be in some kind of trouble.
"If that kid gets bullied within my jurisdiction, wouldn't Old Man Ling fight me to the death when we get back to the capital?"
Thinking of this, Elder Mei quickly ordered, "Go! Let them in."
Soon Yan Qingqing and Magistrate Ling walked in.
When Lord Mei saw the two of them coming together from afar, he actually had the illusion that they were a perfect match.
However, she quickly dismissed the idea, since everyone knew that the newly appointed Ming Zhaoshuo was a widow with seven children.
Ling Ziyuan has never been married before. If he were to marry him and become an unwanted father, Old Man Ling would be furious.
However, Master Mei glanced at Yan Qingqing again and thought that her demeanor was too good. Even some of the well-bred young ladies in the capital who had been raised since childhood did not have such demeanor and elegance.
Old Master Mei felt it was a pity that Ling Ziyuan didn't choose such a person as his wife.
Yan Qingqing had no idea that in just this one meeting, the old man was already making up all sorts of things about them.
Only when Yan Qingqing and the others approached did Elder Mei withdraw his scrutinizing gaze.
Yan Qingqing gave a deep bow to Elder Mei.
Magistrate Ling also bowed and said, "Greetings, Uncle Mei."
Yan Qingqing rarely saw Magistrate Ling be so polite.
However, it seems that Magistrate Ling is quite familiar with Elder Mei of the Provincial Administration Commission.
Yan Qingqing couldn't help but curse Magistrate Ling in her heart. Since they had such a close relationship, why didn't he say so earlier? What was the point of giving her all that high-sounding advice?
Lord Mei glanced at Magistrate Ling and snorted coldly, "Do you even respect me as your uncle?"
You've been serving as the magistrate of Xuancheng Prefecture for three years now, but you've never even seen me.
"What a waste that I always protected you when you were naughty and got beaten by your dad as a child."
This old man, Mr. Mei, is over sixty years old this year. He grew up with Ling Ziyuan's father, Old Master Ling.
Although Old Master Ling was a military general and Lord Mei was a civil official, the two got along very well.
If it weren't for the fear that the emperor would be wary of them, they would have become sworn brothers many years ago.
Naturally, Elder Mei had watched Ling Ziyuan grow up and knew his temperament best.
When Ling Ziyuan saw Elder Mei asking a question, he smiled and replied, "Uncle, do you think I didn't want to come?"
My husband told me not to bother you. He said that if I want to be a county magistrate, I have to rely on my own abilities.
If anyone dares to abuse your power for evil deeds, I'll break my legs.
How could I possibly let anyone know about our relationship?
Although I couldn't come in person, my nephews certainly haven't skimped on gifts for you during holidays.
Although Ling Ziyuan did not personally visit Lord Mei, he would send people to deliver gifts to Lord Mei during festivals.
Lord Mei knew he couldn't win an argument with him. Besides, with Yan Qingqing present, it was inappropriate to argue with him for fear of losing face.
Then, changing the subject, he looked at Yan Qingqing and asked, "This must be Ming Zhaoshuo, right? He certainly has a fine demeanor."
You've made a contribution to our Great Yan Dynasty.
This has also brought honor to our Xuancheng Prefecture.
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Lord Mei, you flatter me."
Lord Mei: ...
Why did he feel that Yan Qingqing was acting unpredictably?
Shouldn't most people offer a few words of flattery after being praised by their superiors? Why is Yan Qingqing so casual?
Seeing this, Magistrate Ling, who was standing to the side, chuckled, only to be glared at by both Lord Mei and Yan Qingqing.
Magistrate Ling awkwardly touched his nose. Well, he admitted he was now caught in the middle.
Old Master Mei, his beard bristling and eyes wide, said to Magistrate Ling, "You're the kind of person who doesn't come to my door without a reason. Speak, what brings you here today?"
Magistrate Ling immediately recounted how Han Yu had been wrongly accused of theft and imprisoned, as well as how Han Yu had been severely tortured in prison.
Lord Mei, being a civil official, cherished talent above all else. He immediately flew into a rage, exclaiming, "In broad daylight, how could such filth, corruption, suppression, and framing occur under my jurisdiction!"
Yan Qingqing's lips twitched upon hearing this. Such things were common under the emperors of all dynasties. Where did this old man Mei get his confidence?
Magistrate Ling, however, said with a fawning expression, "That's right, Uncle Mei. They know perfectly well that you cherish talent the most and cannot tolerate framing students and ruining their futures, yet they still dare to defy the wind. They're showing no respect for you."
Lord Mei glanced at Magistrate Ling and said angrily, "Stop talking so sarcasticly. I'm really going to take care of this matter."
After saying that, he immediately sent someone to bring Han Yu out of the dungeon, and ordered that anyone who dared to obstruct him be arrested immediately.
Then he sent men to arrest Zhao Luming as well, wanting to see what kind of family heirloom he had lost.
After giving these instructions, Lord Mei looked at Magistrate Ling and said, "Now you can hand over the witnesses and evidence, right?"
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Ling smiled and said, "Uncle, what are you saying? I came here today to give you my testimony."
After saying that, he took out a statement from his sleeve, which Lord Mei took and looked at carefully.
Then, frowning, he said, "How come the third young lady of the Shen family is involved in this?"
Magistrate Ling scoffed upon hearing this, and then said, "These people rely on their good background and are inherently stupid; no one can stop them."
Then Magistrate Ling told Lord Mei all the stupid things he had found Shen Hongyan had done.
She recounted to Lord Mei everything from the jealous rivalries in the brothels to slapping the illegitimate daughter of Prefect Liu in public over a piece of jewelry, and how she deliberately pushed Li Xinniang into the water to frame her.
Lord Mei was furious when he heard this, and Magistrate Ling took the opportunity to say, "Uncle, you can't keep protecting them just because of your past friendship."
Upon hearing this, Lord Mei jumped up and said, "What nonsense are you spouting, brat? What kind of rubbish did Old Man Ling tell you?"
Magistrate Ling quickly said, "It's nothing, it's nothing. I trust your character, Uncle. They say like mother, like daughter. I believe you would not be interested in a woman like that."
Upon hearing this, Lord Mei angrily pointed at Magistrate Ling and said, "Get the hell out of here!"
In the end, even Yan Qingqing was kicked out.
Yan Qingqing wanted to cover her face when she looked at Magistrate Ling; she knew this guy was unreliable.
If word gets out that she was kicked out by the Provincial Governor, where will she put her face?
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