At the county government office, Lord Hou wished he could send everyone to search for those villains, but even after sealing off the gates of Ningzhou, the search yielded no results.
Lord Hou has been so anxious these past few days that he can't eat or sleep.
Qin Sheng has a close relationship with the Regent. She's safe now, but what if those villains try to harm her again in secret?
Thinking of the Regent's cold, phoenix-like eyes looking at him, Magistrate Hou had a feeling that if something really happened to Qin Sheng in Ningzhou Prefecture, then his position as Magistrate of Ningzhou Prefecture would probably be over.
Magistrate Hou had his reasons for not wanting a promotion after serving as magistrate for so many years. Ningzhou Prefecture was incredibly wealthy, and he preferred to stay here as magistrate rather than be promoted to a higher official position. Besides, he was on the Regent's side.
However, he was not a greedy and corrupt official; he still had basic principles of official conduct and a conscience.
The advisor suggested, "Why don't we open the city gates, sir?"
"Open it?" Magistrate Hou's eyebrows shot up. "If we open it, won't they escape? How am I supposed to explain this to the Regent then?"
"But if we don't open it, Ningzhou is so big, when will this search ever end? And---"
The advisor narrowed his shrewd eyes. "Think about it," he said, "those villains, having missed their first strike, are definitely thinking of escaping. Why don't we..."
"..."
The advisor didn't finish speaking, but after a moment's thought, Lord Hou's mind immediately cleared.
Yes, it's better to release those people than to keep them in Ningzhou Prefecture.
The most frightening thing is knowing that they are hiding in Ningzhou Prefecture, but being unable to catch them.
"you're right."
Lord Hou slammed his hand on the table. "However, we cannot do this."
The advisor: "What does the master mean?"
Lord Hou chuckled: "The Marquis of Wuping is, after all, the 'local emperor' of Ningzhou. If something really happens to the Regent's sister here, do you think he can escape?"
"..."
The clerk was taken aback, then let out a long "oh" as if he understood, and gave a thumbs up: "The sir has a long-term vision."
...
Qin Sheng couldn't stay in the mansion forever; Madam Qin's birthday was approaching.
Those villains haven't been caught yet, but life in Ningzhou Prefecture remains prosperous and bustling.
Qin Sheng got up early this morning to buy some things and send them back to the capital as birthday gifts for her mother.
Qiao'er was recuperating at home, and Fei Cui had to manage the affairs of the mansion, so Qin Sheng only brought Cai Yue as her maid.
When they arrived at the outer courtyard, Lü Qingfeng was already waiting.
He was already dressed in the same dark blue short jacket as the Qin family guards, and he held his knife wrapped with strips of cloth in his hand.
The only difference between him and the guards of the Qin family was that he was taller and more handsome.
"Miss." When Lü Qingfeng saw Qin Sheng, he quickly clasped his hands in greeting.
Qin Sheng had already witnessed this person's stubbornness.
Unlike others, he didn't call Qin Sheng "Mrs. Qin" or "Boss Qin," but stubbornly called her "Miss."
Qin Sheng thought to herself, "Where can you find a girl as old as her?"
However, Qin Sheng still nodded to him, "I'll trouble Guard Lü today."
First, they went to the newly opened embroidery shop. Qin Sheng had entrusted the shop to Yu Rou, who had been living and eating at the shop for the past few days.
There were quite a few customers in the store today.
When Qin Sheng went in, Yu Rou was enthusiastically recommending items in the store to an older woman.
This girl has always been quiet and reserved. When Qin Sheng asked her to manage the embroidery shop, Yu Rou repeatedly said that she was not up to the task.
She said she was good at embroidery, but she would definitely mess up managing the shop.
Qin Sheng insisted, knowing that it wasn't that Yu Rou was incapable; it was simply because she had grown up in a family that favored sons over daughters and had been severely rejected.
The girls around her are actually quite capable.
Qin Sheng started looking around the shop by herself.
These items were all embroidered by Yu Rou, or were embroidered under her guidance by other embroiderers. The patterns are more novel and interesting than those of other embroiderers.
Qin Sheng's experience was summarized from running a pastry shop.
While they might not be as skilled as other shops in needlework and embroidery techniques, Qin Sheng had great confidence in Yu Rou's innovativeness.
This girl's skill and dexterity often amaze her.
Qin Sheng had just picked up a purse embroidered with wisteria flowers to look at when Yu Rou came over with a smile: "Wife."
"I just saw you introducing things to a customer; you were very articulate," Qin Sheng praised with a smile.
Yu Rou's cheeks flushed slightly. "No, it's all thanks to Steward Yu's excellent teaching and to you, Madam, for giving me such a rare opportunity."
She used to feel that her life was miserable.
Since my grandfather passed away, there has been no one in this world who has ever truly been good to me.
However, later, she met the Lady, the Regent, Steward Yu, and several of the Lady's sisters.
Yu Rou then realized that a woman's life is not limited to bearing children and managing household chores.
Women can also do business and survive in this world by relying on their own skills and craftsmanship.
"My lady, come with me." Remembering something, Yu Rou pulled Qin Sheng into the small room at the back.
There was a box on the table. Yu Rou carefully opened it and took out something from it. When she unfolded it, it turned out to be a painting of cranes dancing.
"This was embroidered by me personally." Yu Rou said somewhat embarrassedly, "Didn't you say that Madam Qin's birthday is coming up soon? You have done me a great service, so this is my birthday gift to Madam Qin."
She spoke with a hint of embarrassment, worried that Qin Sheng might find it offensive.
"It's so well embroidered." Qin Sheng held up the painting of dancing cranes and exclaimed in admiration, "Yu Rou, your embroidery skills are truly amazing."
Every stitch was meticulously embroidered, creating a lifelike and exquisite piece.
After leaving the embroidery shop, Qin Sheng had her purchases delivered back to her residence. She glanced at the sky and decided to visit the Daji family.
She wanted to pray for her parents and brothers, and also ask for a peace charm.
There weren't many people at Daji Temple in the afternoon.
This time, Qin Sheng didn't go to any side halls; she went straight to the main hall, offered incense, and then drew a fortune stick.
The hall was filled with a light mist. Qin Sheng shook out a very auspicious fortune stick. She was delighted and was about to pick it up when a pink embroidered shoe inlaid with pearls stepped on it.
"..."
"Oh, I'm so sorry." The owner of the embroidered shoes smiled and bent down to pick up the auspicious fortune stick.
Qin Sheng looked over as she moved and recognized who it was.
Wu Jin'er, the fourth daughter of the Marquis of Wuping.
"A very auspicious fortune." Wu Jin'er looked at the fortune stick in her hand, then at Qin Sheng, and with a "snap," broke the very auspicious fortune stick in her hand.
"You!" Qin Sheng frowned immediately.
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