Chapter 127 Leaving Qishan, amusing incidents in the car...
Magistrate Hu ultimately proved superior, winning a decisive victory in his contest of wits with Assistant Magistrate Wu. He then swaggered away in triumph.
She followed Zhang Ting's instructions, presented herself as kind and benevolent to the people, severely punished the local gentry who had embezzled funds, and even generously approved a resettlement allowance.
The displaced people of Qishan County, who had just left their homes yesterday with little hope of survival, have today reclaimed their houses and land.
They cheered and celebrated, weeping with joy, deeply grateful to the benefactor who had guided them through their confusion.
If it weren't for her, these common folk would have perished somewhere.
On the day Zhang Ting left Qishan County, the people of Qishan County spontaneously came to the city gate to see her off.
"Our benefactor, our benefactor, we will always remember your kindness!"
"My benefactor, my family grows fruits and vegetables every year, and we'll bring them to you then!"
"Our benefactor, we are deeply indebted to you, yet we do not even know your name?"
Nan Nan stood in a corner, wiping away her tears of gratitude. "Auntie helped them drive away the bad guys. She's such a good auntie, such a great auntie!"
Looking at the scene before her, her eyes were red and swollen, and her small face was full of seriousness. She decided that when she grew up, she would not eat meat or taro anymore. She must become a person like her good aunt!
Even at dawn, the air was very dry.
Zhang Ting coughed lightly, smiled, and said gently, "Fellow villagers, my name is Zhang Ting." It was getting late, so she bowed and said goodbye, "The mountains are high and the roads are long; we'll meet again another day."
She suddenly bent down and touched Nan Nan's face. "Little Coal, see you again sometime." After saying that, she lifted the hem of her robe, turned around, and stepped onto the carriage.
The people of Qishan County stood there sadly, some even unable to hold back their tears, truly reluctant to part with such a righteous and upright woman.
But they also knew that Zhang Ting had done everything she could for them.
He knelt down, wiping away tears, to bid farewell to her car frame.
"Have a safe journey, Lord Zhang!"
"Have a safe journey, Lord Zhang!"
Their eyes were fixed intently on the carriage as it slowly disappeared into the distance. Their gazes were filled with a unique firmness and sincerity. They not only wished Zhang Ting a safe journey, but also deeply hoped that her career would be smooth sailing and that one day she would be promoted to Yinzhou Prefecture, where they would have the honor of becoming the people under her rule.
Inside the carriage.
The blessings from men, women, and children echoed in Zhang Ting's ears. Her figure swayed as the carriage moved forward, and her thoughts gradually drifted away.
She was reflecting, summarizing, and digging deeper.
Of the fourteen counties in Yinzhou Prefecture, only one, Qishan County, has been resolved, leaving thirteen more 'Qishan Counties' remaining.
The entire Yinzhou Prefecture has once again become the imperial court's or emperor's money bag. Does it think that just because it is located in the heart of the Central Plains, it will be safe and sound? That it can easily quell the rebellion?
The officials of Yinzhou Prefecture are the easiest to control in order to seek personal gain.
Enough is enough. The Hall of Longevity that His Majesty so admires is still not completed. It has drained the life out of Yinzhou Prefecture, and there will be another Yinzhou Prefecture to come.
The wicked Xu Pin has been punished, but there will always be another 'Xu Pin' to advise His Majesty.
The trend of the times is what it is, and she, an ordinary county magistrate, is powerless to change it.
The best course of action now is to establish a firm foothold in Fengxian County, make a name for myself, and rise through the ranks. Hmm... I also hope to bring honor to my husband and daughters in the future.
Zong Suyi waved his hand in front of her eyes, but she didn't react. He puffed out his cheeks and rolled his eyes. What was this person thinking about now, so absent-minded?
Just as she was getting annoyed that she was being ignored, a brilliant idea flashed through Zong Suyi's mind.
He rolled his eyes with ill intent, stealthily moving behind her, his fingers darting towards her waist in a sneak attack. "You rascal, always playing tricks on me! Hmph, today I'll show you what I'm made of!"
Just as Zong Suyi was about to succeed, her hands, which were about to commit evil, were seized. The person had a playful smile on their lips, "Xiaoyi, my good husband, what do you want to do?"
Zong Suyi tried to pull her hands out, but after a long while she couldn't. She looked up and said awkwardly, "This servant wanted to massage my wife's back. My wife has been traveling a long way and still has to give advice to the people. You must be very tired. Please let go and let this servant take good care of you."
Zhang Ting maintained her original posture, looking at him with a half-smile, without moving an inch or saying a word.
Zong Suyi shrank his neck like a quail, looking at her cautiously, speaking softer and softer, until finally he had to resort to the art of tears.
He blinked, forced out tears, looked at her pitifully, and cried out in a sobbing voice, "My lady, please don't treat me like this, I'm so scared..." As he spoke, he turned his head away, his shoulders trembling, as if he was heartbroken by Zhang Ting's indifference.
He sobbed on and on for a long time, but couldn't hear the woman's gentle comforting voice. He suspiciously opened one eye and carefully turned around, only to be met with a smiling face, a forced smile that was chilling.
Zong Suyi reacted as if her hair had been instantly bristled, grabbing his hand and trying to get away from her, but Zhang Ting pulled her into his arms again. Her hand was on his waist, as if she was gathering strength to 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth'.
Startled by the sudden touch, his waist muscles trembled, and he shrank back, quickly begging for mercy: "My lady, my lady, I was wrong. You are a magnanimous woman, please forgive me this time, just for the sake of..." He abruptly stopped, his mind racing. What kind of forgiveness should he show this time? Was he pregnant? Was he young?
No, what can I do? I've already used all these excuses!
Ugh, my brain isn't working properly! Can anyone tell me what excuse to use?
"Is it because the young master was knocked unconscious by the heat?" A voice suddenly rang in my ears, as beautiful as heavenly music.
Zong Suyi was suddenly startled. What a good excuse! He exclaimed with delight, "Yes, yes, yes, for the sake of me being overwhelmed by the heat!" The next moment, he realized who had said that. He stiffly and fearfully looked up and subconsciously shrank into a ball.
"My wife..."
“Calling me ‘Mistress’ won’t do any good.” Zhang Ting placed him on the small couch and sighed helplessly. “My lord looks down on me, thinking that Zhang Ting is easy to fool and bully, right?”
She suddenly became serious, and Zong Suyi panicked instantly. "My lady, that's not what I meant. I... I just wanted to play around with you. You've been ignoring me, and I wanted to attract your attention." He was so anxious that he spoke incoherently.
Afraid that she was really sad, he quickly placed her hand on his chest. "My wife, I... I really didn't look down on you, and I never intended to deceive or bully you." He tugged at her clothes and shook her. "Don't be angry with me. I will definitely be more careful in the future."
Zhang Ting glanced at him listlessly, silently withdrew her hand, and turned her head away, as if she was utterly exhausted from being with him.
Zong Suyi was so anxious he was about to cry. A sense of suffocating panic filled his heart, making it hard for him to breathe.
At that moment, his mind was in chaos and he couldn't think straight; all he wanted was to win back his lover at all costs.
He clutched her clothes tightly, recalling all the things he had done that Zhang Ting was satisfied with or not, and how he had hastily made many humiliating and detrimental agreements, both in and out of bed.
Zhang Ting turned her face to the side, her eyes widening in disbelief. Could it really be like that? Could it really be like this?
Zhang Ting was deeply shocked and astonished. She glanced back at him, lost in thought. She couldn't believe her husband, at such a young age, had such a colorful array of ideas in his head.
Zong Suyi realized that even after he had talked on and on, his wife was still ignoring him. Was she completely disappointed in him? He sniffled in fear and burst into tears.
"My lady, I was really wrong..."
Seeing that things were going well, Zhang Ting gracefully took out a handkerchief to wipe away his tears, and said earnestly, "Since you have realized your mistake, I will give you a chance to reform." Her face was solemn and dignified, as if she were talking about something of utmost importance. "But you must remember, you must keep your promises, understand?"
Seeing that his wife was willing to forgive him, Zong Suyi felt instantly at ease. He stared at her tear-streaked face and nodded timidly, "I will, I definitely will." He sniffed, still shaken. He had almost, almost lost his beloved's heart.
He nestled into Zhang Ting's arms, absorbing her warmth to quickly melt away the chill that was gradually receding from his heart.
On such a hot day, he still snuggled up and hugged her. Zhang Ting clicked her tongue inwardly, sweat pouring down her body.
Time passed by, and although Zong Suyi was hot, he felt very comfortable.
But after a while, he suddenly realized something was wrong and instantly straightened up from her embrace. What had he done to Zhang Ting? All he did was try to tickle her, but he hadn't succeeded.
What did that expression mean? Was what I did seriously? How had I wronged her? Why did I agree to so many humiliating treaties that ceded our sovereignty and national dignity?
Zong Suyi's eyes were sinister. He suddenly turned his head and saw a triumphant, triumphant smile on someone's face. He was so angry that he felt like his head was about to burst into flames.
"You, you! You damned woman, you're playing me again!" He was so angry that his eyes turned red, and his chest heaved violently, as if brewing a storm.
But the culprit was still restless, glancing at him smugly, "Didn't you just agree? Are you perhaps trying to go back on your word, sir?"
She leaned back on the small couch, her hands behind her head, and said leisurely, "My lord, why don't you hurry up and serve your wife some tea?" She deliberately dragged out the last syllable and yawned, "You said you would do everything in your power to serve your wife, didn't you?"
Zong Suyi glared at her fiercely, picked up the teapot, poured a bowl of tea, knelt down in front of the small couch, held the teacup in both hands and presented it to her, her tone gritted as if she wanted to devour her whole, "My lady, please have some tea."
Use it! Use it! All she does all day is drink tea! What a cunning old woman!
Zhang Ting chuckled contentedly, a light and cheerful sound radiating unparalleled ease and comfort. He accepted the tea and drank it, saying, "Excellent tea, excellent tea." Chao Zong Suyi smiled, revealing his teeth, "As expected of your work, sir."
Zong Suyi became even angrier upon seeing this, his cheeks puffed up as if he were about to explode.
Zhang Ting, however, seemed to enjoy the situation more. She fiddled with her teacup, crossed her left foot over her right, and said in an exaggerated tone, "Oh dear, my legs are a bit sore today. It seems I'll have to trouble you, my husband, to give them a massage."
Zong Suyi suppressed his overwhelming rage and crawled forward on his knees, coldly twitching the corners of his mouth and clenching his fists.
You cunning, shrewish woman, I'll break your legs!
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Author's Note: [Starry-eyed] A new pre-order item, "A Fierce Omega (Female Alpha, Male Omega)," has been added to the list. I'll be writing it later, so feel free to add it to your favorites if you're interested!
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