"Stay here? What is there to miss in this desolate, barren place?"
"Could it be...could it be that he was frightened and went mad?" The crowd whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with sympathy and regret as they looked at Xie Wendong.
“You don’t understand!” Xie Wendong shook his head regretfully.
His regret wasn't that those people didn't understand, but rather that he felt he had arrived too late.
They should completely sever ties with the Eastern Palace before the Crown Prince goes mad!
In this way, he can arrive at the barren mountain early and witness this magical place!
The group of staff members behind them looked at each other in bewilderment.
Inside the main hall of the county government office, the atmosphere was completely different from the hustle and bustle outside.
Sunlight streamed through the tall window frames, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone-paved ground.
Those white-haired, usually arrogant scholars, after exchanging glances and whispering among themselves, had already made up their minds.
The oldest among them, an elderly man surnamed Zhou, was the first to step forward.
"Fellow scholars," he cleared his throat and addressed the other Confucian scholars.
“We observed that the Mountain Goddess acts with clear distinction between reward and punishment, and follows a set of rules. She is not an unreasonable and domineering person.”
"I suppose He wouldn't forcibly detain us scholars, lest we tarnish our own reputation and ruin our faith."
Another scholar surnamed Kong, known for his uprightness, nodded in agreement: "Brother Zhou is absolutely right. Although this place is safe for the time being, it is not a good place to stay for long."
"I still have a family and children to worry about in the capital, and I cannot neglect my studies!"
"How about we bid farewell to Magistrate Xu together and sound him out so we can make plans in advance?"
The agreement was reached, and the scholars straightened their slightly wrinkled clothes.
Everyone tried their best to appear calm and composed as they slowly walked to the front of the hall.
The head of the group, Master Zhou, bowed deeply to Xu Rurong, who sat at the head of the table with a calm expression.
"Magistrate Xu." His voice was steady, carrying a hint of the reserve and pride unique to scholars.
"We have come from the capital and have troubled the county government for many days. We are truly uneasy about it."
"Now that the rebellion in Qingzhou has been quelled, we have witnessed the divine power of the desolate mountain firsthand and are deeply impressed."
"However, we are still tied up with worldly affairs in the capital, and our families are eagerly awaiting our return day and night. I wonder if the magistrate could do us the favor of taking our leave and returning to the capital?"
The other scholars also bowed and echoed, speaking earnestly, hoping to escape this eerie place as soon as possible.
Xu Rurong put down the official document in her hand, raised her head, and revealed a meaningful smile on her face.
The smile was gentle and polite, yet it carried a hint of sharpness, as if it could see through their deepest thoughts.
"Why are you gentlemen in such a hurry?" His voice was calm and unhurried, carrying a sense of composure and confidence.
"You are all guests who have come from afar, and I have not yet fulfilled my duty as host."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and looking out of the yamen, his smile deepening.
"Why don't we take a look outside the door and see who has arrived?"
He raised his finger and pointed outside.
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