The old man smiled with satisfaction the moment he saw the middle-aged official. He secretly praised Qingchi, saying that the young man had arrived quickly and it was time to teach the Chu family a lesson.
The moment Chu Yunfan saw Magistrate Shen Qingchi, the smug look on his face vanished instantly.
He heard from his father that the current magistrate of Qinghe County, Shen Qingchi, was a ruthless magistrate who was wholeheartedly devoted to the people. He was clearly capable of becoming an official in the capital, but he chose to come to Qinghe County.
He also heard from his father that Shen Qingchi was a very powerful figure, and that even if you were the King of Heaven, he would still handle things fairly if you fell into his hands.
The moment Shen Yunsheng saw the magistrate, she was completely terrified, her body stiffening and unable to move. This magistrate looked exactly like her deceased adoptive father, as if they were the same person. She remembered that her adoptive father had been swept away by a flood, and the villagers had searched everywhere but never found his body. If her adoptive father were still alive, could this man be the one standing before her?
Standing to the side, Xiao Jingchuan was equally shocked. He couldn't help but recall his suspicions: perhaps the newly appointed magistrate was Shen Yunsheng's adoptive father. Not only that, the two looked unbelievably alike, and even their ages were nearly identical. All these coincidences were too bizarre to ignore, making one wonder if some secret was hidden within.
At the same time, Xiao Wenjing and Granny Yang stared wide-eyed at Shen Qingchi, their faces filled with astonishment. Their hearts were filled with doubt and confusion. "Wen...Wenjing! Don't you think the magistrate looks a lot like someone?" Granny Yang stared intently at Shen Qingchi, her eyes flashing with shock and doubt.
Xiao Wenjing nodded, his voice trembling slightly: "I...I noticed too."
His gaze was fixed on Shen Qingchi, as if he wanted to see more of the truth beyond his appearance.
Granny Yang took a deep breath, trying to calm her excitement. "He...he looks so much like Shen Yunsheng's father," she said softly, her voice filled with memories and emotions.
Xiao Wenjing nodded in agreement, his brows furrowing slightly as he pondered the possible story behind it.
"Could it be..." He didn't finish his sentence, but it made everyone present fall into deep thought.
Shen Yunsheng stared blankly at Shen Qingchi, tears blurring her vision. She tried hard to control her emotions, refusing to let the tears fall. She told herself she couldn't cry, that she had to be strong and face reality. However, the longing and pain deep within her heart were uncontrollable. She didn't know how to face this sudden situation, nor did she know if this man was truly her adoptive father.
Shen Qingchi seemed to notice the strange looks from the crowd. He coughed lightly, signaling everyone to listen to him. His voice was deep and powerful, moving everyone present. "Gentlemen, why are you all gathered at the academy gate causing trouble?"
Shen Qingchi's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Shen Yunsheng, revealing a hint of concern.
Shen Yunsheng's heart raced, and she felt her breathing become rapid. She wasn't sure if this man really knew her, or if it was just an illusion.
However, when she heard Shen Qingchi's next words, she felt that this man was somewhat different from her adoptive father.
"As you all know, some things have happened recently," Shen Qingchi said solemnly. "These events have seriously affected the lives of the people and social order. As the county magistrate, I have a responsibility to maintain local peace and protect the rights of the people."
As Shen Qingchi spoke, Shen Yunsheng's thoughts drifted away. Her gaze swept across the crowd, and she seemed to see a small figure—her younger self, and the happy times she spent with her adoptive father.
She was very young then. Her adoptive father was a bachelor, but he had a warm heart. Every morning, when the sunlight streamed into the room, he would gently wake her and prepare a delicious breakfast for her. He would patiently teach her to read and write, and play with her. They spent many happy days together, and her adoptive father's companionship made her feel the warmth of home.
Recalling these beautiful moments, Shen Yunsheng's mood suddenly turned somber. She was now an adult, and her adoptive father had passed away. Although those beautiful memories belonged to the original owner of the body, she felt them deeply.
Sometimes, she thought that if her father in her previous life had loved her as much as her adoptive father, they wouldn't have become irreconcilable enemies, and she wouldn't have been killed and her bones scattered to the winds by her biological father.
When his wife uttered the words "crush to ashes" in her heart, Xiao Jingchuan's gaze involuntarily turned to her, his eyes filled with indescribable complex emotions.
He could hardly imagine the pain and despair a person would feel to suffer such cruel treatment after death. Even more unimaginable was that this person was his own biological father!
Xiao Jingchuan frowned, lost in thought. The scene kept replaying in his mind: his wife's ashes were scattered by the wind, turning into gray dust that drifted in the air, as if they would never return.
The image sent a chill down his spine, and he couldn't help but shiver.
“My lady! That man is Shen Qingchi, the newly appointed magistrate. I’ve heard he’s a good official. With him around, that bully Chu won’t dare to cause trouble.”
Xiao Jingchuan took his wife's cold little hand and gave her some strength. He had heard of Shen Qingchi's name a long time ago, but he hadn't paid attention to it. Today was the first time he had met Shen Qingchi, and he never expected that he would look exactly like his father-in-law.
Worried that the bully Chu would accuse her first, Granny Yang told Shen Qingchi about how he had forced her to pay compensation.
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