Chapter 61 Don’t refuse the money that comes to your door
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Honestly, a dignified prince shouldn't be so petty! Besides, even if you're truly a heartthrob, that doesn't mean you can instantly slay everyone without missing a single one. Zhong Min secretly speculated in her heart, wondering what Xiao Mingzheng was thinking at this moment.
It's also her own fault. She has to say all this nonsense for no reason. She is such a serious person and you can tell at a glance that she is not the kind of person who would joke around. Why would she chat with such a person about this? She is just asking for trouble.
Just as I was wondering whether I should say something else to smooth things over, or change the slightly sensitive topic, I saw Xiao Mingzheng finally speak calmly after a period of silence.
"I also think you are not like a woman at all." His tone was quite normal, just like usual, and no emotion could be heard.
However, upon hearing this, Zhong Min actually breathed a sigh of relief. This Xiao Mingzheng was the familiar and normal Xiao Mingzheng she remembered. He didn't think she looked like a woman, which was right. No wonder he'd asked that question before; he'd probably wanted her to admit this so-called "fact" herself.
But, hadn't she just said "girl"? How did Xiao Mingzheng turn her into "woman"? It seemed that in his eyes, her level was quite low. But it was all good, finally reaching a certain level of understanding. She wouldn't have to work so hard to restrain herself in the future. After all, she didn't look like a woman, so there was no need for her to be constrained by the same rules and regulations as the women in this world.
"Your Highness is wise. I am not a person who pays much attention to details, but I have no disrespectful intention. If I do something that is not in line with the rules in the future, please forgive me." Zhong Min quickly seized the opportunity to speak for himself in advance, hoping that Xiao Mingzheng would turn a blind eye to some things that had nothing to do with principles.
She had noticed from some small things before that Xiao Mingzheng was a person who paid great attention to details, and he would even be dissatisfied if she wiped her hands with her sleeves.
Seeing Zhong Min so quickly climb the pole, reacting with remarkable alacrity to set up a retreat for herself, Xiao Mingzheng couldn't help but feel a bit amused. Honestly, this was the first time he'd encountered such a shameless and self-righteous woman. But the strange thing was, even though her actions clearly contradicted his usual thinking, he didn't find her particularly offensive.
Perhaps Zhong Min had been around him for so long that she'd gotten used to it? He shook his head secretly, ignored Zhong Min, and continued to flip through the book in his hand.
The carriage suddenly fell silent again, save for the rhythmic creaking of the wheels and the occasional rustle of a page. Seeing this, Zhong Min naturally stopped stirring things up and settled comfortably in his seat, closing his eyes and resting.
On the way, they got off the bus to rest twice. The places they chose to stop at were not the regular stops, and someone had secretly prepared everything before the large group arrived. Therefore, the journey was as safe as Zhong Min expected, and there was not even a trace of trouble.
This just proves what she said: clearing away hidden dangers in advance is the best protection.
As dusk fell, the group arrived in Lin County as scheduled. Despite the late hour, the city gates were brightly lit and bustling with activity. The Lin County Magistrate and his officials were already waiting outside the gates, while a large number of ordinary people had gathered nearby, all of them looking extremely excited.
Due to time constraints and the fact that today was not a real day to comfort the people, Xiao Mingzheng did not get out of the car. He simply opened the curtain and greeted everyone. Then he directly ordered his men to enter the city and go to the post station to rest first, and then formally meet with the people tomorrow.
By the time Zhong Min and his companions arrived at the Lin County Posthouse, the people who had been sent ahead had already made temporary defenses as required. Xiao Mingzheng did not meet with the county magistrate who had followed them all the way, but instead discussed the details of tomorrow's matters with Luo Jiaxing and others.
Zhong Min was not interested in political affairs, so he simply left the house and stayed outside for a while, and also took the opportunity to check the security arrangements in the inn.
After a quick turn, she nodded with considerable satisfaction. Xie Feng might be impatient and a bit rude, but he was incredibly serious and meticulous in his work. Xiao Mingzheng must have seen Xie Feng's true nature, which was why he had assigned him to take charge of such an important matter as security.
Seeing that nothing was wrong, and calculating the time, Zhong Min estimated that Xiao Mingzheng and the others had almost finished their business. She was about to go back to the house, but she saw the guard leading the county magistrate whom she had met before walking towards her.
There was a young girl beside the county magistrate. They were far away and the light was not very good, so their appearance could not be seen clearly. However, judging from her posture and behavior, she must be a beauty.
What was this county magistrate up to? Was he planning to give Xiao Mingzheng a beautiful woman to enjoy, so he could curry favor with the prince? Zhong Min's mind suddenly perked up, and he automatically switched to watching the show. There weren't many entertainment options in the world these days, so occasionally watching the excitement was a good way to go.
"Why are you back again, sir?" Zhong Min stepped forward, feigning confusion as he spoke to the Lin County magistrate, who had already stopped and was smiling flatteringly at him. "Didn't the prince tell you to go back first? We can talk tomorrow if there's anything."
"Miss Min'er, I had already gone back, but suddenly remembered something, so I came back." The county magistrate said as he waved to the guards beside him, wanting them to step aside temporarily, as if he had something to talk to Zhong Min alone.
Seeing this, Zhong Min smiled slightly and nodded to the two guards, signaling them to do as they were told. The two guards were both from Prince Mu's mansion, so naturally they wouldn't listen to the magistrate's orders. After seeing Zhong Min nod, they took the order and stepped back a few steps, but didn't go too far, looking like they were ready to protect him at all times.
"Your Excellency is truly thoughtful. He even knows the name of a little servant like me." Zhong Min looked at the county magistrate. He was fat and had big ears, and his face was full of meanness. He was obviously not a good official. She said indifferently, "Please tell me what you want to say. They have already retreated."
"Miss Min'er is a favorite of the prince. I've known her for a long time, so how could I not know her?" The county magistrate said as he stepped forward, looked around, and took the opportunity to secretly slip two silver notes into Zhong Min's hand. "It's just a small gift, please don't despise it, young lady."
Zhong Min had long known what the county magistrate was planning, but he didn't expect him to be so generous. The two silver notes were each worth one hundred taels of silver. This was not a small amount, but a big deal, a very big deal.
It seemed like this guy had been plundering the people's wealth. Since it was his ill-gotten gains, she had no reason to miss this opportunity to help the poor and give up the two silver notes. She would need to spend money in the future when she left Prince Mu's Mansion, and now that it was offered to her, she had no choice but to take it.
"Your Excellency is too polite. How can I help you?" Zhong Min took the money, so he had to pretend to do something. Otherwise, it would be against the rules.
Seeing Zhong Min accept the banknote with a look of understanding, the Lin County Magistrate was immediately delighted. In his opinion, everyone loved money, and the servants around the prince were no exception. This was probably not the first or second time, so he had given the right person his first stepping stone.
"Miss Min'er, look..." The county magistrate quickly understood and pointed to the girl beside him and whispered to Zhong Min, "This is Miss Rong'er. I noticed that the prince did not bring his family with him this time, so I specially selected a beautiful woman to serve him. This will also relieve the prince's hard work during his absence for a few days."
Zhong Min followed the Lin County Magistrate's gaze towards the girl named Rong'er. After a moment's careful scrutiny, he found her to be quite a beauty. While not considered breathtakingly beautiful, she was certainly pretty, and more importantly, she exuded a pure, otherworldly aura.
"Well, she's a beauty indeed," Zhong Min complimented sincerely. If Xiao Mingzheng didn't particularly like the flirtatious Zheng Ruyu, then he would probably be drawn to Rong'er's pure and unworldly nature. It seemed the county magistrate had put in a lot of effort; finding such a woman in such a small place was truly remarkable.
Hearing Zhong Min's praise, the county magistrate was even more excited. He nodded and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Miss Min'er said it was good, then it must be right. I'll have to trouble Miss Min'er to deliver the beauty to the prince on my behalf later. I am very grateful."
"Why don't you send them in yourself, sir?" Zhong Min withdrew his gaze from Rong'er and turned to the county magistrate. "After His Majesty has finished discussing the matter, I will report to him. Wouldn't it be better if you could send the person in person then?"
"Miss, you don't know that I am completely loyal to the prince. As long as the prince is happy, I will be satisfied. As for the rest, my personal honor and disgrace are not worth mentioning at all." The magistrate of Lin County said it vividly, as if he only wanted to give without asking for anything in return.
Seeing this, Zhong Min was already very happy. She coughed lightly, forced down her laughter, and nodded, saying, "Your Excellency is truly unperturbed by honor or disgrace. He is low-key and sensible in his conduct."
"Miss Min'er, you are too kind. It's all my due." The county magistrate said modestly, but he couldn't hide the joy on his face.
"Well, after the prince finishes his meeting and General Luo comes out, I'll help you get the person in. However, according to the regulations, I have to check Miss Rong'er first." Zhong Min glanced at Rong'er and continued, "It's not that I don't trust you, sir, but you should also be aware of these rules. I don't think you have any objections, do you?"
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