Chapter 241 - 170: Also Paying a Visit
"Who are you? What is your business here?"
County Magistrate Lin spotted Fang Yue and immediately questioned him.
Ordinarily, this County Magistrate Lin wouldn’t have used such a pleasant tone. He would have long since ordered his men to drive the person away.
Even officials from out of town had to be polite and respectful when they met him.
After all, anyone with a sufficiently high rank wouldn’t have been stopped at the gate in the first place.
"I have come from Shanyang Prefecture to pay a visit to City Lord Zheng."
Fang Yue said, handing over the document in his hand.
County Magistrate Lin took it instinctively, his expression still nonchalant. But it didn’t take long—only a few breaths, perhaps.
The once-nonchalant County Magistrate Lin’s eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
He immediately looked up at the young man before him.
County Magistrate Lin immediately spoke, his tone now respectful and cautious, as if he were facing Shangguan.
"Are you Lord Fang Yue?"
Fang Yue nodded. Upon seeing his confirmation, a fawning smile immediately spread across County Magistrate Lin’s face.
"Oh, my, Lord Fang! This humble one was blind not to recognize you. Please, hurry inside, please!"
"The City Lord has been waiting for you for a long time."
Meanwhile, the two government constables guarding the gate of the City Lord’s Mansion were now covered in a cold sweat, their faces filled with terror. Their legs trembled so violently they could barely stand.
When County Magistrate Lin saw their state, he knew at once that they must have given Lord Fang a hard time.
As the County Magistrate, he managed all the miscellaneous affairs of the City Lord’s Mansion and was naturally aware of his subordinates’ character—or lack thereof.
Especially in recent days, countless people from Shanyang Prefecture had tried to use their connections to see City Lord Zheng. Having lost their status in Shanyang Prefecture, it was a case of "a fallen phoenix is no match for a chicken." It was perfectly normal for them to be hassled by the gatekeepers.
It was the same everywhere under the heavens, so it was hardly surprising.
However, this time, they had offended someone important.
Worse, they had offended an honored guest whom even City Lord Zheng was to treat with caution—a guest he had given special instructions about.
In that case, these two could not be let off lightly.
"My lord, my lord, this humble one was blind to have offended you! Please, my lord, forgive us!"
Without even waiting for County Magistrate Lin to speak, the two government constables realized something was wrong and immediately knelt, begging for mercy.
They also presented the silver banknote Fang Yue had given them earlier.
Fang Yue glanced at the two men, took back the silver banknote without a word, and walked straight inside. Only then did County Magistrate Lin breathe a sigh of relief.
’This man is an esteemed guest from Shanyang Prefecture! If he really decided to make a scene, wouldn’t I get caught in the crossfire too?’
Of course, even though Fang Yue hadn’t said anything, County Magistrate Lin couldn’t let the two off easily. "You two, go and receive thirty strikes from the military baton."
"Thank you, my lord, for your mercy."
"Thank you, my lord."
Hearing the punishment, the two were secretly delighted. At least they weren’t being dismissed. If they could endure this, they could keep their jobs.
But just then, County Magistrate Lin’s voice rang out again. "After you’re done, go home. The City Lord’s Mansion is too small to accommodate the two of you!"
Upon hearing this, the two gatekeepers’ faces fell completely.
They looked as miserable as if their own parents had just died.
’If only we had just done what he asked earlier, maybe none of this would be happening!’ they couldn’t help but regret.
But who could they blame? They could only blame their own greed.
* * *
"You’re back, my husband. How did it go? Was it successful?" At that moment, Zhang Shu saw Chen Shicheng return.
"Yes, the gift has been delivered. There shouldn’t be any problems with City Lord Zheng."
Chen Shicheng said to his wife with a smile, the pleasure on his face evident.
"Congratulations, Master. My sincerest congratulations."
Xiaolv, standing to the side, also said with a smile.
But then, a cunning glint appeared in the maid’s eyes. "Master, you’ll never guess who Mistress and I ran into just now!"
"Oh?"
Chen Shicheng raised an eyebrow, picking up on the maid’s tone, and immediately asked, "Well, who did you run into?"
"It was the Mistress’s junior brother, Fang Yue. I have no idea how that man managed to escape from Shanyang Prefecture. We ran into him earlier. He clearly wanted to ask the Mistress for help but didn’t dare to say it."
By embellishing the story like this, Xiaolv painted Fang Yue as completely worthless.
"Oh, that guy." Chen Shicheng spoke to Zhang Shu in a lecturing tone. "I’ve said it before. Upstarts like him from the mud might get lucky once, but their nature is flawed. They’re bound to fall sooner or later. Don’t associate with people like that in the future."
Zhang Shu nodded in agreement.
"Heh, this time, City Lord Zheng met with me personally..." Chen Shicheng immediately began to recount the details of his visit to deliver the gift to City Lord Zheng.
He emphasized how much face he had, how polite City Lord Zheng was to him, and other such things.
* * *
"Lord Fang! This way, please. The City Lord is in the inner hall." County Magistrate Lin personally led Fang Yue, his face a mask of sycophancy.
When they reached a corner, County Magistrate Lin took out a stack of silver banknotes.
"Lord Fang, what happened earlier was all my fault. I beg for your magnanimity. Please do not mention this matter to City Lord Zheng."
Being extorted by the government constables at the gate... an incident like this could be considered major or minor, depending on who was involved.
But in this case, the one being extorted was a guest whom even the City Lord had to treat with great respect. That made the matter anything but small.
If things went badly, he would be in over his head.
Naturally, he had to find a way to earn Fang Yue’s forgiveness.
As it happened, that man surnamed Chen had been willing to spend a lot of silver today, giving him one thousand taels. It was the perfect amount to use as an apology to Fang Yue.