Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

’This was impossible to hide. Of course, they had to tell him. The more difficult they made it sound, the better.’

County Magistrate Li nodded, then changed the subject. He took a register from an attendant and asked in a menacingly neutral tone, "Village Chief Li, this selection is by order of the Capital City. I am merely following instructions, as you should understand. So why have all the daughters in your village been married off recently? The same goes for the surrounding villages. Can it be that you are dissatisfied with the imperial decree?" His gaze shot toward Li Changyu like a dagger.

Li Gengtian’s heart sank. He immediately fell to his knees in a panic and kowtowed repeatedly. "My Lord, I truly know nothing of this matter!" he stammered. "How could I ever dare do such a thing? Besides, it wasn’t just one or two families. So many households married off their daughters. What does that have to do with me?"

Li Changyu, inwardly shocked and furious, also knelt and declared in a loud, clear voice, "I beg you to investigate this clearly, my lord! So many families married off their daughters, and they aren’t even relatives of the Li Family. Have we lost our minds? Why would we go meddling in such a thankless task?"

County Magistrate Li watched Li Gengtian and his son kowtow with a sidelong glance, not telling them to rise. After a long moment, he said, "Ordinarily, I would not have come to trouble Village Chief Li over such a matter. Even if I disregard you, I must still give face to Ding Xuezheng. However, this behavior from the ignorant masses is far too contemptuous of the imperial court..."

As he kowtowed, Li Gengtian frantically tried to explain, "My lord, you must investigate this thoroughly! Xiatang Market is bustling with people these days. By the time the selection started over in Qinghui, the news had already spread here. It truly wasn’t my doing! Don’t I know that if a girl is chosen, her whole family might benefit? It’s a wonderful opportunity! Those peasants just don’t know what’s good for them..."

County Magistrate Li cut him off coldly. "Then what about your niece, Li Jinxiang? Why was she also married off so recently?"

Only then did Li Gengtian raise his head, saying awkwardly, "Sigh... This... how should I put it? Of course I wanted her to marry into a good family—my own sister married someone in Qinghui, you know. I had no desire to marry my niece off in this backwater. But... one shouldn’t air their dirty laundry in public. My hands were tied."

He then turned and shot a hateful glare at Li Changyu, berating him, "This is all because you brought that Luo San here! Otherwise, would any of this have happened?"

Li Changyu lowered his head, not daring to answer.

County Magistrate Li just sneered and didn’t comment. After a long moment, he said, "Bring everyone on this register here for inspection. If any family has deliberately tried to deceive me, you know the consequences. And don’t give me any excuses like they aren’t home. As the saying goes, you can run, but you can’t hide. It’s best to bring them over sooner rather than later." With that, he tossed the register onto the ground.

Li Gengtian’s face turned ashen. He picked up the register and examined it closely. It listed the names of all the girls between ten and twenty, including those who had recently married. However, Juhua’s name wasn’t on it. ’They must know she’s considered ugly,’ he thought.

He felt completely helpless. ’My son and I did our best,’ he thought, ’and we almost brought disaster upon ourselves. Now that this has happened, there’s nothing more I can do.’ Resigned, he sent people to summon all the girls and young wives. He didn’t have to worry about those who had married out of the village; the Lord County Magistrate had already dispatched others to investigate them.

After a period of chaotic panic, all the girls on the register were gathered in the Li Family Mansion. Surprisingly, County Magistrate Li didn’t make things particularly difficult for them. An old matron accompanying him simply singled out Yan, declaring that the girl was still a virgin.

Hearing this, the other girls in the courtyard grew deeply worried. Yan had just married Zhou Xiaoman, but since she was still underage, they had not yet consummated the marriage. Of course she was still a virgin.

County Magistrate Li gave the girl a cold glance. Her looks were decent, but not outstanding. "Make a note of it," he ordered. "We’ll deal with her later." He looked at the young, newly married women outside; a few were quite attractive. ’A pity they’re no longer virgins,’ he thought.

’Hmph! These wily peasants dare to play tricks on me. Just you wait and see how I deal with you later. For now, I must focus on the task at hand!’

Someone came forward and led Yan away. Li Changyu was furious but helpless. Yan, however, remained perfectly calm. As she left, she fixed County Magistrate Li with a deathly stare.

Outside, Yan’s parents and Shorty Zhou were stunned when they heard the news. Yan’s mother’s eyes rolled back in her head, and she fainted on the spot. Li Gengtian was also heartbroken—Yan was his niece, after all.

He wanted to plead for her, but before he could open his mouth, County Magistrate Li said, "Even Ding Xuezheng supports this selection. I trust Village Chief Li won’t make things difficult for him. Go have a good talk with the girl’s parents. Explain to them what a great blessing it is to be chosen."

Li Gengtian nodded weakly, inwardly cursing the magistrate and his entire family tree. ’Selection, my ass! Since when do they select girls from a backwater village like this?’

County Magistrate Li then turned to Li Gengtian and asked, "I hear there is a family in your village called Zheng. Is it true they spearheaded the construction of that sausage workshop? And that they also supply the Fang family with their farm tools? I’ve even heard that the previous magistrate, County Magistrate Hu, had nothing but praise for them. With such capable people in Qinghui County, I must naturally pay them a visit."

Li Gengtian was taken aback. "If you wish to see the Zheng Family, my lord, I can summon them. How could we trouble you to make a personal visit?" he said hastily.

County Magistrate Li had already risen and was walking out of the courtyard. "It’s no trouble, no trouble at all," he said. "I make it a point to be close to the people. Visiting such upstanding citizens in their home will make for a fine tale."

Having no other choice, Li Gengtian could only accompany him, leading a vast procession toward the Zheng Family’s home.

Li Changyu was inwardly stunned. ’What is this corrupt official playing at, jumping from one thing to the next?’ he wondered. ’One thing is for sure, he isn’t going to praise and reward the Zheng Family like he claims.’

Qingmu and Zhang Huai had already gotten word that the County Magistrate had personally come to Qingnan Village and were on high alert. Juhua had applied makeup to look like she had a skin disease and was hiding in her room, quietly doing her needlework. Following Juhua’s instructions, Liu Yunlan had also made thorough preparations.

None of them had expected, however, that after waiting all morning, the Lord County Magistrate would come to their door in person. A bad feeling rose in Qingmu’s heart, but he remained calm. He and Zhang Huai went far down the road to greet the official, led by Zheng Changhe and Zhang Dashuan, and respectfully knelt to welcome County Magistrate Li.

Seeing how respectful they were, County Magistrate Li was greatly pleased. He amiably told them to rise, then began to stroll slowly with his hands clasped behind his back, accompanied by the crowd.

With his long sleeves fluttering, he cut a figure of scholarly elegance. He looked at the homes scattered at the foot of the mountain, which were backed by green hills and faced a stream. Along the riverbank grew green willows and lush peach trees, and in the distance, fields stretched out in an unbroken sea of green. He couldn’t help but praise, "What a beautiful place of green mountains and clear waters. No wonder it is so prosperous."

Hearing this, the color drained from the faces of Li Gengtian, Qingmu, and the others.