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The commoners of this era were very conscious and knew that officials needed to prepare for the New Year, so they normally wouldn¹1 come to cause discomfort during this time.

At this moment, within the workroom of the County Magistrate in the Linyi County Governor’s Office, the Assistant Magistrate and others were surrounding a basin of Hong Mei, clicking their tongues in admiration.

“Sir, this basin of Hong Mei is truly exceptional, may I ask where you purchased it?” Instructor Zhu Chengyu stared at the Hong Mei in front of him with covetous eyes, the eagerness blazing in his gaze startled Yan County Magistrate who feared that Zhu might lose control and snatch away the Hong

Mei.

“This Hong Mei was cultivated by my daughter.”

Feeling everyone’s envy, Yan County Magistrate felt somewhat proud. Although he was the top official of Linyi County, when it came to family wealth, several people present were richer than him.

For instance, Instructor Zhu Chengyu.

The Zhu Family could be considered an old aristocratic family in Zhongzhou Prefecture, and even though they have been declining in recent years, a thin camel is still bigger than a horse; their family heritage was not something just anyone could match.

Then there was Assistant Magistrate Xu Rong.

Although the Xu Family could not be counted as an aristocratic family, they were certainly among the gentry, as Xu Rong was known for his generosity, and the Madam and Miss of the Xu Family were always better dressed than most.

However, Xu Rong was born of a concubine, and had that not been the case, he certainly wouldn’t be here, serving as his subordinate.

These men came from illustrious backgrounds, seen many fine things, and not often did he, their superior, have something that could impress them.

Because of this, some have not refrained from mocking him for his modesty in private.

Now that the Hong Mei had caught everyone’s attention, he too felt a great sense of face.

Tobe honest, when he saw the Hong Mei in his wife’s room, it also caught his eye as he was a scholar and the head of a county; he appreciated the plum blossom, which symbolized noble character and purity.

Zhu Chengyu said enviously, “Sir, you are truly fortunate to already receive such filial piety from your daughter, unlike my children at home, who still only know how to be mischievous.”

Upon hearing this, Yan County Magistrate’s smile stiffened slightly, suddenly feeling a bit choked up.

This wasn’t filial piety at all!

The Hong Mei was something he had shamelessly begged from his wife to flaunt in front of his colleagues, and he was supposed to return it after.

The Madam treasured the Hong Mei, referring to it as the filial devotion of their eldest daughter, which she could not disregard.

Thinking about how the eldest daughter had cultivated two basins of Hong Mei, one given to her mother and the other to his wife, and yet he received nothing, his heart soured.

Mr. Lin, who was the brother-in-law to the County Magistrate, watched Zhu with his eyes fixed on the Hong Mei and unwilling to look away, an idea suddenly struck him, “Instructor, aren’t you attending a poetry gathering tomorrow? Why not ask the Lord County Magistrate to lend you the Hong Mei for a day? With this Hong Mei, I expect that you will shine at tomorrow’s poetry gathering.”

With these words spoken, Zhu Chengyu immediately cast a grateful glance at Mr. Lin, as he had wanted to say the same thing since laying eyes on the Hong Mei, but he could tell that Yan County Magistrate also cherished it, and a gentleman does not seize what others love, so he had refrained from speaking. Now that Mr. Lin had taken the initiative to help him, Zhu felt immensely grateful.

Only he dared to say such things.

In the entire County Governor’s Office, who didn’t know that Mr. Lin was the County Magistrate’s brother-in-law? Although technically this connection was somewhat improper by the standards of ritual law, now that he was benefiting, he couldn’t care less about that.

Looking at Zhu Chengyu, who was eagerly expecting him, Yan County Magistrate, despite being reluctant at heart, couldn’t find the words to refuse and could only casually glance at Mr. Lin, a hint of displeasure forming toward him in his heart.

Master Lin knew his actions were a bit impetuous, but when he thought of his sister and her two nieces and nephews suffering from bullying in the backyard of the County Governor’s Office, he could no longer care about the consequences.

In the end, Instructor Zhu got what he desired and left content, holding Hong Mei in his arms.

When Master Lin saw that Lord County Magistrate Yan didn’t even give him a glance before turning away, he immediately chased after him.

“Brother-in-law, wait for me.”

Lord County Magistrate Yan frowned and his tone was somewhat displeased, “What are you shouting recklessly? Mind your status.”

Master Lin didn’t mind and immediately apologized with a smile, “I know my brother-in-law is annoyed with me, but I did this truly for brother-in-law’s

sake.”

Lord County Magistrate Yan stopped in his tracks and huffed, “You didn’t even notify me and took it upon yourself to push out Hong Mei as a favor, and you call that for my good?”

Master Lin patiently explained, “Brother-in-law, after the new year, you will have to report to Zhongzhou Prefecture. The Zhu Family in the prefecture city has connections. Now, we have just let Hong Mei be admired by him for a day. If this can earn a few good words from the Zhu Family on your behalf, wouldn’t it be worth it?”

Hearing this, the anger on Lord County Magistrate Yan’s face subsided a bit, but he still warned, “In the future, do not take matters into your own hands, no matter what the issue.”

Those in higher positions do not appreciate subordinates who act on their own; he was no exception.

If it hadn’t been for Madam Lin’s sake, he wouldn’t have given Master Lin a favorable response today.

Master Lin immediately nodded in assurance, feeling relieved in his heart.

This hurdle had passed.

Then he said with a smile, “I know I was rash today. So, the day after tomorrow, I personally will go to Instructor Zhu to retrieve Hong Mei and return her unscathed to brother-in-law.”

Lord County Magistrate Yan huffed and said nothing, turning towards the backyard.

After losing sight of Lord County Magistrate Yan, Master Lin left. Just as he stepped out of the County Governor’s Office, he ran into Master Xiao.

Master Xiao looked at Master Lin with a smirk, not even bothering to greet him before leaving with his boy servant.

Some distance away, the boy servant started to express his concern, “My lord, Master Lin is, after all, the County Magistrate’s brother-in-law. Aren’t you afraid he might retaliate for not giving him face?”

Master Xiao scoffed, “What kind of brother-in-law does he count as? The brother of Lady Li, Madam’s own brother, is the true close relative of the Lord County Magistrate. A brother of a concubine is barely higher in status than the servants.”

“Master Lin Cailiang is so oblivious. Despite being hyperactive, he is actually nothing to worry about. If Lord County Magistrate really distances himself from me because of his whispering, then I have no reason to stay here.” The boy servant nodded, “Lord County Magistrate is good in many ways, it’s just that he is biased and indulges his favorites, doting on the concubine’s side, which has spoiled Master Lin.”

Master Xiao turned to look in the direction of the backyard of the County Governor’s Office and chuckled, “Master Lin’s sister, it is said she has had a difficult time recently.”

Upon hearing this, the boy servant perked up, “The elder daughter of the Yan Family really dares to say anything, doesn’t she? Her remarks indirectly stripped Mrs. Lin’s face and threw it to the ground.”

“And to think she doesn’t hesitate to criticize even the Lord County Magistrate. She truly is audacious.”

Master Xiao laughed, “You only see her boldness, but not her earnest desire to protect her mother. The Yan Family’s elder daughter is a good girl, but a bit too impulsive. She is still young now; such a small flaw is not a big deal. If she remains like this when she grows up, she will suffer.”

The boy servant looked at Master Xiao, “My lord, do you really like the Yan elder daughter?” He knew his master had not even praised the Yan elder son before.

Master Xiao said, “Who wouldn’t like a frank and straightforward young lady?”