The Prefect's Residence.
The Study.
"Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter! Wang Man's expression was so dark it was scary!" Qin Tang said gloatingly.
Prefect Ying looked at his wayward niece with a headache.
"You really need to change your personality."
Indeed.
Qin Tang, now the county magistrate of Green Willow Town.
Although she was now just a petty county magistrate, she had once served as a seventh-rank official in the imperial court.
While her rank wasn't high, those who served in the court were close to the center of power, with a bright future ahead of them.
However, such a good hand was ruined by her own mouth.
And it was her direct superior who had her banished to Green Willow Town as a ninth-rank sesame county magistrate.
The incident started when her direct superior published a book that received unanimous praise from his colleagues. She and her superior had a good relationship. During a gathering of friends, her superior, beaming, asked for her opinion on the book.
To her credit, she proceeded to list all the book's flaws, one by one, in front of everyone.
Her superior said nothing at the time, only remarking that her opinion was insightful and he would ponder it further.
As a result, a month later, she received a transfer order to Green Willow Town.
Even after arriving in Green Willow Town, she didn't keep quiet.
Regarding a murder case, she had indeed reported it, but it was intercepted by Deputy Prefect Wang, who claimed no distress call was received.
In her anger, she uttered the words: "What concern is it of mine!"
These words were then exploited by malicious individuals and spread, making her reputation "far-reaching."
However, it was precisely because of this incident that Qin Tang and Deputy Prefect Wang officially became rivals.
This was why she became particularly excited whenever there was an opportunity to embarrass Deputy Prefect Wang.
After laughing, Qin Tang asked Prefect Ying again:
"Aunt, Wang Man set up a banquet last time to collect poems. Was it to establish connections with the dignitaries in Qingzhou? What if she..."
Prefect Ying shook her head:
"I've heard that the dignitary from Qingzhou dislikes interacting with ordinary people, so the chances for Wang Man are slim..."
Speaking of which, Prefect Ying gave a bitter smile:
"However, if that dignitary were to favor the poems she sent, and if that dignitary were to speak, my position as Prefect..."
Qin Tang was somewhat worried and frowned:
"Then shouldn't we do something? How about we also send poems..."
Prefect Ying heard this and shook her head.
"No, getting involved with people like that has its pros and cons. One wrong move could endanger the entire family..."
Prefect Ying then sighed and continued:
"Let's let nature take its course. If my time as Prefect is truly over, what's wrong with stepping down."
Qin Tang opened her mouth, wanting to speak but hesitating.
...
Chenxiang Academy.
"Jiaojiao, are you really leaving?"
Tong Fu tugged at Nian Jiaojiao's sleeve reluctantly.
Nian Jiaojiao nodded, apologizing:
"My husband has already moved to live near the academy. They are several men, and it's their first time in Fengcheng. I'm worried, so I think it's best if I also move there."
Actually, what worried Nian Jiaojiao the most was the new "man" at home.
However, she certainly wouldn't say this to Tong Fu, lest they misunderstand and imagine something else entirely.
Even so, the single "Fu" was still "hit."
Seeing the other person's dejected head, Nian Jiaojiao comforted her:
"I'll come to study during the day, and we're deskmates. Don't be like this."
Finally, Nian Jiaojiao left the academy amidst Tong Fu's reluctant farewell.
The Nian Family.
It was already late afternoon when she returned home.
To celebrate Nian Jiaojiao moving back home, Xing Yun suggested cooking some delicious food.
Nian Jiaojiao naturally wouldn't dampen their spirits and smiled, agreeing.
At this moment, Yu Chuan said:
"Wife, we only have some pork left. This..."
"It's fine, what do you want to eat? I'll go buy it!" Nian Jiaojiao said.
"Hmm... I want braised fish, spicy chicken, steamed pork ribs, roasted potatoes, braised spring bamboo shoots..."
Xing Yun's little mouth rattled off a list of dishes.
Yu Chuan couldn't help but laugh:
"Xing Yun, that's too much, your wife might not remember."
When Nian Jiaojiao heard this, how could she, a grown woman, say no.
So, she recited the entire string of dishes, word for word.
Hu Rui, witnessing Nian Jiaojiao's memory, couldn't help but give a thumbs-up and exclaim:
"As expected of a scholar, amazing!"
And when Nian Jiaojiao went out, two followers trailed behind her.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at the two men following her and said:
"Actually, I can do it alone."
Xing Yun widened his innocent cat-like eyes:
"Wife, can Xing Yun not follow you out?"
"Uh... you can follow if you want."
As soon as Nian Jiaojiao finished speaking, Xing Yun immediately cried out happily.
Nian Jiaojiao then turned to look at Nan Qing, who had been silent all along.
Nan Qing understood Nian Jiaojiao's meaning and lowered his head in acknowledgment.
Nian Jiaojiao followed his gaze and noticed Xing Yun, who was still holding onto Nan Qing's sleeve and not letting go.
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
By the time the three of them bought the ingredients, it was already evening.
Fengcheng's night market had begun, with more and more vendors setting up stalls. Some vendors with good business even hung lanterns in front of their stalls, both for lighting and to attract customers.
After walking a few steps, Nian Jiaojiao noticed that the two of them had stopped in front of a stall and couldn't move.
She walked over and followed their gaze, seeing a stall selling calligraphy and paintings.
Nian Jiaojiao was a little curious.
She didn't know if Nan Qing was literate, but when she was practicing calligraphy before, Xing Yun had also watched by her side. Since the other party didn't even know his own name, he was clearly illiterate.
"Do you like anything? Buy it if you do!"
Nian Jiaojiao, having just received her commission, said generously.
The vendor's heart bloomed upon hearing this. She immediately said to the two:
"Oh, you two gentlemen are so handsome, and you have such a caring wife. You must be envied by many gentlemen. Please, take your time looking. If you see anything you like, I'll give you the lowest price today!"
Xing Yun's little face turned rosy, his eyes unable to hide his joy.
Nan Qing, however, showed no reaction to the stall owner's words.
The vendor was just trying to get them to buy something by saying that.
Silly brother.
Nan Qing lovingly stroked Xing Yun's head.
Xing Yun, not understanding why, raised his head and gave Nan Qing a sincere, silly smile.
Nan Qing: ...
Afterward, Nian Jiaojiao and Xing Yun were pulled away from the stall by Nan Qing, under the vendor's disappointed gaze.
"What? Why didn't you buy? We're not short of money now!"
Nan Qing pursed his lips before saying:
"Third brother likes to paint."
"Paint?" Nian Jiaojiao repeated.
Nan Qing nodded:
"Third brother has a talent for painting since childhood, but our family couldn't afford to teach him. If you truly have a heart, then buy him paper and brushes for painting."
Nian Jiaojiao listened thoughtfully, then asked:
"The brush you gave me for the last exam, was it Xing Yun's?"
Nan Qing looked at Nian Jiaojiao as if she were an idiot:
"Who else would it be, you think?"
It was Xing Yun who handed it to her, so who else could she have guessed?