A single “Miss Guo” stirred something in Guo Yajun’s heart.
She sighed inwardly.
It had been seven years—seven years in which no one had called her anything other than Madam Hu, except for her maid, who had come with her as part of her dowry.
The title “County Magistrate’s Wife” might be a source of honor or pride for other women, but for her, it was a constant reminder that she was nothing more than a cheap commodity, openly priced and traded at will.
Every time someone called her “Madam Hu,” it was a humiliation.
Guo Yajun couldn’t help but want to lift her head and take a closer look at the young lord seated above. But in the end, she restrained herself.
Not because she didn’t want to—rather, her reason kept reminding her: decorum must not be abandoned.
Before someone powerful, caution and humility were always correct.
Her deliberate composure and restraint, in Wei Yu’s eyes, made her appear even more calm and poised—someone who remained steady in both favor and disgrace.
Wei Yu nodded slightly and gestured for Guo Yajun to sit in a chair off to the side.Once she was seated, he asked, “Since you already knew we were sent by the court, why did you still borrow our people to tie up the county magistrate? Do you know that by doing so, you’re provoking the imperial court? For such an act, I could easily have you imprisoned and even implicate your entire maternal family.”
“You wouldn’t, Young Lord.”
Her eyes were lowered, voice soft, but her words were firm. “If you would have, then I wouldn’t be sitting here right now. From the moment I sent that letter, you would have sent someone to kill me.”
Wei Yu looked at her silently. “Nothing is absolute. Maybe I’m just using you. After all, Hu Yong was doomed anyway.”
“Hu Yong should die—but not yet.”
Guo Yajun suddenly lifted her head, shedding her previous docility. Her gaze toward Wei Yu was firm. “I don’t believe for a second that you’re unaware—if we simply tie up the magistrate, what becomes of Ziyang? You’re busy and can’t possibly spare the time for a tiny county. Since you agreed to my bold request, please allow me one more offense!”
She stood.
Wei Yu watched her bow again with utmost respect.
But this time, it was not a woman’s ceremonial gesture—it was the formal bow of a man!
She was addressing him as a man would.
“Your humble servant, Guo Yajun, requests to share your burdens, and humbly asks for your permission.”
Wei Yu stared at her, a delighted smile spreading across his lips.
Heavens, just listen to that! What had he been thinking a moment ago?
Wasn’t he just hoping Guo Yajun would take over the affairs of Ziyang County?
And now, look! He hadn’t even said a word yet, and she’d already volunteered herself!
Tsk, tsk. Fate—it must be fate. The two of them were on the same wavelength!
Wei Yu hurriedly told her to rise.
“Please, Miss Guo, rise. With your talent and wisdom, I trust you.”
Her quick agreement left Guo Yajun genuinely stunned.
She couldn’t help it anymore—she looked up at the person sitting above her.
This young lord, whose noble family background she didn’t even know, was smiling at her now. His eyes were clear, his smile warm, and his attitude unexpectedly kind—nothing like what she had imagined.
She thought he’d scold her for her delusions.
“With your abilities, keeping you in the inner chambers to handle trivial domestic matters would be an insult.”
His youthful face was pure and bright. “Hu Yong was not a good magistrate. You tied him up—I see no problem with that. At the very least, for the people of Ziyang County, replacing him with someone more enlightened, smarter, and more virtuous is a change worth making.”
“I believe you’ll do well managing Ziyang County.”
Guo Yajun stared blankly at him. “Young Lord… you trust me?”
“Of course I do.”
Wei Yu nodded with a smile and teased, “Don’t you trust yourself?”
Yes.
How could she not?
Guo Yajun pressed her lips together, her eyes shifting from stunned to resolute. A desire called ambition rose in her gaze, and she didn’t even try to hide it from the young lord across from her.
She had waited so long for this day.
Ever since her parents died, her property was seized by the clan elders, and she was forced to live under another’s roof—every time she heard Guo Xiu had sent more girls from the Guo family to curry favor with officials, her hatred for Guo Xiu and the entire Guo family grew.
As the Analects say, “The gentleman is slow to speak but quick to act.”
“Yajun”—her name had been carefully chosen by her parents after poring over books. They had wanted her to stand among gentlemen, not be reduced to the status of mere daughter.
Her name carried their hopes. Her parents had longed for her to thrive. She had once been a cheerful, free-spirited girl who loved nature and beauty.
But fate was cruel.
It was Guo Xiu and the Guo family who ruined her.
Power—what a fine thing. She had watched Guo Xiu chase it for years. She had also coldly observed Hu Yong’s stupidity all this time. Guo Yajun understood too well the injustice women faced in this world.
She had read extensively, was more capable than all the sons of the Guo family. And yet, simply because she was a woman, the Guo family had thrown her away without hesitation, using her as a tool to win over Guo Xiu’s subordinates.
Hu Yong was as stupid as a pig, yet he could still enter officialdom. She, who surpassed him in every aspect, had to live in his shadow simply because she was a woman…
Unfair.
This world was truly unfair.
Looking up at the young lord, Guo Yajun suddenly smiled faintly and bowed to him.
“You’re right, Young Lord—I believe.”
The world may be unfair, but at least there were still people willing to offer her fairness.
—
Leaving the county magistrate’s residence, Wei Yu turned for one last glance before boarding his carriage.
The first politician he had ever “discovered.”
A stamp in his collection!
Out of caution, Guo Yajun didn’t see him off in person.
The county office was now fully staffed either with Wei Yu’s people or the ones Guo Yajun had cultivated over the years.
Gazing up at the plaque above the office, Wei Yu pouted and asked Yi Shisan, “How many people do we have left now?”
Yi Shisan replied, “One hundred thirty-two, Young Lord.”
Ah, from a thousand men down to one hundred thirty-two.
Wei Yu sighed deeply.
Most of his bandit troops had gone off to Lingbei County. That group was under his Eighth Brother’s command, with Fang Sheng managing the overall operations. Now, the few people under Wei Yu—after excluding the old, sick, and weak left behind at the base—only included a few dozen strong men guarding the place.
The rest were either helping Guo Yajun with administrative matters or still following him.
Wei Yu climbed into the carriage.
As the cart rattled along, he counted on his fingers.
He had about half his six-month break left. He felt like he hadn’t had enough fun yet. Should he write to his father and ask to extend his leave?
In the end, Wei Yu regretfully dismissed the idea.
A break is fun in the moment, but returning is like walking into a crematorium.
The old man was the vengeful type—he had to think of his future!
Since he couldn’t extend his leave, Wei Yu grew annoyed.
He decided that once he wrapped up matters at the base, he would head straight to Qiling to find Second Brother!