Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I had once heard that the Magistrate of Rongyang County was a lecherous man.

The scandal involving my family’s true heiress and False Heiress had caused an enormous stir, and I also carried the title of Number One Beauty.

I did not believe for a moment that the magistrate had never heard of me.

Sure enough, my mother went to the magistrate’s residence ahead of me, only to learn that my father, my younger brother, and my younger sister had all been detained!

Hiding by the corner of a wall, I saw the steward smile with a frivolous expression. “My master heard that your eldest daughter was once a beauty renowned throughout Capital City, so out of kindness, he wished to become kin with your family. Who would have thought the man of your house would be so tactless as to shout and make a scene? He is now locked up in jail. If you want them back, exchange your daughter for them!”

My mother trembled with rage, but there was nothing she could do.

My own heart sank as well, stifled with frustration.

In the past, I had been the legitimate daughter of Marquis Manor. Though I was beautiful, I was not someone such petty men could dare covet.

But now that I had fallen into being a peasant girl, even a watchdog could lick its chops and flirt with me a few times.

Forcing herself to stay composed, my mother said, “In a situation like this, you absolutely cannot go. Tingyun and I will think of something. Yanyan, you hide first.”

What solution could they possibly come up with?

I glanced at Xiao Tingyun and told him bluntly, “Don’t even think about begging the magistrate, or going to beg your former classmates. If he is petty enough, he can find any excuse he likes to strip you of your title as provincial exam laureate. Then all your years of study will have been for nothing.”

Hearing this, Xiao Tingyun looked at me with a hint of appraisal in his eyes.

As if he were saying, What can a pampered girl like you do besides cry?

I touched the jade bracelet on my wrist and gave a cold laugh. “Today, I will let that man see what it means to be a noble lady raised in a house of bells and cauldrons.”

I had my mother spend money to hire several burly men, then rent a carriage.

The carriage stopped at the magistrate’s front gate.

The burly men went straight up and knocked, utterly impolite.

Once the door opened, the steward came out. Seeing our display, he immediately greeted us with a smile.

Xiao Tingyun got down from the carriage and lifted the curtain.

I lightly rested my hand on his wrist and stepped down.

The moment I got out, the steward stared, stunned.

Today, I had deliberately dressed myself up, wearing an intricate and splendid gown that made me dazzling to behold.

As the saying went, the King of Hell was easier to deal with than his little demons.

The stewards of official households always respected the robe before they looked at the person wearing it.

I wanted to dress in a way that made him feel he could never hope to reach me!

The steward bent at the waist and said politely, “May I ask the young lady’s honored surname?”

I lashed my whip across his shoulder and sneered. “You are not worthy of knowing.”

I tossed the riding crop into his arms and said haughtily, “Take me to see your master! If I recall correctly, his name was Wang something-hua?”

The steward became even more deferential. “My master’s honorable name is Wang Songhua.”

I frowned impatiently. “What do I care what he is called? Lead the way!”

We forced our way straight into the main hall.

The Magistrate of Rongyang County came out.

Before he could speak, I stood in the hall and sneered, “I heard you want to take me as a concubine?”

The moment Wang Songhua heard that, he knew who I was. Without showing it, he swept his gaze over me twice.

His shrewd eyes curved in a smile. “This must be Miss Lin.”

I sat down in the seat of honor and looked at him with distant, chilly eyes. “My father’s surname is Ji. On what grounds are you calling me Miss Lin?”

Wang Songhua stroked his goatee and said, “If I remember correctly, you are only a peasant girl, are you not?”

The two of us looked at each other.

Then I smiled. “Yes, I am a peasant girl. Lord Wang detained the Lin Family because you wanted to take me as your concubine. Now I am here. Lord Wang, you may have your wish this very moment.”

After I finished speaking, I lifted my hand slightly.

The bracelet on my wrist gleamed with a cold light.

Wang Songhua praised, “A fine thing. A truly fine thing! I heard that when Miss Ji became engaged to the Heir of Prince Cheng at the age of ten, the Empress Dowager rewarded you with a priceless bracelet. I imagine it must be this one.”

So I had gone from Miss Lin to Miss Ji? It seemed this Wang Songhua truly was a petty man who trampled the lowly and flattered the powerful!

When dealing with someone like this, one had to have confidence and hold oneself high.

I kept my face cold, wearing an expression that said I could not even be bothered to respond to him.

Wang Songhua probed, “I heard that after Lin Jiaoyue arrived in Capital City, she made a complete spectacle of herself and disgraced Marquis Manor. First, Marquis’s Wife confined her to her quarters, and then she lost her marriage arrangement with Prince Cheng’s Mansion. I assume Miss Ji is merely staying here temporarily, and Marquis Manor has other plans for you?”

At those words, my heart jolted.

Lin Jiaoyue was actually doing so poorly in Capital City?

Standing beside Xiao Tingyun, my mother’s face turned even paler.

I did not let any of it show on my face. Instead, I glared at Wang Songhua with even more impatience and said, “What do any of these matters have to do with you?”

I rose and left without the slightest reluctance.

Seeing me walk away so decisively, Wang Songhua was instead taken aback.

My mother tugged at my sleeve.

I pretended to be irritated and said, “What do the lives and deaths of you Lin Family people have to do with me? In any case, I will not be living here for long.”

After we left and had gone some distance, the steward from the magistrate’s residence hurried after us.

My mother lifted the curtain and looked out. My father, along with my younger brother and sister, had all come.

My mother immediately got off the carriage and went to meet them.

I did not show my face.

The steward said respectfully, “Miss Ji, this was all a misunderstanding. These are a few modest gifts my master prepared. If you would be so kind, let us consider the matter settled here.”

I only gave a lazy, cold laugh and said nothing.

The steward placed the items on the carriage.

Once our family reached the outskirts of the city, we returned the rented carriage and dismissed the hired men.

Sitting on the donkey cart on the way home, my younger brother and sister pressed close to me and began to cry.

My mother’s eyes were unfocused, clearly weighed down by thoughts.

My father sat beside Xiao Tingyun as they drove the cart.

He said in a low voice, “Tingyun, you saw what happened today as well. With Yanyan’s looks, I fear villains will set their sights on her. If you have such intentions, could you marry her sooner? That way, you can protect her openly and properly.”

Before this, Xiao Tingyun had declared with absolute certainty that he was Lin Jiaoyue’s fiancé.

I had no desire to marry him hastily just to avoid disaster.

I spoke up. “Father, now is not the time to discuss this. Lin Jiaoyue… I fear something has happened to her in Capital City.”