The Young Man Returns, Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Prefect Causes Trouble
County Magistrate Li lifted his head, inwardly cursing: That old scoundrel truly harbors ill intentions, aiming to strip me of my official post. Hmph, it won’t be that easy—I will never let him have his way!
“Prefect, those unruly commoners’ nonsense cannot be taken seriously! Although the county office was indeed robbed, but…” Before County Magistrate Li could finish, Prefect Shen interrupted him sharply.
“Impudent Li! As the local governor, entrusted by the imperial court and the people’s hopes, you have neglected your duties, resulting in the theft of the official seal. This is a grave offense!”
“This is not only a blatant trampling on imperial law but a serious disregard for the welfare of the people! As your superior, it is my duty to report this matter truthfully to the court and, according to the law, relieve you of your post to uphold the nation’s law and order!”
Standing on the steps, Prefect Shen’s voice was stern and commanding, his face radiating undeniable authority, his eyes like burning torches fixed intently on County Magistrate Li.
“You old fox! Finally your true colors show! Your arrival in Beigu City is nothing but a pretext to bring me down!” Li no longer bothered with formalities and tore off his mask.
“How dare you, Li Changfeng! To utter such foul words against me, your superior—is this not blatant rebellion? Do you still respect the court’s laws and principles?” Prefect Shen thundered.
He had long despised Li’s arrogance, and now that the cards were on the table, he felt a grim satisfaction.
“You old scoundrel, I’ll call you out openly—what can you do to me?” Li stamped his foot on the stone step, retorting defiantly.
Prefect Shen trembled with rage, his eyes bulging as he pointed at Li.
“Li Changfeng! Not only have you insulted your superior and neglected your duty, but you have bribed officials and oppressed the villagers in countless ways—your crimes are too numerous to list!”
“Today, I will compile your misdeeds and report them truthfully to the court, eradicating a corrupt official like you to affirm the court’s justice and integrity!”
Li’s eyes blazed, his words sharp: “You’re fabricating lies, blatantly slandering me. Do you have any proof?”
Prefect Shen sneered, disdain shining in his eyes. “The people’s accusations are ironclad evidence! How could their bloodied pleas be false? Now, if you can produce the official seal, I will admit I have wronged you!”
“Who says I can’t produce the seal?” Li, spotting County Deputy Wang Fugui arriving, confidently instructed, “Fugui, go fetch my official seal and let the Prefect see for himself.”
The deputy bowed and hurried off, passing by Li Shuyao, who noticed Zhe Linfeng slowly rising, blood staining his lips. Alarmed, she asked,
“Brother Linfeng, you’re hurt! Did that man just now strike you?”
“No harm done! Just a slap from a bully.” Zhe wiped the blood from his mouth and glanced at Kong Yue on the steps.
Kong Yue said coldly, “Boy, if you keep mouthing off, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
“Hmph!”
Zhe turned away. Today’s humiliation was etched deep in his heart; when the time came, he would repay a hundredfold. Among peers in Beigu City, everyone knew Zhe Linfeng bore grudges fiercely.
If a dog bit him, he’d slaughter it and make hotpot from its meat—let alone being struck today.
---
In the courtyard, withered branches and fallen leaves shivered in the cold wind. Snow weighed down the blossoms; shattered petals faintly visible beneath the snow—a deathly stillness pervaded, suffused with bone-chilling cold and a somber, heroic atmosphere.
Li Shuyao helped Zhe Linfeng to a stone bench in the pavilion and asked, “Brother Linfeng, was it that man just now who hurt you? Shall I help you take revenge?”
Zhe shook his head firmly. “No need. This is my grudge; I’ll settle it myself.” With a flick of his hand, a red pill appeared in his palm, and he swallowed it in one gulp.
Li Shuyao said, “Are you afraid I’m not a match for him?”
“Hmph! Not at all.”
“If I knew you were hurt, I definitely wouldn’t let that guy off. The constables mentioned there was a magical cultivator’s prison break last night. Brother killed the culprit, but I wonder if he was injured?”
“Since he hasn’t returned yet, I’ll recuperate a bit, then take you to the prison to see him.”
“Good. You rest first, Brother Linfeng. I’ll check on Father. With Prefect Shen here, I fear trouble is brewing.”
Zhe Linfeng sat cross-legged, nodding as he began cultivating to heal his wounds.
Li Shuyao approached County Magistrate Li and called, “Father!”
He turned to her, asking, “Shuyao, why have you come?”
“I came to see you. With Prefect Shen’s arrival, I worry he means to cause you trouble.”
“Don’t worry. Your father isn’t a pushover to be easily manipulated.”
Hearing this, Shuyao’s face brightened. “Father, have you recovered the lost official seal?”
“I have my ways, be patient.” Li took her by the hand and led her toward the main hall.
Seeing Li approach, Shen Ling snorted coldly and turned away.
Prefect Shen tapped his fingers on the table confidently, waiting for Li to fail in producing the seal so he could slap him down and vent his anger.
Kong Yue caught sight of Li Shuyao beside Li and paused. Though he had seen many beauties, none were as innocent and adorable as her.
Her eyes were like clear springs, pure and untainted, sparkling with lively mischief. Each blink fluttered her thick, curled lashes like butterflies’ wings, full of effortless charm.
Her round cheeks flushed faintly, like clouds dyed by the setting sun—soft and delicate.
Shen Ling, sensing her senior brother’s lingering gaze, snorted and stepped hard on Kong’s foot. He winced and withdrew his eyes, giving her an apologetic smile.
Shen Ling whispered, “Senior Brother, don’t look at her anymore.”
---
Kong Yue shook his head helplessly. “I wasn’t looking at her!”
At that moment, County Deputy Wang Fugui hurried into the hall, holding a brocade box and bowed, “County Magistrate, the official seal has arrived.”
Li put down his teacup and said coldly, “Give it to Prefect Shen. So he won’t foolishly claim it’s fake.”
Opening the box, Prefect Shen saw the official seal gleaming inside. Upon confirming its authenticity, his face darkened to an extreme ugliness.
“Prefect Shen, see how well my seal lies in this box? Next time, please don’t believe rumors so easily.”
His expression wavering, Shen took a deep breath and forced a stiff smile. “County Magistrate Li is right. Those scoundrels love spreading lies. I nearly fell for their trap and maliciously accused a good official.”
Li crossed his legs smugly. “Prefect, you speak wisely.”
“I’ll be staying in Beigu City for a few more days. I’ll need you to show me around and inspect the local affairs.”
“Rest assured, leave it to me. Also, I have arranged a separate residence for Your Honor. You must rest well after your long journey.” Li stood and ordered, “Aunt Liu, please take Prefect and the others to the guesthouse. Attend to all their needs as instructed.”
“Much appreciated, County Magistrate. I am indeed weary. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Prefect, please follow me.” Aunt Liu stood at the hall entrance, beckoning.
Prefect Shen, Shen Ling, and Kong Yue followed her out.
On the steps, Shen Ling whispered, “Uncle Shen, I haven’t played with them. You can’t just let them off.”
“Don’t worry, the real drama is yet to come!” Prefect Shen’s face darkened with malice. “I’ve served in the bureaucracy for decades, yet today, a mere county magistrate mocked and bullied me. He shall lose his post at least, or worse, his life. Li Changfeng is the most disgraceful man I’ve ever met.”
With that, he swept his sleeve and hurried after Aunt Liu. Shen Ling and Kong Yue exchanged a cold glance.
Inside the hall, the cold wind rattled the windows, candlelight flickering.
Li Shuyao, worried, said, “Father, these people came with ill intent. You’ve now clashed with them, and with them staying in the mansion, they will surely continue to cause trouble.”
Li sat in the high-backed chair, a confident smile curling his lips. “Rest assured, your father isn’t a pushover. Having beaten them once, I’m not afraid of their schemes. Go now to the prison and check on Yiheng for me.”
“Father, I’m going right away.” Shuyao nodded and left the hall.