“What is he like as a person normally?” Shao Mingyuan asked.

“As a person?” The village chief pondered for a moment. “Tie Zhu is usually quiet and rarely draws attention. He gives the impression of being honest and simple. Your Lordship, how do you know about Tie Zhu?”

“We happened to encounter him yesterday.” Shao Mingyuan didn’t elaborate further. After letting the village chief drink tea, he turned to asking about the village’s situation.

Facing such a figure as Marquis Guanjun, the village chief naturally spoke candidly about everything. By the third cup of tea, the atmosphere had become familiar, and he smiled: “Your Lordship, this old man sees that you distinguished guests don’t have anyone to serve tea and water. This old man has several granddaughters. If you don’t mind their rough hands and feet, let them come help for a few days. They can still do things like mending and cleaning for the distinguished guests.”

Qiao Zhao, sitting quietly in the corner, glanced at Shao Mingyuan and silently sipped her tea.

Shao Mingyuan quickly said, “No need. We’re all grown men with hands and feet, we don’t need anyone to serve us.”

“Is that so? Well, if Your Lordship ever needs girls for rough work in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.” The village chief’s tone was full of regret.

It was said that the nobles in the capital had people to serve them even for washing their faces and dressing. How was this Marquis different?

His granddaughters were quite pretty. With so many noble gentlemen, if any of them took a fancy to one, it would be a lifetime of endless fortune. Taking a step back, even earning some money as helpers would be good.

The village chief’s expression became even more regretful.

Shao Mingyuan glanced with his peripheral vision at the young lady sitting properly in the corner and immediately felt a headache coming on.

This village chief was just adding to his troubles. What if Zhaozhao got angry?

“We won’t trouble the village chief with these matters. All of us quite enjoy doing rough work.” Shao Mingyuan smiled.

Yang Houcheng and the others nearby frowned upon hearing this.

Who enjoyed doing rough work? This guy was arbitrarily speaking for them again!

Shao Mingyuan took in everyone’s expressions completely, remaining utterly unmoved.

As long as Zhaozhao wasn’t angry, that was fine. As for the others, heh, they were all big burly men. If they were unhappy, they could go out and spar until they behaved.

Shao Mingyuan put down his teacup, preparing to see off his guest. Before he could speak, Chen Guang came in to report: “General, there are villagers outside looking for the village chief.”

“Looking for me?” The village chief stood up, somewhat puzzled. “Who would be looking for me at this time? I even told the old woman at home that I was coming to Your Lordship’s place. Your Lordship, let this old man go out and see.”

Shao Mingyuan gave Chen Guang a meaningful look and stopped the village chief: “Please have that person come in to speak.”

Chen Guang immediately ran out and soon led in a young man with alert eyes.

Facing Shao Mingyuan and the others, the young man couldn’t help but lower his head, his eyes darting around.

The village chief went up and gave the young man a slap: “What are you looking around for? Hurry up and say what you need to say.”

The young man took a breath: “Village chief, the county magistrate is here!”

The village chief was shocked: “How could the county magistrate come to our village?”

“The county magistrate says he’s come to visit Marquis Guanjun.”

The village chief couldn’t help but look at Shao Mingyuan: “Your Lordship, what do you think—”

Shao Mingyuan nodded to Chen Guang: “Chen Guang, go with him to see. If it’s the Jia Feng county magistrate, invite him in.”

“Yes, sir.” Chen Guang led the young man out.

Shao Mingyuan sat back down and pointed to a nearby chair: “Village chief, please sit.”

The village chief hesitated.

That was the county magistrate! Should he stay here to continue accompanying Marquis Guanjun, or go out to welcome the county magistrate?

The Marquis ranked higher than the county magistrate, so he should stay. But if he just sat here like this, what would happen when the county magistrate came in?

“Village chief, please sit.” Shao Mingyuan said again.

The village chief hurriedly sat down, carefully perched on the edge of the chair, restless and uneasy.

Soon, a man in his forties with a short beard walked in, followed by several attendants.

The village chief immediately stood up.

The short-bearded man quickly surveyed the room, his gaze finally settling on Shao Mingyuan. He cupped his hands: “This humble official is Wang Dahai, magistrate of Jia Feng County, paying respects to Your Lordship.”

“Magistrate Wang, please sit.”

Magistrate Wang sat down with a quite respectful attitude: “This humble official heard that Your Lordship has graced our county with your presence. It’s a great honor. I failed to welcome you earlier and hope Your Lordship won’t blame me.”

“Magistrate Wang is too kind.” Shao Mingyuan calmly observed Magistrate Wang.

Magistrate Wang wiped his sweat, his gaze falling on Chi Can and the other: “Your Lordship, may I ask who these two young masters are—”

Shao Mingyuan pointed to Chi Can and smiled faintly: “This is Young Master Chi, and this is Young Master Yang.”

Magistrate Wang quickly greeted both: “So it’s Young Master Chi and Young Master Yang. This humble official has long admired your name.”

Shao Mingyuan’s eyes flickered slightly as he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

“Has Your Lordship come this time to pay respects to Lord Qiao?”

Shao Mingyuan nodded: “We’ll go pay our respects shortly.”

“Then let this humble official accompany Your Lordship. Master Qiao Zhuo was a model for scholars throughout the land, and Lord Qiao was likewise an exemplar for our generation. This humble official has long wanted to pay respects.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Very well. Magistrate Wang, please wait a moment while this Marquis goes to prepare.”

He stood up, glanced imperceptibly at Qiao Zhao, then walked out.

Magistrate Wang immediately began chatting with Chi Can and the other.

Chi Can was always reserved and aloof in front of such people, too lazy to make small talk. Yang Houcheng was more talkative, which kept the atmosphere from growing cold.

Qiao Zhao took the opportunity to slip out.

Shao Mingyuan was waiting under the loquat tree in the courtyard. Seeing the young lady walking toward him, he stepped forward to meet her.

“This Magistrate Wang’s arrival is very suspicious.” Qiao Zhao walked to Shao Mingyuan’s side and said in a low voice.

“You noticed too?” Shao Mingyuan asked with a smile.

Qiao Zhao gave him a look: “I’m not stupid.”

After saying this, she looked at Shao Mingyuan with a bright smile: “So, General Shao, tell me, what’s suspicious about this magistrate?”

Shao Mingyuan looked toward the doorway and lowered his voice: “He arrived too quickly. We only came yesterday, and even if these villagers like to spread news, they wouldn’t spread it this fast. That means Magistrate Wang must have stationed someone specifically at the dock to get the news promptly.”

“Exactly. And there’s his form of address for Big Brother Yang. You introduced him as Young Master Yang, but he called Big Brother Yang ‘Young Master Yang,’ which shows he already knew Big Brother Yang and the others’ identities…” Qiao Zhao noticed the man in front of her had an odd expression and stopped to ask, “What’s wrong?”

Shao Mingyuan looked quite aggrieved: “Why are they ‘Big Brother Yang’ and ‘Big Brother Chi,’ but I’m ‘General Shao’?”

Qiao Zhao’s mouth twitched, and she asked with a straight face: “Does General Shao have an objection?”

“No objection, just a small suggestion. How about Zhaozhao calling me Big Brother Shao?”

Qiao Zhao looked at him with a half-smile and said without courtesy: “Actually, considering our age difference, it would be appropriate for me to call you Uncle Shao.”

Shao Mingyuan coughed with his fist to his lips: “Let’s stick with General Shao then.”

He couldn’t agree to a form of address that made them seem like different generations!

With his suggestion rejected, Shao Mingyuan had to continue: “Whether it’s your trip south for medicine gathering or my trip south to pay respects, a county magistrate far in the south couldn’t possibly know about it, much less need to station people at the dock. So there are two possibilities—”