Shao Mingyuan was slightly startled and let Qiao Zhao take the teacup away.

“The cold toxin hasn’t been completely cleared. Don’t drink cold tea.”

Shao Mingyuan couldn’t help but smile. “I understand.”

Chi Can rolled his eyes heavily and grumbled inwardly: He’s drinking cold tea on purpose to make Li San worry about him. This guy is becoming more and more underhanded.

Young Master Chi thought this way and reached out to pick up his cold tea, drinking several sips. He felt even more upset in his heart.

Li San just watched him drink it down like that—she drank half a cup and didn’t care at all. What happened to the benevolent heart of a physician?

This heartless girl.

Fine, since no one cared for him, he’d care for himself!

Chi Can heavily set his teacup down on the table and stop drinking.

Young Master Chi’s secretive and complicated thoughts were naturally unknown to anyone. After waiting for about half an hour, just as everyone was growing impatient, there was finally movement outside the door.

“May I ask if the Imperial Guard officials are inside?”

Shao Mingyuan nodded to Chen Guang, who walked to the door and opened it.

A middle-aged man with a flushed face and short beard stood at the doorway, followed by several attendants.

“This humble official is Pang Sheng, magistrate of Haimen County. Hearing that Imperial Guard officials have come to this remote place, I’ve come specially to pay my respects.”

“Magistrate Pang, please enter.” Chen Guang said calmly.

Pang Sheng glanced at the two people flanking him from the corner of his eye and stepped inside.

Qiao Zhao’s eyes flickered slightly as understanding dawned in her heart.

Shao Mingyuan’s prediction was correct. The Haimen County magistrate indeed knew the identities of their group, especially knowing that Marquis Guanjun was among them. Otherwise, facing people whose identities were not yet proven, this kind of county magistrate, accustomed to being the sole authority in these remote areas far from the emperor, would not have such a humble attitude.

“So you’re Haimen County Magistrate Pang Sheng?” Yang Houcheng looked Pang Sheng up and down and handed over the token representing Imperial Guard identity. “I heard that magistrates in our Great Liang must be jinshi scholars to serve. Since Magistrate Pang has been to the Golden Throne Hall, you should recognize this, right?”

Pang Sheng hurriedly took the badge and examined it carefully for a moment before showing a smile. “Indeed, it’s the Imperial Guard officials. This humble official has been away from the capital for many years. To meet you, distinguished officials, in such a small town today is my great honor.”

While saying this, his peripheral vision quickly swept over everyone, his gaze lingering quite long on Shao Mingyuan.

Of course, since Qiao Zhao’s side wouldn’t reveal their identities, Pang Sheng naturally wouldn’t expose them either. He turned to introduce the two people who came with him. “This is our Haimen Chief Secretary Li and Clerk Zhang. County Deputy Wang happened to have business and couldn’t come. Please don’t take offense, honored officials.”

“Magistrate Pang is too polite. Since you’re here, let’s have a good drink and let us hear about the local customs to broaden our horizons.” Though Yang Houcheng was straightforward by nature, coming from a noble family, he could still manage such diplomatic words.

Magistrate Pang and his officials took their seats.

Yang Houcheng knocked on the table and shouted, “Waiter! Hurry up and bring wine and food!”

Soon, two waiters came in carrying wine and dishes, quickly filling the table.

“Eh, where’s the one from before?”

One waiter said tremblingly, “He’s feeling a bit unwell.”

That unlucky fellow had been force-fed several pieces of salt-fried chicken laced with sleeping powder by this master—how could he feel well?

Yang Houcheng chuckled a few times.

“Magistrate Pang, please.”

“Everyone, please.”

Picking up chopsticks to take a piece of salt-fried chicken, Chi Can asked the waiter standing in the corner, sweating coldly with a mocking smile, “This salt-fried chicken is flavorful enough this time, right?”

“Flavorful, very flavorful!” The waiter didn’t even dare wipe the cold sweat dripping from his forehead, nodding and bowing repeatedly.

“Why don’t you leave? What a bunch of idiots!” Clerk Zhang, whose face had darkened, scolded.

The two waiters felt as if granted amnesty and fled in panic. Outside, they were stopped by the shopkeeper who asked about the situation inside, then stamped his feet repeatedly. “We’re finished, finished! Those officials might use our tavern as an example to show their respect for those people. When that happens, none of us will escape unscathed!”

“That can’t be right. Wasn’t it the county magistrate’s order that whoever discovered those people’s whereabouts must find a way to detain them and report to the authorities immediately?” one waiter asked.

The shopkeeper glared at him. “What do you understand? Stop talking and resign ourselves to fate.”

Inside the private room, Magistrate Pang smiled at Clerk Zhang. “Be gentler with the common people. Don’t frighten them.”

Qiao Zhao and the others sneered inwardly, already too lazy to comment on these people’s words and actions. However, to mislead Xing Wuyang’s side, they still had to maintain appearances.

As cups were exchanged, Magistrate Pang asked, “This humble official heard that you honored officials have completed your mission and are returning to the capital?”

While asking this, his gaze fell on Shao Mingyuan somewhat pointedly.

Shao Mingyuan didn’t speak, holding his teacup and slowly taking a sip.

Mm, Zhaozhao said he shouldn’t drink much alcohol, so he’d better stick to tea.

“Of course, we have to return to report. The Empress Dowager is still waiting.” Yang Houcheng said.

Magistrate Pang’s heart leaped with joy as he quickly said, “I see. Then this humble official won’t dare detain you, honored officials, for long, otherwise I would entertain you properly for several days.”

“We don’t dare stay long either, otherwise what if we encounter more Japanese pirates or corrupt people like the former town magistrate here, who colluded with pirates? Being killed by Japanese pirates wouldn’t be worth it, and killing corrupt people who collude with pirates might bring constables again.” Chi Can coolly jabbed.

Magistrate Pang knew Chi Can’s identity well and naturally didn’t take offense, smiling as he changed the subject.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, waiters cleared the dishes and served clear tea. Magistrate Pang smiled and said, “When will you honored officials depart? This humble official will escort you to the dock.”

Only then did Shao Mingyuan proactively respond, “We’ll rest briefly, then leave. As a county magistrate with many official duties, Magistrate Pang needn’t trouble yourself to see us off.”

One of his guards was escorting a young lady back to Baiyu Town, so naturally, they had to wait for his return before departing.

The rest was all boring conversation. Physician Li had long grown impatient and left the private room, taking Qiao Zhao with him.

The grandfather and granddaughter strolled in the courtyard behind the tavern when they suddenly heard a woman’s scolding voice: “Gou Sheng, you’re bullying your little brother again! How can you be so incorrigible?”

Physician Li frowned. “Can’t get peace anywhere. Come, let’s go see.”

The two followed the sound to the back door, which was left ajar. Behind the door was a small alley where a young woman held a four or five-year-old boy, coldly scolding a seven or eight-year-old boy.

Soon, a man around thirty hurried out and asked, “What happened?”

The young woman said aggrievedly, “Gou Sheng just grabbed mud and stuffed it in Er Wa’s mouth. I got angry and scolded him a few times—”

“I didn’t!” the older boy said stubbornly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the man raised his hand and slapped the boy.

The loud slap echoed as the young woman quickly said, “Forget it, Gou Sheng is still young. Why hit him? If others see, they’ll think I’m an unkind stepmother.”

The grandfather and granddaughter watched coldly. Physician Li suddenly said, “Zhao girl, want to test how well you’ve learned your hypnosis techniques?”