Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 25 I'll feed you for three days straight!
In Shen Qingzhou's heart, Lu Jia was a woman who was willing to go all out in her past life.

No one told him that she was actually quite greedy and opportunistic.

So, she wasn't thinking about how to repay him, but rather how to get more benefits out of him?
He took a deep breath and turned his face away: "Who are you hitting?"

Forget it, why bother arguing with her?
I knew she was no pushover.

Since it's about repaying a favor, there's nothing wrong with being her henchman.

"He Qing, Assistant Magistrate of Shawan County".

Shen Qingzhou choked, nearly spitting out saliva from his nose: "The Assistant Magistrate of Shawan County?"

“That’s right!” Lu Jia sneered. “Of course, I’m not really asking you to hit someone, but I still need your help.”

He Qing had been hanging out with Zhang Qi for years, becoming a scapegoat for the Zhang family's power. She knew who had hired those who beat Lu Jia today; it couldn't be anyone other than the He family. If there had to be one, it was undoubtedly Zhang Qi.

The Zhang family dares to be so arrogant simply because they have connections in the county government. As long as He Qing stops helping the Zhang family, Zhang Qi and his wife will naturally lose the guts to commit evil deeds with impunity.

From the time the feud between the Zhang families began until now, there has never been a single incident in which the Zhang family was not in the wrong, nor was it because they had overstepped their bounds and been greedy and insatiable.

If they could devour the Xie family, Lu Jia was confident they could eat every last bone in the Xie family.

Lu Jia had only resisted a few times, yet they dared to do such a heinous thing. If they don't do something big this time, the Zhang family will also become arrogant and ignorant.

Furthermore, since she was aiming to establish herself at the dock and do business, she had to clean up all the mess.

She's barefoot now, but once she puts on shoes, she'll feel restricted.

Shen Qingzhou paused for a moment: "Why?"

He lived peacefully in the yamen under the protection of Yan Guoyi, and no one dared to enter the courtyard to disturb him. But he didn't miss anything that happened outside. This He Qing had appeared a few times with Magistrate Fang Wei, and judging from his conversation, he was just an ordinary scholar.

It's quite common for impoverished scholars to covet small sums of money; it's a minor slyness, not a major evil. But how did he manage to offend this demon?

"Were those people today instigated by He Qing?" This was the only person he could contact at the moment. Because given her meticulous nature, she would never let go of the loss she suffered today.

“It’s not him, but it’s pretty much the same.” Lu Jia didn’t intend to say much to a complete stranger she had just met. “Just tell me, can you do it?”

Of course, he could do it. But Shen Qingzhou wasn't a true wandering swordsman; since it involved county officials, he needed to clarify things first. "After all, you are an official appointed by the imperial court. If you don't explain things clearly, I can't afford to take the risk."

Lu Jia thought for a moment and didn't make things difficult for him. She simply said, "I need to consider this matter for two more days. Go back and wait for news. I'll come back to you once I've made up my mind."

She emphasized, "As long as you get this done for me, don't worry, I'll provide you with three days' worth of food. And it won't be porridge, it'll all be solid rice!"

Shen Qingzhou wondered if he should express his flattery?
But he still nodded: "Okay."

He also asked He Qu to inquire about her situation and find out about He Qing's background in the past two days.

Since this matter is troubling her so much, it would be easier for Shen Qingzhou if it could be resolved for her in one go.

After that, he would devote himself to his important business and keep to himself.

"Where do you live?" Lu Jia asked, taking a sip of water. "Where should I go to find you?"

Shen Qingzhou said, "I roam the world, and I will come to find you within three days."

"Then you mustn't go back on your word."

Lu Jia wished he would make a vow.

She knew all too well how difficult it was to find another thug like him who could take down four people with a single punch and kick, especially since he was hungry when he did it. If he were fed and well-rested, wouldn't he unleash his power and take down a whole bunch of people? Of course, if he wanted to negotiate, he could ask her to provide meals for five or seven days.

Shen Qingzhou looked at her expectant gaze and sighed inwardly, "Do you have paper and pen?"

Lu Jia casually grabbed a few sheets of coarse paper and some ink and brush.

Shen Qingzhou picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote two lines: "Qin Zhou guarantees that he will visit within three days."

Then it was signed and dated.

Lu Jia craned her neck to watch him finish writing, then exclaimed with delight, "That's good!" She added, "Your handwriting is quite good. Have you been to school?"

Shen Qingzhou glanced at her: "Lost your father at a young age, so you have to learn a few words to make a living."

Makes sense.

Lu Jia carefully folded the paper. Then Xie Yi brought over hot tea, and she eagerly took the tray and handed it to Shen Qingzhou: "This is my brother's room. If you have nowhere to go, you can stay here for the night."

"But my mother and I are women, so the main gate must be locked. If anything happens, just call Yi-ge."

How could Shen Qingzhou possibly stay here?

He stood up: "I've troubled you for so long, I must take my leave now."

Lu Jia tried to persuade her to stay: "My mother is still preparing your medicine. It's not too late to leave after you finish drinking it."

She believed that Lu Jia would never have any ill intentions towards her, but Shen Qingzhou's "illness" was extraordinary, and she naturally couldn't take any medicine from outside.

"I have an employer waiting for me to go and chop someone up. I can't delay, otherwise I won't even be able to eat."

After saying that, he walked out the door, looked around, and then found the main gate and went out.

Lu Jia was speechless for a moment, then followed him to the door. She watched as he took a few long strides and disappeared into the night. She couldn't help but mutter, "He has a terrible temper, can eat a lot, and is so strange."

But who cares about his temperament?
As long as he knows how to fight, that's enough!
……

He Qu returned with steamed buns, and their young master was gone!
He was so anxious that he ran around Xichun Street countless times, and even peered into the Xie family's house for a long time, but he didn't see any movement.

Unfortunately, Shen Qingzhou had already instructed him to conceal his presence as much as possible during this trip, so he couldn't make a big fuss about it.

As night deepened, he was about to return to the yamen to call his brothers who had come with him to search for the missing person when a person walked out from the other end of the street. It was none other than Shen Qingzhou, who had been missing for half a day!

"Son!"

He Qu's heart was about to burst out of his chest.

Shen Qingzhou strode over and got into the carriage without saying a word: "Back to the yamen."

He Qu readily agreed, handing him the paper packet he had been holding to his chest: "Here, steamed buns."

Shen Qingzhou raised an eyebrow and glanced at it, then replied, "No. I'm full."

"Are you full?" He Qu exclaimed from the front of the carriage. "Where did you eat?" Their young master was always cautious and rarely ate out.

Shen Qingzhou leaned lazily against the pillow: "Made by an old friend."

(End of this chapter)