They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 329 No Room for Maneuver
It's too late, it's all too late.
I had long heard of Lord Lu's impartiality, integrity, diligence, and love for the people; indeed, his reputation is well-deserved. This case was tried far too quickly.
He couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.

Magistrate Lu spoke with righteous indignation: "This matter concerns Lady Shanci's reputation. How could I not be anxious to investigate and clarify the matter quickly? Lady Shanci has made outstanding contributions to Daming and has just received commendation and rewards from the Emperor. As the magistrate of Qingshan County, I have a lot of face to show, and I will certainly not allow anyone to slander Lady Shanci! Besides, this is also to uphold the Emperor's wisdom!"

Fan Tongzhi's staff were so frustrated that they couldn't utter a single word.

Is it wrong for Magistrate Lu to cherish his reputation and uphold the Emperor's wisdom?
No!

Fan Tongzhi's advisors couldn't help but curse Qi Da Gongzi inwardly for his reckless behavior. Madam Shanci's merit was equivalent to Magistrate Lu's merit, and they had only been in the limelight for a short while. He was already trying to cause trouble. Wasn't this a slap in Magistrate Lu's face?

You, from the neighboring county, dare to come to the neighboring county to slap the county magistrate in the face? How big of a face do you have?

Magistrate Lu might suspect that his master is deliberately targeting him because of this incident—that won't do!
Fan Tongzhi's advisor's heart skipped a beat. This was outrageous! Was their master going to take the blame for that bastard Qi family?
The advisor then subtly hinted at several things, completely absolving Fan Tongzhi of any involvement in the matter. He emphasized that his presence was solely due to his wife's relationship with Madam Qi, and that he had no choice but to come. He added that the official could understand Lord Lu's situation perfectly well, and that the matter was indeed the fault of the eldest son of the Qi family.
But now that the case is closed and Madam Shanci's reputation hasn't been affected, should this matter end here? Or is it better not to post any public notices? Just letting the people know is enough.
Publicly executing someone without posting official notices and repeatedly showing it to the public will quickly lose its appeal. That's all the staff can do.

Of course, he would secretly take the two Qi brothers away. Magistrate Lu could easily announce to the public that he had already punished the eldest son of the Qi family with a beating and fined a certain amount of silver, as a warning to others.

Anyway, he can say whatever number he wants.

Unexpectedly, this advisor is destined to have a difficult day.

Magistrate Lu knew he couldn't refuse Prefect Fan's request, so he said with a wry smile, "I've already severely punished the Qi brothers. Since they've signed and confessed, I don't need to pursue the matter further. But the case closure notice was posted early this morning."

The staff member's vision went black again.

"How...how could it be so fast!"

Magistrate Lu gave him a displeased look: "This matter involves Lady Shanci, so a swift resolution is necessary to put people at ease. How can we delay?"

"."

That makes so much sense, I'm speechless.

The advisor felt a bitter taste in his mouth and couldn't help but curse under his breath, targeting Young Master Qi.

Why did you have to sabotage someone who made a name for themselves? They haven't even had a chance to properly celebrate their achievements, and you're already trying to trample them in the mud? You idiot! A complete and utterly brainless idiot!
They deserved to be punished!
The staff had nothing more to say.

He was a little scared and didn't dare to say anything.

He feared that if he spoke his mind, Magistrate Lu would respond with his own, leaving him speechless; his heart couldn't take that.
The advisors secretly led the Qi brothers back home in disgrace.

Magistrate Lu breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly ordered the notice to be posted, stating the wrongdoing of the eldest son of the Qi family. At the end of the notice, he wrote that the son had been given thirty strokes of the cane and fined three thousand taels of silver as a warning to others.

That's enough to make an example of someone.

Anyone who isn't afraid of the thirty strokes of the cane and the three thousand taels of silver fine from the yamen can go ahead and court death.

The people were all delighted.

The fact that the eldest son of the Qi family was punished so severely proves that he is indeed extremely wicked!
You deserve it.

Master Shao personally went to the inn to tell Xu Zhichun the result. Xu Zhichun was extremely grateful, thanked him politely, and went home.

Officer Yu made a perfect disappearance and never reappeared.

The Zeng family had also heard some rumors. Madam Zeng was gloating, and the eldest son of the Zeng family also felt a sense of satisfaction.

Madam Zeng was very proactive in inquiring about the latest news and told to her as soon as possible. She was eager to spend money to get involved when the time was right.

Before she could even get started, the matter ended with lightning speed. Mrs. Zeng still felt a lingering sense of absurdity; how could it have ended like this?
She felt extremely bitter and couldn't help but sneer, "Magistrate Lu really thinks highly of her. When it comes to her affairs, he handles them faster than anything else! Oh well, neither side is any good anyway, I'm happy no matter who suffers!"

Xu Zhichun and his servant returned home unharmed. At the time, they didn't feel anything, but thinking about it now, their hearts are pounding and their legs feel weak.

Granny Qin Qing sighed, "That was incredibly dangerous!"

Xu Zhichun: "Who says otherwise? Luckily, everything is alright."

"Yes, thankfully, Madam is decisive, and our Spring Equinox is also formidable."

Xu Zhichun laughed and said, "It's all thanks to the Spring Equinox. I don't know what I would do without her."

I was praised during the Spring Equinox and laughed with joy.

She likes to feel useful and enjoys being praised.

She happily shared the delicious food she had bought with Muxiang and took it to the Liang family for her parents.

Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "Chunfen, come back early! We'll cook something delicious tonight!"

"Ok!"

Spring Equinox ran off happily, and Xu Zhichun and Granny Qin Qing looked at each other and smiled.

While they were happily preparing a big feast to celebrate, the Qi family in Qingyang County was shrouded in gloom, with Madam Qi and her two concubines, the eldest son of Qi, crying their hearts out.

Madam Qi cried and cursed, and she cursed Xu Zhichun the most. She also cursed Constable Yu, Magistrate Lu, and even the staff of Assistant Magistrate Fan.

If it weren't for Master Qi saying a few words, Qi Tong and Qi Gui would have been sold off immediately.

"That ungrateful wretch! Does she really think a title with no substance can protect her for life? I'll send someone to propose marriage tomorrow, and let's see what she thinks!"

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"How is this nonsense? Isn't she the kind and benevolent lady? She is of good character, beautiful and talented. Our Qi family went through all the proper matchmaking and courtship rituals with utmost sincerity to ask her to be our eldest daughter-in-law. Is that wrong?"

Madam Qi was determined. Even if Xu Zhichun disagreed, the Qi family would make a scene over this matter and let everyone know about it.

Let's see what she does!

Master Qi scolded him angrily, "You'd better not have said that out of anger. You're not allowed to do anything now, so shut up! The eldest son is ignorant, and you're ignorant too? Have you forgotten what your brother-in-law said?"

Madam Qi burst into tears.

"This matter is not over."

Officer Yu kept a close watch on them for a long time, not daring to relax for a moment.

It wasn't until the end of February that things started to relax a little.

With flowers blooming and spring warmth arriving in March, and lush green hills and clear waters just beginning to turn verdant, it is the perfect time for spring outings.

On the third day of the third lunar month, the Qingshan County School welcomed a group of Confucian scholars and literary masters who had traveled from afar, led by the scholar Songquan.