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Chapter 201: More Things Happen After Becoming an Official! (Requesting monthly votes!)
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Looking at Hong Wu's resigned yet desperately pleading expression, the official didn't immediately agree, but slowly asked:

"What kind of status do you, Hong Wu, have in your 'beggar's den'?"

Hong Wu raised his head, his face covered in mud and cold sweat, but his eyes held the last bit of bravado of a bandit: "Replying to your Excellency, I am unworthy to hold the position of... head beggar!"

"The Beggars' Leader?" Ximen Qing was taken aback upon hearing this, then, as if he had heard something extremely amusing, he raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but curl a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth. "Ha! So your 'beggar's den' might also have a name called the Beggars' Clan?"

Hong Wu became even more embarrassed by Ximen Qing's clearly teasing tone. His bravado crumbled, leaving only deep helplessness and self-mockery.
"Sir, you jest! What 'Beggar Clan,' 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms,' 'Dog-Beating Stick Technique'... those are just stories told by storytellers in teahouses and theaters to fool people and earn copper coins! We beggars who have really been through the mud may have a bit of the spirit of wandering the world, but we don't have the magical skills of those storytellers."

He licked his chapped lips and explained with an almost absurd "seriousness":

"'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms'? That's just a drinking game we have in our beggar's den, a way to have fun and play drinking games. We just gave it a catchy name for fun, but who knew it would become so terrifying once it got out? They even started using 'Regretful Dragon' and 'Flying Dragon in the Sky'! As for 'Dog-Beating Stick Technique'..." Hong Wu gave a strange, blood-tinged bitter smile.
"That's true! But we're not fighting any chivalrous heroes. We're fighting when our stomachs are rumbling and we want to indulge in some meat, like to stew a few pots of 'Even Gods Can't Stand Still'! It's like using a sturdy stick to beat wild dogs. When you're surrounding someone, you have to strike once, steadily, accurately, and ruthlessly!"

"You have to aim for that beast's skull and smash it down! It'll kill it instantly! If you miss and hurt it somewhere else, the beast will scream and howl, blood will flow everywhere, and its flesh will taste sour and tasteless... Chewing it will be like chewing rotten cotton, with no fragrance left!"

He grinned, but the smile looked more like a grimace.

After hearing Hong Wu's self-deprecating remarks about the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms" and the "Dog-Beating Stick Technique," Ximen Qing's mocking smile had not yet completely faded.

Suddenly, with a touch of curiosity, he posed another question:
"Oh? In your 'beggar's den,' was there ever a... beggar leader named Qiao Feng?"

Hong Wu was taken aback: "Sir, you also know about our Qiao Feng from Huaziwo?"

"Replying to your question, sir! Of course there is such a person! Qiao Feng is no ordinary beggar! He is a chivalrous and generous hero with a heart for his country!"

"He is a true hero! He is highly skilled, and his combat prowess in the bandit world is unmatched! What is even more remarkable is that he has a strong sense of righteousness!"

"That was more than ten years ago. Back then, war raged in the north. Brother Qiao Feng led a group of brothers from Huaziwo, risking their lives to travel between enemy territory and the border, delivering countless crucial military intelligence to the Zhong family army under the command of Zhong Shidao! He escaped death countless times, and Zhong Shidao himself praised him as a 'righteous man from the common people'!"

At this point, the fanatical light in Hong Wu's eyes suddenly dimmed, and he sighed:

"It's a pity he didn't live long... Qiao Feng... he later... alas! It's all because of that damned 'background'! And then several times military intelligence was leaked, and in the end... to prove his innocence, he committed suicide by cutting his own throat in front of the two armies... his blood splattered the yellow sand red..."

Hong Wu let out a long sigh.

Ximen Da Guanren didn't even lift his eyelids, his fingertips idly tapping the armrest of the chair.

He suddenly lifted his eyelids again: "Hong Wu, how many people are in your family now?"

Upon hearing this, Hong Wu's face, already covered in mud and sweat, instantly lost all color, turning as pale as a newly painted wall.

He trembled violently, his forehead hitting the ground repeatedly with a series of loud thuds, leaving gray marks on the blue brick floor. A distorted sob escaped his throat.
"My...My lord, please have mercy! I deserve to die, I have violated the heavenly law! But...but this crime, even if it means being torn to pieces, should be borne by me alone, please...please do not implicate my entire family! I beg you, my lord, have mercy! Please have mercy!"

Ximen Da Guanren snorted coldly: "Shut up! Answer me whatever I ask you!"

Hong Wu's pleas for mercy abruptly ceased, like a chicken being choked.

He lay prostrate on the ground, his voice barely audible, trembling with despair: "Reporting to my lord... at home... there is still... there is still my seventy-year-old mother, a... a haggard old woman... and... and a five-year-old boy named... named Hong Liu..."

Upon hearing the name "Hong Liu," Ximen Qing raised an eyebrow, a strange expression flashing across his face, as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

He leaned forward slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and slowly asked, "Oh? Hong Liu?... So when your Hong family has a grandson in the future, will he... be called 'Hong Qi'?"

Hong Wu, lying on the ground, felt a surge of bitterness rising in his heart upon hearing the teasing. A dry laugh, more bitter than bitter herbs, forced a smile from his lips: "My lord... my lord, your eyes are truly discerning... I... I do indeed have this wish... I hope that... a wisp of smoke will rise from my ancestors' graves..."

The slight mocking smile on Ximen Qing's lips slowly faded. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers unconsciously stroking the jade pendant in his hand, remaining silent for a long while. The hall was so quiet that Hong Wu's heavy, suppressed breathing could be heard. After a long while, Ximen Qing finally raised his eyelids, his gaze heavy and sharp, like two blocks of ice crashing down:

"Hong Wu, I'll ask you one more time—do you want to die, or do you want to live?"

Hong Wu suddenly raised his head, his cloudy eyes suddenly bursting with the wild joy of a drowning man grabbing a piece of driftwood, his voice cracking: "Live! My lord! I can live! Who... who bastard wants to die! I beg you, my lord, to grant me a way out! I... I will serve you like a slave, I will repay you even if it means doing anything for you!"

Looking at him like this, Ximen Qing remained unmoved, only saying indifferently, "Want to live? Simple. Go do something for me."

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing deep into Hong Wu's eyes: "I won't lie to you, this matter... is life-threatening, a matter of life and death."

Hong Wu's ecstatic joy froze instantly, and all color drained from his face once more.

Ximen Qing continued unhurriedly, his voice carrying a promise:

"However... let me assure you. After this is done, whether you live or die, I guarantee your mother, your wife, and that brat Hong Liu will always have hot soup and meals, and they won't go hungry or cold. I'll also grant them an extra privilege: a secluded courtyard house in the city, and two quick and efficient maids to serve them. As for your brat Hong Liu, when he reaches the age and wants to study, I'll send him to school; if he wants to practice martial arts, I'll find him a proper teacher. What do you say?"

Upon hearing these words, Hong Wu felt as if he had been struck by lightning, yet also as if he had received timely rain after a long drought!

His eyes widened, his lips trembled, and a mixture of overwhelming joy and disbelief rendered him speechless. He could only kowtow several more times, his forehead bleeding and stained with dust.

"Really?! Your Excellency's words are golden, are they true?! I...I..." He was so excited that he couldn't speak coherently.

After he finished speaking, he paused and said to himself, "That's right, what kind of person is this sir? Why would he need to deceive a peasant like me? The little thing he promised me is nothing more than a grain of sand slipping through his fingers, a matter of just a flick of his little finger."

Hong Wu felt reassured; any lingering doubts vanished instantly, leaving only the ecstasy of escaping a desperate situation and awe of the powerful officials.

He straightened his hunched back, his eyes flashing with determination, and patted his chest, saying, "My lord, give the order! I'll brave mountains of knives and seas of fire, boiling oil and hell. If you give me the order, I, Hong Wu, will not even flinch! I will obey your command, my lord, even unto death!"

Ximen Da Guanren nodded slightly, letting out a soft "hmm" in his throat. The sound was not loud, but it struck people's hearts with a heavy weight:

"Listen carefully. Head northeast and enter the territory of Jizhou. Near Yuncheng County, there is a vast, boundless marshland called Liangshan Marsh!"

He deliberately rolled his tongue heavily over the three characters "Liangshanbo," and lightly pointed with his finger, as if poking at that treacherous place that would later cause the government a great deal of trouble.

“That Liangshan Marsh is truly a den of dragons and tigers! Eight hundred miles of misty waters, with Reed Marsh and Golden Sand Mouth being the most important passages. The stronghold is located on the top of Wanzicheng and Yazui Beach.”

"Surrounded by water on all sides, it is like an iron barrel, impossible to escape, a place where dragons and snakes hide."

He slightly raised his eyelids and glanced at Hong Wu. "Whether you bring those rascals and scoundrels from 'Beggar's Nest' or go it alone, what I want you to do is to 'join' Liangshan Marsh and 'bury' yourselves in it!"

The official, a half-smile playing on his lips, slowly said, "Regardless of who sits in the top seat now, you must diligently 'manage' yourselves, establish yourself in Liangshan Marsh, and make a name for yourself. You'd better stay put! Without my personal order, dare not lay a finger on me—"

Before he could finish speaking, he glanced sideways at Hong Wu and asked, "Have you memorized everything?"

Upon hearing this, Hong Wu's heart pounded wildly in his chest, but he dared not show it on his face. He hurriedly slammed his head heavily against the cold blue brick floor with a dull thud, and a red mark immediately appeared on his forehead, but his voice was resolute:
"Your Excellency's kindness is as vast as the heavens and as deep as the earth, and even if I, Hong Wu, were to be shattered to pieces, I could never repay even a fraction of it! Your Excellency's command is etched in my heart! This time, when I go to Liangshan Marsh, I will risk my life to join the group, humbly serving as your servant, awaiting only your command! If there is the slightest mistake or mishap, Your Excellency may crush my worthless bones into dust and feed them to the dogs!"

Seeing his quick and decisive response, Ximen Qing grunted, his expression softening slightly, and his words carried a hint of warmth, a mixture of kindness and severity:

"Hmm. I understand. I will arrange for someone to take care of your mother, your wife, and your son Hong Liu, and send them to a safe place so you can see them before you leave. Make sure you are well taken care of and then set off immediately, lest you delay my important business!"

Upon hearing this, Hong Wu felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart, and he was overwhelmed with gratitude and the bitterness of separation from his loved ones.

He suddenly clasped his hands in front of his chest, performing a rough,江湖-style salute, and his back straightened a bit as he said in a deep voice, "This humble one...this humble one kowtows to thank you for your great kindness! I will certainly take good care of my family and would never dare to delay your important business!"

At this moment, the Ximen residence was in a state of utter chaos.

The snowflakes that drifted down in the morning, after swirling around in the wind, melted into a heavy snowfall.

In just a few hours, the water level in the courtyard had risen to a depth of over an inch. The surrounding area was a blinding white, which made the ram's horn lanterns hanging under the eaves of the Ximen Mansion appear even more dim and warm.

The Moon Goddess sat upright on the heated kang in the warm pavilion. The kang was warm and cozy, and the silver frost charcoal burned silently in the copper basin. A sable rabbit lay on her forehead to warm her, and a thin layer of frost-like solemnity was on her brow.

Tomorrow's banquet is my master's first "pledge of allegiance" as he takes office and plunges into the officialdom of Qinghe County. Everyone at the banquet is someone who can make Qinghe County tremble with a stomp of his foot, and there are also a few retired eunuchs who have retired from the palace to live a life of leisure. These people cannot tolerate the slightest imperfection under their noses, and their thoughts are deeper than the frozen pond outside.

Xiaoyu, Jinlian'er, Li Guijie, and Xiangling stood at attention, holding their breath.

"Everyone, be alert!" Yue Niang said, her voice not loud, but every word struck a chord in people's hearts. "Tomorrow there is only one table, eight distinguished guests, but it is a hundred times more important than ten or a hundred tables in the past! There can be no mistakes, no slightest negligence!"

“Xiaoyu,” she said, her gaze sweeping across the room like lightning, “there is a large round table of rosewood in the hall, with a thicker scarlet felt blanket, and four gold foot warmers burning bright silver charcoal. In the very center of the table, there is a rosewood screen inlaid with mother-of-pearl, depicting the ‘Three Friends of Winter,’ which is both elegant and windproof.”

"You must personally scald the newly acquired 'Imperial Made' style engraved gold wine set, wine warmer, and celadon tea set three times with boiling water, wipe them dry with soft silk, and leave not a single water stain or fingerprint! The agate bowl is only for holding the chilled 'Jade Dew' wine, and the Jinhua wine is warmed in the gold pot. Remember, the maids serving you must clean every last drop from under their fingernails!"

Xiaoyu's heart skipped a beat: "Mother, don't worry! This servant knows what's important. I'll make sure that the table and all the utensils are so bright you can see your reflection in them, and so clean you can use them as mirrors!"

Yue Niang turned to Jin Lian'er, her eyes filled with warning: "Jin Lian'er, you are in charge of the tea and wine, and directing the maids is also a crucial step! Those old eunuchs are sharp-tongued; what haven't they seen in the palace?"

"Liu'an Songluo tea, using the top 'sparrow's tongue' leaves, boiled in Yuquan water until just opening like crab eyes, then removed from the heat. The temperature and time for the first rinse must be precise! After serving the tea, you watch the maidservant carrying the teapot from behind the curtain. The wine—" She paused,
"The 'Magu' and 'Zhuyeqing' wines are kept warm in a gold-plated warming pot. Jinhua wine is strong, so it's kept warm in a gold pot. If the eunuchs find it too strong, immediately replace it with a warmed 'Huiquanhuang' or 'Jingu Lu'. Keep a close eye on those maids, making sure they add wine and tea to the distinguished guests' cups, not a fraction faster or slower! And don't use the excuse of adding wine to get closer to the master and the distinguished guests!"

The last sentence was delivered with a stern tone.

Jin Lian'er flinched at the piercing gaze, her face draining of color. She quickly lowered her head and said, "This servant will definitely keep an eye on those little hussies from the shadows in the back hall, and will not take a single extra step or say a single extra word! I will make sure to serve them warm tea and hot wine to their utmost!"

“Sister Gui,” Yue Niang looked at Li Guijie, her tone softening but becoming more solemn, “You are skilled in musical instruments. Quality is more important than quantity, and 'refinement' is even more crucial. You will select two of the best singing maids, with clear voices and clean appearances, dressed in simple lotus-colored or moon-white jackets and skirts, to sing behind the green gauze curtain on the side of the warm pavilion.” “They must know many songs. If no adults have chosen songs, they should only select auspicious and celebratory pieces like ‘Four Seasons’ and ‘Celebrating a Bountiful Year.’ Their voices must be clear and melodious, almost imperceptible, and they must never overshadow the main performers! After singing, they must leave immediately, without showing their faces, and certainly not offering toasts at the table!”

Knowing the implications, Li Guijie solemnly replied, "Mother, you've thought this through! I'll personally select the best singers and the most virtuous ones in Qinghe County, and personally supervise their vocal training. Tomorrow, they'll only sing two appropriate songs clearly and loudly behind the gauze curtains, and I would never dare to disturb the refined conversations of the noble ladies."

"Xiangling," Yue Niang instructed finally, her voice even lower, "the lamps, candles, and incense burners are not only for appearances, but also for your heart. Only light the brightest glass palace lanterns in the hall, and burn the finest 'ambergris cakes' in the four corner burners. The aroma must be pure, subtle, and authentic!"

"You tell the maid to keep an eye on the palace lanterns and incense burners, and also prepare a small gilded incense burner with the inscription 'Bamboo Brings Peace,' burn some high-quality agarwood incense, and place it at the entrance of the warm pavilion for good luck."

"Also keep an eye on the fruits in the kitchen, and remember to only take four kinds: pears smoked in the greenhouse, candied kumquats, sugar-coated pine nuts, and amber walnuts. Serve them in white porcelain tall dishes and arrange them in the style of 'Peace and Safety in All Seasons'. Remember, the items should be few but exquisite, look simple, and taste precious."

"After the adults finish eating, you must change the menu regularly. If someone eats quickly, you should change the menu more often to their favorite dishes."

Xiangling calmly replied, "Yes, madam. The lights are bright yet gentle, the aroma is pure and pleasing to your taste, and the fruits and pastries are all exquisite, without any embellishment."

"Summon Dai'an and Laibao!" Yue Niang called out.

quietly.

Jin Lian'er said, "Auntie, those two went to the yamen with the master..."

Moon Lady slapped her forehead: "I've been so confused! Let Laiwang and Ping'an in!"

Jin Lian'er twisted her waist and said, "This servant will go and call them right away!"

Shortly after.

The second steward, Laiwang, and the servant, Ping'an, bowed as they entered, radiating a chill, and carefully dusted themselves off at the doorway.

“Ping An, now that monkey Dai An has a certain status, it’s inconvenient for him to continue welcoming guests.” Yue Niang stared at him.
"You are also an old man in the manor, and you know best what is important. Tomorrow, all distinguished guests' sedan chairs and horses should be quietly brought in through the west corner gate and directly into the warm sedan chair hall of the second gate to alight."

"You and Fushun will personally serve the guests and guide them! You will take the lead, and they will follow. Also, bring a few clever servants, dressed in newly made blue satin cotton robes, to stand by outside the warm sedan hall. They are not to enter without being summoned!"

"When serving dishes at the banquet, only two of the cleanest and most reliable people should be present. They should be dressed in new clothes and wear gloves. The dishes should be covered with brocade covers. They should walk lightly and steadily from the kitchen to the hall. Once the dish is in your hands, you should personally remove the covers and serve it! Any unauthorized person who comes within three feet of the hall door will be severely punished according to family rules!"

Ping An bowed solemnly and said, "Don't worry, Auntie! I understand. Tomorrow, for this occasion, not a single breeze can be allowed to slip in. I will personally oversee the welcoming, serving, and serving of dishes, and I will not allow a single unnecessary person or a single unnecessary sound to disturb the meal!"

“Laiwang,” Yueniang turned to him, speaking rapidly, “the kitchen is the foundation! Sun Xue’e, Huixiang, and the others will stay in the kitchen annex tonight, with underfloor heating. Tomorrow’s dishes don’t need to be plentiful, but they must be ‘refined,’ ‘clean,’ and ‘warm’!”

"That dish, 'Braised Shark Fin with Crab Roe,' must be braised in a piping hot purple clay pot."

“For ‘steamed duck tongue with fermented rice wine sauce,’ the fermented rice wine sauce should be mild and mellow; for ‘ham stewed with winter bamboo shoots,’ the broth should be clear and transparent.”

"Especially for the old eunuchs, the 'braised crab meat lion's head meatballs' and 'chicken broth bird's nest congee' must be cooked over a low charcoal fire in a clay pot. When the lid is lifted on the table, the steam should waft out like clouds! All utensils must be scalded after each use! Understand?"

Laiwang, sweat beading on his forehead, nodded repeatedly: "Reporting to Auntie! The live fish, live crabs, fresh bamboo shoots, top-quality ham, and bird's nest are all of the finest quality. They've practiced several times already. I'll be right here in the kitchen tonight, keeping an eye on the heat, ensuring every dish is piping hot and served perfectly, with flawless color, aroma, taste, and presentation! The utensils will be spotless, with absolutely no mistakes!"

Only then did Yue Niang slowly exhale a breath, pick up a cup of warm ginseng soup from the kang table, but only touched her lips with it.

The snow outside the window reflected the lamplight, casting shadows of varying intensity on her face.

This official banquet, held after the snow had cleared, marked the first step for the Ximen family into the real officialdom.

Ever since her master gave her instructions last night, she had been telling herself that the Ximen family was now an official household, and all the rules had to be followed even more strictly.

She put down her teacup, her gaze slowly sweeping over everyone, her eyes filled with a sharp edge:
"Remember this well: tomorrow's feast may not be about the master's future, but what about the future? We might be entertaining the gentry of Qinghe County!"

"It will be too late if we make a mistake then, so we must be careful tomorrow. If we serve well, everyone will be rewarded; if we make even the slightest mistake..."

She didn't continue, but those unspoken words were more chilling than the cold wind outside.

Everyone felt a chill run from their feet to the top of their heads, and they all held their breath and said in unison, "We will obey your orders, Madam!"

At an official banquet held at the Ximen residence, everyone was on edge.

The person who came to the yamen at this moment was not the one that Yue Niang and the others had expected.

After riding his horse, Lai Bao was sent back by Master Ximen.

He didn't even go back to his own courtyard while wearing his official robes; instead, he slipped into Wang Liu'er's dilapidated courtyard in a flash.

The lamplight was dim and yellow, and the wick of the oil lamp crackled and popped.

Wang Liu'er lay limp on the kang, only half of a light red silk quilt draped over her body. Her exposed shoulders and neck were covered with bruises and teeth marks, making it look like a paint shop.

She bit the corner of the blanket, put her hands behind her back, and tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls. She sobbed and choked, squeezing out soft whimpers from her throat, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Lai Baozheng slowly fastened the lapis lazuli buttons on his seventh-rank official robe, his face showing the satisfaction of a hearty meal and relaxed muscles.

He caught a glimpse of Wang Liu'er crying and groaning in pain, which made him even more smug. He reached out and pinched her purplish cheek, laughing, "You little slut, I'm sorry to have wronged you! I feel great today."

Wang Liu'er turned around and buried her face in Lai Bao's sweaty chest, her fingers tracing patterns on his official robes, her voice hoarse and coquettish after crying:

"Sir...you are now a high-ranking official of the seventh rank, all-powerful and influential. Even a little bit of your wealth is enough to feed us poor folks for half a year...my poor dilapidated house, when the northwest wind blows, it howls and pours in, freezing you to the bone, it's like an ice cellar..."

As she spoke, tears welled up again, but she secretly glanced at Lai Bao's expression out of the corner of her eye.

Lai Bao was aroused by her tearful and pleading manner. He laughed heartily, displaying a touch of official arrogance, and reached into the inner pocket of his official robe, which was lying to the side, and pulled out a heavy blue cloth money pouch. He then tossed it onto Wang Liu'er's bare thigh with a "clatter."
"Take it! Stop complaining about being poor all the time! Here are twenty taels of fine snowflake silver, enough for you to repair your dilapidated courtyard and buy a few pounds of good charcoal to warm yourself up!"

The moment the cold silver pouch touched her skin, Wang Liu'er's crying stopped immediately. She grabbed the pouch, twirling her fingers inside. The pure white silver felt heavy against her palm, and its weight warmed her heart.

Her face was still wet with tears, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upwards into a charming and greedy smile: "Oh! My good sir! You are truly a living bodhisattva who saves us from suffering! You are so kind to me!" She struggled to sit up, ignoring the pain in her body, and leaned in to give Lai Bao a loud "smack" kiss on the cheek.

Lai Bao was extremely pleased. He dressed neatly and pinched her cheek. Only then was he satisfied and swayed as he lifted the curtain and left.

In the yard

As Wang Liu'er heard Lai Bao's footsteps fading into the distance, she grimaced, hissing in the cold air, and struggled to get off the kang (heated brick bed) while clutching her aching back. Just as she slipped on her shoes, the curtain was lifted, and her husband, Han Daoguo, shrank in, carrying a steaming bowl of brown sugar ginger soup.

"My God! He...he's gone?" Han Daoguo glanced at the shocking red and purple marks on Wang Liu'er's body, and his heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, a mixture of bitterness and embarrassment, yet he dared not utter a sound.

He hurriedly placed the ginger soup on the kang table, stepped forward to help Wang Liu'er up, his voice filled with heartache and frustration: "Why...why are you doing this to yourself? Lai Bao, now relying on Master Ximen's power, is going to...going to even greater lengths! Look at how you've ruined yourself..."

Wang Liu'er, already annoyed, shoved away the ginger soup he offered, spitting out, "Pah! What do you know! If I don't risk my life, how will you survive? This money..."

She proudly weighed the money pouch in her hand, "Enough to renovate this dilapidated yard! Stop pretending to be a good person!"

Han Daoguo was speechless, staring at the money bag with a complicated expression. He could only awkwardly help her sit down.

Just then, a commotion came from the neighboring courtyard. Shovels and picks clanged and clattered, interspersed with the loud shouts of craftsmen, and the faint sound of earth and stone collapsing. The noise shook the already flimsy mud walls of Wang Liu'er's house, causing them to crumble and shed dust.

"Are you courting death!" Wang Liu'er was furious and, ignoring the pain in her body, rushed into her own yard with Han Daoguo's help.

The low wall of the neighboring courtyard had been torn down, and several burly men were digging a deep foundation, shouting and yelling. There were tall piles of blue bricks and timber next to them, and it looked like they were going to build a magnificent high-rise building!

If this building is really built, Wang Liu'er's little courtyard will be immediately shrouded in darkness, like falling into the bottom of a well!
"Damn it! Who the hell is breaking ground here?!" Wang Liu'er trembled with rage, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at the neighbor's house as she cursed, "Are you blind? Can't you see you're blocking my light? Who gave you permission to build here? Stop right there! Do you hear me?!"

A man who looked like a manager from next door poked his head out, gave a forced smile, and bowed slightly: "Madam, I'm sorry, my master bought this land and is naturally going to build a house. Is it blocking your sunlight? Hehe, we're neighbors, we see each other all the time, please bear with us!"

"Take responsibility my ass!" Wang Liu'er jumped up and down, spitting as she cursed. "Bullshit! Take responsibility? You build skyscrapers while I'm stuck in a dark jail? Dream on! Do you know who's behind me? I'll tell you and you'll be scared out of your wits! It's Lord Lai Bao, the chief of punishments in the yamen!"

"That's Master Ximen's confidant, a seventh-rank official! He's also the head steward of the Ximen household. You better know what's good for you and stop right now! Otherwise, I'll go tell Lord Lai and have him send his men to arrest all of you blind fools and throw you in jail, and break your legs!"

Her shout of "Lord Lai Bao," "Master Ximen's confidant," and "a seventh-rank official" was loud and clear, carrying a strong air of arrogance. Upon hearing the names "Lai Bao" and "Ximen Qing," the foreman's fake smile froze, and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes. He hesitated for a moment, then turned and whispered a few words to a few craftsmen.

The noisy construction site fell eerily silent under the threatening, shrewish tirade of Wang Liu'er. The clanging and shouting ceased abruptly, leaving only the mournful sound of the wind whistling through the broken courtyard wall. The foreman next door shrank back, not daring to utter another sound.

Seeing that he had quelled the situation, Wang Liu'er proudly raised his chin and spat at the person next door: "Pah! You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!"

With her aching waist twisted and her hands covering the back of her head, she swayed back into the house like a victorious rooster, carefully supported by Han Daoguo.

In the courtyard, only the silent pile of blue bricks and timber remained, along with a suffocating stillness.

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