Do you know: I should be fat and you should be thin!

Upon seeing Wei Zhi enter, Zhou Ning took the letter and read it.

"The letter said it's less than thirty li away, and should arrive by tomorrow night if things go smoothly. Has the house I asked you to arrange been taken care of?" Zhou Ning asked.

Wei Zhi said, "We've rented it. We've paid a year's rent and it's all set up. It's at No. 63 Qingshui Street."

"With you here, I can concentrate on my official duties." Zhou Ning hugged Wei Zhi, kissed her neck, and his hands were also busy.

"Ning Lang, don't stay here... it's time to go back and have your meal," Wei Zhiru reminded him, still drunk.

The two returned to the inner quarters and had dinner together.

"Once the Grand Tutor arrives, I'll prepare for my coming-of-age ceremony. I'll need your help with the wedding procession then." Zhou Ning served Wei Zhi some food.

Wei Zhi nodded and said, "You're so busy all day long, I'm happy to be able to help you out."

"You have no idea how outrageous the court proceedings were today. Let me tell you..." Zhou Ning began to recount what had happened in court.

When Wei Zhi heard Zhou Ning mimicking his moans, she glanced at him with her beautiful eyes and blushed.

"When Magistrate Song left, he said that there were many unruly people in Tianchang County. At first, I didn't believe it, but today it seems that such things will not be less common in the future," Zhou Ning sighed.

Wei Zhi asked with a smile, "Does Ning Lang regret it? You should have been spending your days revising history and drafting official documents, which would have been much more leisurely. Because of me, not only has your official rank decreased, but your responsibilities have also increased."

Zhou Ning shook his head and said, "Of course I don't regret it. You don't know, I used to really enjoy watching these court hearings and trials. It's just a pity I don't have the Dragon, Tiger, and Dog Guillotine to execute first and report later, otherwise it would be even more exciting. Of course, I don't want to encounter any major murder cases either. I just hope that the weather will be good and the people will suffer less during my term."

Wei Zhi wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "I've met that Miss Yu. Her embroidery is unparalleled, and she has a wonderful temperament. You can't find another gentle and virtuous noblewoman like her in the entire capital. Ning Lang has made a truly excellent choice."

"It's just that you're being wronged. Sister Yanran is very kind and will definitely be able to accept you," Zhou Ning said.

Wei Zhi smiled and said, "I don't feel wronged at all. I'm very happy every day now, and I feel great about being free."

"If my sister is happy, then I should be happy too. We'll still sleep together tonight, but you're not allowed to wear anything else," Zhou Ning said.

Wei Zhi made a reproachful face, thinking to herself, "You naughty guy..."

The next day, Grand Tutor Yu and his entourage arrived at noon ahead of schedule.

Hearing that Zhou Ning was holding court, I went to the county government office to observe.

The group squeezed into the front row and saw Zhou Ning sitting in the hall, deep in thought.

Grand Tutor Yu learned the details from others and was very curious about how Zhou Ning would judge the case.

The defendant in this case is a disabled person named Li Li, who has no left hand and only two fingers remaining on his right hand.

He was caught red-handed by the plaintiff, Wu Li, while stealing an iron pot from the homeowner's house.

Li Li kept protesting his innocence, claiming that he was physically disabled and could not possibly have moved the iron pot, and begged Zhou Ning to investigate thoroughly!

After thinking for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhou Ning said, "This official declares: Li Li is innocent and is released on the spot! Wu Li made a false accusation first, so this iron pot will be given to Li Li as compensation."

"Thank you, sir! You are wise!" Li Li was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Wu Li cursed the corrupt official in his heart!

After announcing the adjournment of the court, Zhou Ning turned and left, hiding in the inner room to secretly observe the outside world.

As expected, Li Li relaxed his guard and easily picked up the iron pot with his disabled hand, turned it upside down on his head, and prepared to take it away!

"How dare you, Li Li!"

Zhou Ning roared and stepped out of the inner hall, overturning the fact that he was incapable of stealing!

Li Li eventually confessed and accepted punishment.

Wu Li felt deeply ashamed and knelt before Zhou Ning.

The lingering villagers, having witnessed more of the county's history, exchanged glances, their conversation filled with admiration for Magistrate Zhou. Only after confirming there were no more cases to see that day did they finally disperse completely.

Zhou Ning then spotted Grand Tutor Yu and his entourage. After bowing respectfully from afar, he went back to the inner hall to remove his official robes and change into casual clothes to greet them.

"Greetings to the Grand Tutor and the Old Madam, and to Sister Yanran. You must be tired from your journey. I'll take you to the residence to rest now," Zhou Ning said.

Temporary residence of Yu!

"Good, there was no extravagance, you did a good job," Grand Tutor Yu said with satisfaction.

"I'm glad the Grand Tutor is satisfied. Sister Yanran, these two are Xiaoqing and Xiaomei, my trusted maids. I'll keep them here to take care of you, okay?" Zhou Ning asked.

Yu Yanran readily accepted. She herself might not need it, but it would be good if her grandmother had more people to serve her.

Grandma Yu was tired from her journey, so she praised Zhou Ning a few times before Yu Yanran helped her to rest, with Xiao Qing and Xiao Mei following to serve her.

"When do you plan to have your coming-of-age ceremony?" Grand Tutor Yu asked.

Zhou Ning said, "I have prepared everything. This matter should be handled sooner rather than later, so how about tomorrow?"

Grand Tutor Yu said, "You left the capital much earlier than us, and quite a few things have happened there. Let Yanran tell you about it later. I'm going to rest now; please stay for dinner later!"

Zhou Ning tried to help him up but was stopped, so he sat down and waited.

Yu Yanran soon returned. She left Xiaoqing and Xiaomei with her grandmother, wanting to speak with Zhou Ning alone.

"You've lost a lot of weight in the two months I haven't seen you," Yu Yanran said with concern.

Zhou Ning wanted to laugh. He had been doing a lot of work and eating a lot, and he was clearly five pounds heavier than when he left Beijing!

"You must be tired from the long journey, Sister Yanran looks haggard," Zhou Ning said honestly.

Yu Yanran asked worriedly, "Do I look that bad now?"

"No, you've always been beautiful. The Grand Tutor said a lot has happened in the capital lately? Tell me about it, sister," Zhou Ning said.

Yu Yanran thought for a moment, then said with embarrassment and annoyance, "Did you talk nonsense at the Sheng family? When Grandmother took me to the Sheng family, Old Madam Sheng made fun of me."

Zhou Ning laughed and said, "I didn't say anything! I'm innocent! I want to go to the magistrate to seek justice!"

Yu Yanran felt a surge of sweetness in her heart as she recalled Minglan's words. Seeing that no one was around, she whispered, "I'm very happy."

"What? I can't hear you!" Zhou Ning leaned closer to listen.

Yu Yanran was too embarrassed to say anything more. Seeing Zhou Ning getting too close, she closed her eyes in embarrassment, her chest heaving rapidly.

Seeing the blush on her fair face, Zhou Ning was captivated by her shy and adorable demeanor. He embraced her tightly and kissed her.

Yu Yanran realized that her body was bound and her cherry lips were blocked. She quickly opened her eyes, and with a start, she slightly parted her lips and let the enemy soldiers break down the door.

She was stunned for a few moments, then hurriedly pushed Zhou Ning away and asked anxiously, "What are you doing?" Tears were already welling up in her eyes in her anxiety.

Zhou Ning covered her mouth with his finger and whispered, "Shh! Don't let your grandparents hear. I'm just too happy. I apologize to my sister." He then released her hand and bowed.

Yu Yanran was both ashamed and afraid, and only said, "Wait...wait until our wedding night, and naturally...it will be as you wish. But if you do this again today, I...I will get angry."

Zhou Ning secretly admired her; a lady from a respectable family was indeed different. Even though she was engaged, she refused to have any physical intimacy and promised on the spot that she would not do it again.

Yu Yanran breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Didn't you want to know about Bianjing? Sit further away, and I'll tell you."

Zhou Ning stepped back and sat down, the two of them several meters apart.

"Gu Tingye went to the Sheng family to propose marriage..."

......