Union

Chapter 76 075 Hiding
Leaving aside Yunying's situation, in the days that followed, the baskets for collecting visiting cards at the county government office were almost always full.

But the second master was not a county magistrate who liked to receive guests. He would only meet with three or five people each day, or just one person, depending on the situation.

He mostly ignored the other visiting cards, simply tossing them into the kitchen to be used for cooking.

Even though he rarely met people, every time he did, Second Master would insist that they stay for lunch without fail.

For some particularly enjoyable conversations, the Second Master would stay for afternoon tea and then have another late-night chat.

One of the scholars, Yunying, left a particularly strong impression on me.

This man is said to be a scholar around fifty years old; he is quite remarkable.

It is said that he passed the imperial examination at the age of 18 and became a scholar.

A twenty-year-old scholar—while twenty-year-old scholars are commonplace in the capital and the literary-rich Jiangnan region, in the impoverished and remote Yun Gui County, passing the imperial examination at twenty is an extremely rare feat.

This scholar was just like that. He passed the imperial examination at a young age and became a well-known figure in the surrounding villages. At that time, matchmakers practically wore out his doorstep.

This scholar was quick to grasp academic concepts, but lacked a bit of luck when it came to marriage.

Not to mention the three women his parents chose for him, they either drowned while picking lotus flowers, or suddenly contracted a serious illness and died within two days; or, on the way to their wedding, they encountered a rock, the sedan chair bearers bumped into it but were unharmed, but the bride fell out of the sedan chair, hit her head, and died instantly.

The scholar's legendary experiences were told like a myth in the county.

Not to mention Yun Gui County, people in other prefectures have probably all heard some of his "strange tales".

It's strange, ever since he started mourning for his wife who died before they even got married, this scholar's previously incredible luck in the imperial examinations suddenly disappeared.

After that, from the time he was released from mourning until he was forty, he still failed to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar.

In the end, his parents passed away, and he had not established a family or left behind any children. Disheartened and disillusioned with the world, he followed a few wandering monks and left Yungui County, heading north.

Unexpectedly, he did not return to his hometown until ten years later.

Furthermore, this scholar came to the county government office on his own initiative.

He was very talented, but unfortunately he had neither connections nor influential people, so he couldn't get ahead. At his age, and without any children, he had to start planning for his future.

So, this scholar surnamed Chang set his sights on the position previously held by County Magistrate Fan in the county government.

Has Magistrate Fan been imprisoned and sentenced to death? Although his file has been sent to the Ministry of Justice for verification, he is still in death row and has not actually died, but the position of Magistrate has become vacant.

This scholar came here with his sights set on the county magistrate.

Speaking of this, we must mention the power of personnel appointment in county government offices today.

These rights naturally belonged to the county magistrate.

The magistrate of a county not only oversees military and political affairs, civil affairs, finance, taxation, justice, public security, criminal justice, and supervision, but he is also responsible for local etiquette, morality, and education.

In other words, he possessed both secular rights and religious-like privileges.

In ancient times, transportation was underdeveloped, information was scarce, and social norms, ethics, and hierarchical distinctions were strictly observed. For most ordinary people, it was possible that they would never leave the area within a hundred miles for several lifetimes.

Therefore, for the vast majority of people, the county magistrate is the highest-ranking official they will ever meet in their lifetime.

The emperor still had the final say in the whole country, but the emperor was far away and his power did not reach the countryside!
In ancient times, county magistrates were also known as local emperors, magistrates of a hundred li (a unit of land area), and local officials. Therefore, the power of a county magistrate was immense and difficult to describe in words.

But that's getting off-topic. Let's just talk about the staff in the county government. The Second Master had the right to appoint them himself.

This self-recommended scholar was also a remarkable person. He discussed ancient and modern times with the Second Master, talking about astronomy, geography, and the customs and characteristics of various places.

In short, his knowledge and abilities are laid out, and it remains to be seen whether the county magistrate is willing and dares to use him.

Surprisingly, the Second Master actually got something he wanted to know from this man. As a result, their relationship quickly warmed up, and the Second Master kept the scholar at the county office.

Later, when the Second Master received guests, this scholar would always sit and accompany him.

The clever one, upon seeing this situation, guessed most of the matter.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this scholar is destined for the position of county magistrate.

Because she was busy discussing county government affairs with the scholar after the start of spring, and also busy receiving guests, Yunying and the Second Master hadn't seen each other for almost half a month.

The Lantern Festival is fast approaching.

One day, the Second Master finally had some free time and thought of Yunying.

He summoned Suiyu, who was waiting outside, and asked him, "Has Yunying not come to the front yard these past few days?"

Sui Yu shook his head, "I don't know whether she came or not, but when I was on duty, Miss Yunying didn't come."

The second master immediately frowned and asked Suiyu to ask Suiyun and the other two.

Sui Yu grinned broadly as he left, but soon returned looking dejected, like a thief caught in the act.

The second master put the letter he wrote to his mentor back into the envelope, and when he looked up, he saw Sui Yu's injured eyes.

The Second Master immediately raised an eyebrow and said, "What, are you tired of being my subordinate and want to become a thief?" Sui Yu looked at the Second Master's slightly smiling face and felt a chill run down her spine. The Second Master could still smile now, but he probably wouldn't be able to smile later.

Sui Yu called out, "Second Master."

"How did it go? Did you get the answer I asked you to ask?"

Sui Yu closed his eyes, thinking that the sooner he died, the sooner he would be free from suffering. He said, "I asked my elder brother and the others, and they all said that when they were on duty, Miss Yunying did not come to the front yard."

The second master immediately stopped in his tracks, his eyes sharpening. "You're saying she hasn't come here even once in all this time?"

"Really, really, I swear I didn't say a single lie," Sui Yu swore. "If I say even one lie, Second Master, you can rip my head off and use it as a football."

Second Master ignored his antics, but his brows furrowed even more, as if he were pondering why Yunying had stopped coming to the front yard.

Sui Yu helped think, and then a thought came to mind: "Could it be that Miss Yunying knows that you carried her home that night, and she's shy?"

The second master's usually stern face immediately showed a hint of suspicion. "Could that be?"

“That must be it,” Sui Yu said. “Aren’t all young girls like that? Yun Ying is a young girl too, and she’s very reserved and shy. She must be too shy to come see you.”

The Second Master's face finally relaxed, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but curl upwards slightly.

At this moment, his desire to see Yunying became extremely urgent, and he got up to go to the backyard.

But then he thought about the many maids and servants in the backyard, and even more so, Qiu Ning and Mu Jin.

Recalling the overly clingy gaze of one of the maids when he escorted Yunying home on New Year's Eve, the Second Master felt nauseous.

He said, "Have someone go to the backyard and send a message to tell Yunying to come this way."

Sui Yu responded and, not daring to delay, quickly ran outside.

They had assumed that Yunying would arrive soon after receiving the message, but to their surprise, the messenger returned with some bad news.

"Today is the Lantern Festival, and Miss Yunying is instructing the servants to hang lanterns. Miss Yunying said that if Second Master doesn't have anything important to attend to, she won't come over for the time being."

The messenger's voice grew softer and softer, and Sui Yu's head drooped lower and lower. In contrast, Second Master's expression grew increasingly indifferent until it became impossible to discern his emotions.

The study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Sui Yu couldn't bear the silence any longer, so she tentatively asked, "Second Master, why don't I go and invite him myself?"

"Ha, you think you can get someone to come just because others can't. Never mind, she's too busy to go see her herself."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Second Master strode out of the study.

The sun was still shining brightly outside, and even men as fiery as Sui Yu and Lei Ting were already wearing only a single layer of clothing.

The bright sun shone on them, but they couldn't feel any warmth; in fact, they were so cold that Sui Yu couldn't help but shiver.

Sui Yu thought to himself that he had changed into his light clothes too early, and couldn't help but mutter to himself: What bad luck! Why did I have to be on duty today?
Sui Yu wanted to switch shifts with his older brother, and he even saw his older brother's figure. But before he could even raise his hand and wave to his older brother, he saw his older brother greet the second master without looking at him and quickly go about his other business.

Sui Yu: "..." When disaster strikes, everyone flies away. Even one's own brother, born of the same mother, cannot be relied upon.

Leaving aside the bitter winds and rains on Suiyu's side, let's just say that Yunying is really busy right now.

Although she was busy, it wasn't that she couldn't find the time. It was just that she didn't want to make time to see the Second Master.

Yunying directed the maids and servants to hang the finished lanterns on the treetops along the roadside.

She even stood on a stool herself, raising her hand to hang the lantern.

On her side, Sui'er, who had just returned from her vacation, looked worried and hurried.

While helping Yunying to prevent her from falling, she whispered to Yunying, "Miss, the Second Master is calling you. Is it really alright if you don't go? What if the Second Master has something important to discuss with you?"

Yunying remained silent, while Sui'er's voice was even lower, "Miss, why do I feel like you're avoiding the Second Master?"

"You've misunderstood. Why would I hide from Second Master?"

"Miss, don't try to fool me. I've been watching over you the whole time. Is there anything I don't know? Before, you went to the Second Master's place three times a day, but now? Anyway, since I returned to the manor, you haven't gone to the Second Master's place even once."

"Young lady, are you shy? Or are you playing hard to get...?"

Before Sui'er could finish speaking, she suddenly saw a green rope appear in front of her.

At first glance, it looks like a rope, but upon closer inspection, there's no rope at all, and it's moving?

That's not a rope at all, it's clearly a bamboo viper!
"Ah, a snake!"

Sui'er jumped three feet away, screaming and jumping wildly like a madwoman.

Yunying was already unsteady on her feet, and only thanks to Sui'er's support did she avoid falling. But as soon as Sui'er let go, Yunying heard the sound of a snake, and she was so frightened that she almost lost her mind.

But when she lowered her head, she actually saw that emerald green bamboo leaf green, as bright as a jewel. It straightened its upper body and assumed an attacking stance.

Yunying was so startled that her face paled, the stool tipped over, and she fell straight onto the bamboo leaf green.

(End of this chapter)