You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 74 The Seal of Yanzhou
Li Shishi was somewhat surprised to see Dong Dahu lock the gate to her small courtyard in Chenjiazhuang.

Only then did she realize that Chen Shao was going to take up the post of prefect, and that she could go with him.

Chen Shao helped her into a carriage, and Chun Tao squeezed in as well, which made Li Shishi frown.

It seems we should teach her some basic etiquette between men and women.

Why is she always so close to her brother-in-law?

After Chen Shao entered, he sat in the middle, gently patted the carriage, and a whip cracked at the front, causing the carriage to start moving shakily.

Dong Dahu drove the car smoothly.

Inside the carriage, Li Shishi held the document and read it for a long time, still finding it unbelievable.

This young man got promoted way too fast.

She didn't quite understand what kind of place Yanzhou was, and she just felt that it was astonishing that Chen Shao, at his age, had become a prefect.

Chen Shao played with the official seal. The dragon on the seal knob had its head raised, its eyes like copper bells, and its claws and teeth clearly visible, as if it wanted to break free of the seal and guard the land.

Unlike other prefects, the place Chen Shao was going to had not belonged to the Song Dynasty for a long time.

It existed outside the Song Dynasty's system, and was essentially a government-run establishment, which was exactly what Chen Shao was aiming for.

While there are various dangers and unrest here, there is also military and political power that other prefects cannot control.

It has to be said that the power of the Pacification Commissioner was too great; this seal was made directly by the Pacification Commissioner himself.

Chen Shao felt a pang of envy and jealousy. Zhao Ji was truly willing to delegate power to his confidants.

His Pacification Commissioner's Office directly had the power to appoint and dismiss officials in the prefectures and counties under his jurisdiction.
This can no longer be called a regional governor; he is more like an agent of imperial power. Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) allowed him to become a "second power center," a mobile mini-court, to compete for power with the local areas.

With such power, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the King of the Northwest. Of course, the local tyrants here are really tough. Even with Tong Guan's power, he still couldn't control the military leaders in the Northwest.

Although the official seal in his hand was small, he could still control the military and political power of a province, which Chen Shao already found very satisfying.

I can't even imagine how happy that old eunuch Tong Guan must have been.

Once you're tainted by power, it's very difficult to break free.

He sized up Li Shishi. At first glance, her clothes were still plain, but her appearance was exquisite, indicating that she had dressed up carefully.

Her fair, jade-like skin, delicate yet charming features, and simple yet elegant dress made her seem like a lady from a scholarly family.

It's a pity I was sitting a bit too close, otherwise I could have seen an even more beautiful way she sat.

Li Shishi's body was perfectly round and smooth, and her most outstanding feature was naturally her voice, which was clear, melodious, and unparalleled in the world. The second most outstanding feature should be her hip shape.

Chen Shao fiddled with the official seal, secretly thinking that he would make her remove her skirt that night and then leave his mark on it.

Since this official seal has been with me, I'll treat it to a good meal the first time I seal it, as if it's been blessed.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage came to a stop. Dong Dahu was indeed driving the carriage quickly and smoothly.

Chen Shao had been with him for so long and discovered that Da Hu was exceptionally gifted whenever it came to "meat" and "horse".

He can roast, cook, fry, or deep-fry any kind of meat and make it delicious; he is also adept at choosing horses, training horses, riding horses, and even driving horse-drawn carriages.

Having followed Chen Shao for so long, he's increasingly taking on the role of a personal guard.

Da Hu knocked on the carriage from outside, "Master, we've arrived."

Chun Tao and Li Shishi, each holding one of Chen Shao's arms, were already asleep.

Li Shishi was alright; she just rested her head on his shoulder. After Chun Tao fell asleep, she nestled in his arms.

Chen Shao freed himself from their arms, lifted the curtain and glanced out; it was already dark.

Da Hu had already gone to the gate of Liu's residence to inform them, and soon Liu Guanglie came out to greet him. After seeing Chen Shao, he ran over. Since Chen Shao returned from the front lines, Liu Guanglie had visited him twice at Chen Family Village.

"Why are you so late?" Liu Guanglie complained.

Chen Shaodao said, "We can only set off after we receive the official document from the Pacification Commissioner."

"My mother would be so happy if she knew you were here."

He then instructed the servant to lead the way to the guest rooms to rest.

In fact, Chen Shao did not need to pass through Fuzhou City to go to Yanzhou, but he still chose to visit Chen Yuexian.

This aunt and cousin have been really good to me.

Once they reached the guest room, Li Shishi refused to come out. Chun Tao tried to come out, but her sister held her back.

They were in the inner room when someone brought them food.

Chen Shaoze and Liu Guanglie were drinking outside.

Before long, Chen Yuexian arrived. As soon as the two brothers stood up, Chen Yuexian instructed her son, "Son, quickly bring the lamp and let me see if you've lost weight."

"Mother, when I went to the capital last time, I was gone for so long, and I didn't see you come to light a lamp for me!"

"You'd better get out of the way. How can that be the same? You don't have the surname Chen, you're not a member of the Chen family."

Liu Guanglie pursed his lips, feeling quite choked up.

Chen Shao smiled and said, "I entered the city in the evening, afraid of disturbing your rest, but I still came."

"What kind of talk is that? Of course I'd come to see you." Chen Yuexian approached and tapped his forehead, saying, "You're the only son of our Chen family. How could you be so disobedient and go to the front lines to show off?"

Chen Shao chuckled twice but didn't say anything; it's not a good topic to discuss.

Chen Yuexian was also very dissatisfied with the fact that he dared to go to the battlefield before he could leave any descendants for the Chen family.

"I heard from the maid that you brought a beautiful woman as a companion, but I haven't seen her."

Chen Shao called out from inside, "Shishi, come and greet your aunt."

Li Shishi had already heard the commotion outside and was hiding here, not daring to make a sound. Upon hearing this, her heart skipped a beat.

She smoothed her hair and slowly walked out.

The experienced Chen Yuexian first glanced at the waist and hips, and her eyes immediately lit up.

"I've met Aunt."

"Good, good, good!" Chen Yuexian's eyes narrowed into slits as she stepped forward and took her hand. "Sit down, sit down."

She already knew Li Shishi's background; Liu Guanglie hadn't kept it from her, so Chen Yuexian thoughtfully refrained from asking any unnecessary questions.

After exchanging a few words, Chen Yuexian began to worry again. Could her dear nephew handle her looks, figure, and charm?

"Don't exploit my precious nephew so much at such a young age." Thinking this, Chen Yuexian couldn't help but glance at Chen Shao again.
Fortunately, there is no sign of decay.

Her concerns were not unfounded. Most young people would find it difficult to resist someone like Li Shishi.

Chen Shao also couldn't resist, but fortunately Li Shishi truly cared for him and wouldn't let him indulge too much.

I always try to appease him in moderation.

Li Shishi also secretly sized up the aunt. She was in her forties, spoke very quickly and with a strong voice, and seemed to be a straightforward and efficient person.

(End of this chapter)