Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

Zhang Sanlang glanced at the medicine bowl on the low table beside the bamboo couch, where a layer of brown dregs remained. "Teacher, it's too hot for you to work out these days. You should rest for a few more days at school; it won't affect your studies."

Zhao Siheng waved his hand, "It's nothing serious now. Shouli, you've come at just the right time. I've read your 'Record of Emperor Yao's Mausoleum' dozens of times these past few days. How did you come up with the line 'Those who suffer the most from wind and rain, therefore those who shelter others are many'?"

Zhang Sanlang was taken aback by the question and paused for a moment before speaking, "When I stood in front of the mausoleum and saw that old locust tree, I was indeed filled with emotion. It had endured a thousand years of wind and rain, yet it had grown into a place that provides shade for future generations."

"Shouli thought at the time that people should be like this: those who have experienced hardship know the cold, and those who see others suffering cannot bear it. Only a person who has suffered will know how to shield others from suffering."

Zhao Siheng's eyes lit up. "Good! Well said! You truly have a broad mind. It's a pity that those shallow and petty people are gossiping about you behind your back!"

"When that article reached the prefecture, some people at a literary gathering said that a minor county official couldn't write such an article, let alone have such a broad mind... I was so angry that I wanted to argue with them face to face!"

He was about to say something when he suddenly heard light footsteps coming from the other end of the corridor, as if they were jogging, and stopped at the door.

Zhang Sanlang turned his head and saw a young woman appear about six feet away, with a fragrant breeze wafting over.

The woman wore a lotus-root-colored silk robe, over which was a light blue gauze jacket. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with intertwined lotus flowers, the silk threads fine and the flowers pure in color. A silver-gray silk sash was tied around her waist, with two tassels hanging down, each end adorned with a pearl the size of a grain of rice.

Her hair was loosely tied in a bun, with a white jade hairpin inserted at an angle. The hairpin head was carved with an orchid pattern, neat and simple. A pair of small silver cloves hung from her ears, swaying gently as she walked without making a sound.

Her gaze fell on Zhang Sanlang, she smiled faintly and then looked away.

Sunlight shone from behind her, making the light blue gauze semi-transparent, like a thin layer of mist, making her look light and airy.

She has delicate and beautiful features, soft contours, and a natural curve at the corners of her mouth, with faint dimples, as if she's about to smile at any moment.

When Zhao Siheng saw her, a doting smile appeared on his lips, but his expression immediately darkened. "Qinniang, you know we have guests, why did you still come to disturb us?"

Zhao Xiaoniang smiled at him, then gave Zhang Sanlang a proper curtsy. "Zhang Qianxing, I apologize for my rudeness outside the flower hall last time. I heard you came today, so I've come to make amends."

As she spoke, her gaze fell on Zhang Sanlang's lapel. "I am Zhao Yuqin. I spoke without thinking outside the flower hall that day. I hope you will forgive my rudeness, Zhang Qianxing."

Seeing her so serious, Zhang Sanlang had no choice but to stand up and return the greeting with a cupped hand, "Miss Zhao, you flatter me. I didn't take what you said that day to heart."

Zhao Yuqin's dimples appeared slightly. "Zhang Qianxing is very generous. Yuqin thanks you."

She curtsied again, and as she straightened up, her gaze swept across Zhang Sanlang's face before retreating to the edge of the bamboo couch. It was as if a weight had finally been lifted from her heart, and she seemed a little more relaxed.

Seeing that she hadn't left, Zhang Sanlang frowned slightly and prepared to take his leave.

Zhao Yuqin's gaze fell on his face, and as if sensing that he was about to leave, she quickly interrupted, "Zhang Qianxing, I have read all your poems. The composer has already started singing the song 'Looking South of the Yangtze River' that was performed at the Dragon Boat Festival banquet."

"My father said your poetry is better than his, and he even copied down several poems from the banquet and recited them repeatedly at home. Yu Qin agreed, saying it was indeed true..."

Zhao Siheng coughed, his voice lowered slightly, "Qinniang, you should go back."

Zhao Yuqin glanced at her father, then turned back to Zhang Sanlang, bit her lip, and curtsied to him. "Zhang Qianxing, please sit down. I'll go back to my room now."

After she disappeared from sight, Zhao Siheng glanced at Zhang Sanlang and sighed, "That girl, I've spoiled her rotten. She speaks without any manners, so please don't take it to heart."

Zhang Sanlang looked up at the sky. "Miss Zhao is young and lively, but she has a childlike heart... It's past noon. Sir, you are still recovering from your illness and need to rest more, so I won't bother you any longer. I'll come to see you again in a few days."

Zhao Siheng nodded, watching Zhang Sanlang's figure walk through the hall, cross the threshold, and disappear into the sunlight before turning his gaze away.

Zhao Yuqin's voice came from the side, "Father, Zhang Qianxing left so soon?"

Zhao Siheng glanced at her. "Qinniang, put away your thoughts. This person won't be confined to little Juancheng. Don't make trouble for yourself."

Zhao Yuqin blushed slightly and lowered her voice, "Father, why are you saying this?"

Zhao Siheng leaned back on the bamboo couch, speaking with a hint of earnestness, "Shouli had just entered the door when you arrived right after, still wearing that silk robe. You're not usually this diligent when entertaining guests."

Zhao Yuqin's face flushed even more, and she turned her face away. "I came to apologize. I said something I shouldn't have said outside the flower hall last time, so I have to apologize in person."

Zhao Siheng's lips twitched. "Qinniang, we've been through thick and thin together for years. Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? But you have to think about what kind of person he is."

Zhao Yuqin stood by the bamboo couch, her fingers pinching the tassels on the silk ribbon, without saying a word.

Zhao Siheng turned his head to look at her. "He's about to be promoted to clerk, in charge of both the household registration office and the criminal office. I heard his second brother has already been transferred to Tanzhou. With his abilities and the favor he's received from Li Hang, he'll probably be able to take up an official post within three to five years."

Zhao Yuqin pursed her lips, twirling the tassel between her fingers. "I just feel that he's different from other officials. He speaks and acts with discretion, unlike those..."

Zhao Siheng was silent for a moment, then his voice softened, "Qinniang, you should know that the better a person is, the more people will want to associate with him. After he was promoted to the rank of Qianxing, several families asked people to sound him out."

"The seventh daughter of the eldest son's family is sixteen years old this year. He asked Granny Wang from the east of the city to deliver a message a while ago, but she was flatly rejected. The Sun family from the east of the city, the Liu family from the west of the city, and the Ma family from the north of the city have also been interested."

Zhao Yuqin looked up, the blush on her face gone, replaced by a serious expression. "He rejected them all?"

Zhao Siheng nodded. "He said he has two children to take care of and doesn't want to remarry. He's afraid a stepmother would mistreat his children."

Zhao Yuqin's lips curved into a slight smile again. "Father, you're really overthinking it. I just feel he's different. He works in the county government, but he doesn't have that smell on him."

Zhao Siheng looked at her. "What does it taste like?"

Zhao Yuqin thought for a moment, "It's that kind of... scheming to climb the ladder and make money all the time. He doesn't have that. My daughter only respects him."

Zhao Siheng remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Qinniang, you're right. He's no ordinary person. The waters of Juancheng probably can't hold him back..."

As the Zhao father and daughter were talking, Zhang Sanlang returned to the county government office and had just sat down when he noticed a document on the desk.

He glanced at it only once, and a slight smile appeared on his lips, knowing that the state government had already replied.

This is the official appointment notice that Li Hang sent him, appointing him to a supplementary post.

However, there was also a letter next to it.

The cover reads "Personally opened by Zhang Shouli of Juancheng County Government," and is signed "Zhang Yong of Tanzhou Government Office."

Zhang Sanlang was overjoyed and quickly broke the wax seal, opened the envelope, and eagerly read the letter.

However, a moment later, Zhang Sanlang was shocked, his mind racing: "Heavens! Second Brother actually killed someone! This…"