The playboy county magistrate

"There's no need for a big fuss. I remember my wet nurse went back to Nanjing to enjoy her grandchildren. One of her two sons works in the government office, and the other works in a money exchange."

"Try to get in touch with them and have them keep an eye on things. If necessary, send them a message back. If possible, investigate the woman in the rumors thoroughly."

"Please ask the wet nurse to take care of your food, clothing, and daily necessities. I'll have someone send over the silver notes and fabric later," Pei Qingyuan instructed calmly, then sighed.

"I only hope he is safe and sound, and that everything goes well for him."

"Yes." The maid bowed and accepted the order, then quietly withdrew.

Pei Qingyuan sat quietly by the window. She could tolerate being apart from her husband for long periods, but she could never tolerate someone using the allure of pleasure to stay close to him and become a handle or excuse for others to use against her husband.

……

Night was falling at the Jinling Post Station.

Exhausted from the day, Fu Xiaoxiao nestled comfortably in Li Xuanzhi's arms, slowly closing her eyes. Her breathing was even and long, a picture of complete relaxation and peaceful slumber.

Li Xuanzhi lowered his eyes to look at her peaceful and soft sleeping face. He gently tucked the blanket around her with his fingertips before slowly getting up, pushing open the door and walking out, heading straight for the study.

A shadow fell silently into the study, and a low voice reported:

"Rumors about you, my lord, have spread throughout the court and the country in Jinling. Everything is developing according to your plan, except..."

"Just what?"

Li Xuanzhi looked at An Ying with suspicion, wondering why he was stammering today.

Shadow was one of the emperor's most trusted men, and he was always decisive and efficient, like an emotionless machine.

What has happened in the capital today?

"After hearing the rumors, your wife secretly sent people to keep an eye on your safety and movements. She also instructed the old servants who used to take care of her to find ways to send you tonics and clothes, and to find out if the women around you would be of any harm to you. She also instructed them to hide well so that you wouldn't find out."

Li Xuanzhi smiled helplessly, rubbing his forehead. He finally remembered what he had forgotten.

Having played such a grand game, he had forgotten to reassure his wife, whom he had been separated from for a long time since their marriage.

Li Xuanzhi never expected that he would actually marry a woman who was devoted to him wholeheartedly.

For a moment, Li Xuanzhi didn't know whether to feel uncomfortable that his wife wasn't very possessive of him, or to be happy that she was devoted to him.

"By the way, this is a letter the old lady wrote to you."

Li Xuanzhi quickly opened the letter. In addition to the familiar concern and instructions, there were also two full pages of accusations and dissatisfaction, every word of which was indignant on behalf of Pei Qingyuan.

The more Li Xuanzhi looked, the wider his smile became.

The feeling of not being caught in the middle between my mother and wife is simply amazing.

This is the kind of home that so many men dream of! And it's been obtained so easily!

He knew his wife was deeply in love, that she was kind and gentle, and that she never got jealous or suspicious of him.

Even when he heard all the rumors and gossip in the city, all he thought about was his peace and well-being.

"The rumors continue to circulate." Li Xuanzhi's voice was calm and cold, without any ripples. "The more they are told, the more believable they become, the more absurd they are, the better."

"Yes." The shadows quietly receded, and the room returned to silence.

After thinking it over, Li Xuanzhi decided to write a letter to his wife.

He still didn't reveal his plans, but he didn't skimp on the reassurance he needed.

……

Five days later, in the capital.

Pei Qingyuan stood quietly by the window, a faint bitterness rising in her heart due to the rumors circulating in Jinling City, lingering there. It didn't hurt, but it was persistent.

She never believed the unfounded rumors from the outside world, and she was even less willing to let worldly speculations diminish his integrity in the slightest.

However, being separated by thousands of miles and not seeing each other for months inevitably breeds a sense of longing and yearning.

In the stillness of the night, one will always long for a word of peace and a letter from home.

Just as I was lost in thought, light footsteps came from outside the courtyard, and the head maid quickly entered, carrying a plain letter.

"Madam, the urgent letter from Jinling was sent back by the master himself."

The quiet, gentle light in Pei Qingyuan's eyes instantly brightened, and the cold loneliness in her eyes vanished. She quickly stepped forward and took the letter from home with utmost care and tenderness.

The envelope was plain and unadorned, without any luxurious decorations. Only the familiar, vigorous handwriting read "To my beloved wife."

It is her handwriting etched into her heart, steady and neat, with its own unique style.

This is a rare private letter written by Li Xuanzhi himself after he went to Jinling.

Soft sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on the plain white letter paper.

Pei Qingyuan sat upright at the desk, her fingertips gently opening the envelope.

The ink had dried, and the words remained warm and gentle. What emanated from her was a tenderness and doting affection unique to her.

"You may leave. There is no need to serve you," Pei Qingyuan said softly after clearing her throat.

After the head maid left and closed the door, Pei Qingyuan smiled and began to read it carefully, word by word.

[To my beloved wife:]

[It has been several months since we parted, and you have been busy with all the affairs of the capital. You have single-handedly handled all the trivial matters within and outside the household. I am in Jinling, unable to be by your side, and I often feel indebted to you.]

The administration here is smooth, and the people are at peace. The talk of worldly pleasures and fleeting pleasures is nothing but idle gossip. It is not to be believed, not to be debated, and certainly not to disturb your peace of mind.

[You are gentle and kind-hearted by nature, and I know you will be silently worried upon hearing the rumors, and do not wish to disturb me in the slightest. Therefore, I am writing this letter in person, simply to put your mind at ease.]

All the worldly pleasures and fleeting pleasures are but superficial dust. My heart has its home, and I possess self-control, never easily swayed by the illusions of this mundane world.

Please take good care of yourself, eat well and dress warmly, and live a peaceful life. Don't worry about me, and don't let the rumors bother you. Once things are settled in Jinling and the turmoil has subsided, I will return to the capital. Then I will stay with you in the courtyard, and we will enjoy the fireworks of the four seasons together.

Though this letter is short, my love for you is deep; I send my longing from afar. My only wish is that my wife be free from worry year after year.

[Handwritten by Xuanzhi.]

Pei Qingyuan's fingertips traced the neat handwriting, the dried ink seemingly still retaining warmth.

All the loneliness in her eyes melted away, leaving only warmth and peace.

She knew that her profound wisdom would never let her down.

Just as she understood Li Xuanzhi, Li Xuanzhi understood her just as well.

Therefore, he specially wrote a letter home, crossing mountains and seas, just to put her mind at ease.

He understood her consideration, knew her forbearance, and cherished her deep affection.

Pei Qingyuan read the letter aloud no less than ten times, a sweet and gentle smile slowly spreading across her lips.

"I trust you."

She never suspected or doubted him. Her only concern was that he was working hard all alone, with no one to take care of him.

Now that this letter has landed, its few words have surpassed countless rumors and are more powerful than a thousand words.

Pei Qingyuan carefully folded the letter, put it back in the envelope, and carefully placed it in her personal brocade box, treating it as a precious treasure.

This is more than just an ordinary family letter; it is his unique and unwavering commitment to her, a deep affection that belongs exclusively to her.

She looked up towards Jinling, her eyes clear and gentle, her heart full of expectation.

"I will guard the mansion and await your return to the capital. Your safety and well-being abroad are the best outcome."