The playboy county magistrate

The Earl's Mansion, with its towering vermilion gates, far surpasses the scale of Li Xuanzhi's private residence, showcasing the century-old heritage of a long-established noble family.

The servants in the mansion lined up to greet him, and the respect for hierarchy was evident everywhere.

Li Xuanjing got out of the carriage first, walked to the carriage where Li Xuanzhi and Pei Qingyuan were sitting, and raised his hand with a smile.

"Second brother, second sister-in-law, please."

His smile was flawless, and no one could tell that he had already ordered a trap to be laid in the mansion. He was waiting for Li Xuanzhi and his wife to step into the mansion before he would destroy Pei Qingyuan's innocence.

Li Xuanzhi remained expressionless as he took Pei Qingyuan's hand and they walked side by side steadily through the cold and indifferent gates of the Earl's mansion.

Upon entering the mansion, what greeted them was not the gentle warmth one would expect from a noble family residence. Instead, a faint, almost imperceptible exotic fragrance mingled with the scent of flowers in the courtyard.

Pei Qingyuan paused slightly, her nose twitched, and a subtle sense of unease swept through her heart.

She was meticulous from a young age, managed household affairs for many years, and could also identify medicinal herbs and spices, and was most sensitive to all kinds of smells.

The fragrance was indescribably strange, neither quite floral nor quite sweet. It was gentle and lingering, without a trace of harshness or pungentness, and for a moment, it was impossible to determine what it was.

Li Xuanzhi, standing beside her, seemed to notice her unusual behavior. He gently tightened his grip on her hand and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

He spoke in a very low voice, so that only the two of them could hear him.

Pei Qingyuan shook her head slightly, then moved closer to his side and responded softly.

"It's nothing. Perhaps I was just distracted by the unique fragrance of the flowers in the courtyard."

She didn't want to cause trouble for no reason and add to her husband's worries. So she suppressed the suspicion in her heart, composed herself, and walked steadily forward with him.

Li Xuanjing, who was leading the way, seemed completely oblivious, his smile still warm and his steps unhurried. They chatted idly as they walked, embodying the magnanimity of the eldest brother.

"My second brother is constantly on the move between the court and the local government, rarely getting a rest. Father may be annoyed, but he worries about him day and night. Today, I specially prepared some of your favorite dishes, simply hoping that the family can reunite and reminisce about our kinship."

Li Xuanzhi remained indifferent, ignoring his warm words, and simply replied, "Thank you for your concern."

His tone was distant and polite. After all, he had never had any affection for this Earl's mansion or his elder brother.

The so-called family reunion at this moment is nothing more than a trap disguised as a kinship feast.

A glint of darkness flashed in Li Xuanjing's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged as he continued to lead the way at a leisurely pace.

"We're brothers, no need for formalities. Your wife and I have been traveling with you all this way, and I imagine they must be tired. The main hall in the front courtyard is crowded and noisy, but the back garden is quiet and elegant. I've already had tea and refreshments prepared, so why don't we take your wife and me to the garden to rest for a while? We can invite you to join us for the family banquet later."

These words seem considerate and thoughtful, showing that they are thinking of the two of them in every way.

In reality, the front yard was crowded with people and servants. Even if one had the intention to scheme, there was no way to do so.

Only the back garden was secluded and quiet, with lax security. If one wanted to do something shady, the back garden would certainly be more convenient.

Pei Qingyuan's unease grew stronger.

"Thank you for your kindness, elder brother. I'm not tired. I can go straight to the hall to wait for the banquet. There's no need to trouble yourself."

Li Xuanjing's smile remained unchanged, but his tone became increasingly gentle and earnest, carrying an attitude that left no room for refusal.

"Sister-in-law, there's no need to be so formal. You now hold the rank of a third-grade noblewoman, a position of great prestige, and it's rare for you to return to the manor. A little courtesy to rest is only proper. Besides, Father is still tidying up his appearance, and it would be rather dull to leave you, a woman alone, sitting in the front hall. Why not sit in the garden and enjoy the flowers? It would be much more pleasant and comfortable."

He persuaded me step by step, every word reasonable and justified, displaying the demeanor of a kind and elder brother.

If she insisted on refusing, it would only make Pei Qingyuan seem reserved, rude, and ungrateful.

A cold glint flashed in Li Xuanzhi's eyes, instantly revealing the other party's sinister intentions.

Today's seemingly warm family dinner was meticulously planned at every step, from the invitation to the guidance.

The target was never his powerful and famous brother, but his innocent and gentle wife.

Li Xuanzhi's gaze darkened slightly as he shielded Pei Qingyuan half a step behind him, his tone calm yet carrying an unyielding firmness.

"No need for that. My wife is frail and can't stand the fragrance of flowers and trees. She can just wait in the front hall."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanjing's gentle smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal, feigning helplessness as he said:

"I see. It was my oversight that I neglected your health. In that case, please have both of you take a seat in the front hall."

Having said that, he stopped insisting and turned to lead the two of them toward the main hall.

No one saw that his hands, hanging at his sides, tightened subtly, and the sinister look in his eyes intensified.

What if we don't go to the back garden?

The intoxicating fragrance had already permeated the courtyard, and the aroma filled my nostrils as I walked along.

The effects of the medicine have already quietly seeped into the skin and will take effect in a short while.

The group stepped into the main hall.

Contrary to Li Xuanjing's claim that he was still changing, Li Dehai was already seated in the main seat, his face cold and solemn. The anger that had been building up in his eyes had not diminished at all, and his aura was gloomy and oppressive.

Before the two could even bow, he spoke first in a cold voice, his tone filled with immense pressure and displeasure.

"So you still remember to come back to my Marquis Cheng'en's mansion!"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly plummeted to freezing point, and the servants standing on both sides all lowered their heads, even their breathing became extremely soft.

Li Xuanzhi's expression remained unchanged as he steadily stepped forward, leading Pei Qingyuan. He bowed with composure, his posture respectful yet not servile, his manner perfectly measured.

"Your son pays his respects to Father. I have been preoccupied with court affairs recently and was unable to visit you immediately upon returning to the capital. This is truly impolite, and I hope Father will forgive me."

He readily admitted his mistake, acknowledging a breach of etiquette rather than the unfilial accusation imposed upon him.

Pei Qingyuan followed suit, curtsying slightly and saying, "Daughter-in-law greets father-in-law."

But Li Dehai's gaze was sharp as a knife, completely disregarding the two's manners. His eyes were fixed on Pei Qingyuan, filled with criticism and prejudice, as he coldly questioned her.

"Pei! Do you know your crime?"

Pei Qingyuan slightly raised her eyes, her gaze clear and calm, without a trace of panic or fear, and answered with composure.

"Your daughter-in-law is foolish and does not know what crime she has committed. Please enlighten me, father-in-law."

Pei Qingyuan was courteous and dignified, and even when she entered the palace to meet the emperor, she remained calm and composed. Naturally, she was not afraid of the deliberate difficulties caused by the elders of the Earl's Mansion.

"Don't know?" Li Dehai snorted coldly, his tone becoming increasingly stern, each word carrying a reprimand.

"As a daughter-in-law of the Li family, when her husband returns to the capital, she should advise him to return to his ancestral home to pay respects to his relatives and elders."

"But you are selfish and narrow-minded, instigating Xuanzhi to distance himself from his biological father, become indifferent to his clan, neglect his elders, and disregard etiquette. Isn't this a sin?"

These accusations were vicious and baseless, placing all the blame on Pei Qingyuan without any evidence or evidence. They completely disregarded right and wrong and failed to consider reason and emotion.

Pei Qingyuan remained calm and composed, her back straight.

"I cannot agree with what you say, Father-in-law. After my husband returned to the capital, he did not intend to distance himself from the clan. It was simply that he was burdened with official duties at court and had no choice but to go. Moreover, my husband has always been filial and respectful, and has never shown any disrespect to his elders. There is no need for me to persuade him in bed."

"The reason I didn't come to visit immediately this time was because my daughter-in-law and husband discussed it together. They decided to come to inquire about our well-being and attend the banquet once everything was settled and the trivial matters were cleared up."

"My daughter-in-law has always been dutiful and respectful of etiquette and law. She has never dared to instigate discord or alienate the clan. I hope my father-in-law will see this clearly."

Her words were clear and logical, which not only cleared her name but also protected her husband's reputation.

Li Dehai was speechless for a moment after being blocked by her, and his anger intensified.

He felt that this daughter-in-law was sharp-tongued and lacked respect. She dared to contradict him in public and disregard the dignity of an elder.