The playboy county magistrate

But what are fame, titles, and dignity more important than his Qingyuan? What are they more important than him not being cuckolded?

Pei Qingyuan looked up at him, thinking that she understood him quite well.

"So what do you plan to do with Li Xuanjing? He's a vengeful person. His scheme failed yesterday, so he definitely won't let it go. He might even look for another opportunity to harm us."

A cold smile curved Li Xuanzhi's lips. "I'll make the first move without him having to find an opportunity."

"Doesn't he like to play dirty tricks and pull off underhanded tactics? Then I'll just cut off all his escape routes."

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Zheng's steady footsteps came from outside the door.

"My lord, I have something to report."

"Speak," Li Xuanzhi said calmly.

"Your Majesty, as you instructed, I have completed the investigation overnight, and all of Li Xuanjing's misdeeds over the years have been verified. Relying on his status as the eldest son of the Marquis of Chengen, he embezzled fertile land in the suburbs of the capital, oppressed the people, and accepted bribes. Even while serving in the Ministry of Works, he repeatedly neglected his duties and engaged in acts of embezzlement. The evidence is conclusive and all of it is true."

As he spoke, Tang Zheng presented a thick stack of confidential files to Pei Qingyuan's personal maid, who was guarding outside the door.

After all, this was the master and mistress's bedroom, and it wouldn't be appropriate for an outsider like him to enter so openly. But it was different for the mistress's personal maid.

"Could you please help me take these inside to my master?"

Pei Qingyuan's personal maid had grown up with her since childhood, and the mistress and maid shared a very deep bond.

She had learned a lot from Pei Qingyuan since she was a child, and her knowledge and perspective were comparable to those of ordinary daughters of minor officials.

She still gets so angry just thinking about how her wife was when she came home yesterday.

Having overheard this, he knew it was a major event that could help his master avenge his master, so he naturally accepted the things Tang Zheng handed him without hesitation, turned around, and pushed open the door to go inside.

However, she was still sensible and did not casually lift the bed curtains. Instead, she lowered her head and knelt by the bed, letting Li Xuanzhi take the things himself before quickly retreating.

Li Xuanzhi sat up and flipped through two pages, his eyes growing even colder.

He's truly rotten to the core; outwardly gentle and refined, but secretly committing all sorts of despicable acts.

"And another thing," Tang Zheng suddenly remembered what had just happened and continued to report.

"I just received news that Marquis Chengen has sent Li Xuanjing again. His carriage should be arriving at our manor gate soon. He said that the Marquis was unwell this morning and specifically requested that Madam come to the manor alone to attend to his illness and inquire after his well-being."

Upon hearing this, Pei Qingyuan frowned instantly, her face full of resistance. Her body still trembled involuntarily from the lingering fear of yesterday's events.

"Yesterday they publicly criticized me and plotted against me, and today they're unwell and want me to take care of them? Their schemes are really too cunning."

She knew without even thinking that this was another new trap.

Li Xuanjing was certainly unwilling to accept his failed scheme yesterday, so he used the excuse of Li Dehai's illness to trick her into going to the Earl's mansion alone, so that he could make it easier to commit evil again!

Li Xuanzhi's eyes were covered with frost, and his tone was chilling.

"They're really courting death. Their scheme failed, and instead of learning from their mistake, they dare to come looking for trouble."

Tang Zheng thought for a moment, then asked:

"Master, should I just send them away?"

"No need to rush him." Li Xuanzhi sneered. "Let him into the manor. I want to see for myself how long my good elder brother and my good father are going to keep up the charade!"

"Since they insist on courting death, I'll just go along with it. Today, I'll settle all old and new scores once and for all!"

Pei Qingyuan gently tugged at Li Xuanzhi's sleeve, her face filled with worry. "Husband, they've clearly set a trap for me. Perhaps I should feign illness and refuse to see them, to avoid causing more trouble and affecting you further."

Li Xuanzhi looked down at her, the fierceness in his eyes instantly turning into tenderness. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Don't be afraid. With me here today, no one will be able to hurt you again."

As they were talking, Li Xuanjing's gentle yet hypocritical voice drifted in clearly through the courtyard gate.

"Second brother, second sister-in-law, are you home? Father has suddenly fallen ill and is bedridden. He is worried about you and has specially sent me to invite you. I hope you will come to the Earl's residence to show your filial piety."

Hearing Li Xuanjing's tone, Pei Qingyuan frowned and leaned against the headboard, unable to help but mutter a complaint under her breath:

"This guy is such a hypocrite. He was clearly plotting against us the whole time yesterday, but today he can still act like nothing happened and show up at our door. He's so shameless."

It was truly eye-opening; the hypocrisy was disgusting.

Li Xuanzhi gently pulled her thin clothes closer together, remaining remarkably calm.

"Don't rush him, let him act. Today I'll let him act to his heart's content."

"Isn't he always pretending to be a kind and gentle older brother, always thinking of the bigger picture? Today, I'll tear away all his pretenses and filthy thoughts, layer by layer, right in front of him."

After saying that, he got up, changed his clothes, and went out.

"No rush, take your time. If you really can't bear it, just go and keep your mother company; there's no need to come to the front hall."

As soon as Li Xuanzhi stepped out of the courtyard gate, he saw Li Xuanjing in a plain brocade robe, looking at him with a slight smile.

If someone didn't know him, they would definitely think he was upright, gentle and polite just by looking at him.

He stood at the door, bowing calmly, his tone sincere yet worried.

"I apologize for bothering you. But this morning, my father suddenly experienced chest tightness and pain and was bedridden. The family physician has seen him, but his condition has not improved. My father keeps talking about my sister-in-law and wants her to come over and have a chat."

After saying that, he sighed, feigning helplessness.

"I know yesterday's family dinner was a bit unpleasant, and everyone still has some lingering resentment. But Father is getting old, and his health is the most important thing. No matter how big the misunderstanding is, we can't disregard the safety of our elders."

These words were perfectly watertight.

Firstly, she played the victim, using Li Dehai's body as leverage to coerce Pei Qingyuan's daughter-in-law into fulfilling her duties.

Secondly, he established a persona, portraying himself as a mediator who prioritized the well-being of his family.

Thirdly, he harbors a secret motive: as long as Pei Qingyuan agrees to follow him alone, there's still a chance to win this game.

Pei Qingyuan had just finished changing and washing up when she came out, and she wasn't buying his words at all.

"Brother-in-law, you're joking."

"Yesterday, my father-in-law was publicly berating me in the hall, blaming me for sowing discord between father and son and causing discord within the family. He was very imposing, his voice was loud, and he didn't seem unwell at all. How could he suddenly be bedridden after just one night?"

Li Xuanjing's smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned, feigning sincerity as he said:

"What do you mean by that, sister-in-law? Yesterday, Father was in a fit of anger and his words were a bit harsh, but he truly cares about you. As people get older, their bodies become weaker, and they should avoid extreme anger and grief. He was so angry yesterday that it's understandable that he fell ill today."

"As a daughter-in-law of the Li family, it is your duty to uphold filial piety. Now that the elder is ill and bedridden, if you refuse to go, people will only say that you are narrow-minded. They will also say that you hold a grudge against your elder and are unfilial and immoral."