The playboy county magistrate

Pei Qingyuan stood beside Li Xuanzhi, while the concubines of the mansion lined up below, each with a respectful expression and eyes filled with worry and awe.

Li Xuanzhi, dressed in brand-new imperial robes for border patrol, stood tall and imposing, exuding the solemn aura of a high-ranking official on the frontier.

He first bowed deeply to the elderly lady Zhang, who was seated in the main seat, with a sincere and solemn expression.

"Mother, I have been ordered by the Emperor to take Qingyuan to the border immediately to oversee the front lines and control the situation in the northern desert. I will be unable to attend to matters at home for the time being. I hope you will take care of yourself and live a peaceful life."

Looking at her increasingly composed and sharp son, Zhang felt a lump in her throat. She gently raised her hand to support him, her voice trembling with suppressed sobs, yet she remained dignified and composed.

"My son, rise. Your mother knows that you bear heavy responsibilities for the country and are entrusted with important duties by His Majesty. You have no choice in the matter. Just do your best in matters of the court and the border, and act impartially. You don't need to worry about the family."

She reached out and patted Pei Qingyuan's hand. "Don't worry, Mother will take care of all the affairs in the manor. Just take good care of yourself and Xuanzhi. I'm not old enough to be seventy or eighty yet. When you return, you should take back all these household chores as soon as possible."

These words reassured Pei Qingyuan.

No matter how well-behaved the concubines are, if they really take control of the household affairs and have the power to manage the household, it is hard to guarantee that they will not become ambitious.

But if things are always controlled by the mistress of the household, and the concubines have no power at all, she won't have to worry about being overwhelmed with work when she returns to the capital.

Pei Qingyuan's eyes instantly filled with tears of emotion. Li Xuanzhi also stood up, looking at the old lady with a gentle gaze, and solemnly made a promise.

"Once the situation on the border is stable and the hidden dangers in the northern desert are eliminated, I will surely return and serve Mother with Qingyuan."

Zhang nodded with tears in her eyes and gently waved her hand.

"Go then, serve your country with utmost loyalty. The best way to show filial piety is to be of one heart with your spouse. Remember, while you are at the border, be cautious in everything you do, protect your own safety, and do not act rashly."

After bidding farewell to his mother, Li Xuanzhi turned to look at Pei Qingyuan beside him, his sharp and piercing gaze softening into tender affection.

Their eyes met, and without a word, they understood each other's feelings.

Pei Qingyuan's eyes held a sense of reluctance to part and apprehension about the future, but not a trace of cowardice or fear.

She slightly bent her knees and softly bid farewell to the old lady, her words earnest and sincere.

"Mother-in-law, rest assured, I will take good care of my husband's daily life and manage his household affairs as he goes to the border. I will not be a burden or a hindrance, and I will work with my husband to stabilize the situation at the border. Once the situation is stable, I will return to the capital to serve you immediately."

Looking at her sensible and resilient appearance, Zhang felt even more heartache and gently gave her some advice.

"Good child, the border is harsh and cold, unlike the comfort of the capital. You don't need to worry about everything while you're out there. Just tell your capable subordinates if you need anything. Take good care of yourself, and support and look after each other with Xuanzhi."

"I will keep that in mind," Pei Qingyuan replied obediently.

Li Xuanzhi's gaze fell upon the concubines lined up below. His expression was solemn and dignified, and his tone was calm yet authoritative as he carefully gave them instructions.

"My wife and I are going to the border for a long time, and our return date is uncertain. All matters concerning our old residence in the capital will be handled by my mother."

"From now on, in all matters within the manor, the Old Madam shall be the most respected. Adhere to the rules, remain obedient and keep order within the household, discipline your servants, and guard the gates. Do not discuss matters of the court or outside the court, and refrain from privately associating with outsiders, lest you cause trouble."

"While my wife and I are at the border, we will keep a close eye on what is happening in the household. When we return, all those who behave themselves and serve the old lady diligently will be richly rewarded. Those who cause trouble and disrupt the family's reputation will not be tolerated."

The concubines bowed in unison and responded in unison.

"We will heed your instructions, sir and madam, and will faithfully fulfill our duties to serve the old lady. We would never dare to cause trouble or do anything to disrupt the household!"

They understood perfectly well that the mistress accompanied the emperor to the border, and the old house was entirely entrusted to the old lady for management.

As long as they abide by the rules and do their best, even if the madam changes in the future and no longer treats them as well as she does now, at least they can live peacefully for the sake of the old madam.

Li Xuanzhi and Pei Qingyuan helped the old lady walk out, one on each side, and bowed deeply again before boarding the carriage.

……

Outside Zhengyang Gate, banners and flags stood in a forest.

The imperial court had already dispatched elite cavalry to stand by, three thousand elite soldiers clad in heavy armor and wielding sharp blades. The ranks were orderly, and their momentum was overwhelming.

In addition, five senior officials who were well-versed in people's livelihood, grain storage, law, internal affairs and military equipment were specially selected to accompany Li Xuanzhi to the border to assist in coordinating border affairs.

With both civil and military officials working in tandem, and all troops well-prepared, this inspection tour was truly a grand affair.

The emperor, accompanied by all his court officials, came to see him off.

Li Xuanzhi, dressed in his imperial inspection robes, knelt down with his accompanying civil and military officials to receive the imperial decree and bid farewell.

"Your subject, Li Xuanzhi, has been ordered to inspect the border. Today, I bid farewell to Your Majesty and will depart immediately. I will certainly devote myself wholeheartedly to the task at hand, living up to Your Majesty's mandate and fulfilling my duty to the nation!"

The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze fixed on him, full of trust and expectation.

"I hereby grant you the imperial insignia for border patrols, and the supreme authority to command border defenses. All civil and military officials in the Northwest are under your control. Provisions, military equipment, and garrison troops are at your disposal."

"This time you have gone to the border, fight if you can, make peace if you can."

Everyone's heart skipped a beat.

Such immense authority—this is what a truly powerful minister looks like!

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Li Xuanzhi answered loudly, each word ringing out.

"Go then." The emperor raised his hand slightly, his tone solemn. "I will await your triumphant return in the capital."

"Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your high expectations!"

Grand Tutor Wang Runze stood at the head of all the officials, looking at the dignified Li Xuanzhi and nodding slightly, his eyes full of expectation and satisfaction.

After Li Xuanzhi and the other civil officials had all boarded their respective carriages with their families, Tang Zheng felt a little lightheaded and awkwardly scrambled onto his horse.

Tang Zheng, holding a command flag, stood at the front of the formation and shouted the order—

"All troops, form ranks! Head to the border!"

With a wave of the command flag, the bugle sounded, its roar shaking the heavens.

Elite troops and their accompanying carriages set off from Zhengyang Gate, heading towards the border thousands of miles away.

The journey is long, and we travel day and night.

During the day, a long wind blows against your face, stirring up clouds of dust.

As night fell, the wilderness grew cold and desolate, appearing even more vast and bleak.

Despite traveling for days, Pei Qingyuan, who was the most delicate of them all, showed no signs of timidity or fatigue.

During the day, he would gather with the wives of several other officials to chat about everyday matters, occasionally tidying up the travel accounts and taking stock of the supplies along the way.

She managed all the small details of domestic affairs perfectly, not only adding no burden to the march, but also earning the sincere praise of all the ladies.

The officials who were sent to accompany him were all intelligent people who could get along with Li Xuanzhi, and their wives were certainly not stupid either.

Although the march was tedious and tiring, the teamwork was strengthened and the members became much closer.