The playboy county magistrate

Only Liu Yunrou stood silently in the hall, her long eyelashes lowered, her expression unreadable.

As the eldest daughter of the family, she was carefully raised from childhood and was born to be a pawn in the family's power struggle.

She knew why she was going there, and understood that she was bait delivered to her door, a sharp blade used to scheme against others, and a pawn that could be discarded at any time.

Seeing her silence, the head of the Liu family softened his tone.

"Yunrou, this matter concerns the survival of the entire clan. If we succeed, the Liu family can preserve its foundation and regain its glory. If we fail, our Liu family will be completely wiped out, and no one will escape unscathed. You are a daughter of the Liu family, and you should do your part for the family."

Liu Yunrou remained silent for a long time before finally raising her eyes gently.

The last trace of youthful naiveté faded from her eyes, leaving only gentleness, and she answered softly:

"Granddaughter...yes."

"Good!" The head of the Liu family's expression brightened, and he gave careful instructions.

"Remember to be mindful of boundaries and avoid being overly flattering, lest you give others cause for gossip. You only need to be gentle and dignified, speak elegantly, and approach him as a confidant and messenger of the people's sentiments. He values ​​integrity and cherishes talent; he even values ​​a commoner like Gu Pan'er. So, cater to his interests, discuss poetry and literature, and talk about people's livelihoods, gradually gaining his trust."

"Granddaughter will remember her grandfather's teachings."

Liu Yunrou nodded in response, her every move conforming to etiquette and leaving no room for error.

The banquet ended, and the heads of each family departed.

The candlelight in the villa hall gradually died down, leaving only Liu Yunrou standing alone in the empty hall.

The evening breeze blew through the window, stirring her light gauze dress. It also caused the candlelight on the table to flicker, casting shadows on her delicate features. The mask of meekness and obedience that had been on her face finally began to crumble.

In solitude, her shoulders slumped slightly. The poise and self-restraint of a noblewoman had vanished, leaving only weariness and desolation.

From childhood to adulthood, the poetry, literature, etiquette, demeanor, and moral conduct she learned were never for her own benefit, but rather to serve as a bargaining chip for her family to scheme against others.

She saw it clearly: the survival of the entire clan and the greater good that her grandfather spoke of were, in the end, nothing more than an unwillingness to fall from the altar of power and an unwillingness to give up the wealth and status that had been exploited for generations.

The new policies distributed fertile land equally and reduced exorbitant taxes, enabling countless impoverished people to survive and live in peace. This was a good thing that would benefit future generations and the present.

But since she was a woman of the Liu family, she could only become the most insidious blade to destroy a virtuous minister who served the country and its people.

How absurd, how pathetic.

Her fingertips gently traced the faint blue embroidery on her sleeve, which she had embroidered herself in her spare time.

Originally, it symbolized elegance, purity, and self-discipline. Now, however, it requires people to wear clean clothes while engaging in sordid scheming.

It wasn't that she was ashamed or indifferent; it was simply that she was born into the Liu family and had no choice in her own destiny.

According to family rules, women in the clan have no right to their own lives or desires. They are born to be used by the family, and their honor, disgrace, fortune, and reputation are not in their own hands.

Obedience may allow one to survive. Rebellion, however, means utter ruin.

The long night was silent, and no one heard the silent sigh in her heart.

She looked up toward the government office, her eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and helplessness, as well as a hint of resolute determination and an imperceptible struggle.

Tomorrow, when she enters the government office, she will be a virtuous lady pleading her case, but also someone who will approach with a blade.

In the face of success or failure, what is destroyed is the reputation of a virtuous minister, while what is fulfilled is the selfish interests of a clan.

As for herself, no matter what the outcome, she will eventually be filthy and helpless.

After a moment, she concealed all the turmoil in her eyes and put on her docile and aloof mask again.

If she enters the game tomorrow, she will be the most appropriate, the most harmless, and the most unguardable piece.

Deep in the dense forest outside the manor, two shadow guards dressed in black stood silently in the shadows.

He listened to and memorized every word of the conversation and conspiracy that had just taken place in the hall.

The shadow guard, carrying the secret document, quietly withdrew. He returned to the government office that very night to report back.

Li Xuanzhi sat upright at his desk, listening to the secret report from the shadow guards. He held a draft of the new regulations between his fingers, his eyes cold and clear.

The next day, dawn broke.

The main gate of the government office was wide open, and the officials were performing their duties. The newly transcribed supplementary register of the new policies was neatly posted in front of the public notice wall.

The entries were clearly written, attracting countless people to gather around and read them aloud.

Half past Chen Shi (7-9 AM), a constable entered the yamen to announce the arrival of a messenger.

"Your Excellency, Liu Yunrou, the eldest daughter of the Liu family, has come to request an audience, carrying a notebook on the customs and sentiments of the villagers. She expresses her gratitude for the new policies and wishes to present her sentiments and the heartfelt words of the elders in person."

Inside the main hall, Li Xuanzhi was looking down at the state's land registers. Upon hearing this, his fingertips paused on the paper, and his eyelids slightly lifted.

The secret report from the Shadow Guards last night still echoed in his ears; he already knew about the gentle trap those old fogies had laid.

While checking the accounts, Gu Pan'er, who had no idea what had happened the night before, paused slightly at the tip of her pen.

Raising his gaze to Li Xuanzhi, who sat regally in the main seat, a cold, wary glint flashed in his eyes as he softly said:

"The Liu family plotted all night yesterday, and today they sent their eldest daughter to visit. It's too much of a coincidence."

Li Xuanzhi nodded slightly, his expression calm and unfazed, showing no surprise. "Let her in."

"My lady?" Gu Pan'er frowned slightly. "As the eldest daughter of the Liu family, Liu Yunrou's visit must be a deliberate scheme. There's no need to see her; just drive her away."

"You can drive away one person, but you can't drive away an entire clan."

Li Xuanzhi closed the stage curtain, his eyes clear and calm.

"She came under the guise of public opinion, but by publicly driving her away, she only gave others ammunition to criticize her. It would be easy for those people to use this as an excuse to spread rumors that I was arrogant, rejected the people, and blocked the channels of communication."

"Since they insist on getting involved, I'll see how many more dirty tricks they have up their sleeve."

Gu Pan'er instantly understood, slowly nodded, composed herself, and stood quietly to one side, observing the situation silently.

A moment later, Liu Yunrou slowly stepped into the inner hall of the government office.

Today, she was still wearing a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with delicate orchid patterns embroidered on the hem, looking elegant and dignified.

Her steps were light and graceful, her figure slender, without a trace of the arrogance of a noble lady, nor any deliberate flattery or frivolity.

Her features were clean and gentle, with just the right amount of restraint and respect in her expression. She seemed like a refined young lady who genuinely appreciated the new policies and cared deeply for the common people.

She held a light-colored notebook in both hands, her fingertips slender and fair. She walked to the center of the hall, bowed gracefully, and performed all the proper courtesies.

"This humble woman, Liu Yunrou, pays her respects to Lord Li. Your Excellency has returned to Pingzhou from afar, reforming the administration and benefiting all the people. Pingzhou has been reborn. On behalf of the elders of the village, I am deeply grateful for Your Excellency's kindness."

Her voice was soft and melodious, warm and clear. There was not a trace of deliberate flattery; every sentence resonated with the people's sentiments, and there was not a single fault to be found.

Li Xuanzhi sat upright in the main seat, his posture tall and dignified, his expression calm and aloof.

His gaze fell upon her indifferently, neither warm nor cold, without a trace of a man's lust for a stunning woman, only scrutiny and clarity.

"Miss Liu, no need for formalities. I heard you brought a notebook about the people's conditions; may I ask what it contains?"

His tone was calm, solemn, and dignified, befitting an official inquiring about the people's conditions.

Liu Yunrou slowly rose, lowering her eyes and curtsying. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, her appearance gentle and humble. She raised her hand to present the notebook in her hand, and said softly:

"Your Excellency, since the implementation of the new policies, land in Pingzhou has been distributed equally, taxes have been reduced, and displaced people have returned to their livelihoods. The elders in the villages live and work in peace and contentment, all thanks to Your Excellency."

"I, a woman confined to my chambers, find it dull and spend my leisure time wandering through the countryside. I have heard the voices of many people and have written them down one by one. These are the most sincere hopes and some of the most trivial concerns of the elders. I dare not keep them to myself and respectfully present them to you, sir, hoping that they may contribute their modest efforts to the implementation of the new policies."