The playboy county magistrate

Li Xuanzhi gestured for Tang Zheng beside him to take the notebook Liu Yunrou handed him, without touching it himself. His gaze remained fixed on her delicate features as he spoke slowly, his voice gentle yet sharp.

"The Liu family has lived in Pingzhou for generations, controlling the local affairs for several generations. In the past, they were always involved in land consolidation, causing great suffering to the people. Now that the new policies have eliminated the old abuses, Miss Liu, as a member of the Liu family, does not complain about the new policies that reduce clan power and divide private property. On the contrary, she takes the initiative to show respect to the people, which is truly rare."

The seemingly complimentary words, however, ruthlessly pointed out the contradictions in her situation.

Liu Yunrou's heart tightened slightly, and her fingertips stiffened slightly. However, her expression remained unchanged; she continued with a gentle smile and composedly answered:

"You jest, sir. The old family practices are the accumulated habits of our ancestors. Although I come from the Liu family, I know that the country is for the public good and the people are the foundation. The old system has accumulated many problems that have burdened the people and should be changed. The new policies benefit all people and should be implemented. The honor and disgrace of one family is not worth mentioning compared to the peace and stability of all families."

These words are insightful and profound, demonstrating a broad perspective and perfectly aligning with the righteous aspirations of a wise minister.

It was precisely the excuse that the head of the Liu family had used to gain her trust by visiting her room last night to give her careful instruction.

She deliberately shed her family's selfish desires, presenting an image of clarity, reason, and concern for the common people. All this was to lower Li Xuanzhi's guard and inspire his appreciation and goodwill.

Gu Pan'er stood quietly to the side, observing coldly without uttering a word, her eyes showing no emotion.

Such perfect understanding and clarity, if too deliberate, is full of flaws.

Li Xuanzhi's gaze deepened slightly as he looked at her calmly. A fleeting hint of coldness crossed his lips, vanishing in an instant.

He knew all too well the greed and shady dealings of the Liu family, and the deep-seated obsessions of these family members who had been robbed of their benefits.

The woman's apparent wisdom and righteousness were nothing more than a carefully crafted disguise.

"Young lady, your understanding of righteousness is truly commendable," Li Xuanzhi said calmly and unhurriedly. Suddenly, his tone shifted slightly:

"I heard that last night at the villa in the western suburbs, the heads of various clans gathered to discuss matters, and you, young lady, were also present. I wonder if the elders were discussing how to assist in the new policies and benefit all the people?"

Liu Yunrou's body stiffened slightly, her heart tightened suddenly, and a layer of fine sweat instantly appeared on her back.

She never expected that Li Xuanzhi would know about the extremely secretive private meeting of the heads of various families last night!

For a fleeting moment, Liu Yunrou had the illusion that all her carefully crafted facade of gentleness, clarity, and sincerity had turned into a joke.

It turns out that her supposedly secretive involvement and gentle scheming with her family were all seen through and manipulated by the other party from beginning to end.

Liu Yunrou quickly composed herself, suppressing the panic in her heart. She maintained a gentle expression, lowered her eyes slightly, and explained softly, her tone carrying just the right amount of bewilderment and innocence.

"You jest, sir. Last night, my grandfather met with the heads of various clans. They were merely chatting about local affairs and lamenting the changes brought about by the new policies. He admonished his clansmen to be law-abiding, strictly abide by the laws, and diligently correct their mistakes. Under no circumstances should they do anything rebellious again. There were no other opinions."

She dared not admit it, nor dared she argue, she could only vaguely cover it up, using the most docile attitude and words to evade the issue.

Li Xuanzhi quietly watched her feigned composure, noticing the panic hidden in her eyes, and slowly spoke, his voice slightly cool, each word clear.

"Is that so? But I heard that the clan heads discussed last night that they were trying to delay the new policies, demoralize the people, spread rumors, and sow discord between officials and the people."

"In addition, they have deliberately laid a honey trap. They sent you to plead your case and speak gently to me, hoping to soften my heart and tarnish my reputation. Once the people's hearts are broken by the new policies, they will seize the opportunity to restore the old ways."

They bluntly exposed all the scheming, not even leaving the other party a shred of pretense of civility.

Liu Yunrou's long eyelashes trembled violently, her face instantly drained of all color, and her body swayed almost imperceptibly.

All pretense, all scheming, all the gentle calculations—he stripped them bare with a single sentence, leaving them utterly exposed.

She looked up at the young man before her; he was tall and slender with clear, bright eyes.

He appears gentle and calm, but his eyes conceal a sharp and calm understanding of everything.

Li Xuan knew that this man was not a hot-blooded, shallow young man easily seduced by beauty.

In his eyes, my involvement today is nothing more than a clumsy and laughable farce.

The guilt, helplessness, and desolation that had been building up in my heart surged up instantly.

The embarrassment of having her scheme exposed, the shame of failing her virtuous minister, and the humiliation of being a woman powerless—all these weighed heavily on her, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

After a long silence, Liu Yunrou managed to squeeze out a soft, hoarse sentence, all traces of her previous composure and poise gone:

"My lord... knows everything?"

"I knew from the moment you plotted at the villa and devised the scheme involving the beauty," Li Xuanzhi said calmly. "You don't need to act, and you don't need to pretend."

Liu Yunrou's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she held back the tears that were about to fall, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

It turns out he knew everything, yet he still met with her and listened to her plea.

It's not about being naive and easily deceived, but about calmly watching the show and patiently waiting for the scoundrels to reveal their true colors.

She looked down at her simple white dress and at the notebook she had just handed over, which was now still in Tang Zheng's hand, and felt a deep sense of irony.

She came with a body full of filth and scheming, attempting to tarnish the purest integrity in the world. How despicable and how vile she is.

"This humble woman... has nothing to say." Her voice was barely audible, filled with exhaustion and dejection. "If Your Excellency wishes to punish me, this humble woman is willing to accept the punishment."

Her scheme had been exposed, her disguise shattered, and she no longer had the strength to struggle.

As a pawn, one's fate is not in one's own hands. Now that one has been defeated, one can only bow one's head and await punishment.

Looking at her downcast eyes and the genuine guilt and struggle in them, Li Xuanzhi did not get angry, but simply spoke softly.

"You are innocent. As a woman, you are subject to the constraints of your family and social status. You have no choice in your own life, and I understand this clearly."

He had seen too many corrupt officials in the court and villains in the streets, and he could distinguish between those who were inherently wicked and those who were forced into it.

Liu Yunrou still had a sense of shame and a basic moral compass, which made her different from those ruthless and cunning old gentry.

"But you need to go back and tell your grandfather." Li Xuanzhi's tone suddenly changed, and his expression became stern.

"The new policies benefit the people, not for private power or empty fame, but solely for the peace and stability of all people."

"No matter how many underhanded methods are used, they cannot shake the new policy in the slightest, nor can they tarnish my innocence in the slightest."

"If each ethnic group is willing to sincerely repent, behave themselves, and follow the general trend, I will grant them a glimmer of hope."

"But if they remain obstinate and refuse to change their ways, attempting to overthrow good governance with treacherous schemes, don't blame me for being ruthless; I will uproot them completely and show no leniency!"

"Never forget, the person standing behind me is the current emperor."

Liu Yunrou shuddered and immediately knelt down to kowtow.

"This humble woman...will remember your teachings and will certainly relay them to my grandfather truthfully."