Chapter Forty-Four: The Wei Manor's Young Lady Has Just Come of Age

  The courtyard of the Qingzhou government office was different from that of the commander's office, and it was also different from those of the previous governors who were all literary figures. The back garden of the government office had many pavilions, towers, and steep and majestic buildings, with lush trees, mountains, and rocks, and a beautiful landscape. Even in the severe winter, one could vaguely imagine the beauty of summer.

  In the backyard, there was a delicate small courtyard with a small flower bed. In the flower bed, dozens of plum blossoms were blooming proudly in the cold wind. Not far from the front of the flower bed stood a five-sided small pavilion. Inside the pavilion, there was a stone table and wooden stools. Next to the pavilion, several clusters of bamboo were planted. On the stone table in the pavilion, four exquisite small dishes were placed. In the corner of the stone table, a small charcoal stove was placed, with a faint blue flame visible inside. A beautifully crafted curved-mouth wine jug was placed on top of the charcoal stove, emitting wisps of white smoke, and waves of wine fragrance wafted out from the jug.

  Magistrate Wei Tongnian of Qingzhou was wearing a crimson casual garment, sitting on a wooden stool, holding a wine cup to his mouth and drinking it all in one gulp. After that, he closed his eyes and savored the lingering fragrance on his lips. He stroked his three long beards under his chin and smiled: "I heard that plum blossoms are fragrant in the snow, and the four mountains are full of them. Where can I transform into a thousand billion plum trees? Ah, Manqian, do you think this poem suits today's scene?"

  "Hmph!" A clear and crisp laughter sounded from the side, "Dad, daughter knows you admire Bai Gongzi the most, but can't you stop reciting this poem all the time? Are you comparing yourself to Bai Gongzi?"

  Wei Tongnian feigned anger and said: "You're a good one, Manjing! Is Father really so despicable in your eyes?"

  "Hmm, Father is a good official, but unfortunately, he still falls short of being as great as Putong Gong! Hehehe..." A clear and crisp laughter echoed in the small pavilion.

  "Alright, you two are really something. The father doesn't act like a father and the daughter doesn't act like a daughter either. You're both impossible." Another gentle and mature female voice chimed in from the side.

  "Hahaha..." The crisp laughter floated in the air again, and if someone were to paint a picture of the scene in the pavilion, it would surely be a wonderful family portrait full of joy and harmony.

  Just then a voice broke in on the scene, and a young servant in a blue robe and small hat came hurrying over to report: "Sir, there is someone outside asking to see you!"

  "Hmm!" Wei Tongnian's pleasant family time was interrupted by his displeased scolding: "You rascal, don't you know that Master doesn't want to see outsiders today? And what's more, it's a military officer!"

  The house servant, with a bitter face, said: "I also told him, but he said there was an urgent matter to see the master. If it's not about something important, I'm afraid of being punished for delaying the master's affairs, so I reported it."

  Wei Tongnian said discontentedly, "You fool, someone just scared you a little and you came running over here. Fortunately, you're from the Wei Manor, how can you be so useless?"

  "Yes, yes, yes... The little one immediately chased him away." The house servant said as he bent down and lowered his body, taking a few steps back before turning to leave.

  "Hold on!" A soft and pleasant voice rang out, "Who is the visitor outside? What's his surname and name? Doesn't he know that Master never sees guests on the 15th of every month?"

  Jia Ding stopped in his tracks and said in a low voice, "According to what Madam said, that military officer claimed he was a hundred households from Ling Shan Wei's Wang Hai Fortress, named Pang Gang."

  "Pang Gang!" A low cry of surprise came from the pavilion, "What is he doing here?"

  "Did he come alone?"

  "Going back to what you said, no, he has seven or eight soldiers following behind him, each and every one of them looking like evil spirits, how ferocious!"

  "Is that so! Let him come then." Wei Tong let out a light sigh, waved his hand to dismiss the household servant, and rubbed his temples before asking somewhat perplexedly after a while: "Rou'er, this Pang Gang had once saved your life, and I've already given him a promising future as a hundred-household official. By rights, we should have been even with him by now. But why did he come today? Could it be that he has another request to make of me?"

  Sitting on Wei Tongnian's right side was a middle-aged beautiful woman wearing a fur coat, with high hair styled in a spiral shape, her eyes shining brightly and full of spirit, exuding charm and allure that could captivate one's soul, she was none other than Wei Tongnian's concubine Ruan Niang who had just returned with Pang Gang.

  Only then did Ruo Niang gently persuade Wei Tongnian, "Sir, didn't you used to appreciate this Pang Baihu? Since he came all the way from afar in the snow and ice to see you, we can't just turn him away. After all, he did save my life back then!"

  Wei Tongnian sighed helplessly, "Forget it, today the old master will make an exception and see him. If he has any difficulties that I can help with, I'll do my best to help him out. That's settled then!"

  "Should I and Manjing withdraw for a moment?"

  "It's no use, you're not here anyway. Since you are here, it doesn't make sense for the lifesaver to come and then leave."

  "Yes, Master is still so kind and gentle..."

  As they were speaking, a crunching sound of footsteps in the snow came over, and the servant who had just come to report quickly led a tall, imposing military officer wearing a large red swan-embroidered cloak to approach. The officer walked up to the pavilion, bowed down and said loudly: "Your humble subordinate, Wanghai Fort's hundred households' leader Pang Gang, pays his respects to Your Excellency, the Prefect!"

  "Pang Baihu, you come forward and speak!" Wei Tongnian's gentle voice rang out.

  "Thank you, sir!"

  Pang Gang took advantage of the momentum and stood up, walking to the front of the pavilion. Only then did he look straight ahead and find Wei Tongnian sitting in the pavilion, with a warm yet stern gaze looking at him. On his side sat two female companions, one of whom was none other than the beautiful concubine of Wei Tongnian who had been rescued by himself last time. At that time, she looked pitifully beautiful when she fell into Wang Dama's hands, but now she was dressed in a white fox fur coat, looking noble and charming, with her beautiful eyes sparkling with spring, captivating people's hearts.

  Sitting on the other side of Wei Tongnian was a 28-year-old beauty, who looked elegant and refined, with a light and ethereal aura. Her skin was delicate, her expression leisurely, her eyes were bright and sparkling, her cheeks were rosy, and she had a subtle smile playing on her lips. She exuded an air of gentle elegance that left Pang Gang staring at her in a daze.

  It wasn't until just now that Pang finally came back to his senses, only to find Wei Tongnian and the little concubine by his side smiling at him. Pang's old face turned red as he bowed again to Wei Tongnian: "Last time, thanks to your lordship's mistaken love, I was able to take on the position of hundred households. Until now, I haven't had a chance to personally thank you in person. This time, I came to express my gratitude and also to ask for your help with something."

  "Oh?" Wei Tongnian said indifferently, "You are the garrison commander of Weizhou, a military officer. I am a civil official. I really can't think of how I can help you."

  After hearing Wei Tongnian's words, Pang Gang secretly sighed in his heart. Although Wei Tongnian still looked gentle, there was a hint of rejection in his tone. It seemed that the last time he had promoted himself to the position of hundred households was indeed a repayment for saving his wife and concubine!

  Pang Gang thought maliciously, "I wonder if this Governor has noticed that his hat already has a layer of green oil shining on it."

  However, his mouth still respectfully replied: "In response to your words, sir, the matter I have come for this time is related to the people's livelihood!"

  "Does it affect people's livelihoods?"

  A few soft "hmm"s rose up simultaneously from within the small pavilion.