Chapter 62: The Third Young Master

  Inside the county government office, in the rear garden's flower pavilion, a sumptuous banquet was laid out on a table, filled with chicken, duck, fish and meat. The most precious dishes were garlic shoots stir-fried with meat, bean sprouts stir-fried with meat, and leek stir-fried with eggs.

  These three dishes look ordinary, but they are actually expensive. In San Shan County in early spring, the vegetables that ordinary people eat are basically cabbage, white radish and other vegetables that can be stored for a long time. Green vegetables like garlic scapes, bean sprouts, and leeks that are difficult to store have to be rushed from the warm south, more precious than silver, not something that ordinary people can afford.

  Several people sat beside the wine table. At the head of the table was a young man in his early twenties, wearing a green official robe, elegant and refined. Beside him sat a middle-aged man in his forties, with a leopard-like head and piercing eyes, a dark complexion, and an aura that seemed to be suppressed, sitting there like a resting tiger.

  There were two more people sitting below them. One was a middle-aged man in his early forties, wearing casual clothes, with slender fingers and a warm smile on his face that didn't make people feel uncomfortable. However, his eyes were slightly narrow, which ruined his overall temperament. The other person was the oldest among those present, over fifty years old, with gray hair and wearing official attire, with a somewhat hunched back.

  The two accompanying him were none other than Wu Qi, the county magistrate of Sanshan County, with a seventh-grade official rank. The one wearing a ninth-grade official uniform was Jiang Yanfan, the chief clerk of this county.

  Wu Qi held up his wine cup and was toasting the young man, saying: "Third Master, I wish you good luck on this trip to Beijing for the imperial examination. May your name be on the golden list and may you pass with high honors in the top three. I believe that soon after, we will hear the joyful news of Third Master."

  The third son smiled proudly and said, "Magistrate Wu is indeed courteous. Among the countless scholars from all over the country who come to Beijing for the imperial examination, who isn't well-read and talented? I myself have some learning, my name is on the list, no problem, but getting into the top three ranks won't be that easy, I just hope to be somewhere between 55th place."

  Wu Qi secretly sneered, he called himself "humble official" in front of a twenty-year-old scholar, that was to give face to the father of the third young master, but unexpectedly this third young master put on airs and spoke as if he were his superior, while he was actually the subordinate of the third young master.

  Although he was somewhat dissatisfied in his heart, Wu Qi did not dare to show it. These three young masters were not simple, and their father was Wu Qi's superior, the governor of Mingchuan Prefecture, Shao Kehan. And Shao Kehan was not just a fifth-rank official, his father had been a second-rank official who served as the Minister of Revenue, and was now retired. The father of Shao Kehan's wife was the current Duke of Broken Army, and the Duke of Broken Army also had some connection with the Emperor by blood, and enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust.

  The third young master is handsome and talented, and has won the favor of his maternal grandfather, General Pojun. The middle-aged man sitting below the third young master is a specially appointed bodyguard for him. He is said to be a famous master in Jianghu, a one-generation master who abandoned martial arts to join the military and gained the appreciation of General Pojun, becoming his personal bodyguard. In Jianghu, he is respectfully known as "Sleeping Big Worm", also known as Jiang Shan.

  This time the Third Master went to the capital, preparing to participate in the Grand Comparison. On his way, he passed through Sanshan County and came specifically to thank Wu Qi. There was no reason for Wu Qi not to entertain him wholeheartedly.

  "Father," just as the host and guest were chatting, a clear and pleasant voice came over, and Wu Xue Mei appeared with two maidservants, walking gracefully like a spring breeze blowing through willows. She stopped in front of Wu Qi and said, "It's time for you to take your medicine, Mother specially asked me to bring it over."

  Wu Xue Mei took the medicine bowl from the tray held by the maid and handed it to Wu Qi.

  Wu Qi smiled and took the medicine bowl, drinking the black liquid inside in one gulp. Then he said: "Thank you for your hard work, you and your mother. Tell your mother that I have a distinguished guest to entertain, let her rest early, no need to wait for me."

  Wu Xue Mei nodded, took over the medicine bowl, bowed her body and said: "The daughter bids farewell."

  Just then, the third young master suddenly said: "Miss, wait a moment."

  Wu Xue Mei stopped and looked at the third young master with a puzzled expression, asking: "Young Master, what do you want to call me for?" At this moment, she seemed like a virtuous, gentle, and well-educated young lady from a good family, as if her usual arrogant and overbearing attitude had never existed.

  The Third Master's eyes were hooked on Wu Xue Mei the moment she walked in. He had long heard that Wu Qi's daughter, Wu Xue Mei, was a stunning beauty, and today he saw that it was not an exaggeration.

  The third young master stood up and left his seat, walked to Wu Xue Mei's front, politely bowed to Wu Xue Mei and said: "I suppose Miss is Mr. Wu's daughter. I have long heard of Miss's virtuous name, today I see that Miss is indeed far superior to the rumors, making one feel reverence and closeness."

  Here is the translation:

  At this point, the third young master revealed a well-trained smile and continued: "Let me introduce myself. I am Shao Chuanjie, my father is the governor of Mingchuan Prefecture, my grandfather retired at home, before his retirement, he served as the Minister of Civil Appointments, my maternal grandfather was the Marquis of Broken Army. This time I came to Beijing for the imperial examination, and I am determined to get on the golden list. If Miss can bless me, I will surely be invigorated."

  Wu Xue Mei smiled and said: "I just wish you, young master, would get the top three places on the imperial examination."

  "There was a young lady's auspicious words earlier, I will definitely bring back the number one high school graduate for the young lady." The Third Master said with grandeur.

  Jiang Xuan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "County Magistrate Wu, I don't know if your daughter has a marriage arrangement or is betrothed to someone?"

  "Not yet."

  Jiang Xuan nodded and said: "If there isn't, that's for the best. What do you think of Third Young Master?"

  "The Third Master is very good, and he is also a contemporary hero." Wu Qi replied fluently.

  "You think Third Master is good, that's all. You think letting Third Master be your son-in-law and having your daughter marry him as his first wife, how about it?" Jiang Shan asked with narrowed eyes.

  "Wu Qi secretly took a deep breath, Wu Xue Mei was his precious daughter, he didn't want to wrong her in any way, but he also didn't dare offend the Shao family."

  "Fair and square, isn't it just a little short? Can't we let our young daughter become the legitimate wife of Third Master through proper arrangement?" Wu Qi pleaded on behalf of Wu Xue Mei.

  Jiang Shan let out a cold snort and said, "What do you think your status is? You're just a seventh-rank county magistrate, with no great prospects. Don't think that your daughter is so precious. In the capital, there are countless daughters of high-ranking officials waiting to become the wives or concubines of third-class princes. Your daughter managed to snag the title of wife ahead of time - who knows what kind of advantage she's gained? County Magistrate Wu, will you agree or not? If you do, then give me a straight answer."

  Wu Qi's face was uncertain, Jiang Shan said the truth, he had no background, and being able to sit firmly in the position of seventh-grade county magistrate was already the result of his utmost effort. Before his retirement, it is unlikely that he will be promoted again.

  If you offend Shao Chuanjie, I'm afraid even the county magistrate won't be able to sit safely, and if things go wrong, there may even be a fatal disaster.

  Magistrate Shao Ke-han wants to deal with him, there are too many ways to do so. To mention just one, corruption and bribery alone can bring him down to the point of no return.