Chapter 62: Beauty Delivered to the Door

  The county magistrate came down, patted Xiao Jiading's shoulder and said: "Tang Sima recommended you to help me. With a capable assistant like you, it is indeed my good fortune! Haha! Let's go! We can conclude the case after questioning in court and report back. This time, it shouldn't be sent back for retrial again, right?"

  Xiao Jiading thought that Liu Xiangzheng was bribing Zhong Facao the most, and Zhong Facao was afraid that he would reveal these things, so he must be eager to get rid of this plague god as soon as possible. Therefore, he will report the case to his superiors without any delay. It is estimated that before Liu Xiangzheng's execution, he will not have a good day.

  According to the rules, although the written records made by the prison clerk or the executive officer can be used as evidence, the county magistrate still needs to ascend to the hall and make a judgment on the spot. This judgment is naturally drafted in advance by his executive officer, Xiao Jiading.

  The trial proceeded very smoothly, and Zhao and Liu Xiangzheng both confessed to their crimes. Hong Shan and Xiao Pingzi also confessed truthfully. The county magistrate was finally relieved in his heart. Based on the draft judgment prepared by Xiao Jiading, he sentenced Zhao to death by hanging for killing his nephew, and Liu Xiangzheng and Hong Shan to death. He sentenced the accomplice Xiao Pingzi to exile three thousand miles away. He also ordered that the relevant procedures be handled immediately and sent to the prefectural government office for review.

  After withdrawing from the hall, County Magistrate Kang was overjoyed and stroked his beard, saying to Xiao Jiading: "You did a great job, thanks to you for this matter. Do you have anything else tonight?"

  "It's nothing." Xiao Jiading smiled.

  "Alright then, I'll get my wife to stir-fry two small dishes for you to try her cooking skills, how's that?"

  Xiao Jiading had heard Du Daliang say before that this magistrate of Kang County was a cautious man who did not easily socialize with others, and he didn't expect to be invited to his home as a guest. He was delighted and hastily cupped his hands together in respect, saying: "Good. Then I'll have the good fortune. The old lady's culinary skills must be exceptional."

  "Alright then, it's settled!"

  When the time came, Xiao Jia Ding went out first and bought some gifts at a shop. He couldn't just show up empty-handed, after all. But once he got to the shop, he didn't know what to buy, and he didn't even know who was in the Kong County Magistrate's household or who he should give gifts to. So Xiao Jia Ding went back to the yamen to look for someone to ask. Just then, he ran into Huang Lu Shi coming towards him. Huang Lu Shi warmly greeted him, bowing his hands and saying, "Xiao Zhi Yi!"

  Xiao Jiading also cupped his hands and said, "Huang Lushi, it's just right that I met you. There's something I'd like to ask." Xiao Jianding pulled Huang Lushi aside and whispered, "The Magistrate of Kang County has invited me to dinner at his home. I don't know who else will be there?"

  Huang Lu Shi immediately understood the implication of Xiao Jia Ding's question, so he replied carefully: "The Kang County Magistrate has only his original wife at home, and a young master who is about 11 or 12 years old. The Kang County Magistrate likes to drink wine, but can't hold much liquor. His wife loves Jiangnan silk brocade, while the young master, although strictly taught, is very mischievous and particularly fond of wielding swords and spears. He often pesters the yamen's catchers to teach him martial arts."

  Xiao Jia Ding's eyes rolled, and he had an idea. He cupped his hands together in gratitude: "Thank you! At dinner time, when I see the opportunity, I'll mention your situation to County Magistrate Kang."

  Huang Lu was overjoyed and bowed to the ground: "Thank you, Brother Xiao!"

  "Alright! Let's help each other out!"

  Huang Luoshi said in a low voice, "The wine sent to County Magistrate Kang is best not bought outside. He likes to drink the wine from his hometown. His old home is in Hangzhou, where there is a famous good wine called 'Pear Blossom Spring'. This wine is not sold in Yizhou, but I happen to have a bottle here, you take it and give it to County Magistrate Kang, he will definitely like it."

  Xiao Jiading thought, what do you mean by "you just happen to have a bottle"? One look at you and it's clear that you've figured out the County Magistrate of Kang's hobby, this must be something you prepared in advance, probably not just one bottle. He said: "This isn't quite right, I'm giving gifts, taking your things."

  "Hey! Just now you said don't be polite, but Brother Xiao is being polite again. Alright, how about this? You go buy the other gifts first, and I'll have someone deliver them to your home right away!"

  "Thanks a lot!"

  After the two parted ways, Xiao Jiading went to a high-end silk store in Yizhou and bought a piece of Su embroidery brocade, then returned to his residence to wait for Huang Lu to deliver the wine.

  He took out the two books given to him by Huiyi and flipped through them. He didn't look at that internal skill book, in his understanding, it's not something that can be learned in a short time, and the effect may not be too obvious either. It's better to practice this Emei light skill, Liu Xue step, which can be used immediately after learning.

  So he started practicing. This was actually a set of evasive techniques that didn't require deep internal energy to assist. He began practicing in the house, if it were for himself, he wouldn't have had the leisure to do so. His purpose in practicing was naturally to curry favor with the young master and improve relations with the county magistrate's family, which was more important than anything else.

  This set of steps is actually quite complicated, Xiao Jia Ding patiently spent half a day practicing and only managed to master the opening section. He thought it should be enough. Just then, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He walked to the door and saw that in the distance, Huang Shi Yun was holding a small box in her hand, with a slender waist and a gentle swaying gait, walking towards him.

  Xiao Jia Ding felt a bit different, how could he hear her footsteps from such a distance? If it were before the transmigration, this would be impossible. It seemed that the transmigration had also significantly enhanced his hearing ability.

  Huang Lu's affairs unexpectedly called his own daughter to deliver personally, it seems that he hoped his daughter could get a good impression. However, he didn't know that although his daughter was as beautiful as a flower, she had already seen her true nature, just like a beautiful apple with worms inside. He had already figured it out and still had the interest to take a bite?

  Xiao Jiading put away the secret recipe, sat in the study, took out a Book of Songs, and began to recite it with a shaking head.

  After a while, the door creaked with Huang Shiyun's gentle knock, and that melodious voice like a skylark: "Xiao Da Ge, my father asked me to bring something for you."

  Xiao Jia Ding finally put down his book and walked out, slightly bowing his hand: "Thank you, just leave it on the table."

  Huang Shi Yun put down the brocade box, but didn't leave in a hurry. Instead, she looked at Xiao Jia Ding, wanting to speak but hesitating.

  Xiao Jiading said: "Is there anything else, Miss Huang?"

  Huang Shi Yun's face was flushed with a crimson glow as she spoke softly: "Little sister's name is Xiao Yue, if Big Brother Xiao doesn't mind, you can call me..."

  Xiao Jiading interrupted her, saying: "Sorry, Miss Huang, I have to go to County Magistrate Kang's place now, there are things I need to report. If you don't have anything else, please leave."

  To recall the last time Huang Shi Yun told Xiao Jia Ding her nickname, Xiao Jia Ding was drunk and didn't hear it, so Huang Shi Yun could convince herself that way. But this time, in Xiao Jia Ding's sober state, he still ignored her words, which means he simply doesn't want to use such an intimate nickname to address himself anymore.

  Huang Shi Yun's originally rosy face immediately turned pale, she lightly bit her red lips, her voice slightly trembling, saying: "Xiao Da Ge, in the past it was little sister who was wrong, little sister sincerely apologizes, and has been changing herself according to Xiao Da Ge's guidance, only hoping..."

  "It's easy to change the scenery, but hard to alter one's nature!" Xiao Jiading said with a heavy heart: "It's not difficult for someone to do one good deed, what's difficult is doing good deeds all their life. It's the same for you, maybe these past few days you've really changed, but the future is long..."

  "I can do it! I really can! Xiao Da Ge!"

  "It's none of my business whether you can or not," said Xiao Jiading with the same indifferent tone, "You like to say and do whatever you want, it has nothing to do with me. So, Huang Niang, there is no need for you to change anything for me, I won't be able to bear it either. Alright, I'm leaving!"

  Having said that, Xiao Jia Ding didn't look at her delicate face with tears welling up in her eyes, humming a little tune as he picked up the piece of satin and the small box on the table. He stepped out, pulled one of the doors shut, holding a copper lock, looking at Huang Shi Yun who was still standing alone in the room.

  Huang Shi Yun's tears finally fell, she held up her skirt, lowered her head, stepped out of the threshold, and stood under the corridor to cry.

  Xiao Jiading treated her as if she were invisible, took the copper lock, locked the door, and didn't look at her. He carried the gift and whistled as he walked towards the inner courtyard.

  When he arrived at the entrance of the inner court, the gatekeeper had already received the signal and saw him, immediately nodding and bowing to let him in.

  Xiao Jia Ding had already been here once, so he was quite familiar with the general situation of the inner house. He came straight to the main hall, where a maid led him in and asked him to wait on the sitting couch, while the maid went to report to County Magistrate Kang.

  Soon, the magistrate of Kang County arrived, followed by his wife and children.

  The wife of the magistrate of Kang County was less than 40 years old, slightly plump, but well-maintained, with not a single wrinkle on her face. The son of Magistrate Kang, seeing Xiao Jiading, rushed over and grabbed his hand, saying: "Do you know martial arts?"

  "Ah, Xuan'er! Don't be rude!" County Magistrate Kang scolded. "This is my son, named Kang Xuan, and this is my wife."

  Xiao Jiading hastily paid his respects to Mrs. Kang, then turned to Kang and said: "You're right. How about you?"

  The little guy didn't answer Xiao Jia Ding's question, but instead opened up his stance and said: "Alright then, let's try it out!" As soon as he finished speaking, without waiting for Xiao Jia Ding to agree, he threw a punch at Xiao Jia Ding's abdomen. The sound of the wind was quite powerful, and it seemed that he had indeed practiced diligently.

  Xiao Jia Ding displayed the willow-step he had just learned, lightly dodging.

  Kang Xuan saw that he dodged very skillfully, and even held a gift in his hand, but didn't show any panic. He stared at him in surprise, then threw several punches in a row, plus a flying kick, all of which were lightly avoided by Xiao Jia Ding, without even touching the corner of his clothes.

  Originally, County Magistrate Kang was going to call his son over, but seeing Xiao Jia Ding like this, he knew that his son wouldn't be able to hurt him. So he said: "Xuan'er, wait until your uncle puts down his things before talking."

  Kang Xuan then stopped, and Madame Kang took the things from Xiao Jia Ding's hands. Seeing that they were her favorite Sichuan brocade and her husband's hometown wine, a delighted smile involuntarily appeared on her face as she glanced at County Magistrate Kang.

  The county magistrate also saw it, stroking his beard and nodding slightly, with a satisfied smile at the corner of his mouth.