Insufficient balance

  Tomorrow is the 15th of the first month, and the people who spent New Year's Eve in a state of panic and chaos have once again found the festive atmosphere. The officials at Chicken Inn have been inviting each other to banquets more frequently since He Canjiang left in depression.

  What Wu Qianhu said would come immediately, the appointment of the Ministry of Officials, did not arrive until ten days later, allowing Yang Ling to fully appreciate the difference in efficiency between the secret intelligence system and the normal official channels.

  Today, the Magistrate of Min County hosted a banquet to entertain the Commander-in-Chief. Although the imperial reward and punishment have not been announced yet, everyone knows that Magistrate Min is about to be promoted. Although Huaicang was defeated in battle, the responsibility does not lie with the Magistrate, but as a civil official, he was able to behead the enemy general Wangzi. In the eyes of the Emperor and the Grand Scholars, its political significance far outweighs the actual outcome of the war.

  At the height of the wine and warmth, Magistrate Qin smiled and leaned in close to Yang Ling, saying in a low voice: "My Master Yang, my brother-in-law has just sent me news that I am being transferred from the capital to the south, it seems I will be taking up the post of Vice Commissioner of the Haining Salt Transport."

  Yang Ling didn't know what rank this official was, but seeing County Magistrate Min's beaming face, he thought it must be a fairly high-ranking one. Besides, Hai Ning couldn't compare to this remote and desolate border town, so he hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting: "Congratulations, sir! Felicitations, sir!"

  The Deputy Salt Transport Commissioner is a fifth-grade official, like Min Wenjian, the county magistrate of a third-class county, which can be considered as three consecutive promotions. The most important thing is that the Salt Transport Commissioner is absolutely a good job, and all the salt merchants in that area are rich enough to rival the country's billionaires, and even if they leak out a little from their fingers, it's enough for people to eat for a lifetime.

  County Magistrate Min was overjoyed, his eyes shining with excitement. He waved his hands repeatedly and said in a low voice, "Keep your voices down, the imperial decree has not been issued yet, it's not to be spoken of." He glanced at the officials gathered around him, laughing and chatting, then turned to Yang Ling and said, "After I leave office and things settle down, I will help you get transferred to Jiangnan. I've been stuck in this dead-end place for two years with no achievements to speak of. Once you arrive, I'll be promoted, you're my lucky star!"

  Being transferred to Jiangnan is indeed good, but do I still have a life to enjoy? Moreover, my current public identity is that of a postal clerk, but in secret, I am already a hundred households of the Brocade Guard, one level higher than your esteemed self. Without the approval of the Brocade Guard, it's not easy to make such transfers.

  Yang Ling forced a smile and said, "Your Excellency's concern and cultivation towards me, Yang Ling is truly grateful and has no way to repay." Magistrate Min looked at him with an absent-minded expression, couldn't help but chuckle, and patted Yang Ling on the shoulder, saying warmly: "A great man's ambition lies in all directions, don't be so spineless. Besides, after I take office, it'll take at least a year or two to find an opportunity to transfer you over. If you're quick about it, by that time, even children will have been born. Since you have the heart, just take action early on, and don't dawdle."

  Yang Ling was like a two-inch-tall golden boy, scratching his head in confusion: "What what? How can I not understand the master's words?" Magistrate Min sneered, looking at him sideways: "You little scoundrel is not honest, this matter has been known to everyone, do you still want to hide it from me? Hehe, no wonder you're hiding and covering up, that girl is really tender, just pinch her a bit and she'll be dripping wet... but don't worry, I'm not interested in women, hahaha..."

  Yang Ling was still bewildered and about to ask more questions, when Bi Dousi had already loudly called out to Minister Min to come over. He turned around in confusion, and Liu Dianshi came walking up with a cup in hand, smiling as he congratulated him: "Brother Yang, congratulations on your double happiness! The other day you were honorably appointed as the postal commissioner, and soon you'll be taking the imperial examination again - at that time, Liu will certainly come to offer his respects with a cup of watery wine."

  "Ah, it's nothing, Lord Liu is being polite," Yang Ling said with a smile as he took a sip of wine. Only then did he realize the meaning behind the words: "Golden List, Top Scholar" was a big deal, but "Dongfang Flower Candle Small Top Scholar" - what did that even mean?

  Yang Ling wanted to ask for clarification, but these people were just drinking and chatting randomly, grabbing someone to talk to them for a bit, Liu Dianshi finished speaking and swaggered off towards Wang Zhubu, Yang Ling's gaze followed him, even when Huang Xianchang walked up beside him he didn't notice.

  Huang Xiancheng walked up to him, cleared his throat and smiled: "Min Da Ren's promotion is imminent. With your experience and relationship with Min Da Ren, in my opinion, it won't take a few years for you to become a 7th rank official. As for whether you can leap to the top, that depends on your luck. You are still young, just be careful in your duties, and when the time comes, your future will naturally be boundless. It's just that one cannot rush what cannot be rushed."

  Yang Ling saw that Huang Xian was there and hastily said with respect: "Thank you for your guidance, Master Huang. I am grateful for the lesson!"

  County Magistrate Huang saw that no one was paying attention around him, and suddenly lowered his voice: "However, this time you were reckless. The Ma family has already declined, but after all, they were once an official family. Now your affair is known to everyone, why are you slow to prepare the money for buying a concubine? If you're short of money, I still have some savings from these years, take it first to deal with the emergency."

  Yang Ling was shocked: "Huang Lao, what are you talking about? Taking a concubine? When did I ever say I wanted to take a concubine? Moreover, Madam Ma is not someone who would be willing to be a concubine!"

  He said this, and Huang Xianchang was also startled, hastily saying: "Be careful what you say, be careful what you say, don't talk nonsense! As a concubine, it's not very good for her reputation, but no one will laugh at her. If you speak like this and it gets out, can the young lady of the Ma family still live?"

  Yang Ling glared and said: "Old Huang, what exactly happened? Why... why can't the students understand?"

  Huang Xianxiao smiled and said, "Taking a concubine is a beautiful thing, it's a romantic affair. What are you being shy about? That day when you returned to the city with Miss Ma, we heard from her that she had spent a night with you in a snowy cave in the mountains..."

  Yang Ling listened and suddenly realized, couldn't help but chuckle: "Old Huang was indeed mistaken, I and Miss Ma only because of the cold weather, had no choice but to take shelter in the snow cave, didn't have any...", he said up to here, remembered that the two had hugged each other for a night, even if placed in modern times it would be ambiguous enough, suddenly couldn't continue speaking.

  "Huang Xian's whiskers twitched, and he said somewhat displeased: 'Isn't it a fact that a lone man and woman spent the night together? She has already spoken of this experience in public, obviously she has feelings for you. A woman's reputation is important, can she still choose another husband? To be rich one must be benevolent, to be an official one must be upright, to be human one must have integrity. You are a scholar who reads the classics, don't you understand this basic principle? I regard you as my own son or nephew, that's why I'm speaking so frankly with you, don't deceive yourself.'"

  Yang Ling was speechless, and for a moment he couldn't say another word...

  Against the wall of the corridor, the snow was trampled by Yang Ling with a crunching sound, and he walked to the fourth hostel. He raised his head and saw that the lanterns in Malan's courtyard were shining brightly. Yang Ling remembered what Huang Xianchang said at the dinner party, and his heart moved slightly, slowly walking over.

  The door was not closed, and under the lamp, smoke and fire were seen coming out from inside. Yang Ling walked to the door and saw Ma Lian'er sitting on a stool in front of the stove, one hand supporting her cheek and the other handing wood into the furnace, looking very bored and languid, with a charming posture.

  The flames illuminated her pale face, flashing out a beautiful blush, and those charming eyes subtly revealed a mature charm. Adversity makes people mature, this young lady is now less frivolous and light compared to when they first met, and has inadvertently acquired a few points of elegance and stability.

  Yang Ling lightly knocked on the door frame, Ma Lian'er raised her head to see him, and a flash of joy and intimacy flashed in her eyes. She excitedly wanted to stand up, but immediately restrained her exposed emotions, smiled slightly and said: "Since returning to the city, there hasn't been a day when I haven't seen you, is the banquet over?"

  Yang Ling's heart skipped a beat as he couldn't help but ask: "How did you know I was going to the banquet?"

  Ma Lian'er didn't respond, but used those eyes that could speak to look at him deeply. Yang Ling suddenly felt a lump in his throat, he already knew that these days Ma Lian'er must have been paying attention to his every move. On that night at Wuzhang Ridge, were the words she said just a joke?

  "She has already spoken publicly about this experience, and it's clear that she has feelings for you. A woman's reputation is important, can she still choose to remarry? Savoring the words of Huang County Magistrate, Yang Ling suddenly understood, he didn't know there were so many taboos, would Ma Lian'er not know either? She spoke out about those things, obviously trying to create a fait accompli, using public opinion to force him to take her in as his wife."

  Yang Ling couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Miss Lian, we got lost in the forest and spent a night together in the snow cave. Did you intentionally tell Lord Min and the others about it? You clearly know that those trivial matters can be fatal, yet you use your own reputation to make a joke. How could you do something so foolish?"

  Ma Lian'er's hand, which was handing over the firewood, stopped for a moment, and then she suddenly chuckled and said: "Isn't being silly good? Isn't it often said that a woman with no talent is virtuous? Do you like me to be clever or silly?" She smiled with a hint of cunning and a sense of triumph.

  Yang Ling stomped his foot and said: "How can you be so unaware of the weight of your words? Your tongue is as sharp as a knife, you...you're too reckless!"

  Ma Lian'er's hand trembled slightly, she didn't lift her head, just stiffly lowered it, and after a while, suddenly sobbed: "Yang Ling, do you dislike me very much?"

  The bright red flames crackled and spat, and Yang Ling saw a crystal tear drop onto her hand. He couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart, and coaxed her, "How could that be? When have you ever seen me dislike you?"

  Ma Lian'er burst into tears and laughed: "Of course... ... I've never seen you, do you like me or not, I can tell." Under the bright red stove fire, that brilliant smile was radiant and flying high, with a hint of joy and pride.

  Yang Ling felt stifled, this girl not only looked like a fox spirit, but also had the heart of a little fox. It was really unclear whether she was truly sad or pretending to be, looking at her appearance which didn't seem like she had just cried.

  Being stared at by him, Ma Lian'er actually knew to be shy, she blushed and lowered her head, her face red as she said: "Yang brother, that night was my fault, you were right. If you really divorced Yu Niang, would I still be worth loving? That night in the city, seeing the way you looked at Yu Niang, I knew that no one could replace her position in your heart for this lifetime. How dare I hope to take her place? I only hope...I only hope you can also treat me well, and I will be content."

  She gazed dully at the flickering flames, her eyes filled with longing for happiness, and said in a dreamy voice: "I only need a husband who can pamper me and love me to be content. Fine clothes and food, I don't crave. The title of legitimate wife... If it's a man who views women as private property, like my father and many men in the great Ming dynasty, can being a legitimate wife truly bring happiness?"

  She spoke fluently, with a maturity that belied her age, opening up to Yang Ling: "I grew up in the borderlands, and I don't speak or act like the women of the Central Plains who are known for their propriety and modesty. But I'm not a careless woman, Brother Yang. I will uphold the virtues of a wife and respect my husband's younger sister."

  Yang Ling sighed and stomped his foot: "You... look at you, normally so clever and intelligent, how can you be so unreasonable? I won't accompany you in your madness, tomorrow I'll go find Ma Ang to become sworn brothers, as siblings we can live together in hiding, no one will gossip about us then?"

  Ma Lian'er saw him turn around and leave, this time she was flustered. She quickly jumped up to block his way, threw herself into his arms and scolded: "You only see me once every half month, I won't let you go".

  Yang Ling panicked and hastily said: "Quickly let go, what will people think if they see this?"

  Ma Lian'er clung to his chest, refusing to let go. Her pretty face, still wet with tears, wore a coaxing smile: "I'm the one who will lose my reputation, I'm the one who will be drowned by spittle and curses, but I'm not afraid. What are you afraid of?"

  Yang Ling was speechless, and stuttered: "Th...th...I...I'm worried for you", Ma Lian'er's eyes sparkled as she coquettishly said: "You can still marry me, I haven't married yet, so I'm not afraid of what others say".

  A flash of disdain and inexplicable hatred flickered in her eyes, and she suddenly said a vulgar phrase: "Listen to the drumbeat, haven't you started farming yet?"

  Yang Ling was standing there with a mixture of laughter and tears, Ma Lian'er smiled sweetly and wrapped her arms around Yang Ling's neck, saying in a daze: "Since that night, I've been thinking about your embrace, wanting to hear you tell me those stories that are both scary and thrilling. Do you know? Since that night, I don't dare to leave you again."

  She was really sincere, with a very genuine tone, unfortunately her naturally beautiful face had a kind of enchanting power like a seductress, it's just that she was still young and not so obvious. At this time, she looked like a lovesick girl, tender and delicate, with a blush on her cheeks, no matter how deep and affectionate she spoke, she always carried a kind of seductive charm, feeling like she was intentionally enticing people.

  She looked at Yang Ling's awkward expression and said with a sly tone: "You really want to be sworn brothers with my big brother? Really want to be my dry big brother?" The pair of bright black eyes contained two sparks, shyly looking down, but her mouth hummed a song: "Dry firewood~ fierce fire~ good for cooking~~, Dry brother and sister~~~ good for being relatives~~". She only sang two lines before she blushed uncontrollably and threw herself into Yang Ling's arms, gathering courage to say: "I learned this song in the wilderness, you want to be my dry~~brother? It's fine, I don't care!"

  Yang Ling was completely stunned: "Comrade, where did you come from?" This big sister who usually puts on a gentle and elegant appearance in front of others, in his presence, was a complete and utter wild and uninhibited girl, without any reserve or restraint.

  Ma Lian'er plucked up the courage to confess boldly, and her pretty face was getting hotter by the second. Her palm stuck to Yang Ling's neck, the back of her hand warm and fiery, as if it had been roasted over an open flame - were those two full and enticing jade rabbits on her chest also warm and fiery?

  Yang Ling knew he shouldn't think about it, but when his eyes met the beautiful curves on her chest, the thought flashed through his mind uncontrollably. He felt a burning sensation in his lower abdomen, an irrepressible restlessness that almost made him lose control and kiss those cherry lips that were at his beck and call.

  If he fell any further, he would never be able to turn back. Yang Ling silently warned himself and suddenly broke free from Ma Lian'er's embrace. Ma Lian'er was caught off guard, stumbled backward two steps, her face turned pale in an instant, and those eyes that were originally curved like a beautiful moon suddenly became dull, filled with fear like a prisoner being led to the execution ground.

  If Yang Ling had feelings for her and intended to take her in, why would he treat her like this? Ma Lian'er struggled to control herself, trying to maintain the last bit of dignity, but tears flowed out uncontrollably, accompanied by a faint, mournful smile at the corner of her lips.

  Yang Ling turned his head away, saying softly: "Miss Lian'er, Yang Ling is not a person worthy of your lifelong trust. Really, my words today are not for myself, nor for Nong Yao, but only for you. Two years, at most two years, and you will understand why I must refuse you!"

  He didn't dare to look back, and just walked straight out, disappearing into the night. Malan slowly walked to the door, a pair of eyes that had lost their luster stared blankly in the direction he disappeared, and after a while, slowly looked up at the sky.

  The sky is vast and profound, a bright moon like a silver plate hangs low in the sky, reflecting countless stars.

  Ma Lian'er's eyes were dim with tears, and she whispered softly: "'Golden wind and jade dew meet once, and they surpass the countless meetings of mortals.'"

  I don't know what you're talking about, I don't understand what kind of excuse you're looking for. Maybe to you, that one night together was nothing, but do you know that to me, it's a happiness that I'll cherish for the rest of my life!

  P.S: The moon transforms into a werewolf on a moonlit night, letting out a loud howl: Clicked! Recommended!