Qi Wang was playing with a jade-green thumb ring, a gift from the current county magistrate of Huichang County, specially presented upon learning of his arrival.
For these officials, if they were to climb the ranks step by step according to protocol, who knew how many decades it would take—perhaps not even in their lifetime.
Even for those considered outstanding, if they could reach the position of Shilang in their sixties or seventies, it would already be considered the blessing of their ancestors.
But if there were shortcuts—well, there were young Ministers in their thirties in this dynasty.
So, who wouldn’t want to take a few more shortcuts?
When a highly favored prince like Qi Wang descended from the heavens to his county, Magistrate Zou Xiaopeng was overjoyed, almost to the point of losing his mind.
Though his name contained the character “Peng” (great bird, symbolizing lofty ambition), his career had been anything but soaring. His peers had already advanced to become prefects, yet here he was, still stuck miserably in this poor county as a mere magistrate. Who could he complain to?
Qi Wang lowering himself to come here in person was practically a gift from heaven. Zou Xiaopeng exhausted every trick he knew to curry favor with this royal highness.
Looking at the lavish feast of rare delicacies before him, Qi Wang chuckled, clicking his tongue. “Lord Zou really put in quite some effort, didn’t he?”
Zou Xiaopeng couldn’t tell whether this was sarcasm or praise, so he thickened his skin and pretended it was praise. “Your Highness has come from afar. This humble official is overwhelmed with gratitude and dares not neglect even the smallest detail in hosting you.”
Zhuque was standing nearby, and upon seeing that Qi Wang didn’t appear pleased, he quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look further.
But surprisingly, Qi Wang wasn’t angry.
With a casual thud, he tossed the thumb ring onto the table and idly twirled his fingers. “Sincerity isn’t really about this, is it?”
He smiled faintly, half amused, half indifferent, and glanced at Zou Xiaopeng. “By the way, I do have something to ask you, Lord Zou.”
Zou Xiaopeng was no fool. Given Qi Wang’s status, someone like him—just a county magistrate—wouldn’t even have a chance to approach his gate under normal circumstances.
For Qi Wang to personally come to his county and find his door—there must be something he wanted done.
Only an idiot would let such an opportunity slip by.
Zou Xiaopeng immediately straightened up, cupped his hands respectfully, and said with full focus, “Your Highness, please command me! This humble official will exert all efforts and give my life if necessary! I dare not shirk any duty!”
Qi Wang let out a soft laugh. “It’s not that serious. It’s just that I heard you have ties to the Xie family.”
The Xie family?
What did this have to do with the Xie family?
As a local figure, Zou Xiaopeng of course knew the Xie family.
His wife was from the Xie clan.
But why was Qi Wang suddenly asking about them?
A hint of unease rose in Zou Xiaopeng’s heart. He had already guessed that Qi Wang’s visit likely had something to do with the Xie family.
Because of this, he couldn’t help but hesitate.
After all, his wife was indeed from the Xie clan. If this was something good, he would naturally be happy to favor and support his own people. But if Qi Wang wanted to harm the Xie family…
Seeing his hesitation, Qi Wang chuckled softly, “Why, Lord Zou, does this trouble you? If it does, then forget it.”
Opportunities vanish in an instant, never to return.
That brief hesitation disappeared immediately. Without even a moment’s delay, Zou Xiaopeng quickly called out, “No! It’s no trouble at all! No trouble!”
Realizing he had even addressed himself incorrectly, he laughed awkwardly, slid to his knees, and kowtowed to Qi Wang. “Your Highness, among the three bonds and five relationships, the ruler is first. You are my sovereign, I am your subject—what relatives? I know nothing of relatives! I only know that whoever opposes Your Highness is my enemy!”
A man who knows the way of the world.
Qi Wang, satisfied with his quick understanding, chuckled, “Very good. I like smart and sensible people like you. In that case, let me ask—who currently heads the Xie family? I’ve heard that among the younger Xie generation, Xie Ying is the most outstanding?”
The name “Xie Ying” came from his mouth with a hint of gritted teeth, thick with hatred.
Qi Wang thought of his past life—when Qi Yuan killed him, she pulled the knife out just to stab him again, as if pouring all her hatred into that moment, cursing him for killing Xie Ying.
Xie Ying, Xie Ying, Xie Ying!
So what if he killed him? He’d do it again—and more than once. What of it?
The mention of Xie Ying made Zou Xiaopeng even more uneasy.
But he still honestly reported, “Your Highness, that is indeed the case. At his young age, he has already passed both the county and provincial exams and was the top scorer in the provincial examination—he’s the Jieyuan…”
As a result, the entire Jiangxi officialdom was paying close attention to Xie Ying.
Everyone believed he had great potential to win first place in all three major examinations.
Especially the Jiangxi Education Commissioner, who practically regarded Xie Ying as a treasure.
Even Zou Xiaopeng, in his usual dealings, held this treasure in the highest regard. He pursed his lips and truthfully added, “Everyone says the Xie family has a precious tree…”
Xie Ying was the Xie family’s precious tree.
Qi Wang sneered, lowering his gaze coldly. “What precious tree? Chop it down.”
What?!
Zou Xiaopeng looked at him in shock. “Your Highness, but he’s the Jieyuan!”
As a provincial top scorer, Xie Ying’s status was already high—let alone being the youngest one in recent memory. Unless he suddenly went mad or died, his future was all but guaranteed.
And now Qi Wang wanted him dead?
Even though Zou Xiaopeng had already made up his mind to curry favor with Qi Wang, he still found this request utterly absurd.
Qi Wang, however, looked at him as if it were perfectly reasonable. “What, Lord Zou, is this the sincerity you spoke of? He’s just a boy who hasn’t even sat the national exam yet. Are you saying you don’t dare?”
Dare? Zou Xiaopeng really didn’t dare.
He had struggled for years and was still just a magistrate. Without special opportunities, his career path was essentially set in stone.
But Xie Ying was different—his future was destined to be brilliant.
Zou Xiaopeng would normally never cross someone like that.
But now…
Seeing Qi Wang’s patience waning, Zou Xiaopeng didn’t dare delay and quickly said, “Your Highness! Your Highness! This humble official dares! As long as Your Highness commands it, I will strike wherever you point—I dare to do anything!”
Qi Wang burst out laughing. “Good. I like people who are smart and know their place. In that case, go now. I want to see Xie Ying and the entire Xie family in prison!”
In prison…
To round up so many people at once, especially a local prominent family—this was no easy task for Zou Xiaopeng.
He quickly said, “Your Highness, allow me to think carefully and devise a more thorough plan.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to do it—but this was not something that could be done on a whim. The risks were enormous.
The Xie family had backers.
If the charges weren’t convincing, the rest of the local gentry would certainly stir up trouble.
At that point, he, as the magistrate, might not come out of it with any benefit.
Qi Wang lowered his gaze. “What’s missing?”
Zou Xiaopeng smiled bitterly. “Your Highness, I need a reason to arrest them at least…”
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