#106 - I Don't Know My Wife's Beauty (4000 words, two chapters in one)

"This time, in the top ten of the Beauty榜 (Red Dust Ranking), our Wu Kingdom actually has three people!"

"Isn't that right? Our Princess is even ranked fourth."

"Qin Qingwan of the Qin State Residence and Xu Xuenuo of the Xu State Residence are not only on the Beauty榜, but also in the top ten of the Azure Cloud榜."

"Alas, Xu Xuenuo and Qin Qingwan are almost sixteen years old now, right? They have grown into graceful and elegant figures, probably fairy-like figures among the new generation."

"Our Wu Kingdom can be considered to have finally held its head high this time. Thinking back to the last Beauty榜, our Wu Kingdom only had Empress Xiao on the list, and she was ranked outside of ninety."

"Actually, if the Princess's mother was still here, then..."

"Shhh... Be careful what you say..."

"Speaking of which, who exactly is that Shi Xin?"

"I don't know. I've never heard of her."

"Since we haven't heard of her, then it means she must have just come of age recently. Otherwise, her name would have appeared on the last Beauty榜."

"The abbot of Leiming Temple actually took in a female disciple? Isn't Leiming Temple all men?"

"Who knows? What's even stranger is that Shi Xin is actually the top of the Beauty榜. Just how beautiful is this female monk?"

"The top ten of the Beauty榜 shouldn't be ranked in the first place. This is everyone's consensus. After all, everyone is beautiful to the point of being unreasonable. It's just a matter of liking a certain type more or less? As a result, a female monk is ranked first. Could it be that my subconscious thinks that female monk is the most beautiful in the world? ? ?"

"Impossible! Although I haven't seen the Princess, I support the Princess!"

"Me too!"

"Speaking of which, that Xu Ming should be regretting it to death, right?"

"Isn't that right? The Princess is not only in the top ten, but also ranked fourth. I can't even imagine how beautiful she is."

"No wonder he's called 'Fool'. Even the City Lord of Tianji City couldn't stand it anymore."

"Hahaha, maybe our驸马爷 (Imperial Son-in-Law) is regretting it to death now."

In a tavern at the foot of a mountain, wandering martial artists,镖客 (escort rangers), and travelers were all drinking tea, wine, and eating outside in the tavern's shed.

And the Beauty榜, which was just released four days ago, had already been printed by various bookstores in the mortal world. Basically, everyone had a copy in hand, becoming a topic of conversation after meals.

While everyone was chatting about the Beauty榜, a man appeared for the first time.

That was Xu Ming.

After all, with the widespread circulation of Xu Ming's letter of marriage refusal, and with Wu Yuhan ranking fourth on the Beauty榜, Xu Ming had a new prefix - "Unaware of his wife's beauty."

At a table in the tavern, Xu Pangda was holding back his smile, trying not to laugh.

Xu Ming's expression was awkward.

Everywhere he went, Xu Ming could hear the evaluation of himself as "Unaware of his wife's beauty."

Fang Ling picked up a piece of beef, smiled, and asked Xu Ming: "Scholar Xu, it's probably still too late to regret it now."

Xu Ming shook his head: "There's no need for that. I still don't want to get married so early."

Fang Ling nodded: "It's good to look around more. Look around more, and you might find that our Wu Dynasty's Princess is the best."

Xu Ming: "."

After spending a few days together, Xu Ming found that this Fang Ling, Prime Minister Fang, seemed serious and stern on the surface, but in reality, he would occasionally say some flirtatious things.

That's good.

At least it wouldn't make Xu Ming feel like he didn't know how to get along with him.

Speaking of which, Xu Ming was indeed quite curious about that female monk.

According to Xu Ming's understanding, there were no nuns in this world.

That is to say, Buddhist disciples are all male, and this Buddhist disciple named Shi Xin is also the first female disciple of Buddhism.

What kind of female monk is so beautiful that she can be the most beautiful in the world?

If the Western Regions weren't too far away, Xu Ming felt that he should go and take a look sometime this year.

After eating and drinking their fill, Fang Ling took his family back to the carriage, and Xu Ming and Xu Pangda continued to drive the carriage in front.

"Fifth Brother, why do I feel like Little Bai is a little unhappy?" Xu Pangda glanced at the top of the carriage.

At this time, the Tianxuan Goose was sitting on top of the carriage with its long neck drooping, looking a little melancholy.

"Oh." Xu Ming said indifferently, "That guy is sad because he didn't make it onto the Beauty榜. This dog goose really has no self-awareness. It hasn't even transformed into human form. A goose making it onto the Beauty榜? Making it onto the animal kingdom's Beauty榜 would be more like it."

"Goose goose!!"

Hearing Xu Ming satirize itself, the Tianxuan Goose Little Bai immediately became unhappy, flying down and constantly pecking at Xu Ming.

Xu Ming: "Don't make trouble, don't make trouble. I'm driving the carriage."

Half a quarter of an hour later, the Tianxuan Goose哼哼唧唧 (grunting) flew back to the roof of the car, continuing to emo.

After another five or six days, Xu Ming and his party, after ten days of travel, finally arrived at Baihe County.

"Here they come!"

"That's the mark of the imperial carriage, right?"

"It seems so!"

"Hurry up! The suona horn blow, the drums beat, the dance begin."

Outside the county town of Baihe County, people were already waiting outside to welcome Xu Ming and his party, or rather, to welcome the new County Magistrate and the retired Prime Minister Fang.

When they saw the symbol of "Imperial Official" on Xu Ming's carriage, the sound of gongs and drums and suona horns all rang out, and even many women were dancing to welcome them.

This couldn't help but remind Xu Ming of four words from a movie he watched in his previous life - Taking office in Goose City...

"Wow, it's so lively."

Prime Minister Fang opened the curtain of the carriage, sat next to Xu Ming, his tone with a hint of sarcasm.

"Old Mr. Fang, is this the custom of Baihe County?" Xu Ming asked.

Old Mr. Fang's expression was a bit unsightly: "I have lived in Baihe County for nearly twenty years and governed for three years, but I have never seen such a custom."

Xu Ming reined in the horse, the carriage gradually stopped, and Xu Ming and the others got out of the car. The Baihe County Magistrate and several wealthy families in Baihe County all stepped forward.

"Greetings, Old Mr. Fang, greetings, County Magistrate Xu."

Liang Wen, the County Magistrate of Baihe County, bowed with a smile, and the wealthy families behind him also followed suit.

One should not hit a smiling face. Fang Ling stepped forward and returned the salute: "I am just a commoner. How can I be qualified for Lord Liang to personally come and receive me, let alone with such a grand arrangement? I remember when I took office, there was no such thing."

Liang Wen smiled: "That's true, but because Old Mr. Fang is retiring and returning to his hometown, and also because the new County Magistrate is taking office, we must be more grand."

Liang Wen turned to the side: "Everyone, please come inside. We have already prepared a banquet to welcome you."

"I won't go, I still have to go back to the ancestral house to clean up. Two young friends, I bid you farewell." Fang Ling coldly snorted, bid farewell to Xu Ming and Xu Pangda, and then drove the carriage away himself, seemingly not giving Liang County Magistrate and the local wealthy families any face at all.

Of course, although Fang Ling was just a commoner, no one dared to do anything to Fang Ling just because Fang Ling didn't give them face. They still had to smile obsequiously.

In the most famous Silver Sea Building in Baihe County, the County Magistrate of Baihe County ordered a lot of dishes, introducing Xu Pangda to the local wealthy families of Baihe County, which were actually the local snakes.

These wealthy families seemed respectful, but in reality, if you were to do anything that would harm the local wealthy families, even if you were the County Magistrate, it would be difficult for you to take action in many things.

In the yamen, you are just a commander without an army. No one will pay attention to you at all. The people under you have been bought off to some extent.

This welcoming banquet was still considered harmonious, and everyone seemed amiable.

Especially when they knew that the person beside Xu Pangda was Xu Ming, who almost became the Imperial Son-in-Law, everyone's expression became even more respectful.

Even though everyone in the entire Wu Kingdom knew that Xu Ming was "blind", no one dared to underestimate Xu Ming.

He was still the person most valued by the Martial Emperor. He could still marry the Princess after he went back, and his and the Princess's future children would definitely be the future ruler of the Wu Kingdom.

So compared to Xu Pangda, more people wanted to curry favor with Xu Ming.

However, Xu Ming seemed polite, but maintained a certain distance from everyone.

After returning to the county yamen, Lord Liang handed over the work to Xu Pangda.

This included the yamen's finances, the grain in the granary, and various cases in Baihe Town, all of which needed to be handed over.

And just when Xu Pangda arrived in Baihe County the next day.

When Xu Pangda got up early in the morning and was taking the account books to check the finances, suddenly, outside the county yamen, there was a burst of drum sounds.

Xu Ming, who was accompanying Xu Pangda, raised his head, and Lord Liang also looked embarrassed: "Someone! Go outside and see, who is drumming?"

"Lord Liang, no need, I'll go see for myself." Xu Pangda stood up.

"Lord Xu, this... It's just a small matter. It must be because some troublemakers saw you coming and have some trivial matters to trouble you with. I can handle it for you." Liang Wen's forehead was faintly sweating.

"Trivial matters are also matters." Xu Ming put down his teacup and stood up, "Third Brother, let's go take a look."

"Okay." Xu Pangda and Xu Ming walked towards the outside of the mansion, and Liang Wen could only follow behind.

"Lord!"

"The Lord is out!"

"Lord Xu, please do justice for the common people!"

"Please do justice for the common people!"

When they saw Xu Pangda, who was wearing official robes and had a new face, come out, everyone outside the mansion knelt down and kowtowed non-stop.

Looking at their appearance, Xu Pangda suddenly felt sad.

Xu Ming's brow also furrowed.

There were a total of twenty-six people kneeling outside the yamen.

If it was just a few people, it would be okay.

However, such a large crowd all at once indicates that many people in Baihe County have suffered significant grievances. One can only hope that the new magistrate of Baihe County will be able to stand up for them.

Standing to the side, Lord Liang's expression was even more awkward.

"Please, everyone, rise and come inside to speak," Xu Pangda stepped forward, helping the person at the front up. "This official will certainly seek justice for you all!"

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

The woman who had just been helped up knelt down again.

Xu Pangda pursed his lips tightly. Through Xu Pangda's eyes, Xu Ming knew that at this moment, he had truly become the magistrate.

Inside the county government office, Xu Pangda questioned each person one by one.

Xu Ming listened from the side. Lord Liang initially tried to intervene, but Xu Ming pulled him aside to drink tea. Xu Pangda was the only one handling the matters throughout the entire process.

It was not until noon that everyone gradually dispersed.

Before leaving, each person kowtowed deeply to Xu Pangda.

"County Secretary Huang, what is going on here!!!"

After everyone had left, Xu Pangda picked up the records he had personally taken and slammed them heavily onto County Secretary Huang.

"Please, Your Honor, calm your anger!" County Secretary Huang quickly knelt down.

"Calm my anger? How can this official calm his anger?"

Xu Pangda was so angry that his two hundred pounds of fat were trembling.

"Auntie Niu's five acres of fertile land were annexed by the Zhang family!

Sun Dequan's daughter was publicly humiliated by a wealthy family, and her elder brother was beaten to death in the street for trying to seek justice!

Even the Xiao family doesn't spare the money to redeem girls from brothels!

Scholar Wang 'offended' the Li family and had his legs broken as a result!

This is a scholar!!!

How dare the Li family do this!!!

Even recently, young boys and girls have been constantly disappearing in Baihe Town! You still haven't been able to find out anything!

How dare you suppress these cases!!!"

Xu Pangda slammed the table, causing County Secretary Huang to tremble uncontrollably.

Lord Liang, standing to the side, was even more red-faced.

Although Xu Pangda was scolding the county secretary, in reality, Xu Pangda was scolding Liang Wen, the county magistrate.

If it weren't for giving Liang Wen some face, Xu Pangda would have pointed his finger at him and asked, "How exactly did you become this county magistrate?"

County Secretary Huang swallowed hard and looked at Liang Wen to the side.

Liang Wen sighed, "County Secretary Huang, you may step down first. This official will properly explain things to the two Lord Xus."

"Yes, Lord Xu, Lord Liang, this humble one will take his leave."

Hearing Liang Wen speak, County Secretary Huang quickly got up and retreated.

In the main hall of the county government office, only Xu Ming and the two others were left, and the atmosphere was extremely unpleasant.

"Lord Liang, although this is a matter of your county and I am not qualified to interfere, no matter what, I am also an official of the court, sharing the burden for His Majesty. Does Lord Liang need to provide an explanation?" Xu Ming directly asked Liang Wen.

Xu Pangda didn't want to fall out with him, so Xu Ming would ask on Xu Pangda's behalf.

"Alas, my lords, please calm your anger," Liang Wen looked innocent. "This is truly something this official is helpless about."

"Helpless?" Xu Pangda could no longer suppress his anger. "Lord Liang, what a helpless method!"

Liang Wen smiled and was not angry. "Lord Xu, three years ago, when this official came to Baihe County, I was just like Lord Xu, full of enthusiasm.

But, Lord Xu...

This Baihe County is no longer the Baihe County of Wu."

Xu Pangda laughed in anger, "Not the Baihe County of Wu, then whose is it?!"

Liang Wen raised his head and spoke bluntly, "It belongs to these powerful clans."

… …

… …

[Originally, I wanted to post it in two chapters, but I found that I didn't know how to end the chapter, so the 4000 words were combined together. If there are no accidents, I should only take two days off this month, and then I will update at least 4000 words every day.

I really feel that the rhythm is a bit slow, but how should I put it? I feel that if the rhythm is too fast, it may not be stable. Alas… When I have some free time, I will write more.]