As soon as Wang Shouzhe’s carriage arrived at the entrance of the Wang mansion, he was warmly welcod by the butler. He was escorted directly to the back courtyard, a place only accessible to those close to the family, passing through the main hall of the front yard.
A lavish spread of fruits and dishes had been prepared in the rear garden in anticipation of the guests’ arrival. Wu Dianshan enthusiastically ushered Wang Shouzhe to his seat and introduced him to another guest.
This guest was a middle-aged man dressed in simple attire, who emanated an aura of stern authority. His impressive stature and steady deanor gave him an imposing presence. A re glance from him seed to bore into one’s very soul.
Without needing the introduction from Wu Dianshan, Commandery Prince, Wang Shouzhe, with his astute mind, had already guessed who this man in simple garnts was.
As expected, Wu Dianshan stated, "My young friend Shouzhe, allow to introduce the Prefectural Governor of our Longzuo County, the Sea Stabilizing Needle - Taishi Ankang."
Wu Dianshan’s deanor was warm and affable, as though he held a certain closeness to Wang Shouzhe.
Before Wang Shouzhe could say anything, Taishi Ankang modestly greeted Wu Dianshan, "Commandery Prince, you flatter . Longzuo County is your hereditary fiefdom. I am just the steward, hardly deserving the title ’Sea Stabilizing Needle.’"
"Not at all, my friend. Under this vast sky, we all receive the grace and protection of His Majesty. I’m just helping to shoulder so of His responsibilities," Wu Dianshan replied modestly.
Despite the superficial pleasantries, this exchange between them revealed the governing structure of the Great Qian Land.
Nominally, Longzuo County belonged to the Commandery Prince, but in terms of real power, the Prefectural Governor appointed by the Emperor held the utmost power. However, the Prefectural Governor couldn’t act arbitrarily and needed to be supervised and limited by the Commandery Prince, Wu Dianshan.
With the addition of the independent Academic Palace, a delicate balance was maintained among the three parties.
However, this did not concern Wang Shouzhe much.
Neither the Prefectural Governor nor the Commandery Prince was soone he could afford to offend. Similarly, in his current status, he was far from being on an equal footing with them.
Once the conversation ended, Wang Shouzhe stepped forward and paid his respects to the Prefectural Governor, Taishi Ankang, "The family head of the 7th-rank Aristocratic Family, the Changning Wang clan, Wang Shouzhe greets the Prefectural Governor."
"No need for formalities, Master Shouzhe," Taishi Ankang gently helped him up and smiled, "I have heard much about you. People speak of your talent, beauty, and limitless future prospects. Having t you today, I realize these rumors are too modest. Master Shouzhe, you’re not just "talented and handso," you are a celestial being. Among the youth, you stand unmatched.
I regret that we did not et earlier~"
Is this how a big wig talks? His praise is sweet!
Wang Shouzhe felt cold sweat trickling down his back. The Prefectural Governor indeed lived up to his na. He could spout nonsense so smoothly and unblinkingly.
If it wasn’t for his two lifetis of experience, he might have been easily swayed by him.
"The Prefectural Governor is too kind~ Your aura is majestic and profound, like a magnificent mountain. eting you feels like basking in the light and caressing the breeze. It brings forth boundless admiration in ..." Wang Shouzhe replied with an earnest expression on his face, and couldn’t help but compare the governor to his deceased father...
Prefectural Governor Taishi Ankang felt a twitching sensation at the corner of his mouth.
Now he understood why Wang Shouzhe could successfully manage the Changning Wang clan in such a short ti with this thick skin of his. He had t his match.
"Alright, alright!" Seeing that Wang Shouzhe was about to delve into another stream of fulso praise, Taishi Ankang forestalled him sternly, "Returning to a serious note, Shouzhe, do you know who Cao Youqing is?"
"Yes."
Upon noticing the change, Wang Shouzhe dropped his "earnest" deanor and returned to his original expression and a serious tone.
"She is suspected of public murder. She committed atrocities with flagrant disregard for the law and was savage and brutal. I saw it with my own eyes. If she is arrested and you need to testify against her, I won’t hesitate."
...
User Comments
0 comments from readers