Chapter 95: Chapter 87: The People’s Good County Magistrate

On the main road outside Changshan City.

The dust kicked up by two fine horses slowly settled.

On horseback were a young man and woman dressed in brocade robes, both seated on magnificent, superior steeds.

The woman had a perfectly oval face and long, slender, willow-like eyebrows. Her features should have been bright and captivating, but an unyielding coldness in her expression suppressed their charm, making her seem distant and unapproachable.

The man wore an embroidered long robe, his long hair neatly bound in a jade coronet. He had an extraordinary air about him, the very model of a scion from a Noble Family.

Unfortunately, his looks were rather ordinary. Riding beside the cold, beautiful woman, they seemed a rather mismatched pair. And this plain-looking young master spoke to the aloof woman with a very obvious, fawning tone:

"Ling’Er, Changshan County Town is just ahead. My maternal grandparent’s home is there. When we arrive, I’ll be sure to give you a proper tour and show you the local customs and traditions."

At his words, Han Ling’Er’s willow-like brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. Her tone was frigid:

"Senior Brother Xu, I have told you many times already, do not call me ’Ling’Er.’ Our relationship is not nearly that close."

Xu Shenzhi gave a light laugh, seemingly long accustomed to Han Ling’Er’s cold attitude. He said, unconcerned:

"Our elders arranged our engagement years ago. We’ll be married sooner or later. If we get a little closer now, in the future we can..."

"Enough."

Han Ling’Er cut him off impatiently, clearly unwilling to hear any more. "Don’t you have important business to attend to on this trip? Shouldn’t we hurry into the city?"

Before her words had even faded, she spurred her horse, already galloping ahead toward the city gate.

"Ling’Er, slow down! The Huang Mansion is in the eastern part of the city..."

Seeing this, Xu Shenzhi hastily spurred his own horse to follow.

...

In front of the Huang Mansion.

Patriarch Huang Dongchun and the elder Huang Ke had been standing outside the mansion gates for some time, craning their necks in anticipation, their faces etched with a mixture of anxiety and hope.

They had received definite news that the person sent by the Xu Family would arrive in Changshan today.

"Why aren’t they here yet?"

Huang Dongchun paced back and forth, the anxiety on his brow almost palpable.

The Huang Family’s current situation was as precarious as a pile of eggs; they could follow the Gao Family into ruin at any moment. Only the arrival of someone from the Xu Family could ease his frayed nerves. Otherwise, he would continue to live in constant fear, unable to eat or sleep in peace.

"Calm down, Big Brother. The letter said today, so they must be arriving soon."

Although Huang Ke spoke soothingly, he couldn’t stop his own gaze from darting toward the end of the long street, a clear sign of his own inner tension.

Huang Dongchun heaved a heavy sigh, his unspoken words filled with helplessness. Huang Ke naturally understood his worries, but right now, the Xu Family was the Huang Family’s only hope.

Just then, the sound of hooves approached, and Xu Shenzhi and Han Ling’Er rode up to the gates of the Huang Mansion.

Han Ling’Er casually surveyed the somewhat dated streetscape around them, while Xu Shenzhi urged his horse a few steps forward. His gaze landed on the man in the lead, Huang Dongchun, sizing him up with a condescending air.

"Is this the Huang Mansion?"

Huang Dongchun saw that the speaker was an unfamiliar young man with an incredibly rude tone. Already vexed, a trace of displeasure was added to his mood, and he retorted coldly:

"And who might you be?"

Though Xu Shenzhi appeared completely obedient before Han Ling’Er, here in this remote county town, the arrogance of a scion from a Noble Family couldn’t help but reveal itself:

"My surname is Xu, and I am here on my clan’s orders to pay the Huang Family a visit."

"Your surname is Xu?"

Huang Ke was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "You... what’s your name?"

Before Xu Shenzhi could answer, Han Ling’Er, growing ever more impatient, spoke up first:

"His name is Xu Shenzhi." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Then she turned to Xu Shenzhi and said:

"Is this your uncle’s house or not? How is it that no one even recognizes you?"

"Shen Zhi? You... could you be Yan’s child, Shen Zhi?"

Now that Han Ling’Er had revealed his name, both Huang Dongchun and Huang Ke shuddered. It was Huang Ke who had asked the question, a disbelieving excitement in his voice.

Although they had never met Xu Shenzhi, their sister, Huang Yan, who had married into the Xu Family, mentioned during a visit home years ago that her eldest son was named Xu Shenzhi and was the heir to the Xu Family’s Direct Lineage.

"I am. And you are...?"

Xu Shenzhi’s brow furrowed slightly as he sized up the two men.

"I am your Third Uncle, Huang Ke, and this is your Eldest Uncle, the Huang Family Patriarch, Huang Dongchun."

Huang Ke quickly explained, his tone eager.

Hearing this, the arrogant look on Xu Shenzhi’s face finally softened slightly. He dismounted and gave them a symbolic clasped-fist salute.

"So it is my two uncles. I was rude just now."

He then turned to the side to make an introduction. "This is..."

"Han Ling’Er, a disciple of the Iron Sword Sect and Senior Brother Xu’s junior sister."

Han Ling’Er introduced herself crisply, her tone still cold, and she made no mention of the engagement.

A flash of awkwardness crossed Xu Shenzhi’s face, but he didn’t dare argue, managing only a sheepish smile.

Huang Dongchun looked at the two youths before him, his expression sinking. He asked, clinging to a final shred of hope:

"This time... did only the two of you come?"

He had originally thought the Xu Family would send at least one or two peak Foundation Establishment clan elders to hold the line. That would have given them more leverage when dealing with Chen Sheng. Even if they ultimately had to bow their heads, they could at least have preserved the Huang Family’s dignity.

But unexpectedly, the Xu Family had only sent a junior, which made his heart sink.

"Rest assured, Uncle."

Xu Shenzhi seemed to sense Huang Dongchun’s disappointment. He immediately puffed out his chest and said confidently, "Regarding this matter, I alone am enough to mediate."

Seeing the situation, Huang Ke quickly stepped in to smooth things over:

"Big Brother, Shen Zhi has come a long way and had a tiring journey. Let’s invite them into the mansion to talk in detail. The Grand Uncle is still waiting in the main hall."

Huang Dongchun suppressed the unease in his heart and gave a reluctant nod.