Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Bottom Line

Huangfu Jingchen “struggled” back, supported by a servant, and lay back on the bed, closing his eyes.

The scene he witnessed in the next room replayed continuously in his mind: a face covered in blood, black-clad figures, clothing, patrol, and the shocking sight of blood…

The noise from the next room soon gradually quieted down.

This is the Governor Mansion, where there are many servants, and no matter how many lives are taken, they can be wiped out cleanly.

When everything in the next room quieted, voices were heard again in the courtyard, reaching the entrance of Huangfu Jingchen’s room.

Then, the door was pushed open.

Before Wang Wan’er entered, her coquettish voice carried through first: “Luckily, there’s still a precious one unharmed!”

As she spoke, she stepped into the room.

Then, she was taken aback.

Huangfu Jingchen, who should have been lying on the bed too weak to rise, was neatly dressed and sitting upright by the table. Though his posture was casual, his back was straight, and his bearing was impressive, exuding an aura that was hard to ignore.

His hair was like ink, his face like jade, and the gaze from his phoenix eyes, cool and indifferent, was like the chill of a winter night, like ice and snow. Amidst that coldness, there was a fierce aura!

That fierce aura targeted Wang Wan’er.

Precious one? From the mouth of this woman, it’s the most disgusting name in the world, bar none!

Wang Wan’er was first startled, then overjoyed, her face bursting with a delighted smile as she exclaimed with pleasant surprise: “Could it be that the scare just now cured the precious one’s illness? Those two deaths were worth it!”

Huangfu Jingchen abruptly stood up, shouting, “Insolent! If you dare call me that again, I’ll cut out your tongue!”

Wang Wan’er was stunned, then raised her eyebrows, her face darkened: “You’ve become rebellious, I treated you like a human, and you’re getting ahead of yourself? Seems like I need to show you who’s in charge!”

She ordered the guards accompanying her: “Seize him, give him the Jade Dragon Pill!”

One of the guards, upon hearing the words “Jade Dragon Pill,” face turned tense, advised, “Young Lady, this boy is ungrateful, just lock him up. There are important guests in the mansion today, and the Master has said there should be no unpleasant incidents. The matter of last night’s thief breaking in has made Commander Cao unwilling to report it at this time. If you make him take the Jade Dragon Pill now and there’s any disturbance upsetting the guests, the Master will be angry!”

Wang Wan’er’s heavily powdered face was full of indifference as she said, “After taking the Jade Dragon Pill, lock him in this Young Lady’s chamber. What guests would dare intrude into this Young Lady’s chamber? Lock him up? For how long? I’ve waited long enough, I won’t wait any more! Do it now!”

The two guards, not daring to disobey, bowed obsequiously to Wang Wan’er, but not to Huangfu Jingchen. Faces turning grim, they stepped forward to act immediately.

However, the elegant youth who only seemed to know basic martial arts at Hua Cheng Villa, now moved with swift precision, swiftly and harshly, as he struck twice, knocking the two guards to the ground.

Huangfu Jingchen placed one foot on the chest of one of them and demanded, “What is the Jade Dragon Pill?”

The guard’s face turned red as he hurriedly explained, “It’s… something that makes a man… unable to stop… In the past, men who didn’t listen to the Young Lady… were… were given this… Once taken, a man would… would continue non-stop… until his essence… and blood are drained… to death…”

Huangfu Jingchen abruptly raised his eyes, realizing Wang Wan’er’s wanton and malicious heart knew no bounds beyond his expectations.

A woman could be so vicious and shameless to this extent.

Xia Wenjin was also shameless, but Xia Wenjin’s shamelessness was just a sly, tricky tongue, greedy and rogue, while Wang Wan’er’s shamelessness hid a snake’s venomous heart, constantly lowering the bottom line.

Facing Huangfu Jingchen’s piercing gaze, Wang Wan’er felt as if two sharp swords were stabbing directly at her, the bone-chilling cold, the chilling aura throughout the room, the frosty feeling within the bones, almost freezing her to death.

She had just been drooling over Huangfu Jingchen’s handsome face, but now, fear gripped her heart as she turned to run, opening her mouth to call for help.

Huangfu Jingchen swung his sleeve, sweeping a teacup off the table, the cup flying with the sound of wind straight at Wang Wan’er.

Seeing the door just in front of her, one foot stepping out would lead her outside, Wang Wan’er thought venomously: This ungrateful thing, I’ll have to call Father to send someone to tear him to pieces, to quell my anger.

As the thought swirled in her mind, something struck heavily against the back of her neck, causing her body to lean to the side, collapsing by the door.

Huangfu Jingchen delivered two swift kicks, knocking both guards unconscious, and strode out.

In the front courtyard of the Governor Mansion, indeed, there were noble guests.

Not just ordinary guests, but an official from the Jiazhou Governor’s side.

Nanxia is composed of ten states, besides the Capital City, there are Qian, Qing, Ning, Yan, Liang, Jia, Jin, Yun, and Qin. The administrative system is one state, three counties, nine prefectures, and twenty-seven counties. A state has three counties, one county has three prefectures, and one prefecture has three counties.

Under the Governor, the subordinate officials include one Chief Historian, responsible for state affairs; one Inspector, responsible for military affairs; and three officials, responsible for finance, construction works, and personnel; as well as one Director of Education, overseeing academic matters at the state level.

A county has a Prefectural Governor, a prefecture has a Prefecture Head, and a county has a County Magistrate.

Though the Prefectural Governor is the head of a county, in terms of hierarchy, the Governor’s direct report officials like the Chief Historian, official, and Director of Education naturally rank higher. This Mr. Qin, specifically, is in charge of personnel selection and evaluation.

An official of the seventh rank is still a high position in the Prime Minister’s gate, let alone an official under the Governor.

Governor Wang, having called the shots in Yuqing County, took in plenty of benefits but wasn’t satisfied. Over the years, the reason he’s been unscathed is thanks to Mr. Qin.

Now that Mr. Qin was visiting the Governor Mansion, how could Governor Wang not treat him well? To show sincerity, yesterday he personally went ten miles out to greet him and returned only in the morning.

At the moment, Governor Wang was accompanying Deacon Qin in the front yard enjoying tea, exquisite fragrant tea. After taking a sip, Mr. Qin praised in satisfaction, “Good tea! Is this this year’s Linglan Rain Tea?”

Governor Wang said, “Your excellency truly has discerning taste. The Linglan Rain Tea from deep within the mountains and wilds of Jiazhou’s Yuqing County is especially a rarity, only yielding three to five pounds a year as a tribute to the Imperial Family. Since taking charge of Yuqing County together, every year I’ve kept a pound of the tribute tea to send to Mr. Qin’s residence, this very tea. Unfortunately, the yield is too small, but if Mr. Qin likes it, I shall hold back another pound next year!”

Such words were spoken with neither respect for the sovereign nor the father.

Mr. Qin nodded slightly in satisfaction, but sternly reminded, “Lord Wang, be cautious with your words! Though I am very fond of this tea, everything you and I have now comes from the grace of the Holy Emperor. At any time, our desires and preferences must not surpass that of the Emperor!” Saying this, he bowed in the direction of the Capital City.

Governor Wang immediately said, “Mr. Qin is right, I have misspoken! For Mr. Qin’s visit to conduct assessments here in Yuqing County, I will fully cooperate to ensure Mr. Qin’s satisfaction!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep