She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Today, before dawn, he set off with his attendants to stake out the place. Then, daringly, he followed the convoy to a spot by the mountains.

From afar, he saw a high wall being built. Outside the wall, at intervals, there were government officials standing guard. The farmers needed to queue outside the gate to verify their identities before entering one by one.

That kind of formation was clearly heavily guarded. What on earth was inside this wall? And what were the farmers up to in there?

He became even more curious but dared not approach during broad daylight. His plump body lay in the grass for an entire day, making his limbs stiff.

Finally, when it turned dark and the farmers had finished their work and returned to the county by carriage, his two attendants dragged him up from the grass.

Taking advantage of the moonlight, they cautiously approached the wall, intending to sneak inside and investigate. Unexpectedly, as soon as they poked their heads near the entrance, a sudden barking noise erupted from within.

And then, they were caught.

At the time, he had already stated his identity, saying he was Wei Dabao from Qingshui County. But those people didn’t care who he was and just gave him a hearty beating. Then he heard ”ziz, ziz” two noises and knew nothing more.

Just curious?

Wanted to go and have a look?

Luo Hai’s brow twitched.

As the highest official in the county, he ordinarily had some interactions with the wealthy and influential people of Qingshui County. For the sake of a smooth career path, he would never willingly offend these individuals unless under special circumstances.

Especially Wei Dabao; he was the head of the Da Jing family, a branch of the Wei family, and quite powerful and wealthy throughout Qingshui County. But the barren land project was tied to his political achievements and his promotion.

This made it different.

What’s more, Zhao Zun had written to say he was appointed King of Canzhou and was on his way to arrive.

The project was Zhao Zun and Han Lei’s effort, aimed at benefiting the common people. If leaked, Zhao Zun could be accused of rallying public support, possibly inviting mortal danger.

This made it even more different.

Thinking of this, Luo Hai’s expression hardened, and he shouted coldly, ”Wei Dabao, what are you doing out there so late at night rather than sleeping at home?”

”Uh...” Wei Dabao was taken aback, his mind quickly spinning. ”Uh, Magistrate. I didn’t intentionally go there. I was passing by, and seeing a wall suddenly appearing, I didn’t know whose it was, so I intended to go and have a look.”

After speaking, Wei Dabao shrank his neck, squinted and winked desperately at Luo Hai. The gesture seemed to say: Look at me. It’s me, I’m Wei Dabao!

Luo Hai held the oil lamp to illuminate Wei Dabao’s face, naturally understanding the meaning behind Wei Dabao’s gestures.

If Wei Dabao had committed other offenses, it would have been easy to deal with him. Luo Hai could turn a blind eye and release him. But the barren land project was not only his political achievement but also involved Zhao Zun’s life. Until Han Lei agreed, he couldn’t let slip any winds of the matter.

So, Luo Hai pretended not to see.

He also winked at Captain Da, ”In the dead of night, you brought him to the government office. What charges are you pressing against him?”

Captain Da instantly understood.

”Reporting to the officer, this person was caught stealing from a household,” Captain Da replied.

”Oh? What did you lose?”

Luo Hai raised one eyebrow, rubbed his nose, concealing the smile that dared peek out from his mouth.

”Reporting to the officer, many valuable items are missing. The specifics are yet to be counted and verified,” Captain Da responded earnestly, in a methodical manner.

”Magistrate, it’s unjust! Look at me, I’m Wei Dabao! I didn’t steal anything. You know my family is immensely wealthy; why would I steal from anyone’s home?” Wei Dabao cried bitterly for justice.

He sat on the ground, eyes wide with terror, staring at the two who were making up lies right in front of him. If he weren’t tied up like a bundle, he would have jumped up and smacked them.

They could lie right in front of him and falsely accuse him in his presence. He felt as if the sky had fallen.

The magistrate had gone bad, actually conspiring sneakily with those lowly peasants who didn’t know him.

Luo Hai ignored him and instead smiled brightly. The smile was cheerful, but it filled Wei Dabao with dread.

”Hmm! Since the lost items have not been counted and verified,” Luo Hai said, looking to the government official with the punitive stick. ”Then you should first confine the suspect until the items are fully counted and then proceed accordingly. Remember! During this period, no one is allowed to visit him, to prevent the suspect from colluding.”

”Yes!”

The government official loudly responded, and two came up, one on each side, to drag Wei Dabao away.

Wei Dabao was so frightened his legs were weak, shocked that Luo Hai, who often mingled, would now turn his back entirely.

”Magistrate, Luo Hai. Let go of me, I’m Wei Dabao! What’s gotten into you? Are you possessed? Let go of me. How dare you arrest me? Do you still want to be county magistrate? ”

Wei Dabao shouted and struggled desperately. His eyes, squeezed small by obesity, angrily glared at Luo Hai, as if trying to bore a hole in his face.

Luo Hai felt instantly relieved as his morning frustration exited him.

He rolled his eyes at Wei Dabao, waved his hand, and the two government officials dragged the still shouting Wei Dabao out.

The burly Captain Da, carrying an attendant in each hand, also quickly followed...

In the afternoon the next day, Zhao Zun’s party finally grandly arrived at Canzhou, Qingshui County, accompanied by Ms Luo and Luo Yuanyuan.

The mother and daughter intended to get to the Capital City before the second of February to attend Zhao Zun and Han Lei’s wedding. However, near Taoyuan County, their carriage coincidentally met Zhao Zun’s convoy on the main road.

Upon hearing Zhao Zun was going to Canzhou, Ms Luo didn’t say much and followed the convoy back.

The Luo family and the Zhao family in the Capital City were close friends. Ever since Ms Luo followed Luo Hai to Qingshui County’s office, she hadn’t seen the old lady for many years.

The two elderly sisters reunited, naturally having endless farewells to share. Along the way, they chatted happily, while Zhao Zun was absent-minded, speaking little.

The normal journey from the Capital City to Canzhou typically takes no more than twenty days. Only because Zhao Zun sought his beloved slowed him down, reaching Qingshui County on the tenth of February, missing the initially scheduled wedding date.

Along the way, pondering his wedding date and his missing love, the usually wise and composed Zhao Zun was a mess.

He frequently blamed himself for failing to protect his beloved.

Luo Hai had already left with the farmer’s convoy to the barren land and didn’t know Zhao Zun would arrive today. When Zhao Zun’s group reached the government office’s entrance, only a few on-duty government officials and guards at the doorway hurried out to greet them.

As soon as Zhao Zun dismounted, he saw the guard from Qingshui County whom he and Ping Chuan had taught a lesson.

The reason boiled down to the Love Lock!