Chapter 188: Internal Strife

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Within half a month, all the officials in the south were reshuffled. While the princes felt sorry for the loss of their supporters, they did not forget to send in their own people as replacements.

No one thought of Song Jingchen at this moment.

“Let’s talk about it first. How did Shi Qingshan send the pet.i.tion? Why didn’t anyone stop him?” The white-robed man sat by the desk and lowered his head to write the Heart Cleansing Incantation to appease his anger.

It had been a long time since anyone angered him this much.

Shi Qingshan was the magistrate of Lizhou. He was an upright person and never partic.i.p.ated in the disputes between parties.

Cold sweat broke out on the foreheads of the two kneeling before him.

The masked man in black said, “It was our negligence. Who would have thought that since Shi Qingshan had bribed the palace maids around Emperor Chong’an, he could sneak the pet.i.tion in directly?”

After saying that, the man in black paused and continued, “I’ve already dealt with that palace maid.”

The man in white did not comment after hearing that. Without looking up, he asked indifferently, “What about those two idiots? What happened?”

The guard kneeling beside the man in black couldn’t help but tremble. He replied in a trembling voice, “Cao Dezhi sold food at a high price and even had designs on the food. When Lord Hong found out, the two of them got into a conflict on the streets…”

The person in white sneered. “Maybe the higher-ups would get fooled by that story. Do you think I’m as stupid as that person?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

The man in white picked up a handkerchief and wiped his fingers carefully. He waved his hand to dismiss the two of them.

The two of them heaved a sigh of relief and bowed to the man in white. They turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, the two of them fell before they could react.

At the back of their heads, two five-star darts were stuck firmly in place.

“Drag them away,” the man in white ordered with a disgusted glance.

A man in black suddenly appeared and carried their corpses away.

At this moment, a guard walked in with a messenger pigeon in his hand. He said respectfully, “Young Master, there’s a letter for you.”

With that, he took down the letter and handed it to the man in white.

After the man took it, the guard immediately left.

After reading the contents, the white-robed man muttered, “Could it be that those two idiots really fought among themselves? Is there really such a coincidence in the world?”

Ever since County Magistrate Cao fell, the Imperial Court did not send anyone to Anyang County.

The disaster relief matter was handled by the Lizhou magistrate, Shi Qingshan, and Fan Mingyuan, who was recommended by Shi Qingshan, was appointed as the county magistrate of Anyang County.

It was strange. Once County Magistrate Cao died, the heavy snow stopped.

The weather was getting warmer day by day, and Fan Mingyuan was present in Anyang County as an official who cared about the people.

At least the victims would not starve to death.

Merchants gradually emerged on the streets to do business.

Fan Mingyuan gathered the corpses of the commoners who had died during the harsh winter and burned them before the snow completely melted.

Fortunately, it was a cold day. If the weather had turned warmer, they would have to worry about a plague outbreak.

Not only that, he also organized for the commoners to dig ca.n.a.ls and pile up snow in them to prevent other accidents from happening after the snow melted.

With this, the originally lifeless Anyang County became lively. Everyone felt hopeful for the future.

They all praised County Magistrate Fan for being a good official.

Rooster spat out a piece of gra.s.s in his mouth and complained, “It was clearly our master who killed those two good-for-nothing officials, but this Fan guy got all the benefits.”

South Wind glanced at him and reminded him, “If you want Master to die, just say it. It won’t be good if others know that Master interfered in this matter.”

“Hey, how could I not know that? I was just saying that it was unfair. Why do you always take it so seriously?”

“Both of you, stop talking. Don’t forget that we still have business to attend to.” After lecturing them with a straight face, One Dot led the way to the underground arena.

The villagers of Xiagou Village were also busy. The price of food in town had been suppressed, and coupled with government subsidies, this disaster was finally over.

After the snow melted, they could start planting crops again.

During this period of time, Song Tiegen brought the young people in the village to repair every house. Everyone’s life seemed to be slowly getting back on track.

Unexpectedly, the Saber Tyrant and the other bandits did not leave. Instead, they built a house at the foot of the mountain.

“Sister-in-law, look, there’s fish.” Sister Huan pointed at the fish swimming slowly under a thin layer of ice and shouted excitedly.

During this period of time, Song Jingchen asked Shen Yijia to push him out on his wheelchair for a walk every day.

The weather was good today. The little rascals at home could not sit still anymore and came out to have fun.

Shen Yijia’s eyes were filled with eagerness. She glanced at Song Jingchen and didn’t move.

“If you want to go, then go. Be careful,” Song Jingchen said softly, amused.

“Hubby, you’re the best. I’ll roast fish for you later.” Shen Yijia ran towards Sister Huan.

Song Jingchen’s eyebrows twitched. “Actually, there’s no need for you to do that.” he thought.

The others stopped smiling when they heard this. They had a bad feeling about her cooking.

They all looked at the culprit, Sister Huan.

Sister Huan stuck out her tongue and said, “Sister-in-law, you should take it home and let Mother make fish soup. We haven’t had it in a long time.”

These words made the others give her a thumbs up.

Shen Yijia leaned against the riverbank and looked carefully. She found a rock and threw it at the ice. The thin layer of ice instantly cracked, and the cracks spread across the entire river before revealing the river’s original appearance.

“It’s fine. I’ll catch a few more and bring the rest home.” Shen Yijia was completely focused on catching the fish, not knowing that the children behind her were trying to find a way out of this predicament.

Sister Huan was thinking hard.

It was unknown where these fish came from, but as soon as the ice broke, they rushed to the surface to take a breather.

The few of them could only watch helplessly as Shen Yijia skewered the silly fish like candied hawthorn.

The more fish she skewered, the heavier their hearts sank.

At this rate, everyone would have to eat at least one grilled fish.

The few of them were incredibly anxious.

After Shen Yijia finished catching the fish, she instructed a few people to gather firewood, looking like she was about to show off her cooking skills.

Song Jingchen found it funny and reminded her, “The firewood is wet. How are you going to light it to grill the fish?”

The eyes of the people who looked like they had just died instantly lit up. They felt relieved, and Shen Yijia’s face fell.

Song Jingchen was silent for a moment before adding, “We can go home and get some firewood.”

Sister Huan and the others were speechless.

Due to the pressure from Song Jingchen, Shen Yijia’s fish was divided up as soon as it was roasted. Even Shen Yijia didn’t get a share.

Shen Yijia was both happy that someone liked her cooking and felt aggrieved for her beautiful husband.

She thought about roasting another fish and giving it to Song Jingchen alone.

The corners of Song Jingchen’s mouth twitched, and he quickly grabbed her hand. “There’s no need. I think they’ll be full after eating.”

After saying that, he was afraid that Shen Yijia would insist, so he put on a tired face. “I’ve been out for a long time. I’m tired. Let’s go back.”

“Alright, I’ll roast it for you next time.” Shen Yijia pouted reluctantly.

“Alright, that’s great!” Song Jingchen suppressed his laughter and pulled Shen Yijia home.

The people who were left behind looked at each other.

“Is Brother Song really your biological brother?” Bruiser asked Brother Hao and Sister Huan with a pale expression.

It was fine if he wanted to get him and Lin Shao in trouble, but why did Song Jingchen put both his biological siblings in this predicament?

The twins rolled their eyes at the same time.