The man walking in front was unfamiliar to Su Xiaoqi.
But the one trailing half a step behind her, she knew all too well.
It was Zhao Haihua, and the old man she was meticulously serving, with his bulging belly and thinning hair, was undoubtedly the infamous county magistrate Huang Liangsheng.
Su Xiaoqi narrowed her eyes.
She hadn't expected him to find his way here. Could it be that his ambition was still unfulfilled?
As Su Xiaoqi pondered, a figure suddenly flashed before her eyes, and Shen Yun blocked her path.
He reached out and took her hand.
He gently stroked her palm, a gesture meant to comfort her, to tell her not to be afraid.
Su Xiaoqi nodded, thinking Shen Yun couldn't see, she leaned against his back and softly hummed in response.
"Hahaha, greetings to Lord Huang. What brings you all here?" Zhao Baoren, the first to react, exclaimed.
Although Huang Liangsheng was ten years older than him, he was, in name, his daughter's husband.
Zhao Haihua was a concubine. Even though Huang Liangsheng had always promised to elevate her to the status of his principal wife in their private moments, he had never officially done so.
Thus, Zhao Haihua was still bound by the title of concubine.
Before Huang Liangsheng, Zhao Baoren wasn't even a proper father-in-law.
He could only step forward respectfully to pay his respects, his face a mask of fawning and flattery.
Huang Liangsheng was a man of considerable girth, his face rounder than the largest serving bowl on the table.
His forehead glistened with oil, and he wore a green, round-collared robe. With his large belly, he walked slowly, often stopping to rub his lower back.
Su Xiaoqi peeked out from beside Shen Yun. Anyone who didn't know would have thought he was a woman in her tenth month of pregnancy.
"Hey, what are you all standing around for? Hurry up and pay your respects! Greet the County Magistrate!" Zhao Baoren, seeing the villagers standing dumbfounded with their bowls, quickly urged them on.
Only then did everyone react. The high and mighty County Magistrate had truly come to their village.
He was standing right before them, alive and well.
They all collectively put down their bowls and knelt to pay their respects.
With one person kneeling, those who remained standing became conspicuous.
Huang Liangsheng surveyed the scene and noticed that all the villagers at the dozen tables had knelt.
Only a few people, standing more than ten feet away, remained standing.
He glanced at them, about to fly into a rage.
Zhao Baoren quickly whispered an explanation, "My lord, those few standing in front are the scholars of our village."
Scholars were exempt from kneeling before county officials.
Huang Liangsheng understood.
He had heard Zhao Haihua mention it to him before.
The household they were visiting that day belonged to the scholar who had recently passed the provincial examination, and he was even the top scorer.
He had thought there was only one, but it turned out there were three scholars in this house, no, four.
Weren't scholars supposed to be difficult to obtain? How could they be as easy to get as pulling radishes in this household?
Huang Liangsheng stared with displeasure at the four people before him.
Three men.
Behind the most handsome of the young men stood a woman.
She was also standing.
Huang Liangsheng's thick lips twitched. His anger surged, and he pointed at Su Xiaoqi, scolding, "They are scholars, are you one as well?"
Su Xiaoqi leaned forward. She had no intention of kneeling.
Firstly, she had been raised under the Red Flag and had never adhered to the custom of kneeling.
Secondly, Huang Liangsheng's arrival today, accompanied by Zhao Haihua, clearly indicated ill intentions. Why should she kneel?
However, before she could even formulate an excuse, Huang Liangsheng saw her face.
He instantly drew a sharp breath.
My, she was so beautiful, and she looked somewhat familiar.
Yes, he remembered. It was that person he had chanced upon on the street that day.
His heart softened instantly. His fleshy face twitched slightly as he strode forward, heading straight for Su Xiaoqi.
He stopped about five paces away from her and turned his head to examine her carefully.
Her skin was fair, and she was as beautiful as a flower.
Her peach blossom eyes were slightly upturned, carrying a hint of untamed wildness that ignited his desire to conquer.
He could already imagine pressing her onto the bed at night, trying out his new tricks one by one.
That pleasure would be exhilarating.
He looked at Su Xiaoqi, drooling uncontrollably.
"Master." Zhao Haihua was overjoyed at his state. She could almost foresee herself escaping him soon.
Huang Liangsheng realized he had lost composure and quickly tried to swallow his saliva.
But so much had been produced at once that he couldn't swallow it all.
He choked on his own saliva and coughed violently.
Zhao Haihua, standing closest to him, was sprayed with his saliva.
She found it utterly disgusting, but in front of Huang Liangsheng, she dared not even wipe it off.
Under Huang Liangsheng's gaze, she forced a smile and leaned closer, licking away all the saliva that had clung to the corners of his mouth.
Su Xiaoqi frowned as she watched.
Tsk, this Huang Liangsheng was truly disgusting. What kind of perverted games was he playing?
Shen Yun also saw it, but he remained completely unmoved, as if he hadn't noticed.
Calmly and serenely, he cupped his hands towards Huang Liangsheng, "Greetings, Lord Huang."
Huang Liangsheng's heart was entirely focused on Su Xiaoqi now, and he had no patience for Shen Yun blocking her.
He casually waved him away, "You are dismissed, you are dismissed."
Shen Yun rose and, as he did, led Su Xiaoqi around to stand behind Huang Liangsheng.
The other villagers, hearing his voice, dared to raise their heads and stand up hesitantly.
But they still dared not pick up their bowls from the table.
Su Xiaoqi secretly thought, "He's just a county magistrate, is it really necessary?"
She couldn't understand it and mumbled her thoughts.
Unexpectedly, Shen Yun leaned close to her ear and whispered,
"Yes, it is. He is the parent official of a county and can decide life and death."
Su Xiaoqi looked at him in shock. He, he could hear her?
She had clearly thought it in her mind.
"My dear, you just spoke it aloud." Shen Yun narrowed his eyes, fabricating a lie with a poker face.
Su Xiaoqi became confused again.
Did she speak it? Did she speak it?
Perhaps she had.
She resigned herself to it with a sigh.
Huang Liangsheng's arrival shattered the previously happy and boisterous atmosphere.
Everyone became subdued. With Huang Liangsheng's encouragement, they awkwardly picked up their bowls again.
But their hands seemed disobedient, unnaturally stiff.
The delicious meat and fish that had made their mouths water no longer tasted as good.
Some people chewed their rice, forgetting to even pick up dishes.
"Ah, there's no need for everyone to be so formal. It's all the rage now to share joy with the people. I'm merely here to observe. Seeing that you are living well, I am relieved," Huang Liangsheng said, sitting in the main seat that Zhao Baoren had vacated. He held a cup of wine and spoke some grand, empty words, then raised his cup, inviting everyone to drink with him.
Once the display was complete, Huang Liangsheng told everyone to eat and drink freely.
But his gaze was already fixed on Su Xiaoqi.
He had been longing for this beauty for days.
Ever since their chance encounter on the street, he had been suffering from lovesickness.
He thought of her day and night.
Zhao Haihua, unfortunately, was useless.
Last time, when they planned to use the blooming lotuses as an excuse to bring her to his manor, it hadn't worked out.
This time, having finally found an excuse to seek her out, he was determined to take her away.
Huang Liangsheng entertained his disgusting thoughts, his eyes filled with lecherous intent as he looked at Su Xiaoqi.
Fortunately, the villagers were timid and dared not glance at him too often, unaware of his true intentions for coming today.
However, there were still some bold ones who kept a close eye on him.
Zhao Xiaohua, for one.
She glanced at Huang Liangsheng and followed his gaze, instantly understanding.
Hmph, this county magistrate named Huang was truly a lustful dog, just like in her previous life.
Moreover, he came from the capital and had powerful backing. He had engaged in much corruption and preyed on the common people, yet no one could deal with him.
However, today suited her perfectly. It seemed that particular person had caught his eye.
Good, very good.
Zhao Xiaohua sat up straighter, her eyes fixed on Su Xiaoqi without blinking, a smile of amusement playing on her lips.
She was eager to see how she would escape today!