Chapter 22: Many Thanks to Lord Cao

Chapter 22: Many Thanks to Lord Cao

Meng Changqing was quick-handed, immediately pouring tea and handing it to him.

Mao Chunfang took a gulp of tea. "I originally intended to have someone stop you and remind you that there was no need to come."

"No need to come?" Meng Changqing feigned ignorance.

"You've only been in Beishan County for a few days; what business could you possibly have to report?"

"So that's how it is. I am young and have had no contact with matters of the imperial court; I only came because I heard others mention such a rule." Meng Changqing employed the acting skills she had honed in the palace, her face filled with the trepidation of a newly appointed official. "It was presumptuous of me. However, since I am already here, I shall pay my New Year's respects to the Prefect before I depart."

"Indeed. Since you have come this far, it would be impolite not to greet the Prefect before leaving." Hua Rujin stuffed a cup of hot tea into Meng Changqing's hands. "Hold this to warm your hands."

Mao Chunfang sighed. "If it weren't for chasing you, I wouldn't have come to Liangzhou so early. I'm afraid I'll spend the whole day waiting here."

"Why?" Meng Changqing countered.

"Little Lord Meng doesn't know you're chasing him," Hua Rujin said, speaking on Meng Changqing's behalf.

"Just a joke with Little Lord Meng." A smile appeared on Mao Chunfang's face as she lowered her head to explain to Meng Changqing, "In the entirety of Liangzhou, including your Beishan County, there are seven counties in total. Lord Wei usually investigates the situation in Quping County first, and it is only after that that it is my turn in Yangmen County."

"And what about Lord Hua?"

Mao Chunfang said, "Lord Hua is ranked before me. Before Beishan County was established, Yangmen, Hongjia, and Weishan were all border counties facing the enemy directly. The Prefect was concerned that if we were all absent, something might happen in the counties. Therefore, the arrival times of each official in Liangzhou Prefecture are staggered so that we are not required to wait in the yamen for long periods. Lord Hua and I usually arrive in the afternoon."

Meng Changqing said, "So Lord Hua came early specifically to look after me?"

Hua Rujin did not answer the question directly, but instead said, "My county is small, and there isn't much to do."

Meng Changqing stood up and bowed to them. "Changqing has caused you both much trouble."

"Sit down, sit down. No need for such formalities."

Mao Chunfang said, "The horses you sent to my county two days ago—I have already sent someone to return them to the courier station."

"Many thanks, Lord Mao."

An unplanned meeting is inherently difficult to secure.

Meng Changqing drank bowl after bowl of tea, waiting from morning until afternoon.

Lord Zeng of Quping County and the officials from the other two counties who arrived later all finished their reports and departed.

In the waiting room, only Meng Changqing, Mao Chunfang, and Hua Rujin remained.

"Don't be anxious." Every so often, Hua Rujin would comfort Meng Changqing, fearing she might die of impatience.

But how could Meng Changqing be anxious? If there weren't other county officials present, she would have wanted to lie down on the bench and take a nap.

It wasn't until the hour of the Goat, around one in the afternoon, that there was movement outside the door again.

"It should be Lord Cao from Weishan County arriving," Hua Rujin whispered to Meng Changqing. "He has a temper. If he says anything improper, don't take it to heart."

"Of course. All the lords are my seniors. If there is any guidance, I will certainly listen with patience."

The door was pushed open, and the Magistrate of Weishan County walked in.

The man appeared to be in his thirties or forties.

As soon as he entered, his gaze fell upon Meng Changqing.

Meng Changqing stepped forward to greet him. "Lord Cao."

"Heh." Cao Hongxing gave a low, mocking laugh, shifting his gaze away from Meng Changqing. "Truly a farce."

"Lord Cao..." Hua Rujin was about to speak.

Meng Changqing smiled and said, "Swapping you and me—letting me take over Weishan County and sending you to Beishan—that would truly be a farce. It seems Lord Cao has long been dissatisfied with His Majesty's decree. Why not report this to the Prefect and have him send a memorial back to the capital to properly advise His Majesty?"

Cao Hongxing's expression froze. "It seems that for Lord Meng to obtain this current official position, a great deal of silver-tongued effort was required. Seeing you today, you are indeed formidable."

Meng Changqing's face turned cold. "I am no more formidable than you, Lord Cao."

Hua Rujin stepped in to mediate. "Since we are all serving in Liangzhou, why must you two be at odds?"

Cao Hongxing wore a sneer. "Lord Meng is truly small in stature but large in temper, lacking even a shred of—"

"Are you?" Meng Changqing interrupted him directly, walking up to his side. "Lord Cao is about the same height as me. In the future, don't say anything about being 'small,' or you'll end up insulting yourself as well."

Mao Chunfang was stunned. Was the person before her the same person from this morning?

"You..." Cao Hongxing pointed at Meng Changqing. Chu Mufeng, who had been standing by the door, stepped forward quickly, positioning himself between Cao Hongxing and Meng Changqing.

"And who are you? Who allowed you into this room?" Cao Hongxing demanded angrily.

Chu Mufeng did not even lower his head, staring the man down. "Imperial Guard, Bai Mufeng."

Meng Changqing took on the air of a person with a powerful patron, acting with the arrogance of a minor official who had found success. "Lord Cao, watch your temper."

"Ignorant child!"

Meng Changqing spoke with rapid-fire speed. "On the first day of the Lunar New Year, I went to the walls of your Weishan County and was driven away by the soldiers under your command. I haven't come to settle that debt with you yet, and yet you dare to come looking for trouble with me? Do you truly think I am easy to bully?"

"What is the meaning of this?" Hua Rujin said. "Lord Cao, you must provide an explanation."

"What kind of pleasant explanation could he possibly give? Lord Hua, do not make things difficult for him. We all know the truth; he simply finds me distasteful without even having met me."

Meng Changqing was never afraid of offending people.

Furthermore, she always adhered to the principle that once an offense was made, she would see it through to the end.

Since Cao Hongxing wanted to cause trouble, he would not relent just because she was humble or yielding. Rather than enduring someone's mockery and feeling miserable, it was better to make others feel miserable from the very beginning.

Many thanks to Lord Cao for helping her pass the time during a boring wait.

A bailiff came to knock on the door. "Lord Cao, the Prefect requests your presence."

Cao Hongxing took several deep breaths before leaving in a fury.

"Little Lord Meng," Hua Rujin sighed. "Weishan County is right next to your Beishan County. Why must you offend him?"

"Oh dear." Meng Changqing began to act again. "I just couldn't help myself."

Hua Rujin patted her shoulder. "You really need to work on your temper."

After this interlude, the waiting continued.

After Hua Rujin was called, then Mao Chunfang, it wasn't until the late hour of the Rooster that a bailiff came to call her.

By this time, the sky was completely dark.

"Lord Meng, the Prefect requests your presence."

Meng Changqing straightened her clothes, took her congratulatory documents in hand, and followed the bailiff to the Prefect's study.

"Changqing." Wei Fangyun's voice was laced with exhaustion. "It was my oversight; you didn't need to come today."

"Uncle." Meng Changqing stepped forward. "I knew I didn't have to come today, but for the sake of Beishan County, I had to."

She placed the official documents on Wei Fangyun's desk and bowed. "Please, My Lord, be sure to review them."