A Good Country Wife-Chapter 673 - 666 - _1

Ceng Lu’s tone was entirely that of a command, without seeking the consent of the house owner, nor asking whether Eunuch Li was willing to meet him at all. He truly acted superior, as if he were above all others. Yet, despite this, the Emperor had sent him to be the Magistrate of Xin’an City. Lin Yue had gathered from Jiang Ziqi that the Emperor had a deeper motive for doing so. She knew that when the Emperor’s goals were achieved, Ceng Lu would have no good end in store. Nevertheless, Lin Yue still harbored resentment towards the Emperor for such actions.

Even if Ceng Lu received the punishment he deserved in the end, what’s done was done. The common people had already suffered immensely, living in misery, some even facing the destruction of their families. No matter how tragic Ceng Lu’s fate turned out, it could not undo the damage done. Perhaps the Emperor thought such sacrifices were justified to consolidate his power and benefit more people? But it was so unfair to those who lived under Ceng Lu’s tyranny!

However much she thought about it, Lin Yue knew it was not her place to intervene or worry over such matters. If she could take good care of her own small family and live her days well, that was the best she could do. As for the rest, one could only say that everyone is selfish, and she was no exception. At most, she could offer sympathy or lend a helping hand when appropriate.

"Zhao Lin, did you not hear what the Superior said? Lead the way immediately!" Before the secretary could speak, Quan An, taking advantage of the Magistrate’s authority and acting all high and mighty, rushed to admonish Lin Yue. So eager and impatient, he clearly intended to suppress Lin Yue, to make her recognize his own status in the eyes of the Magistrate. Not only did he flaunt his authority, releasing the pent-up frustration in his heart, but he also made it clear to Lin Yue who she needed to please—making sure she didn’t curry favor with the wrong person, mistakenly giving benefits meant for the secretary.

Kneeling on the ground, Lin Yue felt immensely frustrated. She disliked all the kneeling and kowtowing required by etiquette, which is why she had no fondness for the Capital City. There, nobles were plentiful, and she, a commoner peasant woman, had to kneel and perform rituals when meeting any official or spouse of a certain rank, something she found utterly meaningless and uncomfortable.

Now, peacefully at home, one would think these corrupt and despicable officials who usually abused their power over the common folk had better things to do than bring a bunch of their henchmen to cause trouble. Lin Yue cursed Ceng Lu and his entourage bitterly in her heart. These wretched scoundrels had sought out trouble, specifically to torment her, and it was utterly detestable!

"I did hear what the Superior said, but as Eunuch Li is an Imperial Envoy sent by the Emperor, though he resides in my house, I have no right to make decisions on his behalf," Lin Yue replied, neither servile nor overbearing. "If Ceng Lu wishes to see Eunuch Li, I will have someone inform him inside. If Eunuch Li is willing, I will arrange the meeting for you." Considering Ceng Lu’s attitude and her current understanding of Eunuch Li, she doubted he would agree to meet so readily.

Eunuch Li was no ordinary person. He had status, position, and backing in the palace, and being a shrewd and influential figure who served the Emperor directly, he could likely guess the Emperor’s thoughts to some extent. It was doubtful he would consider Ceng Lu seriously, a target the Emperor had set up. Whether he would grant Ceng Lu any face was still unknown.

"What? You insolent woman, how dare you have such audacity. You are to obey the Superior’s orders without question," Quan An said, angered and increasingly furious at Lin Yue’s lack of fear and even her slight contempt. Pointing at Lin Yue, he called her a "troublesome wench," his tone bitter and severe. "Eunuch Li has good relations with the Empress in the palace, so how could he not meet with the Magistrate? Lead the way immediately, or do not blame the Superior for being ruthless if he decides to punish you for offending a Superior!"

Lin Yue had actually been bowing her head the whole time, and Quan An could not clearly see the expression on her face. Somehow, he had convinced himself that Lin Yue had this attitude towards him, though in fact, she did, and even more, she detested Quan An, this vile fellow, even more than Ceng Lu, that foolish official.

"I must apologize, but I cannot comply with the superior’s orders. I have never committed any act against Dazhou’s laws; I have always abided by them. Even if you are the Magistrate of Xin’an City, our city’s parent official, that doesn’t justify barging into the homes of the common people. There are also provisions in the Dazhou laws, which I’m sure the Magistrate knows far better."

"As for offending a superior, that is an even greater injustice. From start to finish, I have been perfectly decorous, without the slightest offense, nor do I have any intention to belittle you. If the superior truly thinks so, there is nothing I can do; I can’t control someone else’s mind. As for informing Eunuch Li, I will let him know, but whether Eunuch Li wishes to meet with the Magistrate is beyond my control."

Lin Yue spoke unhurriedly and clearly, word by word. Not to mention a mere servant like Quan An, Lin Yue did not believe that Ceng Lu would dare do anything to her—at most, he would put on a show of authority to give her some minor lesson. However, having been pampered over the past two years, her knees ached slightly from suddenly kneeling on the cold stone floor. But it was not unbearable, and seeing the frustrated yet restrained expression on Ceng Lu’s face, she felt quite satisfied.

"Indeed, a shrewish woman who dares to talk back to the superior. Sir, we cannot be lenient with such a woman. She must be shown a lesson. Why not lock up this shrew in jail and let her reflect, so she understands the hierarchy of superiors and inferiors?" Quan An eagerly incited.

The clerk merely watched with cold eyes and stayed silent. After all, he came from the Capital City with Ceng Lu, and he was smarter than Quan An, not only in experience but also in knowing much more about the sensitive issues. He certainly wouldn’t seek trouble with someone the Ceng Family in the Capital City hesitated to touch, content to watch Quan An’s temporary antics. The Lin Family, explicitly cautioned by his employers, would he dare make a move? Especially since Lin Yue did not seem like an easy person to deal with.

Hearing Quan An’s words, a flash of coldness and hatred crossed Lin Yue’s eyes, and she did not remain kneeling any longer. She stood up directly and looked up at Ceng Lu and his group, her face bearing a hint of chilly composure and authority.

"You presumptuous dog of a servant, wishing to throw me into prison? Very well! You may try if you wish. I am curious to see what the Emperor in the distant Capital City would say upon learning of this. My husband is diligently risking his life on a mission for His Majesty, yet you..." she paused, computing her words, "...repeatedly humiliate me again and again. If I’ve timed it correctly, my husband should have arrived in the Capital City by now, just in time to deliver a letter for me, seeking the Emperor’s justice on my behalf!"

Upon hearing Lin Yue involve the Emperor, Ceng Lu, mindful of the instructions from his superiors in the Capital City, regretted his actions somewhat. He should not have targeted Lin Yue. What if she did as she claimed? His mind was in turmoil. As he raised his eyes, he saw Lin Yue’s face