Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 569: Is She with the County Magistrate?

County Magistrate Yu stepped out of Wen Congrui’s study, straightened his black gauze cap on his head, glanced slightly backward, and hurried out.

His advisor, Yu Fangzhong, stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "My lord, what did Lord Wen summon you for?"

"What for? Big trouble. You go, find out who has just visited Lord Wen." County Magistrate Yu’s face looked unsightly.

He knew that his brother-in-law wanted the Suixin Restaurant’s property, but he didn’t know the fellow would stoop so low as to force others to withdraw from the market. Now that the magistrate was intervening, that property could not be touched.

Soon, Yu Fangzhong returned and reported to County Magistrate Yu who Wen Congrui had met with.

"I heard that the young lady is also a craftsman from the Hundred Treasures Silver Building of the Wen Family. The last time you went to the prefectural city, it was to watch her participate in the competition." Yu Fangzhong said, "Now, that girl named Wufu is also interested in that property. My lord, do you think this young lady and Lord Wen might be...?"

County Magistrate Yu said, "Regardless of whether Lord Wen values this young lady or not, that property is untouchable. Besides, the profits promised by the other party are quite substantial."

He remembered what Wen Congrui had said, that publicly or privately, they must not intervene with the property, otherwise, he would be deemed a criminal. With this thought, County Magistrate Yu couldn’t stand still anymore and said, "Let’s go, return home first. Du Yingliang is trying to doom me."

County Magistrate Yu hastened back to his own Rear Government Office and went straight to his wife’s room.

Madam Yu, Lady Du, was reclining on a daybed while a young servant girl massaged her legs; Lady Du was playing with a box in her hands, smiling from ear to ear.

"My lord, why have you come back at this hour?" Lady Du got up as soon as she saw County Magistrate Yu.

County Magistrate Yu’s gaze fell on the box beside her, which was filled with beautiful jewelry. His face darkened a few shades and he ordered everyone serving in the room to leave.

"Where did this come from?" County Magistrate Yu pointed at the box and asked.

Lady Du’s heart skipped a beat, but then she put on a beaming smile and said, "My lord, this is from Merchant Chen from West City. He owns vast farmlands, and every year, the taxes on the grain they produce..." freёwebnoѵel.com

County Magistrate Yu snapped the box shut with a slap, glaring at her fiercely, and said, "Merchant Chen came to you because he wants me to do him a favor, to pay less in taxes, or not at all, or maybe something else?"

Lady Du had never seen her husband like this. She became uncertain and, with an embarrassed laugh, said, "My lord, what would a woman like me know? Merchant Chen’s Madam said it was just for me to enjoy..."

"Foolish!" County Magistrate Yu scolded angrily: "For no reason at all, he gives you a box full of valuable jewelry to play with? Who would play the fool like that? Flies don’t bite seamless eggs; they must want me to let something slide. This is bribery."

"My lord..."

"I’ve only been in office for how long, and you dare to accept such things behind my back? Do you want our entire family to end up in major prison?"

Lady Du turned pale with fear: "My lord, could it really be that serious?"

"Not serious? I didn’t assume this position through the regular civil service exam; I was promoted from an advisor’s position by recommendation from my instructor. If I don’t accomplish anything substantial and accept bribes, my time as an official is up, you foolish woman!"

Lady Du’s lips turned white now.

"Also, Yingliang, is he after the Suixin Restaurant? Spending three hundred taels to buy a property valued at one thousand taels? Where did he get such an idea? Hurry and have someone summon him back. The County Magistrate’s people have their eyes on that property. He must not get involved; otherwise, if we offend the County Magistrate, we might as well prepare to move!" County Magistrate Yu coldly exclaimed.