Chapter 74: Misconstrued: A Clear Conscience

Zhao Huairen was long in coming.

Twilight deepened, and the evening breeze made the candle flames flicker between light and shadow.

Sated from her meal, Yan Yiqing sat at the head seat. She propped her head up with one hand and dozed idly, occasionally glancing at Qiu Mingsong, who stood by the door.

He had been standing on an empty stomach for half a shichen.

Qiu Mingsong’s legs grew numb, and his gaze began to scatter.

“County Magistrate, it looks like we won’t see her for a while… Why don’t we grab a bite first?” Tian Mao, who shared his plight, was starving. He shifted his feet and asked in a lowered voice.

“She won’t stay in Yumu County much longer,” Qiu Mingsong ground his teeth and endured. “At this critical juncture, we must hold on a bit longer. We can’t give her any leverage over us.”

During the worst of Yumu County’s disaster, he had never gone hungry. Who would have thought that after the relief team arrived—as the master of this city—he would start starving instead?

This was how Zhao Huaijin humiliated him.

The future was long; he would have his revenge one day.

Yan Yiqing caught their whispered exchange. She rubbed her temples with a finger, a shadow passing through her eyes. Tch… I only asked Huairen for two pots of Blue Bridge Wind Moon. Now it feels like a bad deal.

The wind suddenly picked up.

Scudding clouds parted, revealing a bright moon, clean and distant.

A familiar scarlet figure entered her view, and Yan Yiqing’s eyes lit up. But she quickly masked the joy in them without a trace.

Sable boots crunched across the moonlit courtyard.

The woman arched her phoenix eyes slightly, her thin lips curving in a lazy smile.

“This official seems to be late. My apologies, County Magistrate Qiu, for keeping you waiting.” Zhao Huairen stepped into the hall, her gaze sweeping the room before landing on Yan Yiqing. “Young Master Yan is here too?”

“Half a shichen. The Heir Apparent certainly knows how to make one wait.” Yan Yiqing said sarcastically.

Qiu Mingsong was delighted to see them at odds, but the next matters involved Changlin County, so he forced a smile and tried to smooth things over. “Please calm down, both esteemed officials. It was this lowly official’s blunder in scheduling the meeting.”

“This official was speaking to Young Master Yan. Who invited you to butt in?” Zhao Huairen shot him a sidelong glance without mercy. “No manners.”

Reprimanded in front of his subordinate.

Qiu Mingsong’s face turned ashen, and he clenched his fists, suppressing his gaze.

“Sir, you mustn’t act rashly…” Tian Mao nudged his arm and reminded him in a breathy whisper.

Zhao Huairen ignored his fury. She strode straight to the head seat and sat gracefully beside Yan Yiqing. Every gesture exuded the arrogance of high nobility.

Was Huairen imitating me again?

How cute. But surely I’m not that cute?

“Enough.” Yan Yiqing’s gaze kept drifting toward her involuntarily. She tightened her fingers imperceptibly, looked away as if nothing had happened, and cleared her throat. “County Magistrate Qiu, let’s get to business.”

At her words, gratitude entered Qiu Mingsong’s voice. “Yes.”

“This is the roster of able-bodied civilians this lowly official has compiled. Yumu County has one hundred and twenty-eight workers available for repairing the dikes.” Qiu Mingsong held the booklet over his head respectfully. “Please review it, Lady Zhao.”

“Qin An.” Zhao Huairen said lazily.

Accustomed to her lady’s possession by Young Master Yan’s mannerisms, Qin An took the booklet from Qiu Mingsong and handed it to Zhao Huairen.

After a quick flip through, Zhao Huairen said, “Assemble them tomorrow. This official will go to Changlin County personally to requisition men. Young Master Yan, you stay in Yumu County and oversee things.”

“This absolutely cannot happen!” Qiu Mingsong bowed low, pleading earnestly. “You are His Majesty’s appointed Disaster Relief Envoy. How can you leave Yumu County lightly before the disaster is resolved?”

“Ridiculous. You dare to dictate to this official?” Zhao Huairen snapped suddenly.

Her voice carried the inherent authority of one in power.

As her words fell, the candles in the hall leaped.

Qiu Mingsong shrank back, not daring to respond. He stealthily wiggled his pinky, throwing Yan Yiqing a pleading look.

“Yumu County lacks both men and stone right now.” Zhao Huairen drummed her knuckles rhythmically on the low table, her voice icy, brows furrowed. “If this official doesn’t make this trip, when will those dikes in Yumu County be repaired?”

Though several people filled the hall, silence reigned—no one spoke, so quiet that a dropped needle would be heard.

His heart roasted over an open flame.

Qiu Mingsong kept glancing up, wishing he could run to Yan Yiqing.

Didn’t she promise to stop Zhao Huaijin? Why go back on her word? What was she thinking? Had she forgotten—

As if hearing his inner wail, Yan Yiqing tilted her head slightly and glanced at Zhao Huairen beside her. In a calm tone, she said, “This official is accompanying the Heir Apparent on disaster relief. Have the Heir Apparent stay in Yumu County; I’ll handle Changlin County.”

“Exactly as Lady Yan says!” Qiu Mingsong sighed in relief at her words. He signaled Tian Mao with his eyes and chimed in with a beaming smile. “Lady Zhao guards Yumu County, while Lady Yan requisitions men and materials from Changlin County. It’s the perfect arrangement.”

Zhao Huairen’s brows knitted tightly. “Lady Yan to Changlin County?”

“It’s the best of both worlds.” Qiu Mingsong nodded, then turned to Tian Mao. “County Lieutenant Tian, what do you think of this plan?”

“This way, Lady Zhao’s role as Disaster Relief Envoy is upheld, and we secure both workers and stone.” Tian Mao said.

The two sang in harmony.

One question, one answer, like croaking toads.

“It’s indeed a good idea.” Zhao Huairen paused mid-sentence, and what followed made the smile freeze on Qiu Mingsong’s face. She looked at him mockingly. “Since County Magistrate Qiu already discussed this privately with Lady Yan, why bother with this charade in front of this official tonight? Putting on such a show?”

As expected of the top scholar.

Even as a playboy, her instincts remained sharp.

A thousand thoughts flashed through Qiu Mingsong’s mind. He shot Yan Yiqing a desperate look, then bowed his head like a cowering quail.

Surprise flickered in Yan Yiqing’s dark pupils. She hadn’t expected Zhao Huairen to lie so naturally—seamlessly, even.

How does Huairen know how to do everything…

Did she used to fool me like this before?

The hall’s atmosphere hung suspended like a bead stuck in a glass bottle—neither up nor down. No one took charge, and it seemed about to fall.

“Does Lady Yan have nothing to say?” Zhao Huairen tapped the low table.

Yan Yiqing paused for half a second, a glint in her pupils. She sneered coldly, “This official and the Heir Apparent are of equal rank. It’s proper for the County Magistrate to consult either of us on disaster matters. Why is it official business with you, but pretense with me?”

Her phoenix eyes chilled, Zhao Huairen said gravely, “Lady Yan, don’t misconstrue my meaning.”

“Misconstrue your meaning?” Yan Yiqing’s lips curved mockingly. She lowered her gaze to Qiu Mingsong below and said pointedly, “I think someone wants all the credit for themselves, unwilling to let others handle relief efforts. Hogging the glory.”

“Nonsense!”

Yan Yiqing shot her a glance, her fingertip curling slightly, and said as pre-arranged, “If the Heir Apparent has a clear conscience, what’s the difference between you going to Changlin County or me?”

Her right hand on the table clenched into a fist.

Zhao Huairen seemed infuriated by her, falling silent for the moment.

Yan Yiqing wanted to see Zhao Huaijin deflated more, but settling the matter took priority. Qiu Mingsong sighed inwardly and said self-righteously, “Both esteemed officials have the people’s welfare in mind. Why insist on deciding who’s superior?”

“County Magistrate Qiu plays the good guy well.” Zhao Huairen’s gaze dripped contempt.

Damn this Zhao Huaijin.

Ignorant brat! One day, he’d regret it.

A heavy stone weighed on his chest. Qiu Mingsong gritted his yellowed teeth, silently reciting “Heaven burdens great responsibilities upon such men” in his mind.

He took a deep breath, endured, and added fuel to Yan Yiqing’s earlier provocation. “Lady Yan has a point. If Lady Zhao truly cares for the people, she should let Lady Yan handle the Changlin County trip.”

“You mean if I don’t yield, I’m not truly for the people?” Zhao Huairen glared at him, her refined features shrouded in anger.

“This lowly official meant no such thing.” Qiu Mingsong bowed, glee flashing in his eyes.

“No such thing?” Zhao Huairen’s gaze burned cold. She suddenly stood, her voice suppressing fury. “Fine then. Lady Yan, you’ll take this trip.”

“Lady Zhao is wise—”

Amid Qiu Mingsong’s hypocritical flattery.

Zhao Huairen flicked her sleeves and left. Only three remained in the hall.

Once the scarlet figure vanished from sight, the lizard-like man changed faces instantly. Qiu Mingsong rubbed his hands and fawned over Yan Yiqing. “That one’s a tough nut. This lowly official was at a loss earlier. Thanks to Lady Yan’s quick thinking.”

Yan Yiqing frowned subtly and brushed him off. “Just do your part. I speak little and dislike chit-chat.”

“This lowly official understands.” Qiu Mingsong bowed, then added, “The carriage awaits outside the County Yamen. Lady Yan, just say the word.”

Is he sick or something?

She had thought so at first, but with the carriage waiting outside…

“I know. Get out.” Yan Yiqing couldn’t fake any courtesy and said coldly.

Seeing her poor mood and assuming it stemmed from the earlier spat, Qiu Mingsong avoided offending her. He cupped his hands, took Tian Mao, and left.

Some distance from the hall.

The cold wind blew, clearing their heads.

A thunderbolt flashed in Tian Mao’s mind. He stopped and said, “Sir, aren’t they married? Could this be a trap…”

“Tch tch, I told you you’re ignorant!” Qiu Mingsong gave him an exasperated look, shook his head, and explained impatiently. “Their discord is famous from Yanjing to Yeyang—how do you not know? Besides, what kind of person is Lady Yan?”

Tian Mao understood instantly. “Right, Lady Yan must side with Prince Gong.”

“You get it.” Qiu Mingsong stroked his beard and gave him a meaningful glance. “You’re still too green. You were too scared to speak up against those two young whippersnappers.”

“How could this subordinate compare to you, sir?” Tian Mao flattered.

The stifled frustration eased under his praise.

Qiu Mingsong felt relaxed and swaggered out of the County Yamen.

–

At the hai hour.

Night deepened, and Yumu County slumbered.

The woman’s exceptional lightness let her vault the courtyard wall effortlessly and reach the Official Residence in the County Yamen.

Having sneaked into the Official Residence successfully, Yan Yiqing pursed her lips. Though hours had passed, she still cursed inwardly at the thought: What kind of garbage carriage arrangement was that? Forced me to run over in the dead of night. Useless for anything but sabotage.