Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 568: Displaying Official Authority

Wen Congrui greatly agreed with Nan Shan’s inference. He had not met Wufu’s mother, but after analyzing the information he had gathered, he knew Mrs. Zhou to be a kind-hearted woman, perhaps to the point of meekness.

Such a woman should not be capable of raising a daughter with such a strong personality. At most, she would have instilled in her the female precepts and virtues that a woman should uphold. It was Wufu’s rumored unnamed mentor that sparked greater curiosity.

It must have been that mentor who shaped her thus; otherwise, how could a girl of humble rural origins, bearing the stigma of illegitimacy, possess such an expansive mind and spirit?

As Nan Shan watched his master, he noticed the slight upturn of his lips, the gentle lowering of his eyelids. Young master, do you realize how much your mouth curves up when you speak of Wufu?

"Young master, the seal will be set in two days, and New Year’s is approaching. Won’t you return to the capital?" Nan Shan seized the moment of Wen Congrui’s good mood to ask.

Wen Congrui frowned, his previously smiling lips flattening as he spoke indifferently, "The New Year’s holiday only lasts a month, and the journey back to the capital is long and arduous—it’s hardly worth the trouble. Besides, I’ve just started my tenure and there are many things I am still trying to fully grasp. I’d like to take the opportunity during the holiday to explore around, so I won’t be returning."

"Yes."

"Go and summon the county magistrate," Wen Congrui changed the subject, his expression turning cold as he returned to the issue of the properties Wufu had purchased. "He’s been in office for barely three months, and already his uncle-in-law is bullying people by exploiting his position to oppress merchants?"

Nan Shan bowed and departed, feeling sympathy for County Magistrate Yu, who was unlucky enough to have an unreliable brother-in-law.

When County Magistrate Yu arrived at Wen Congrui’s side and had just finished his salutations, he was stunned by Wen Congrui’s questioning.

"Lord Yu, you wield quite the official authority!"

County Magistrate Yu’s heart skipped a beat. Bowing respectfully, he said, "My lord, I do not understand."

"I hear your brother-in-law has taken a fancy to Suixin Restaurant on Dongyang Street, resorting to sleazy tactics to force the business to shut down, hoping to snatch up a property worth one thousand taels for just three hundred. What is he relying on if not the official might of Lord Yu?" Wen Congrui’s voice remained calm.

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Yu’s forehead broke out in sweat. He hurriedly said, "My lord, I was not aware of this!"

Wen Congrui didn’t believe his excuses—who couldn’t come up with such denials?

He wasn’t interested in arguing either. "Whether or not Lord Yu knows isn’t my concern. I only wish to remind Lord Yu, you were recommended for this position. Your accomplishments are yet to be seen, but you’ve already caused a commotion with bullying and extortion. Does Lord Yu feel his position is so secure?"

Sweat rolled down the forehead of County Magistrate Yu, who was visibly panicked: "My lord, I... I..."

Seeing him so flustered that his face turned red, Wen Congrui thought it was enough and said, "I do believe in Lord Yu’s innocence."

"My lord is wise," County Magistrate Yu replied.

"However, I must still remind you that while you tirelessly serve in the front office, do not forget to maintain tranquility in the back house and keep control over your own people. The two are inseparable. If the affairs of the back house become a hindrance, then a hundred acts of public service can be overshadowed by a single case of tyranny and bullying," Wen Congrui said. "The property your brother-in-law desires has already been duly leased at market price. The leaseholder has agreed with me that a portion of the shop’s profits each year will be used for charitable causes in Huayang County. Do you understand my words, Lord Yu?" frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"I understand, fully understand. I will attend to it at once," County Magistrate Yu said, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. Seeing Wen Congrui nod and pick up his tea, he quickly excused himself and left.