Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Just as Fang Zheng and his group were preparing to return to the yamen, a silver bell-like voice suddenly came from behind.

“Lord Fang, please wait a moment…”

He saw the woman who had been unconscious in the medical clinic leaning weakly against the door frame, looking in his direction, apparently having been there for some time.

“Young woman, Bai Yi, thanks Lord Fang for saving my life…”

“Xiao Tao, go and help her.” Fang Zheng was in a chaotic mood and had no interest in anything. He only wanted to return to the yamen as soon as possible and arrange things for his subordinates.

If he went to the capital, he probably wouldn't be able to return for a short time.

The generous reward this time made him feel even more uneasy. Being granted a noble title was already an enormous honor.

Now, he was also being appointed as the Vice-Director of the Court of the Imperial Stud. Something felt off about the whole affair.

Xiao Tao walked to Bai Yi's side and supported her: “Miss, if you have anything to say, find my young master later. Now is not the right time.”

Bai Yi's body obviously hadn't fully recovered. She coughed lightly twice and bowed gracefully: “My family all perished in the flood… Now I have nowhere to go. Bai Yi is willing to follow you, my lord, to repay your kindness.”

Fang Zheng glanced at Bai Yi. Now that she was awake, her features appeared even more lively, adding a touch of spirituality to her already exquisite face.

“Bai Yi…? How do you know that it was this official who saved you?” Not only did the imperial decree make Fang Zheng feel uneasy, but this woman also seemed suspicious.

Although she was extremely beautiful, Fang Shao had, after all, seen a lot in his previous life and wouldn't be so easily swayed.

He was even more wary of things that were offered to him freely.

This woman had an extraordinary temperament and appearance, and she immediately offered to be his servant… Heh heh, dream on!

“Bai Yi woke up a few times, and the doctor told me that Lord Fang saved me.”

Bai Yi knelt weakly on the ground, her breathing still uneven.

“Well, get up and speak. Where are you from, and what does your family do?”

“Reporting to you, my lord… I am from Jianjiang Prefecture. My family runs a porcelain business. Previously, my family all died in the flood… leaving only me, fortunate enough to be saved by you, Lord Fang.”

As she spoke, Bai Yi began to sob, appearing pitiful and endearing.

Her crying was sorrowful, and her emotions were sincere. Xiao Tao felt empathetic, as her own parents had also passed away early. If she hadn't met Fang Zheng, she didn't know what a miserable situation she would be in.

Thinking of this, she quickly went to comfort Bai Yi.

Fang Zheng carefully observed her and found that she didn't seem to be faking it. He had seen many people in Taoyuan County who had lost their parents early, and their expressions were generally like this…

However, when he heard her mention the word 'porcelain,' Fang Zheng instantly felt a headache. If it weren't for Li Long, that porcelain merchant, his peaceful life wouldn't have been disrupted!

So, he said impatiently: “Oh, I see. Now that the flood in Jianjiang has been resolved, go home yourself after you recover.”

“Xiao Tao, remember to arrange some travel expenses for her when she leaves.”

“Let's go! We're going back to the yamen!”

After speaking, he turned around and left, leaving Bai Yi standing there in a daze…

Looking at Fang Zheng's gradually receding figure, Bai Yi touched her pretty face, feeling somewhat doubtful about life.

In the sixteen years since she was born, she had never been treated so lightly, even after her family was destroyed. No man had ever been so indifferent to her.

Was he not interested in women? Was she very ugly?

Just as she was thinking, Fang Zheng actually walked back from a distance!

Seeing Fang Zheng, a hint of joy flashed across Bai Yi's face.

As expected, he was pretending! All the men in the world were the same, just playing hard to get.

Seeing Fang Zheng approaching, Bai Yi composed herself and resumed her melancholic appearance.

“Lord Fang…”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, when you return to Jianjiang and settle your family affairs, remember to send back the travel expenses and medical fees.”

“Miss, although I sympathize with you for the death of your relatives, even a landlord's family doesn't have surplus grain, so I hope you can understand. Xiao Tao, let's go!”

After speaking, Fang Zheng turned around and left again.

“……”

Bai Yi's face suddenly flushed red. Looking at Fang Zheng's departing figure, her eyes widened like copper bells…

“Cough, cough, cough…!” Suddenly, Bai Yi covered her mouth and coughed violently, a trace of blood flowing down between her fingers.

Instantly, Bai Yi was surrounded by a huge sense of embarrassment.

Having lived for so long… she had never received such humiliation! A mere county magistrate… actually insulted her to this extent!

However, when she thought of how he had been granted a noble title at a young age and would enter the Court of the Imperial Stud in the future…

Bai Yi clenched her fists in shame and anger, looked at Fang Zheng's back, pursed her lips, and gritted her teeth as she staggered after him.

Ahead, Xiao Tao and the others were walking on the road.

Fang Zheng was still cursing non-stop: “Damn sedan chair carriers, they actually ran away too! Only give that guy half of the silver when he goes to the county yamen to collect it! Do you understand!”

“Yes.” Zhang Biao looked back and said, “Young master, that woman is following us.”

“Huh?” Fang Zheng looked back and found that Bai Yi had actually followed them.

She took two breaths for every step, looking extremely struggling.

“Hiss… She's still chasing after me like this? Could it be that she's latched onto this young master? Run! Hurry back!”

After speaking, Fang Zheng and the other two began to run forward.

Bai Yi chased after them. Seeing Fang Zheng turn around, she immediately put on a smiling face. Just as she was about to raise her hand to call out, she saw Fang Zheng turn his head away again and run away in the distance!

Bai Yi was stunned in place, her heart suddenly feeling like an overturned spice box—sour, bitter, spicy, but no sweetness. This was a completely new experience she had never had in her life.

“Pfft!” A mouthful of blood spurted out. As the sun set, Bai Yi collapsed softly on the deserted street, looking particularly desolate…

......

Backyard of the County Yamen

Fang Zheng looked at Bai Yi, who was lying on a stretcher at his feet, with a gloomy face. She was still unconscious, and her chest was stained with spots of blood, indicating that her condition was still serious.

“Zhang Biao! Are you a pig! This woman has obviously latched onto me, young master! And you still carried her back!”

Zhang Biao stammered, “Young master, she seemed to want to talk to you before. I thought bringing her back would be a good thing…”

Fang Zheng was rendered speechless by this clinging nuisance and said helplessly, “Alright, alright, she's already like this, what's the point of saying anything? Quickly send her to the medical clinic, and send her away as soon as she recovers!”

Just as Zhang Biao was about to take Bai Yi away.

The originally unconscious Bai Yi suddenly reached out and grabbed Fang Zheng's trouser leg, sobbing miserably in her sleep: “Dad… Mom… Bai Yi misses you so much…”

Seeing this, Xiao Tao showed a look of pity and pleaded with Fang Zheng: “Young master, why don't we just leave her here… Look at how pitiful she is without parents. Where will she go in the future? Our Taoyuan County can afford one more person.”

Seeing that she was holding onto his trouser leg, Fang Zheng simply squatted down and carefully sized up Bai Yi.

Bai Yi was still talking in her sleep with her eyes closed, and the content was truly heartbreaking.

Fang Zheng stroked his chin, pondering in his heart. This woman… he always felt that something was strange about her. How could even her sleep-talking be so logical?

“Xiao Tao, tickle her a few times!”