Liu Rumei’s face was calm. “Don’t worry, I’m not that foolish. I’ve already told His Highness the Crown Prince that Chen Xiaobei is my man. The crossbows were given to him to guard the dragon veins. Now I need the Crown Prince’s decree to formally appoint him.”
This.
Liu Ce truly didn't expect Liu Rumei to go to such lengths for Chen Xiaobei.
“Miss, what merit does Chen Xiaobei possess to enjoy such honor?”
Liu Rumei raised her hand to stop him and continued, “Enough, you don’t need to say anything. Just do as I say.”
“Let’s go, we need to see Hu Fan!”
The county office.
Hu Fan was a little surprised that Liu Rumei had come in person.
He had thought Chen Xiaobei only had a casual acquaintance with the Liu family, and that it was already difficult enough to get Liu Ce to plead for him.
After the meeting, Liu Rumei remained very reserved. “County Magistrate Hu, we’ve always been on good terms. I don’t want any unpleasantness between us because of Chen Xiaobei’s matter.”
Hu Fan cupped his fist. “Miss Liu, what you say is absolutely true. We should prioritize peace.”
Liu Rumei nodded. “I’ve come to tell you something, County Magistrate Hu.”
“Chen Xiaobei is not hoarding weapons. He is actually one of the Crown Prince’s men.”
Upon hearing this, Hu Fan was stunned. He was bewildered for a long time. He looked at Liu Rumei and said word by word, very seriously, “Miss Liu, this is not a matter to be taken lightly.”
Liu Rumei smiled slightly. “Of course. I would never lie about such a thing.”
“I’ve already sent someone to inform the Crown Prince of the situation here. His Highness’s decree will arrive soon.”
Hu Fan clearly hadn't expected the Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun to issue a decree for Chen Xiaobei. “Miss Liu, I haven’t received this yet, so I’m afraid…” Su Dan Novel Network
Liu Rumei was unhurried. “County Magistrate Hu, don’t rush. I told you, it will arrive soon.”
“Therefore, before His Highness the Crown Prince’s decree arrives, I would like to plead for Chen Xiaobei!”
Hu Fan clearly misunderstood Liu Rumei’s intention. He cupped his fist slightly. “Please rest assured, Miss Liu. I will absolutely not torture Chen Xiaobei. He will be treated with courtesy.”
Unexpectedly, Liu Rumei smiled charmingly and said, “No, County Magistrate Hu, that’s not what I mean.”
Liu Rumei turned her head and said to Liu Ce, “You may withdraw first.”
Liu Ce bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Hu Fan naturally understood Liu Rumei’s meaning. He waved his hand, and the two constables beside him also withdrew.
Hu Fan asked with a bewildered expression, “Then, what does Miss Liu mean?”
Liu Rumei looked at Hu Fan, still smiling, and said unhurriedly, “I mean, before the Crown Prince’s decree arrives, Chen Xiaobei should be temporarily released and allowed to return to Hetou Village.”
This?
This.
Hu Fan almost burst out laughing.
He had never seen such a plea for mercy. Wasn’t this just asking him to release Chen Xiaobei?
“Miss Liu, I’m afraid I must respectfully decline.”
Liu Rumei was unhurried. She took out a golden token from her sleeve. “Hu Fan, do you recognize this?”
The token was less than a palm in size, but it was exquisitely crafted. On the front, a phoenix was vividly depicted, as if about to spread its wings and fly.
Hu Fan’s face immediately showed surprise. He lifted his robes, about to kneel. “Your humble servant Hu Fan pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Alright, County Magistrate Hu. There are no outsiders here, no need for such formality.” Liu Rumei put the token away.
“As I mentioned in front of your subordinates, I have invoked His Highness the Crown Prince’s name. You can tell everyone that you were forced by my pressure to release the person. If anything goes wrong later, I will bear all responsibility.”
Hu Fan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and clasped his fists. “Your subordinate obeys. But, I have already sent people to arrest Chen Xiaobei. What should we do?”
Liu Rumei smiled slightly. “The one who tied the bell must untie it. I can’t help you with this.”
“However, I hope Chen Xiaobei can return home before dark.”
With that, she turned and left.
Seeing Liu Rumei leave, Hu Fan shook his head helplessly again. The Liu family was truly formidable, even possessing a token from Her Majesty the Empress. With such power, why didn’t they just become county magistrates themselves? Life was so difficult.
Outside the county office, Liu Ce saw Liu Rumei emerge with a smile on her face. He knew that the matter must have been resolved.
However, as a subordinate, he couldn’t ask about the specific details.
He was too embarrassed to ask, but someone else was not—Hu Fan’s strategist, named Geng Sheng.
Seeing Liu Rumei leave, he quickly entered Hu Fan’s office. Upon seeing Hu Fan’s helpless expression, he roughly understood the outcome.
He couldn’t help but sigh. “Master, you have done your best.”
Hu Fan shook his head helplessly again. “Yes, when even the Crown Prince is invoked, how can I not yield?”
After speaking, he stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and began pacing. “Tell me, what is so special about this Chen Xiaobei that Liu Rumei would go to such lengths to protect him?”
Geng Sheng stroked his chin and thought for a long time. Finally, he said thoughtfully, “Master, have you forgotten? It has always been rumored that the Liu family is helping the imperial family guard the dragon veins. Could Qingniu Mountain be it?”
Upon hearing this, Hu Fan was first startled, then couldn’t help but shake his head. “No, impossible. Marquis Liu has three sons, all exceptionally talented. If it were such an important matter as guarding the dragon veins, they wouldn’t send Liu Rumei, would they?”
“Then, then I really can’t think of any other reason.” Geng Sheng was confused.
Hu Fan waved his hand. “Alright, let’s not worry about the reason for now. Send someone, no, you go yourself and tell He Lao Qi to release the prisoner.”
At this time, He Lao Qi was slowly heading back with his men.
As the saying goes, one benefits from another’s generosity. Having eaten the food of Hetou Village, He Lao Qi naturally had to treat Chen Xiaobei better. Therefore, he slowed down his horse to make it more comfortable for the constables who were walking and for Chen Xiaobei.
There was still plenty of time, and they could reach the county town before dark.
As they were walking, they suddenly heard the sound of horses’ hooves from ahead. Geng Sheng was approaching in a hurry.
Seeing it was Geng Sheng, He Lao Qi waved from afar and greeted him. “Master Geng, where are you going?”
Geng Sheng rode up, reined in his warhorse, and said, “Constable He, may I have a word in private?” With that, he dismounted and strode towards the back.
He Lao Qi understood immediately that this was an urgent matter and had to be discussed in private.
He followed, smiling and asking, “What is it that requires your esteemed presence?”
Geng Sheng said with a solemn expression, “County Magistrate Hu sent me to tell you to release Chen Xiaobei immediately.”
This.
“Why?” He Lao Qi was completely bewildered.
Geng Sheng sighed slightly. “Why else? The Liu family intervened and exerted pressure.”
He Lao Qi gave a wry smile. “I knew I shouldn’t have arrested him. Now they want him released, and I’m the one who has to do the unpleasant tasks.”
With that, he turned around and walked back a few steps. He came to Chen Xiaobei and forced a smile. “Brother Xiaobei, I have something urgent to attend to. You go back first. I’ll find you after I’ve handled it.”