Chapter 58 I Am Getting Married

As he spoke, Yan Zibin's expression hardened. "The entire county of Mizhi relies on the taxes collected from the official road for its livelihood. If you fail to collect the full sum, Inspector Li, I will punish you most severely."

Li Yi sneered inwardly.

Everyone knew that it was illegal for the inspection office to set up private checkpoints for collecting taxes. The caravans of the powerful gentry passed unimpeded, while commoners trying to eke out a living were mercilessly fleeced. If he truly acted according to Yan Zibin's instructions, he would have to extort the people.

"You need not trouble yourself, Magistrate Yan. I will see to the arrangements," Li Yi replied coldly.

Yan Zibin grew even more incensed at Li Yi's attitude, but he swallowed his anger, knowing there would be plenty of opportunities to punish Li Yi in the future.

"I am merely offering some well-intentioned advice. Since Inspector Li does not appreciate it, so be it."

After Li Yi left the county yamen, the more Yan Zibin dwelled on it, the angrier he became. He strode into the clerks’ office and shouted, "This Li Yi is arrogant, disrespectful to his superior—utterly detestable!"

Steward Zheng hurried over and, after learning what had happened, felt a pang of guilt. He had known about Inspector Xu's plan to find Li Yi and had even advised Xu to kill him to cover their tracks. When Xu and his men vanished without a trace, Zheng was seized with dread but dared not speak for fear of Li Yi seeking revenge. Now, to his surprise, Li Yi had succeeded Xu as inspector of Suijin Town.

"Master, Li Yi is reckless and highly skilled in martial arts. Confronting him head-on is unwise," Steward Zheng advised.

Yan Zibin nodded in agreement. "Then what do you suggest?"

After a moment's thought, Steward Zheng replied, "We must use the right medicine for the illness. Since Li Yi is so bold, let's have him collect taxes from the great houses. Once he offends Mizhi's most powerful families, we won't need to lift a finger—Li Yi will be doomed."

"And if he refuses?"

"Then it is dereliction of duty. Master can report him to the prefecture and have him prosecuted."

A cold wind howled as light snow began to fall. The streets gradually emptied, and soon a thin layer of snow blanketed the ground.

Li Yi emerged from the yamen, donned his thick coat, and covered his horse's back with sheepskin. He wanted to visit the inspection office in Suijin Town before the snow grew too deep.

But just as he rounded the street corner, a carriage blocked his path.

He was about to go around when the carriage window was lifted, revealing a charming, youthful face.

"Li Yi, why didn't you come to see me when you arrived in Mizhi?" Hong Yuying pouted, displeased, as though demanding an explanation.

Li Yi felt a headache coming on. How had this willful young lady found him?

He clasped his hands in a polite gesture. "I had pressing matters to attend to and no time to call at the Hong residence. I hope Miss Hong will forgive me."

Hong Yuying scoffed. "Pressing matters? Aren't you just a ninth-grade inspector?"

Li Yi glanced at her, replying coolly, "Compared to Lord Hong, it is indeed nothing. If you have nothing further, Miss Hong, I'll take my leave."

He turned to go.

Hong Yuying, seeing his indifference, glared and stamped her foot. "How dare you! I'm not finished speaking. If you leave, I'll tell my father you bullied me!"

Li Yi halted, holding the horse's reins, and looked back at her quietly.

Under his deep, steady gaze, Hong Yuying blushed. She withdrew her hand, a little crestfallen.

"I've mentioned you to my father many times, telling him you once saved my life and urging him to support you. I didn't expect you would only become an inspector. Don't worry, I'll make a fuss when I get home and make sure my father promotes you."

Li Yi was taken aback. He hadn't realized how much she had done for him in secret. A warm feeling filled his heart.

"Thank you. Being an inspector is quite enough for me. I'm just a commoner and have no great deeds to my name."

Hong Yuying's face flushed bright red and she murmured, "You're so capable—you'll have a bright future ahead."

"Thank you."

An awkward silence fell between them.

After a long moment, Hong Yuying bit her lip gently. "Li Yi, will you walk with me for a while?"

Her maid's face changed instantly. In these strict times, propriety forbade men and women from walking together. How could her young mistress stroll about with a man?

She was about to protest when Hong Yuying shot her a fierce glare. The maid fell silent at once.

Li Yi, ignorant of these conventions, smiled. "It's been a long time since I visited the shops. If Miss Hong doesn't mind, let's walk together."

Hong Yuying happily hopped out of the carriage. Before the driver could fetch the step stool, Li Yi naturally reached out to help her down.

She hesitated briefly but, seeing his relaxed manner, knew he meant nothing improper. Even if he did, she wouldn't have minded—Li Yi was handsome and distinguished, after all. Still, she maintained a bit of decorum, holding his arm lightly as she leapt down.

Once steady, she looked up at him, cheeks flushed, her eyes like water, her beauty enchanting. Li Yi found himself momentarily entranced.

"I remember there are a few jewelry shops ahead. Shall we browse?" Li Yi suggested.

"All right," she replied with a sweet smile.

Her maid draped a cloak over her shoulders and held an oil-paper umbrella to shield her from the snow. But Hong Yuying, finding her presence annoying, snapped, "I can walk by myself. Wait in the carriage."

She snatched the umbrella and didn't spare the maid another glance. The girl stood there, stunned.

Li Yi glanced back at her sympathetically. Serving such a difficult mistress truly was a pity.

He and Hong Yuying walked toward the shops. The wind cut like a knife through the street, and when Li Yi saw her hands turning red from the cold, he took the umbrella from her.

Now they walked side by side. Hong Yuying, standing close to Li Yi's tall figure, edged a little nearer, her heart fluttering.

"Did you just go to see Yan Zibin?" Hong Yuying asked.

"How did you know?"

She would never admit she had been waiting outside the yamen after hearing from her page that he was there. Instead, she smiled sweetly. "Naturally, as the new inspector, you'd pay your respects to the local magistrate."

Li Yi nodded, his gaze growing a little cold at the thought of Yan Zibin.

"Did Yan Zibin give you trouble?"

Hong Yuying was keen and sensed something amiss.

Li Yi didn't hide anything. "I have a grudge against Yan Zibin. Now that I'm the new inspector, he wants me to guard the main road and collect taxes. But these so-called taxes are nothing but harsh levies that no one wants to pay."

Incensed, Hong Yuying replied, "I'll speak to my father. Yan Zibin wouldn't dare refuse him."

Li Yi waved it off. "It's a small matter, not worth troubling Lord Hong."

She huffed. "A few days ago, Yan Zibin visited my father, asking for help in getting a post in Jiangnan. My father needs Mizhi's funds and provisions, so Yan is eager to see it done."

Li Yi suddenly understood. He had only noticed how the authorities had become more ruthless in tax collection, not realizing the reason behind it.

They entered a shop with a yellow sign and black letters that read "Hengtong Silver Shop."

Inside was only the shopkeeper, who hurried to greet them. Noticing Li Yi's plain clothes, his enthusiasm waned, but upon seeing Hong Yuying's attire, he brightened at once, bowing low. "May I ask which household the young lady is from? We would be honored to serve you at home."

Hong Yuying ignored him, walking straight to the shelves. Seeing only simple silver or even copper jewelry, she wrinkled her nose in disdain.

"Is this all you have?"

The shopkeeper quickly retrieved two wooden trays from beneath the counter. "These are the finest pieces, crafted by master silversmiths from Xi'an. Please, have a look."

Hong Yuying picked up a magnolia hairpin. The design was simple, but it was set with a creamy-white jade, giving it an air of fresh elegance.

"Only this one is barely novel. Compared to the hairpins from Jiangnan, these are hardly worth looking at."

The shopkeeper smiled obsequiously. "How could Mizhi compare to wealthy Jiangnan? Still, if this piece pleases you, it must be fate."

Hong Yuying turned to Li Yi, waving the hairpin. "Li Yi, do you think this one is pretty?"

He nodded. "It suits your temperament perfectly."

She beamed and tried it on before the bronze mirror.

The shopkeeper now realized Li Yi was not a servant after all. It seemed the young man would be paying for the purchase. But could a plainly dressed youth really afford it?

Li Yi still had matters to attend to at the inspection office, so when he saw her make a selection, he picked up a jade magnolia tassel hairpin as well. "Wrap these two up. How much are they?"

The shopkeeper hesitated. "These are the work of master craftsmen—ten taels of silver for both together."

He braced for haggling, but Li Yi immediately tossed a silver ingot onto the counter. Weighing it, the shopkeeper found it was exactly ten taels. He regretted not quoting a higher price—who would have thought this shabbily dressed youth had such means?

Noticing Li Yi had chosen an extra hairpin, Hong Yuying teased, "One is enough for me—why buy another?"

Li Yi took the second hairpin. "I'm getting married after the New Year. It's for my bride."

Her smile froze. She stared at him, gritting her teeth. "You're getting married? To whom?"

Li Yi nodded. "A gentle, sensible woman. We've relied on each other for years—she's taken care of me in many ways."

Seeing the happiness he couldn't hide, jealousy flared in Hong Yuying's heart. She didn't know who his bride was, but she already hated her.

Just then, the maid entered, taking the boxed hairpins. "Miss, if we don't return soon, Master will worry."

"Nag, nag, nag. What are you rushing for?" Hong Yuying snapped, tossing the box at the maid's face.

The sharp corner of the box cut her cheek, drawing blood. Tears welled in the maid's eyes as she cried out in pain.

Hong Yuying glared savagely at her and slapped her hard. The sound rang out, but the maid dared not utter a word, standing meekly with her head bowed.

Li Yi was at a loss. The maid had done nothing to provoke her—why hurt her, and why smash the chosen hairpin?

"Hong Yuying, what is wrong with you? Why did you hurt her?" Li Yi finally lost his patience and stepped forward, grabbing her wrist.

Hong Yuying, eyes red, glared up at him, and suddenly tears spilled down her cheeks.

Now Li Yi was truly flustered. She had struck someone, yet she was the one crying?

"Go! Leave! I never want to see you again!" she sobbed.

Li Yi was completely bewildered. The maid whispered, "Young master, perhaps you should go."

After a moment's thought, Li Yi nodded. "Very well. Take good care of her."

He turned and walked out, leading his horse away.

Hong Yuying watched his departing figure and sobbed even harder.

The shopkeeper had witnessed the entire scene. He could tell the young lady from the wealthy family had feelings for the unassuming youth, but hadn't known he was to be married and couldn't accept it, which led to her breakdown. Having made a tidy profit and enjoyed a good show, the shopkeeper was in high spirits.

Suddenly Hong Yuying turned around and caught sight of the shopkeeper's delighted, gossiping expression. Her face darkened instantly.

She wiped her tears, hesitated for a moment, then crouched down to pick up the broken hairpin and left for the carriage.

Her maid followed nervously.

Hong Yuying's voice was cold as ice. "Tell the steward I want this Hengtong Silver Shop closed and the shopkeeper exiled two thousand miles."

"Yes, miss."

"And have his tongue cut out and fed to the dogs."

The maid trembled in terror.

Hong Yuying turned and fixed her with a cold stare.

The maid immediately replied, "I understand, miss. I'll report to the steward right away—no rumors will spread."

The ferocity in Hong Yuying's eyes gradually faded. She nodded and closed her eyes.