TSWPF -Chapter 328 Trembling

Cui Cuicui placed one hand on her hip and pointed at He Dianshi with the other, yelling, “He Xin, how dare you ask me why I’m angry! Let me ask you—did you even bother to check the county magistrate’s background thoroughly? If we truly offend a big shot like him, our family won’t even have a burial place!”

He’s risking his life, but I still want to live with my two daughters!

He Dianshi looked at Cui Cuicui, bewildered. Isn’t Liu Zhimou the top scholar of this year’s imperial exams? Isn’t he from the capital? What kind of secrets could he possibly have?

“Oh, I remember now! Liu Zhimou grew up in the countryside,” he said, thinking he had uncovered a secret. Grinning smugly, he added, “Madam, that country boy won’t be able to stir up any trouble. You don’t need to worry.”

“Country boy?”

“Country boy?” What a country boy.

Cui Cuicui was so furious that she grabbed a teacup and flung it at He Dianshi with all her strength.

“I’m telling you, He Xin—the county magistrate comes from the prestigious Liu family of the Capital’s General of State Protecting Army! His grandfather is the famous Liu Zhen, and you dare call him a country boy? Are you out of your mind?”

“That’s impossible! Madam, who told you that? How could I not know?” He Dianshi immediately objected, raising his voice. He had sent people to investigate Liu Zhimou; how could such an important detail have been missed?

Cui Cuicui took a couple of deep breaths and sat heavily in her chair. She said she had heard it from the county magistrate’s wife.

She trusted Li Qingling wouldn’t lie about this. It was too easy to verify, and lying wouldn’t benefit her.

Hearing this, He Dianshi flopped onto the couch like a boneless man. “Can we really trust the county magistrate’s wife? I met the magistrate today, and all I saw was a wet-behind-the-ears kid. Nothing to fear there.” That kid—he could wipe him out with a flick of his fingers. What was there to be afraid of?

Seeing He Dianshi so nonchalant, Cui Cuicui’s chest heaved with anger. She slammed the table hard, startling him. He turned to look at her, confused by her sudden outburst.

Her ladyship was beautiful, sure, but her temper was terrible. She flew off the handle at the slightest provocation, and he was exhausted from dealing with it.

If not for the Cui family’s reputation, he wouldn’t have endured it this long.

“He Xin, you must send people to reinvestigate this thoroughly. The more detailed, the better. Don’t touch the wrong people, or the whole family will pay the price!”

This time, Cui Cuicui’s stance was unyielding. She wouldn’t let this go—she wanted a complete, thorough investigation.

“Madam…”

“Don’t forget, Master Luo, the Imperial Teacher, lives in the county magistrate’s house,” Cui Cuicui interrupted, guessing what He Dianshi was about to say. “Someone overheard the county magistrate calling Master Luo ‘teacher.’ Do you think his identity is simple? Huh?” Teacher—who else but one’s parent’s master?

Even without considering the Liu family of the capital, Master Luo alone made the county magistrate not to be underestimated.

The more Cui Cuicui thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She suddenly stood up, determined to write to her family to help investigate. Her family had more channels and would get a more detailed report. Before leaving, she repeatedly instructed He Dianshi to ensure a thorough investigation.

Seeing his wife so serious, He Dianshi’s heart skipped a beat. He dared not be casual. Sitting up, he nodded heavily and said he would have someone investigate.

Two days later, Cui Cuicui received a letter from her family. After reading it, her face turned ashen. She clutched her chest and let out a deep breath. She never expected the county magistrate to have such a formidable background.

Luckily, she had had it checked. Otherwise, offending him would have had disastrous consequences…

“Someone, fetch my husband!”

The maid was startled by Cui Cuicui’s sharp voice, exclaimed “Yes!” and hurried out.

Soon after, He Dianshi, drenched in sweat, rushed in. Seeing Cui Cuicui sitting pale in her chair, he was immediately shocked.

“Madam, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me!” He grabbed her shoulders and shook her forcefully.

Cui Cuicui snapped back to focus, handed him the letter, and, in a hoarse voice, said, “Look carefully. Read it thoroughly.”

He Dianshi glanced at her, then at the letter. After a moment, he reached out and took it.

Sitting down, he read carefully. When he reached the part about Liu Zhimou, his hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

He hadn’t expected his wife’s words to be true. Though the county magistrate grew up in the countryside, he wasn’t some background-less country boy—he was…

Then what about the investigation he had done? Why hadn’t he discovered Liu Zhimou’s real background?

“Madam, is this information true?”

Cui Cuicui glared at He Dianshi. “I wrote to my father to have him investigate. Do you think it’s not true?” The facts were clear before him, yet he still doubted.

She wanted to rip open his head to see what was inside.

Hearing it was her father who commissioned the investigation, He Dianshi fell silent. He knew the Cui family had relatives in the capital, which meant this information was indeed accurate.

Cui Cuicui grabbed He Dianshi’s ear, snapping, “From today on, you are forbidden from getting involved in any matters regarding the county magistrate. Do you hear me?” She feared he might act rashly and become a pawn, putting the whole family in danger. “Didn’t you see in the letter? The county magistrate’s father is the emperor’s fellow apprentice. The emperor has always been watching him. If you oppose the county magistrate, you oppose the emperor. Do you even dare?”

“Ouch, ouch…” He Dianshi tilted his head, groaning. “Madam, let go, my ear will be torn off if you keep pulling.”

“Hmph!” Cui Cuicui snorted coldly, released him, then poked his forehead. “Do not get involved in this matter again. Do you understand?”

The previous county magistrate had no background—harassing him carried no consequences. But the current one? Absolutely not.

They mustn’t bully him anymore; they must curry favor.

“So… we just let the county magistrate dominate us?” He Dianshi was unwilling.

He had always strutted around Ninghua County. Suddenly being under someone else’s thumb was uncomfortable.

Cui Cuicui gave him a cold glare. “He Xin, if you insist on opposing the county magistrate, I will divorce you and take our two daughters home. If you want to die, go ahead—I won’t stop you.”

Knowing someone is untouchable but still trying to offend them—what else is that but seeking death?

He Dianshi’s face went pale and green at her words. He clenched the letter in his hand, forcing a smile. “I won’t be so impulsive.”

“Good.”

She knew him well. One warning wouldn’t change his nature. For the family’s sake, she would have to remind him every day to keep him from making mistakes.

“Madam, I… I’ll speak to Fourth Uncle about this.” He Dianshi said, standing and rushing out.

This matter had to be reported to Fourth Uncle and the heads of the other three families. They needed to decide on a strategy.

When He Dianshi arrived at Fourth Uncle’s residence, Fourth Uncle was playing with his newlywed concubine.

Upon hearing from the servants that He Dianshi had urgent news, he hurriedly left the concubine to meet him.

“Xin’er, what’s so urgent that you rushed to see me?” Fourth Uncle frowned, irritated to be interrupted.

He Dianshi didn’t apologize, pulling the letter from his bosom. “Fourth Uncle, read this letter first.”

Fourth Uncle glanced at him, took the letter, and opened it. At the critical parts, he stood abruptly and asked, “Who wrote this?”

He Dianshi replied that it was his father-in-law. Upon hearing this, Fourth Uncle frowned even tighter, continuing to read. After a long pause, he said, “I thought he was an easy target. I didn’t expect him to be a tough nut to crack.” He hadn’t anticipated Liu Zhimou’s background to be so powerful. “Xin’er, notify the heads of the other three families. We need to rethink our strategy.”

Should they bring down Liu Zhimou or go along with him?

He Dianshi nodded and sent word for the heads of the three families to come immediately.

Upon arrival, they asked Fourth Uncle what the urgent matter was.

Without a word, Fourth Uncle handed them the letter.

After reading, Wang Yang, the head of the Wang family, asked if it was true. Why did it differ so much from their prior investigation?

“It must be true. My father-in-law commissioned the investigation,” He Dianshi replied grimly. “Was our earlier investigation deliberately misled?”

If so, who would do such a thing, and why?

Hearing He Dianshi, Fourth Uncle and the others’ faces darkened, imagining many unpleasant possibilities.

“Fourth Uncle, should we continue targeting the county magistrate? Could this reach the emperor?” He Dianshi, thinking of Cui Cuicui, nervously licked his lips, uncertain whether to follow her advice or Fourth Uncle’s.

Wang Yang slammed his hand on the armrest and sneered. “This place is remote. Even if we do something to the county magistrate, the emperor won’t hear immediately. Besides, if we cover our tracks, no one can trace it back to us.”

Ultimately, he just didn’t want anyone pressing over him, dictating every move.