TSWPF -Chapter 354 Hatred to the Extreme

Before Liu Zhimou could even ask Magistrate Ma where he was going, Magistrate Ma spotted him and rushed over, throwing himself forward. “Sir, you’re finally here! You’re unusually late today—aren’t you usually here much earlier?”

Liu Zhimou sidestepped to avoid him, raised a hand to stop him, and motioned for him to calm down.

He wasn’t his wife—why was he nagging like that?

“What’s wrong? Is there a case?”

“No, it’s… it’s the brother I mentioned yesterday. He’s here to see you.” He’d been waiting here for nearly an hour.

Liu Zhimou gave a low “Mm” and strode inside. As soon as he entered, he saw a tall, broad-shouldered man sitting upright on a chair.

“Brother Wei, the magistrate is here,” Magistrate Ma called out.

When Wei Guo stood up and turned toward Liu Zhimou, Liu Zhimou noticed a scar on his face that ran from the corner of his eye down to his mouth. It looked fierce and intimidating.

“Commoner Wei Guo pays respects to Magistrate Liu,” Wei Guo cupped his fists in greeting.

Liu Zhimou responded warmly, “I had matters this morning and came late. Sorry to have kept you waiting.” He was too embarrassed to admit that the truth was he’d overslept with a hangover.

He hadn’t expected the new magistrate to be so approachable, and for a moment he felt rather overwhelmed by the favor.

“It’s this commoner who came too early.”

Liu Zhimou gestured for Wei Guo to sit, then took the seat opposite him and asked about his situation in a calm voice.

Wei Guo didn’t hide anything and told him everything in full.

When he finished, he looked at Liu Zhimou with some unease, uncertain whether the magistrate would accept him as a yamen runner.

Liu Zhimou nodded on the spot and took him in as a runner.

In an instant, Wei Guo was so excited he didn’t know what to say.

Ever since he quit escort work and returned home to farm, he hadn’t felt this excited in a very long time.

When Magistrate Ma came to him last night to ask whether he was willing to work at the yamen, he’d thought he’d misheard.

After all, with such a terrifying scar on his face, people were always frightened the moment they saw him.

Because of that, even at the ripe age of twenty-five, he still hadn’t found a wife.

Any young woman who saw his face would tremble in fear—what girl would dare marry him?

If Magistrate Ma hadn’t emphasized again and again that the magistrate wasn’t someone who judged by appearances and urged him to give it a try, he wouldn’t have dared.

After struggling with himself all night, he finally decided to come and try.

He never imagined the magistrate would accept him so easily.

“M-My lord… you… you won’t reconsider?”

“Reconsider what? You don’t have confidence in doing the job of a yamen runner?”

Hearing that, Wei Guo nodded vigorously, saying he did have confidence.

He knew martial arts—though not top-tier, it was enough to protect himself. He was confident he could be a good runner.

“That’s fine then. Go find Magistrate Ma and have him get you two sets of runner uniforms in your size.”

Wei Guo stood up, cupped his fists respectfully again, and said loudly, “Thank you, my lord!”

Liu Zhimou stood as well and said with a smile that there was no need to thank him.

Brimming with excitement, Wei Guo went to find Magistrate Ma. Magistrate Ma gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder and laughed. “Good lad—congratulations!”

“It’s all thanks to you, Brother Ma. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had this chance to become a runner.” Wei Guo looked at him gratefully. “Another day I’ll treat you to wine, to thank you for your help.”

Magistrate Ma didn’t refuse and agreed with a smile, then asked for his measurements so he could fetch the uniforms.

Wei Guo recited his size and followed Magistrate Ma to the rear office to get the clothes.

“Brother Ma, this new magistrate is nothing like the previous ones. He’s really good,” Wei Guo praised quietly.

Magistrate Ma curled his lips proudly. “Of course. Otherwise, why would I follow him so wholeheartedly? I’m lucky beyond words to have met such a magistrate. Stick with him long enough and you’ll see even more of his good points.” Though the magistrate teased him from time to time, he truly cared about his subordinates. He really was a good man.

“I trust you, Brother Ma,” Wei Guo said. “If you say he’s good, then he must be.”

Magistrate Ma laughed heartily, found two sets of runner uniforms, handed them to Wei Guo, and told him to come to the yamen the next day.

Wei Guo held the uniforms and answered with a firm “Yes.”

“Another day I’ll have your sister-in-law help look around, see if there’s a good girl suitable for you,” Magistrate Ma added. Seeing Wei Guo still alone at his age made him feel uncomfortable.

At that, Wei Guo touched the scar on his face, forced a bitter smile, and said, “Forget it. I don’t want to scare anyone.”

He’d suffered enough blows already and didn’t want to be hurt again.

Magistrate Ma glared at him. “What do you mean, forget it? Are you planning to live alone your whole life?” Seeing Wei Guo about to speak, he waved him off. “Work hard. I don’t believe no girl will ever take a liking to you.”

Wei Guo sighed inwardly, nodded, and said, “Then I’ll trouble sister-in-law.”

“What’s with the politeness between brothers?” Magistrate Ma punched his shoulder again. Wei Guo’s skin was thick and flesh tough, so he barely reacted—Magistrate Ma’s own hand hurt instead. “Go back now. Don’t come too late tomorrow.”

Wei Guo responded and left, holding the uniforms.

After Liu Zhimou finished reviewing the case files Magistrate Ma had compiled as problematic, he looked up to see Magistrate Ma returning and asked whether the notice recruiting runners had been posted.

Magistrate Ma shook his head. Not yet—it was ready and could be posted at any time.

Liu Zhimou told him to bring the notice over. He would have the guards post it, and once that was done, they would set off for Wutong Village.

Wutong Village again?

Why go there again? Hadn’t they gone yesterday?

Magistrate Ma was full of questions but didn’t dare ask, afraid of being mocked again.

Better to think it through himself.

“Alright…” he answered, returned to his seat, and handed the prepared notice to Liu Zhimou.

As Liu Zhimou instructed the guards to post it, Magistrate Ma had a sudden realization. He thought of the withdrawal of the case in Wutong Village—could it be that the magistrate was going for that reason?

After Liu Zhimou finished speaking, Magistrate Ma asked quietly why he hadn’t gone to see Madam Wu yesterday.

“Oh?” Liu Zhimou raised a brow. “How do you know I didn’t go? Weren’t you asleep?”

My lord, could you please forget about that? Magistrate Ma looked as if he wanted to cry.

It was his shame. When he told his wife about it, she scolded him again, saying that if he kept being so careless at work, he shouldn’t expect dinner at home.

Food was the people’s heaven—how could he survive without food?

Even for the sake of eating, he had to give his all following the magistrate from now on. He absolutely wouldn’t let something like falling dead asleep happen again.

Liu Zhimou stopped teasing him and explained directly that he suspected Madam Wu had some unspeakable difficulty, which was why she withdrew the case overnight. He couldn’t go see her openly—he had to go secretly, without letting others know.

“My lord, are you saying someone might be threatening Madam Wu?”

“It’s possible,” Liu Zhimou nodded. “But before the investigation is clear, nothing can be concluded.”

Magistrate Ma agreed—it made sense.

Unfortunately, plans couldn’t keep up with changes. Before they could head to Wutong Village, He Dianshi—who had been ill for a long time—arrived.

His arrival disrupted their plans.

Liu Zhimou leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced on his lap, and looked at He Dianshi with a half-smile. “Clerk He, are you recovered from your illness? You take leave every few days—do you really think the yamen is your home?”

He Dianshi clenched a fist near his mouth, coughed lightly a few times, then said, “Reporting to my lord… I’m mostly better.” If not for recalling Liu Zhimou’s warning, he really wouldn’t have wanted to come.

Come for what—to be ordered around by Liu Zhimou?

Liu Zhimou clapped his hands firmly. “Good, good, good. Clerk He is admirable—coming to work despite being ill.” He turned to Magistrate Ma. “Magistrate Ma, you should learn from Clerk He.”

Magistrate Ma stood up respectfully and answered “Yes.” With his head lowered, he struggled to suppress a grin.

Watching the magistrate roast Clerk He felt incredibly satisfying.

Did Clerk He really think this magistrate was like the previous ones, someone who needed to cater to his moods?

Thinking of the former magistrates made Liu Zhimou grind his teeth in hatred.

Corrupt officials who squeezed the people dry—he prayed they’d all meet miserable ends.

“Clerk He, why don’t you go back and continue resting? Otherwise, if word gets out, people might misunderstand and think I’m cold-blooded, exploiting a sick subordinate.”

He Dianshi clenched his teeth so hard they hurt, and only then squeezed out a sentence: there was no need; he could work.

He wouldn’t give Liu Zhimou an excuse to kick him out.

Besides, he wasn’t really sick—there was no need to rest.

“You’re sure you really don’t need to?”

“Reporting to my lord, truly no need.”

“Fine…” Liu Zhimou glanced at He Dianshi’s sleeve and gave a mocking smile. “Clerk He, you’ve put on too much face powder. It’s rubbed off on your sleeve.”

At that, He Dianshi instinctively looked down. When he saw the white powder on his sleeve, he patted it lightly—then froze.

It was over. He’d been exposed.

In that moment, He Dianshi felt like dying.

How could he be so careless, getting powder on his sleeve?

“Clerk He, is Madam Cui’s rouge and powder easy to use?” Liu Zhimou didn’t let him off, still smiling as he asked.

If he wouldn’t save his own face, why should Liu Zhimou save it for him?

Someone who treated the post of clerk as a joke didn’t deserve his respect.

Magistrate Ma nearly laughed himself breathless. After holding it in for a long time, he finally managed, “My lord, Madam Cui’s rouge and powder must be quite good—otherwise, why would Clerk He use it so happily?”

Yesterday he hadn’t exposed him and let him dig his own grave. Today, the magistrate tore off all pretense—it was immensely gratifying.

“Clerk He, another day help me ask Madam Cui what rouge and powder she uses. I’d like to buy some for my wife.”

Listening to Liu Zhimou and Magistrate Ma sing in duet, He Dianshi trembled with rage.

If not for remembering his fourth uncle’s warning, he would have snapped back long ago.

He took several deep breaths before barely suppressing the fury in his chest, then ground his teeth and said, “My lord jests. Before coming, I helped my wife draw her brows. My sleeve accidentally brushed the rouge and powder on her face.” After a pause, he added, “I’m a man—why would I use rouge and powder?”

Not a bad excuse.

Liu Zhimou let out a short, derisive laugh.