USWHC -Chapter 386 The Mysterious Master (Part 6)

“My lord, my lord, this is bad—the Imperial Guards have arrived!”

A loud cry rang out as someone rushed into the inner hall ahead of the others to report to the county magistrate.

The Imperial Guards? Yes—the visitors were indeed the Imperial Guards. They wore the legendary flying fish uniforms, and at their waists hung the unmistakable embroidered spring sabers. But why had they come to the county yamen? What business did they have here?

Hearing the report, the magistrate didn’t take it seriously at all. Instead, he suddenly burst into laughter.
“What’s with all the fuss? Most likely they’re here to deliver a reward!”

After all, he had done a great favor for Consort Li. These Imperial Guards must have been sent to bring her reward! Thinking this, he hurried out eagerly, practically skipping as he went to receive his “reward.”

As the magistrate rushed out excitedly, the messenger behind him timidly added, “But… they don’t look very happy…”

His voice wasn’t quiet, but unfortunately, the magistrate was too busy dreaming about his reward to hear it. He dashed out without a second thought.

But the moment he stepped outside, he fell silent.

Yes—he saw them.

The Imperial Guards stood there, their faces cold and expressionless, arriving without a word. Why… why did they look like that?

Taking a closer look at their attire, the magistrate froze even more. Then he quickly bowed in greeting. “My respects, Commander!”

That’s right—the one leading them was none other than the head of the Imperial Guards, Commander Zhao Xuguang. Why was he here?

The commander, however, carried himself with arrogance, not even sparing the magistrate a glance, and walked straight into the hall.

The magistrate paused, inwardly indignant.

Just a brute, acting so high and mighty! I’m at least a jinshi graduate—sure, my ranking wasn’t great, but if I’d stayed in the capital, would I have to put up with this nonsense?

Despite his thoughts, he obediently followed, forcing a smile as he said, “My lord, what matter could possibly have brought you all the way to this remote place?”

“Personal business,” Commander Zhao replied coldly.

Personal business? And you put on such airs for that? The magistrate widened his eyes. Are these Imperial Guards really this overbearing?

Then Zhao spoke again, his tone icy. “I hear you presented Consort Li with a woman who can make soap?”

At this, the magistrate immediately lit up. “Yes, yes! Has Consort Li sent word for me?”

“She has. Not only did she send a message, she also sent you a reward,” Zhao said.

“A reward?” The magistrate beamed with delight. He knew it—this had to be good news! Even those stone-faced guards no longer seemed so unpleasant. In fact, he even excused them in his mind—must be a professional habit, those icy expressions are probably natural and impossible to change!

Unexpectedly, Commander Zhao even gave a faint smile—though it looked strangely forced, like a crack carved into a slab of stone. Was he trying to imitate Consort Li’s charm? Could it be that the message was delivered orally?

Zhao crooked his finger and said in an oddly intimate tone, “Come here, you.”

Oh my, even the voice was perfectly imitated! So this commander used to be a performer? The magistrate eagerly leaned in, lowering his voice as he asked, “Is it a verbal decree from Her Highness?”

“Yes,” Zhao replied with a smile—though it remained stiff and unnatural.

Still grinning, the magistrate went on, “Let me tell you, I have connections with Consort Li. My younger sister is the Seventh Concubine of Marquis Wu’an. I handled her task with utmost dedication!”

“Of course,” Zhao said lightly. “That’s why Her Highness specifically instructed me to reward you well. Come—receive your reward first.”

A reward right away? What a wonderful thing! The magistrate immediately stepped forward eagerly. “What reward? What reward?”

His eyes darted around, scanning the surroundings. Yet he saw no large item in Zhao’s hands. Could it be some rare treasure—small, but extremely valuable? The magistrate’s heart filled with anticipation.