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Upon learning that she was heading to the county yamen to advocate for the people, many rushed over.
At the county yamen, Wang Jinhe found Concubine Xian’s so-called brother engaging in an affair with his concubine.
“Something urgent, your in trouble my lord.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? It’s you who’s in trouble.” Could this person communicate properly? What did he mean by saying he was in trouble?
“My lord, The county princess has arrived.”
The county magistrate stood up abruptly, “What did you say? The county princess is here? When did she arrive? Why didn’t we receive any notification?”
“It seems she arrived a few days ago. The person who purchased over two thousand acres of land is under the county princess’s command. They just finished planting recently.”
The county magistrate was dumbfounded upon hearing his subordinate’s report.
“Why did she come here after finishing planting and not return to Fu’an County? And why did she suddenly show up? Does she even know the purpose of her visit?”
“It seems the county princess found out about the ban on the people’s trading activities, and…” the servant hesitated to continue.
He sensed The county princess’s displeasure when he saw her.
“My lord, you should change your attire quickly. The county princess demands your presence.”
“I am an official appointed by the court. How can she simply summon me like this?”
“Don’t forget, my lord, Ning’an County is also under The county princess’s jurisdiction. She is the one in charge here.” The servant was on the verge of tears due to the magistrate’s ignorance.
It’s time to step up.
If The county princess were to hear such remarks, there would surely be consequences.
Reminded of Princess Jinhe’s status as the county princess Changning in addition to being princess consort, the county magistrate realized the gravity of the situation. As a county mistress with three fiefdoms and the respect of all the people in Xuan empire, she commanded authority.
Hastily changing into proper attire, the county magistrate couldn’t afford to provide any leverage for Wang Jinhe. Once she had something against him, she wouldn’t let it go.
As he approached Wang Jinhe, he noticed a crowd of townspeople gathered outside the yamen. The sight made the county magistrate’s scalp tingle.
“Your Highness, I pay my respects.”
As the county magistrate knelt on the ground, Wang Jinhe neither instructed him to rise nor to remain kneeling, leaving him in a state of uncertainty.
After a moment, Wang Jinhe finally spoke up, “I’ve heard that the people of Ning’an County are not allowed to set up stalls. Whose order was this?”
The county magistrate kept his head bowed, too afraid to utter a word. Was he really going to admit that the order came from him?
“Yuan Lin, make him talk. Keep at it until he’s willing to speak,” Wang Jinhe commanded. Did he think silence would keep him safe and absolve him of responsibility? How naive.
Surprised by Wang Jinhe’s readiness to act, the county magistrate was taken aback by the directive to use force until he confessed.
“Even if you are a princess, I am an official appointed by the court. You have no right to lay a hand on me,” the county magistrate protested, struggling.
“My sister is Concubine Xian. Dare you lay a hand on me?”
This encounter left Wang Jinhe dealing with an unexpected situation.
“It seems you are unaware that Concubine Xian’s and the Second Princess have already been sent to the cold palace,” Wang Jinhe explained.
The county magistrate was dumbfounded by Wang Jinhe’s revelation, “That’s impossible.”
How could his sister possibly be sent to the cold palace?
“Yuan Lin, proceed,” Wang Jinhe ordered.
“I will write a letter to inform my royal brother about this matter. If there are any issues or blame to be placed, I will take full responsibility,” Wang Jinhe stated, addressing Yuan Lin.
Understanding Wang Jinhe’s standing in Xuan Feiran’s heart, Yuan Lin acted without hesitation.
The county magistrate assumed Wang Jinhe was merely making threats, never expecting her to actually act upon them.
With a strike of the cane, the county magistrate let out a pained cry.
Wang Jinhe coldly observed the pitiful state of the magistrate, a slight frown on her face. “Continue.”
When Wang Jinhe eventually called a halt, the county magistrate was drenched in cold sweat, his complexion turning pale.
“You…”
“Speak up. Who ordered you to issue such a command? Even in the capital under the Emperor’s rule, my royal brother has never forbidden the common people from engaging in small trade to earn a living. Do you think you can override the supreme authority of the Emperor?” Wang Jinhe’s words struck the magistrate like a blow to the head.
How could the county magistrate admit to such a thing? If he did, not only would he be in trouble, but his family would also face consequences.
Seeing the magistrate once again fall into silence, refusing to speak, Wang Jinhe remained patient. Turning to the gathered townspeople, she inquired, “Do you know why he did this?”
“It’s all about lining their pockets. If we want to trade, we have to pay him a hundred coins. Sometimes, even after a day of trading, we can’t earn that much,” the elderly man sighed.
“We’re forced to sell in secret. Whenever we’re caught, not only are our stalls destroyed, but we’re also beaten by these yamen officials. The former yamen official’s always looked out for the people. When this corrupt official arrived, he drove them away because they wouldn’t obey him,” another person added.
“Yes, the previous yamen officials under the previous magistrate were truly kind. When we had a good haul from trading, they would even help us carry our goods,” a vendor chimed in.
Upon hearing the townspeople’s grievances, Wang Jinhe began to formulate a plan.
“I am aware of this matter now. I will write to my royal brother about the situation here. As for the county magistrate, I will have him replaced. Do you know where the former yamen officials live? Please inform them to report to the yamen tomorrow.”
“Until the official appointment from the Emperor arrives, I will oversee the yamen affairs. However, I am not well-versed in administrative matters, so I will need the assistance of the former yamen officials.”
“Princess, rest assured, we’ll go find the right people for you.”
This change in the corrupt official promised brighter days ahead for the townspeople. Their anticipation for positive change was palpable.
Observing the joy among the townspeople, Wang Jinhe felt a sense of satisfaction.
As long as she could assist the people, she was content.
With a smile on her face, Wang Jinhe instructed the townspeople to help locate the former yamen officials.
Once the townspeople had left to find the individuals, Wang Jinhe wrote a letter to Xuan Feiran, detailing the situation in Ning’an County.
Upon sending the letters to Xuan Feiran, the former yamen officials had returned. Wang Jinhe observed them at work and found them to be exceptionally kind and considerate, prioritizing the well-being of the townspeople.
With such dedicated yamen officials in place, Wang Jinhe felt a sense of reassurance.
On the tenth day, Xuan Feiran’s reply finally arrived.
He mentioned sending officials over to handle the situation, with plans to take the county magistrate back for further judgment by the magistrate’s office.
Wang Jinhe was pleased with this outcome.
After a few more days, the officials had arrived.
“I pay my respects to the county princess,” greeted a man in his thirties.
Having been a magistrate in the vicinity of the capital, he was pleased to be transferred by the Emperor for this assignment.
“Please rise.”
“Yuan Lin, gather all the yamen officials.”
“Understood.”
Shortly, all the yamen officials had assembled. Wang Jinhe addressed them, “Starting today, this gentleman will be the new county magistrate of Ning’an County.”