Chapter 268 - 109: Seven Days
Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu followed the team of government officers as they left.
In the tavern, the common people who had left earlier began to gather again. They watched the departing figures in silence but exchanged knowing looks. If a Historian who records history were to see this, he would be greatly alarmed by the present reality of "the road being defined by its travelers."
Perhaps it was the fear of Jiang Li’s words, not wanting to invite unnecessary trouble upon themselves, the leading soldiers didn’t make them walk ahead under escort. Instead, they stood by Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu. Ye Mingyu appeared calm, and Jiang Li wore a slight smile, making the soldiers seem more like the Ye Family’s guards, protecting their safety at their sides.
On the road from the tavern to the county government office, Jiang Li had walked too many times. As she walked, she paid attention to the surroundings. Tongxiang was still the same Tongxiang, seemingly unchanged, but Jiang Li noticed that the people had changed.
The commoners passing by, upon seeing these government officers, all walked around them, their expressions filled with panic as if they had seen bandits. Some familiar shops on the street had closed for good, while others had changed completely. Most notably, the people of Tongxiang, who used to walk the streets leisurely with gray hair and young children, now all had deep weariness on their faces, looking lifeless.
It seemed that the newly appointed county magistrate, who had replaced Xue Huaiyuan, was not a clean and loving official. It was expected, given that a crooked beam leads to a crooked wall. Anyone willing to dedicate themselves to Yongning was likely of questionable character. When Jiang Li first came to Tongxiang, she didn’t know who was behind certain deeds and thus staged a "startle the snake by hitting the grass." Now that the snake had been startled and actively approached, this confirmed her suspicion—Yongning was seeking the help of those in power.
People like Yongning, who held power and considered themselves of noble birth, naturally wanted to control the lives of others to satisfy their vile pleasures. To please Yongning, the newcomer would likely torment Xue Huaiyuan even more, seeking to win Yongning’s favor.
Jiang Li’s palms tightened.
Seeing her pursed lips and silence, Ye Mingyu whispered, "A Li, are you scared?"
Jiang Li smiled, "No, I am not."
"I am not scared either," Ye Mingyu scoffed lightly, "But these officials in charge of Tongxiang are really too arrogant now, just as the saying goes, ’The mountain is high, and the emperor is far away; the monkey becomes king.’