After the death of the previous emperor, the Empress Dowager became arrogant

Chapter 391 The Unexpected Prefect of Cenzhou

Not only did they destroy the Cenzhou Mountains, but they also "expropriated" a large number of civilians.

If the people do not obey, they will use their power to "force them to obey". They will offer high rewards to induce those poor people to sign a death contract. Even if someone finds out the truth and makes trouble, they will use the contract to force people to submit.

Even if the inside story is exposed, there will still be many people scrambling to get into the mine.

When it comes to appeasing people, they never skimp on money, which is one of the reasons why the Jin family was overthrown.

They are more popular than the Jin family, and the Bai family is the leader among them.

Under Bai Xiande's nose, Yuan Qing was unable to use the system's capabilities to conduct a more detailed investigation.

Just as she was about to withdraw, she suddenly felt a slight tremor under her feet, and then a lot of gravel rolled down the hillside above her head.

Shen Chi immediately flew over and protected her as she retreated.

At this time, the prefect of Cenzhou seemed to have just received the news and rushed over in a hurry, "What happened? Why did something happen again?"

Seeing Bai Xian De was also there, he patted him on the shoulder and said, "Brother-in-law, everyone says this place is dangerous, why do you always come here? If something happens to you, how can I explain it to my sister?"

Bai Xian De winked at him and said, "It's okay, I just came to take a look."

Yuan Qing shook off the dirt on his body and looked up at Yang Shao, the young-looking prefect of Cenzhou and also the youngest patriarch of the local noble family in Cenzhou.

After the death of his first wife, Bai Xiande married Yang Shao's widowed sister. Yang Shao and Bai Yang were close friends who could talk about anything, and the two families had a close relationship.

Yang Shao trusted Bai Xian De very much. Whenever he was unsure about any public or private affairs in Cenzhou, whether big or small, he would ask Bai Xian De for his opinion.

But Yang Shao, the prefect, had worked his way up to the top through his own abilities. If one really had to pick something out about him, it would probably be his luck, which was so good that it made even the heavens jealous and the people resentful. He always had noble people to help him wherever he went.

Yuan Qing put away his thoughts and hurried forward to salute, "Your subordinate Gong Bin, greets Lord Yang."

Yang Shao immediately responded, "So you are Gong Bin. I've heard of you a long time ago. I was too busy yesterday, so I had to ask my brother-in-law to pick you up."

As he said this, he hooked Yuan Qing's shoulder and said, "Come on, come on, let's go to my house for a few drinks. Don't be polite to me when you come to Cenzhou. Just treat it as your own home. I guarantee you will feel comfortable and you will never regret coming here."

Yuan Qing: "..."

This guy was so familiar with her that she was dragged away before she could even react.

Bai Xian De shook his head helplessly and could only stay to clean up the stall.

Yuan Qing was taken all the way to Yang's house. Everywhere he went, people greeted him warmly. Yang Shao beside him looked very proud, "How about it, my idea is not bad, right?"

As soon as one foot stepped into the gate of the mansion, a row of little maids immediately lined up and shouted crisply: "Welcome to Master Gong!"

Yuan Qing pulled the corner of his mouth, "Very good."

Yang Shao was a humble person. Even after becoming the prefect, he did not discipline the servants too strictly. Compared with other families, he was indeed a little "unruly".

Yuan Qing was dragged to the banquet room by Yang Shao under the curious gazes of everyone in the Yang Mansion.

He had just recently decided to host a banquet for the new official from the capital, so the kitchen was already busy. The guests had arrived, but the dishes had not yet been served.

Yang Shao also felt a little embarrassed. He scratched his head and laughed, "These people are usually lazy. You sit down first. I'll go and take a look."

Yuan Qing didn't care about it and nodded with him.

Yang Shao held up his wrinkled official robe and was about to call for help when the little maid came over to announce, "The food is here!"

As she spoke, she pushed aside someone who was blocking the way at the door, stood aside and smiled at the incoming guests, "The food will be here soon, please wait."

Yang Shao was not angry when she pushed him away. He just curled his lips and followed her into the door.

Yuan Qing wanted to laugh when he saw this.

It seems that Yang Shao is a person who doesn't follow the rules, otherwise the servants around him wouldn't be so relaxed. It is very difficult to fake such an atmosphere.

She had only heard of him before and thought he and Bai Xian De were of the same kind, but she didn't expect that when they actually met, he was far beyond her expectations.

The prepared dishes were served one after another.

The servants of Yang Mansion put a lot of effort into preparing dishes that were mostly specialties of Pingjin Mansion, and some were famous dishes from the capital.

Yang Shao sat down opposite her. "I prepared it hastily. I didn't know what you like to eat, so I just made it casually. Come on, don't be polite, pick up your chopsticks and eat!"

Yuan Qing picked the one closest to him and took a bite, then said with a smile, "It suits my taste very well. Thank you, Lord Yang."

In fact, it’s not very authentic, but it’s just very delicious and has a different feeling.

"Don't call me Lord Yang." Yang Shao waved his hand. "Just call me by my name. I like making friends. I don't think status is as important as having similar interests. Don't you agree?"

Yuan Qing nodded, "Brother Yang is right."

Yang Shao is older than her, so there is nothing wrong with calling him brother.

Yang Shao smiled with satisfaction and ordered the maidservants to serve the guests and pour wine.

When Yuan Qing arrived at Yang's house, the sun was still shining brightly. But after a meal, it was already dark.

Yang Shao liked this humorous and knowledgeable little brother very much. After eating and drinking, he asked the little brother to stay overnight and leave at daybreak.

Yang Shao held her tightly and refused to let go. Yuan Qing felt dizzy and tried to pull his arm off several times but failed.

He was very drunk tonight and his tongue was slurred when he spoke.

"I, I'm telling you, when I'm in Cenzhou from now on, I'll come to see your big brother Yang. No matter how difficult the problem is, I'll, I'll help you--"

A strong smell of alcohol rushed over, and Yuan Qing resisted the urge to knock him over. He frowned and turned his face away, but he echoed, "Yeah, yeah, I'll find it. Brother Yang, you're drunk. Let the servants help you go back and rest first."

The servant immediately stepped forward and pulled the man off her shoulders, and coaxed him back to the room.

After watching him leave, Yuan Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief, rubbed his forehead, and stood there swaying.

"Sir?" A little maid came over to support him. "The room our sir has prepared for you is over there. Please follow me."

Yuan Qing no longer held on, half-leaned, and let her support him and walk.

The maid helped the man to the resting place, then bowed and retreated to the door, "Everything in the house is ready, please take a rest, my lord. I am next door. If you have any instructions, just call me."

After saying this, she closed the door respectfully without any unnecessary movements. She really didn't look like a maid from Yang Mansion.

Hearing that there was no more movement outside, Yuan Qing sobered up immediately, and the drunken look in his eyes was no longer there.

She didn't have time to make any detailed plans. She just stood up, blew out the light near the window, went back to the innermost part and took out something from her arms.

Suddenly there was a rustling sound outside the door, followed by three regular knocks on the door.

Yuan Qing burned the note and waited until it was completely burned before getting up and opening the door.