Royal Gold Magistrate

When Fang Zheng returned home, the meal was already prepared.

Everyone was waiting for Fang Zheng to start eating. Seeing him return, Xiao Tao hurried to take his things.

Taking the sword, Xiao Tao was surprised: “Wow, what a beautiful sword! Young Master, where did you get it?”

“Put the things away first. We’ll talk after dinner.”

Fang Zheng sat down, and Bai Yi quickly said, “I’ll serve the rice!”

These days, she was getting more comfortable with her maid duties, almost instinctively.

Though the Fang household didn’t pay much, the treatment and food were good.

Usually, Xiao Tao directed the other maids’ work, while Bai Yi followed her around, either shopping or sightseeing.

Life was beautiful!

Sometimes she felt confused…

After everyone had their rice, they started eating.

The others ate in small bites, while Zhang Biao shoveled food from his mountain-high bowl like a madman.

Sitting next to him, Fang Zheng didn’t have much appetite. Today’s play was too eye-searing, so he put down his bowl and watched the others eat.

Xiao Tao asked curiously, “Why aren’t you eating? Is today’s food not good?”

Bai Yi tensed up, as she had cooked today’s meal.

Fang Zheng collected his thoughts and said, “I have something important to say. I’m going on a trip.”

“I’ve arranged everything. Two people will come with me, the rest will return to Taoyuan County. Don’t stay in the capital.”

Everyone put down their chopsticks upon hearing this, except Zhang Biao.

Zhang Biao, quick as ever, seeing others stop, grabbed five dishes with one chopstick move and stuffed his mouth full.

He didn’t care; wherever they went, he’d be included.

Xiao Tao blinked her big eyes, “Where are you going? Am I coming?”

Fang Zheng waved his hand, “No, you’re going back to the county.”

Hearing this, Xiao Tao lowered her head, looking dejected.

“I’ve been demoted! Now I’m the Assistant Prefect of Jianjiang, to report for duty within a month. Zhang Biao and Lu Fa will come with me, the rest will return to the county.”

“That’s it, stop staring at me. Eat!”

Xiao Tao picked at her food listlessly, “Demoted, must be because the newspaper angered the Emperor.”

“Young Master, you’ve slipped up. We used to never do the same trick twice.”

“This time you made that newspaper, messing with them twice. All the high officials must hate you now.”

Fang Zheng smiled bitterly, “You think I wanted to do this?”

He went to his room and returned with a letter, slamming it on the table.

“I asked Xie Xian and the others to do something. If they can’t, they should come back, but they’re still lingering there!”

“A bunch of bandits and hooligans! Damn it, they can’t change their rotten habits, and I have to clean up after them!”

“When they come back, I’ll skin them alive! Zhang Biao! When they return to the county, hang them all on the city wall!”

Zhang Biao mumbled, “Ah, got it.”

Xiao Tao opened the letter and was shocked.

“They went robbing again! Shen Zhaoxuan too?”

Fang Zheng angrily said, “If not for them, would I be in such a rush? Starting a cult! When there’s no food to eat, they’ll become uncontrollable mobs.”

“They’ve gotten too bold, really think their little skills can go against the government!”

“If I don’t find a way to gather grain for that area, the fire will eventually spread to Taoyuan County!”

Xiao Tao put down the letter, asking curiously, “Did you reply to them?”

“I did. I thought with this batch of grain from the court, the situation would ease, and I’d tell them to come back directly.”

“Now, I have to go there myself.”

Suddenly, Fang Zheng chuckled, “Heh, these bastards always come up with something new!”

“What’s done is done. No need to fear. Let’s keep eating.”

Bai Yi’s mouth gaped open, as if she’d heard something incredible.

The group of carefree people continued eating, but Bai Yi couldn’t eat anymore.

What exactly did these people do? They were so bold! It seemed she still didn’t understand after being here for so long…

Soon, Zhang Biao finished all the leftovers, not wasting a bit.

The group sat at the table, picking their teeth and chatting.

Fang Zheng said proudly, “Come on, Xiao Tao, bring my sword. Let me open your eyes today!”

Xiao Tao went to get the sword and placed it on the table. Everyone gathered around.

“Look! Look at this! A treasure sword from the Qian Dynasty palace, even His Majesty loves it. How about that? You’ve never seen anything like it, right?”

The scabbard was carved with dragons and phoenixes, inlaid with various precious stones. The hilt was shaped like a golden dragon, looking incredibly majestic.

Everyone admired the sword, clicking their tongues in appreciation.

“Wow… There are so many jewels inlaid, it must be worth a lot.”

“Not as pretty as glass!”

Bai Yi stared at the sword, her heart aching…

Imperial Father’s sword… It was Imperial Father’s sword.

She had asked her father for this sword many times, but he never gave it to her.

Memories flooded Bai Yi’s mind, her eyes reddening slightly. Her hand unconsciously reached for the sword.

Before she could touch it, a large hand snatched it away.

Zhang Biao played with it in his hands.

He sneered, “Heh, fancy stuff, I bet it’s useless!”

“Can’t compare to my divine weapon at all!”

With that, he unsheathed the sword with a *clang*!

A flash of sword light revealed a blade forged from dark iron, extremely thin, emitting a faint cold light.

Everyone’s hearts couldn’t help but tremble.

What a sword! Even those who knew nothing about swords could feel its sharpness when encountering such a peerless treasure!

Bai Yi’s heart began to shake violently.

It was this sword… No mistake, everything about it was right!

Memories once again flooded her mind.

Bai Yi tried hard to suppress her emotions, afraid of appearing too agitated.

However, Fang Zheng still noticed.

He asked curiously, “Little Bai, why are you shaking?”

Bai Yi forced a smile, “This sword… it’s a bit scary…”

Zhang Biao grinned widely, “Look at your little courage! Afraid of this? Young Master, why don’t I test how good this sword is!”

“Try it!” “Quick, try it!” “This treasure sword, it can’t be wrong!”

Everyone chimed in.

Seeing this, Zhang Biao didn’t hesitate. He threw away the scabbard.

Gripping the blade with both hands, he bent it forcefully!

With a loud *clang*, the blade snapped in two!

Zhang Biao carelessly tossed down the broken blade, “What’s this! It’s no good at all! Is this a fake sword?”

“……………”

Everyone fell silent, the atmosphere suddenly turning strange.

They looked at Zhang Biao, then at the broken blade… back and forth.

Suddenly, Fang Zheng wailed, “My imperial sword!!!!!!”

“Zhang Biao! Is this how you test a sword!?”

“If you want the Master to die, just say so!”

“Zhang Biao! Are you trying to get the Young Master killed?”

Zhang Biao, seeing everyone’s hateful glares, suddenly realized what he’d done. He dropped the hilt and ran off.

A group of people chased after him furiously.

Only Bai Yi remained, staring blankly at the broken sword on the ground.

Tears finally flowed down her cheeks.

Her heart shattered along with the sword………..