Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 32 The Position of Prefect
Liu Shiyuan is in a hurry!

If one of them catches the Marquis's eye, wouldn't he have no chance?

So, not caring about saving face, he picked up his wine glass and quickly pushed the person standing in front of him aside: "Lord Molin, I, Liu, would like to offer you a toast."

"please."

"please."

The one who was forced out was Qin Hongyong, the head of the Qin family.

Feeling disgusted and unable to hold his liquor, he could only try to sober up using his spiritual power.

We absolutely cannot afford to fail like this; the appointment of the prefect has not yet been announced!

Ultimately, it might be the Liu and Chu families.

But what if?
Things can change until the very last moment.

Seeing that everyone had drunk enough, Gu Changzhou slowly put down his wine cup and said, "I invited everyone here today to hear your opinions on the selection of the new prefect..."

The slightly confused crowd immediately perked up upon hearing the words "new prefect."

Drinking for half the night.

Our stomachs were bulging from all the food, and we finally got to the main topic. It was such a relief.

Zhu Gaozhi mustered his courage and asked, "Lord Molin must have come on the Emperor's orders. Do you have someone in mind?"

Zhu Gaozhi was Aunt Zhu's father.

Zhu Yingrong was the same age as the matriarch of the Liu family, but her cultivation level was only at the early stage of the Nascent Soul stage. She was confident that the Zhu family and the Liu family were a good match, but compared with the Liu family, an old and prestigious family, the foundation was still too weak.

Liu Shiyuan disregarded all sentiment and sent Zhu Yingrong to prison, causing a very strained relationship between the Zhu and Liu families.

But they are still related by marriage, and in the face of such a major event, they still need to support and help each other.

The chances of the Zhu family being selected are slim, so they can only try their best to give Liu Shiyuan this opportunity.

So he asked the question first to see how Mo Linhou would answer.

"I am new to this place and have only heard of the three prominent families in Laiyang County. I wonder who you all think is most qualified to serve as the governor of Laiyang County?"

have to.

Mo Linhou's tone implied that he would choose from the three families of Liu, Qin, and Chu.

Although disappointed, these powerful families were deeply entrenched, and choosing which one to support was a matter of great importance.

Zhu Gaozhi said, "The Liu family has a very high reputation in Laiyang County. When the old patriarch was still alive, he assisted the prefect in maintaining the safety of Laiyang County. I believe that the patriarch of the Liu family is the most suitable candidate."

"The Zhu and Liu families are related by marriage, so of course you would say that. But Brother Zhu, you are really magnanimous. Your daughter was personally sent to prison by your son-in-law, and you still spoke up for him."

"Chen Lian, these are two different things."

Chen Lian is the head of the Chen family. He is sixty-one years old this year, two years younger than Zhu Gaozhi, and also has the cultivation level of the early stage of the Nascent Soul stage.

The two didn't get along normally.

In such an important setting, it's even less likely that people will get along harmoniously.

Moreover, this Chen Lian is most adept at using sarcastic and unsettling language.

"Fine, fine, you say two different things, then two different things. Anyway, she's your daughter! And a concubine's daughter at that..."

Gu Changzhou rubbed his wine glass with his left hand, listening attentively.

Although they are talking about trivial matters, they involve many aspects, and judging from the current situation, they won't stop anytime soon.

"Chen Lian, this is my family matter, and it's none of your business to interfere!"

"I've already apologized, what more do you want? Brother Zhu, you need to understand, we're talking about the prefect's affairs, not your family matters!"

Jiang Tai and Gao Kuo stood on either side of Mo Linhou behind him.

They were stunned.

This is the first time I've ever seen a grown man speak in such a sarcastic and unsettling way.

“Brother Chen, know when to stop,” Liu Shiyuan said. “The Zhu and Liu families are related by marriage, just like your Chen family is related to the Qin family. If you had to choose, would you give up the Qin family and choose someone else?”

Indeed not.

Chen Lian awkwardly shut up.

"Just now, Master Zhu mentioned my late father. I, Liu, am extremely ashamed, as I am not even one or two tenths as good as my father. However, I, Liu, will not slack off for a single day. I will take my father as my role model and protect the people of Laiyang County."

"Anyone can say high-sounding words."

Chen Lian continued, "Patriarch Liu is forty-four this year, and he's still in the late stage of the Golden Core realm. Let alone forming the Nascent Soul realm, he doesn't even know when he'll reach the peak of the Golden Core realm." Liu Shiyuan's face darkened.

Chen Lian continued, "If there are truly powerful demonic entities causing trouble, can Patriarch Liu handle it?"

"The former prefect was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage."

Why not become a prefect?

“How can Patriarch Liu compare to him? It’s because Chen Dafeng’s cultivation is mediocre. Not only can he not protect the people, but he also harms them in order to prolong his life.”

Liu Shiyuan's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

"Therefore, to assume the position of prefect, one's cultivation level must first and foremost be high."

Chen Lian smiled and said, "Lord Molin, am I right?"

Gu Changzhou hummed in agreement.

Chen Lian became even more enthusiastic: "Therefore, the position of prefect should be chosen from the Qin and Chu families. The Qin family head and the Chu family head are both highly respected. We will wholeheartedly accept whoever becomes the prefect."

Liu Shiyuan gritted his teeth.

Chen Lian was making a veiled criticism, implying that he lacked prestige.

hateful.

Chen Lian's words were agreed upon by most people.

Neither of the parties involved spoke.

Liu Shiyuan was very anxious. If things continued to develop this way, he would be completely out of luck for the position of prefect.

After much deliberation, Liu Shiyuan had no choice but to send a private message: "I have heard that the Marquis and my daughter have a close relationship. If you are not busy, you may come to my home as a guest."

Then they waited for Mo Linhou's reply.

Whether he goes or not, he can at least glean information about his relationship with Liu Sijun from Mo Linhou's reply.

To his surprise, Marquis Molin didn't reply at all.

He then turned and started chatting with Chu Jinghong.

Although Qin Hongyong had the cultivation of the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, his cultivation was not as high as his at the same age.

Chu Jinghong was different.

The elder generation, with higher cultivation, even he himself felt that Chu Jinghong was suitable. But even if he called him father-in-law, it would not be as real as him sitting on the position of prefect.

Fortunately, Marquis Molin's banquet today was merely to gather information.

There was no intention to decide on a prefect immediately.

He still has a chance.

Returning to his residence with a heavy heart, Liu Shiyuan went to Ci'an Hall.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Mother."

"You've come to see me so late at night, did you suffer a setback at the banquet today?"

Liu Shiyuan's expression was grim: "Mother, I've already resolved the matter of Consort Zhu. I was blind and misjudged people before. But now that I've handed over the management of the household to Si Jun, that's compensation. Mother should be overjoyed now!"

The old lady raised her eyelids slightly: "Does my eldest son think that I'm angry with you because of this?"

"Is not it?"

She sighed, "Dalang, speaking of which, none of your three brothers are like your father."

"Why do you say that, Mother? If there's anything I've done that displeases you, you can just say it directly. If my second and third brothers find out about this, how will I save face?"

As the eldest brother, you should be better than them.

"You keep talking about face, but all you care about is your own face. Have you ever considered the entire Liu family?"

"The Liu family is currently in a dilemma. If no outstanding members emerge, they should relinquish their position as the head of the three clans as soon as possible."

"Mother……"

Liu Shiyuan's face flushed red: "Those words are too harsh!"

"Hmph, I haven't even said anything worse yet!"

The old lady stood up: "Come with me!"

(End of this chapter)