Song Sanniang's Journey to Wealth

"Sir, let's go quickly. Others can do whatever they want. You have to visit the prefect later. Don't waste time." He Hai shouted anxiously.

"No, it seems someone is being bullied there. Xiaojiu, let's go check it out." He Fuyuan ignored He Hai.

"Oh, my young master, how come you have such a kind heart?" He Hai sighed.

He Fuyuan and He Hai went over to find the sound and saw seven or eight men and women who were obviously from wealthy families surrounding three people and making sarcastic remarks.

It was obvious that the man with the highest status poured the wine in the jug onto the face of the thin girl among the three.

The woman who was splashed with wine had a stubborn look on her face. She was very beautiful, with a white and tender face, a pair of big watery eyes, and lips that were bright red even without makeup.

She protected her younger brother and sister behind her, wiped the wine off her face, and licked the remaining wine from the corner of her mouth.

Smiled in appreciation, "It's really good wine. The wine given by Master Ji is good. I'll drink it. Can we go now?"

Young Master Ji jokingly asked, "What do you think?"

The girl's eyes were cold and she said, "Either you let us go, or you carry my body away.

Don't you want the news that the eldest son of the Ji family, the governor of Jiangyang Prefecture, bullied others and forced the daughter of his subordinate, the county magistrate, to death to be known to everyone tomorrow?

There are many people eyeing the position of Ji Zhifu. It doesn't matter if I die. If I can bring down Ji Zhifu, my death will be a worthy one."

Upon hearing this, Master Ji became furious and threw the wine pot at her.

"Wang Wan, it's your blessing that I like you. Believe it or not, even if you three siblings die in my house, no one will say a word."

He Fuyuan couldn't bear to listen any longer, so he walked towards the crowd leisurely, fanning himself.

"Oh, so what if I told you?"

Everyone was silent when they heard the voice and looked over. What a handsome young man! He was only about seventeen or eighteen years old, but with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a dignified and elegant posture.

"Who are you? Do you want to ruin my business?" Young Master Ji stared at He Fuyuan.

"I am He Fuyuan, and I will keep my name and surname." He Fuyuan said calmly.

All those present were officials' families, so how could they not know He Fuyuan? Their fathers had also told them that he would be coming to Jiangyang Prefecture to study during this period, and if they met him, it would be best to get along well with him.

Young Master Ji felt his heart pounding and he thought he was finished.

He Fuyuan pointed at Wang Wan with his fan and said, "Miss Wang Wan, take your brothers and sisters back first.

May I ask where you are staying? I will visit your father later to discuss how to govern this poor county."

Wang Wan felt that his voice when he called her name was as sweet as the sound of an angel. Thinking of the purpose behind her father calling her here,

She suppressed the urge to cry, bowed deeply to the noble man who rescued her, and then reported the inn where she was staying.

He Fuyuan waited until Wang Wan left before he said in a teasing voice, "Come on, Master Ji, take me to see your father."

Young Master Ji led the way while feeling anxious, wondering what he would do and what would happen to him.

Although he usually behaved recklessly and his father always made a lot of noise but did little, this time it was He Fuyuan who saw it, and he took He Fuyuan to see Prefect Ji with trepidation.

Prefect Ji had just finished discussing government affairs with the magistrates of several counties under his jurisdiction when he heard that it was He Fuyuan who was visiting.

He was overjoyed, especially when he saw that it was his son who brought him here. He thought that if his son made friends with He Fuyuan, it would be a great joy.

When he heard what He Fuyuan said to him, he felt a buzzing in his head, and even his years of cultivation as an official could not control his anger.

He Fuyuan greeted him first. He was only a juren, so he still had to observe etiquette.

Magistrate Ji politely told him not to be so polite and asked him why he came here with his rebellious son.

He Fuyuan smiled slightly and said something shocking.

"Because I just happened to see Master Ji trying to seize a common woman by force.

After that, he paused again and tapped his palm with his fan.

"That woman is not a commoner, she is Wang Wan, the daughter of Magistrate Wang, who is under your jurisdiction.

In front of her younger brother and sister-in-law, Master Ji was so arrogant that he said he wanted to kill the three siblings in your house and no one dared to pursue the matter.

It's really so majestic, I'm scared. If I see such a scene, Master Ji won't kill me too, right?"

Young Master Ji was so scared that he fell to his knees. "Father, I, I know I was wrong. I was just joking."

He Fuyuan said nothing more, and glanced at He Hai. He Hai patted his head.

"There's a saying that goes, if the emperor breaks the law, he is guilty of the same crime as the common people. Master, I am a stupid servant, I hope you can give me some advice."

When Prefect Ji heard what He Hai said, he knew that this matter would not end well. He closed his eyes and said to He Fuyuan,

"I am sorry that I have made a fool of myself by not educating my son properly. I will punish this rebellious son first, and then I will write a letter of apology to His Majesty."

Then he shouted outside, "Come here, the eldest son is lawless and bullies men and women. He should be punished according to the law.

He was severely beaten with twenty boards, and then imprisoned. After his injuries healed, he was sent to repair the river bank.

Soon, the yamen runners came up and dragged Master Ji away, and He Fuyuan followed him out the door.

Looking at Master Ji who was being beaten hard outside the door, He Fuyuan smiled with satisfaction.

"Governor Ji really loves the people like his own children, and is impartial and selfless. This is what a parent official should be like. I will definitely praise Governor Ji's responsibility in front of my father."

Upon hearing this, Prefect Ji breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he was fine, it didn't matter if he lost one son. This son had indeed done too many stupid things and it was time for him to be taught a lesson.

As expected, He Fuyuan went to visit Wang Wan's family at the inn the next day. When he arrived, Wang Wan's father, Wang Chunzhi, had been waiting for a long time.

Wang Wan's brother Wang Zhuo was waiting downstairs. When he saw He Fuyuan, he invited him to the private room upstairs and called his father, "Mr. He is here."

Wang Chunzhi quickly greeted him with a smile, "Mr. He is here, please take a seat. My daughter and the others were saved by Mr. He yesterday, otherwise they would have been in great danger."

Then he sighed and said, "I am a nobody and my words are not taken seriously. I am really unworthy of being a father."

He Fuyuan is not stupid. His father is a high-ranking official, so he is certainly not a blank slate. Wang Chunzhi's intention to sell his daughter for fame is not worth pondering.

He just respected Wang Wan's courage and wanted to help her, so he smiled and did not respond to Wang Chunzhi's question, but asked,

"County Magistrate Wang, your county has had poor harvests every year, but this year the tax revenue has doubled. Why is that?"

Wang Chunzhi had no choice but to discuss government affairs with him. Although He Fuyuan was discussing business matters with him, his eyes inadvertently swept across the courtyard on the first floor.

Wang Wan, her sister and younger brother were shaking the sweet osmanthus flowers from the osmanthus tree in the backyard. The petals fell in all directions and covered the beautiful woman's head and face. Her smile was bright and clear.

He Fuyuan seemed to smell the fragrance of osmanthus at the tip of his nose. He Fuyuan quickly regained his composure, but he knew that he was moved. He had never longed for love, but at first sight, all flowers bloomed.