Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

It was late autumn, and the grass and trees were bare. After nearly a month-long journey from Chang'an, Zhang Jingwei and his party finally caught sight of the familiar city of Gaoyang. Weary from their travels, Zhang Jingwei's emotions grew increasingly complex the closer he got to this land he had poured his heart and soul into. Although the turmoil in the capital had temporarily subsided, peace might not await him in Gaoyang. The unresolved matter within his household hung like a dark cloud over his heart.

When the convoy arrived at the magistrate's residence, the scene before Zhang Jingwei was slightly unexpected. Led by Huang Liang, the county registrar, and Zhao Peixin, the county clerk and other prominent officials and clerks, such as Fang Yue, were all waiting neatly outside the gate. The orderly procession far exceeded the usual welcoming ceremony. Upon seeing the convoy, everyone stepped forward, bowed, and seemed to carry a hint of barely perceptible tension in their expressions.

"Welcome back to the yamen, Magistrate!" Huang Liang stepped forward first, his tone respectful yet tinged with relief. He had a lean face and was the most composed person in charge of money, grain, and documents.

Zhao Peixin spoke in a loud voice, with the straightforwardness of a martial artist: "Sir, you've had a long journey! You're finally back. There are some matters piling up in the county, and we dare not act on our own initiative. We're just waiting for your return to make a decision!" He was mainly in charge of arrests and criminal cases, and was rather impatient.

Zhang Jingwei's sharp eyes swept over the crowd, taking in all the subtle anomalies. He maintained a travel-worn yet composed smile, returning the greeting with a cupped hand: "Thank you all for your concern. After more than a month of travel, I'm finally home. Everything is fine, and you've all worked hard." He paused, then asked in a deliberately casual tone, "Is there some urgent matter in the county that has brought you all here today?"

The expressions on everyone's faces became even more subtle. They exchanged glances, and finally Yuan Liang stepped forward from the crowd, approached Zhang Jingwei, lowered his voice, and spoke in a serious tone:

"Sir, do you know why all your colleagues had to come out to 'greet' you today?"

Zhang Jingwei's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "They came out... naturally to welcome me back to the yamen. What other reason could there be?"

Yuan Liang shook his head slightly, lowering his voice even further: "No. It's because... your father-in-law—Lord Bei! He came in person, and... he sent troops to temporarily 'occupy' the county government office! We were all 'invited' out and can only wait outside the mansion!"

Zhang Jingwei's eyes twitched, and he forced a smile, "My father-in-law is here too? He... he's here to welcome me back?" He had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth, but still held onto a sliver of hope.

Yuan Liang looked at him with sympathy and a hint of helplessness in his eyes: "My lord, Tang Jing thinks he has probably come to see you off... on your way."

Zhang Jingwei's expression changed slightly, and he retorted, "Nonsense! What are you saying? That's very unlucky!"

Yuan Liang sighed: "Sir, you are so intelligent, can't you see the situation right now? Registrar Huang, Clerk Zhao, and all my colleagues are waiting here. Do you really think they just want to hear me, Yuan Liang, vent my family affairs?"

Zhang Jingwei stared at Yuan Liang, finally dropping his pretense, and asked in a deep voice, "How...do you know something?"

Yuan Liang met his gaze calmly, nodded, and said with certainty, "I know! I know what I should know, and what I shouldn't know, I probably do!"

Zhang Jingwei gasped, then slapped his thigh: "Ouch—! Oh no!" He immediately turned to Qian Ming and growled, "Quick, quick! Get that box from the car! Hurry!"

Qian Ming dared not delay and hurriedly ran back to the carriage, where he laboriously carried out a small but exceptionally heavy sandalwood box. Two bright yellow seals were prominently affixed to it, bearing the vermilion imperial seal, exuding an unquestionable royal majesty.

Yuan Liang's eyes flashed with surprise when he saw the box: "This is... a gift from His Majesty?"

Zhang Jingwei snatched the box, clutching it to his chest as if it were a lifeline, and spoke rapidly: "This is an imperial edict! Quick, let's go to the county government first! We have to get past my father-in-law no matter what!"

……

The group hurried to the entrance of the county government office, and the scene before them made Zhang Jingwei's heart tighten. Squads of fully armored soldiers, armed with sharp blades, stood like statues inside and outside the government office, completely blocking the street. A suffocating silence and a chilling atmosphere filled the air.

Tiger stood like an iron tower at the door. Upon seeing Zhang Jingwei, he reported in a deep voice, "My lord, the man has arrived."

From inside came Huangfu Changshui's voice, which was devoid of any discernible emotion: "Hmm, you came quite quickly. Let him in."

Zhang Jingwei took a deep breath, adjusted his facial expression, and forced a natural smile. He and Qian Ming, who was carrying the box, stepped into the county government hall.

Huangfu Changshui sat upright in his rightful seat, his face ashen, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. The entire courtroom was empty except for him; the atmosphere was terrifyingly oppressive.

Zhang Jingwei stepped forward, bowed, and greeted his father with a smile. His tone was deliberately warm: "I have just returned from the capital and was unaware of your presence, Father-in-law. I apologize for not being able to welcome you properly."

Huangfu Changshui didn't even lift his eyelids, coldly saying, "Lord Zhang! Magistrate Zhang! You're getting more and more arrogant these days!"

Zhang Jingwei inwardly groaned, but outwardly became even more respectful: "No, no, under the might of my father-in-law, what is my humble light?"

Huangfu Changshui slammed his hand on the table with a loud bang, then abruptly looked up, his gaze like a sharp sword piercing Zhang Jingwei, his voice as cold as ice: "I've been waiting for you here for ages! You should know why I'm looking for you!"

Zhang Jingwei felt the pressure of that gaze, which seemed almost tangible. He forced himself to nod vigorously, saying, "I know, I know! Your son-in-law... knows what I'm doing."

"Fine!" Huangfu Changshui stood up and approached step by step, his powerful aura making Zhang Jingwei almost unable to breathe. "Then you'd better explain to me! What's going on with the child in Douya's belly?! And what's going on with your entire Zhang family colluding to deceive Ling'er?!"

Knowing that denial was useless, Zhang Jingwei steeled his resolve and directly stated his plan: "Father-in-law, please calm down! This matter was my fault! I am willing to take full responsibility! I will... I will use a grand sedan chair to formally marry Dou into the Zhang family!"

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Changshui laughed in fury: "You?! You still want to marry me properly?!"

Zhang Jingwei quickly added, trying to bolster his argument: "Not only that! I will... I will also bring her back from your Yunzhou Marquis's residence in a dignified manner! I will never let General Dou's orphan suffer the slightest injustice!"

"You're courting death!" Huangfu Changshui was completely enraged. He roared and slammed down with his palm!

"Crack!" The sturdy pear wood desk was smashed in two by his angry palm strike, sending wood chips flying everywhere! At the same time, the sword at his waist was drawn half a foot from its sheath with a clang, its cold light gleaming, pointing directly at Zhang Jingwei!

"Father-in-law! Father-in-law, please calm down! Swords have no eyes!" Zhang Jingwei was so frightened that he retreated repeatedly, his face turned pale, and cold sweat instantly poured down his back.

Huangfu Changshui pointed the tip of his knife at Zhang Jingwei, his voice like it came from the deepest hell: "Zhang Jingwei! Give me a reason not to kill you today!"

Zhang Jingwei suddenly raised the wooden box he was tightly holding in his arms, as if raising a shield, his voice trembling with tension: "There...there is an imperial decree! Father-in-law! His Majesty has issued an imperial decree!"

Huangfu Changshui's eyes narrowed, filled with suspicion: "You're talking nonsense! When things come to this, you still want to use this kind of..."

Before he could finish speaking, his gaze fell on the wooden box held high by Qian Ming, who was kneeling on the ground beside him, trembling. The bright yellow seal and vermilion imperial seal were particularly glaring in the dimly lit courtroom. His reprimanding words came to an abrupt halt, his tone turning to one of surprise and uncertainty: "Hmm? Really... really an imperial edict?"

Seeing that he had intimidated him, Zhang Jingwei felt somewhat relieved. He quickly and carefully placed the wooden box on a nearby, intact chair, took a deep breath, and tried to make his voice sound solemn and authoritative as he said loudly:

"Marquis of the North, General Huangfu Changshui, Commander-in-Chief of Yunzhou, step forward to receive the imperial decree!"

Huangfu Changshui looked at the box, his expression shifting. In the end, he gritted his teeth, suppressed his anger, straightened his robes, knelt on one knee, and said in a deep voice, "Your subject, Huangfu Changshui, obeys the decree!" Upon seeing this, the guards behind him also knelt down in unison.

Zhang Jingwei cleared his throat, opened the box, took out a roll of bright yellow silk, unfolded it, and began to read aloud.

He was a little nervous at first and misread it: "By imperial decree... Oh, wrong, wrong!" He composed himself and read it in the correct format for this era:

"In accordance with Heaven's will and the times, and receiving this clear mandate, the Emperor decrees—"

I have heard that the Dou family is loyal and righteous, and they only have one daughter, who was raised to adulthood by you. Your righteousness is truly unforgivable.

Marriage is of great importance, being the beginning of human relations and the foundation of all things. Now, your son-in-law Zhang Qi possesses extraordinary talent and has devoted himself to the country. I am mindful of his hard work and have granted him a second wife.

By special decree, Zhang Qi and Lady Dou are to be married on an auspicious day.

—May you all take heed!

The imperial edict was short but clear: the emperor himself had acted as matchmaker, granting Zhang Jingwei permission to marry Douya as his concubine.

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Changshui's face darkened to the point of being sullen, but given the imperial decree, he had no choice but to bow his head and kowtow, saying, "Your subject... accepts the decree and thanks you for your grace. Long live the Emperor!" His voice was muffled, filled with immense resentment.

Zhang Jingwei hurriedly stepped forward, respectfully rolled up the imperial edict, and put it back in the box. Then he took out a beautifully crafted marriage certificate, even decorated with gold foil, from the box and handed it to Huangfu Changshui with both hands, his face once again beaming with a smile: "Father-in-law, please look, there is also a golden book bestowed by His Majesty in the box, and all the formalities are complete. In a few days, after I have settled in, I will send the betrothal gifts to your Marquis of Yunzhou's residence in a grand manner."

Huangfu Changshui took the heavy marriage certificate, feeling it burn in his hands. He stared at Zhang Jingwei, his eyes filled with complex emotions—anger at being outmaneuvered, and a hint of helplessness. He snorted coldly, "You brat...you've got a quick mind! You even managed to get an imperial decree! But..." He changed his tone, adding a threat, "Do you think this will make things as you wish? My Marquis's mansion can have many 'Dou women'! It's not necessarily just that Bean Sprout's head!"

Zhang Jingwei cursed the old fox inwardly, but feigned panic on the surface, waving his hands hastily: "Oh dear, father-in-law! Father-in-law! We are both officials in the same court, and we both know that the emperor's orders are as heavy as mountains! Now that the imperial decree has been issued, it clearly states that Zhang Qi is to be married to the Dou family's daughter. Who else could this Dou family's daughter be but Douya? You absolutely cannot disobey the decree! Please don't make things difficult for your son-in-law!"

Looking at his expression, Huangfu Changshui knew that this kid was determined to use the imperial edict to intimidate others. He narrowed his eyes, softened his tone, but it carried a nakedly transactional meaning: "Hmph! It's not impossible for me to act according to the imperial edict. That depends on your... 'sincerity'."

Zhang Jingwei, understanding the implied meaning, immediately patted his chest and assured him, "Father-in-law, rest assured! My betrothal gifts will certainly satisfy you! They will definitely bring honor to the Marquis's mansion and bring comfort to General Dou's spirit in heaven!" He paused, took a step closer, lowered his voice, and dropped his real trump card, "Furthermore... with the autumn harvest approaching, the calculation of this year's land taxes for the Yunzhou military households, as well as the allocation and replenishment of provisions for the border troops... I heard that the Ministry of Revenue is somewhat delayed again? If Father-in-law doesn't mind, I will take care of these tedious accounts as well! I will ensure that the soldiers can get through the winter peacefully without any worries!"

Huangfu Changshui's originally gloomy face lit up when he heard the words "military household land tax" and "grain and ration allocation." He stared intently at Zhang Jingwei and asked, "Hmm? Is this true?"

Zhang Jingwei said firmly, "Father-in-law, rest assured! I am willing to pledge my loyalty! The financial resources of Beigong Group and Gaoyang County are sufficient to support us! We will not let the soldiers guarding the border feel disheartened!"

The gloom on Huangfu Changshui's face vanished instantly, replaced by an incredibly amiable and warm smile, as if by a Sichuan opera face-changing act. He laughed heartily, patting Zhang Jingwei's shoulder forcefully, as if he hadn't just drawn his sword at him at all.

"Hahaha! Oh my, my good son-in-law! I'm not trying to criticize you, but there's really nothing in this world that you, Zhang Jingwei, can't handle! You even managed to get an imperial edict as a betrothal letter. I truly admire your ingenuity and ability!"

He affectionately put his arm around Zhang Jingwei's shoulder, his tone straightforward yet carrying an undeniable hint: "Since that's the case, then this old man has no choice but to 'follow the imperial decree'! Tsk tsk, thinking about it, it makes sense. My own daughter and goddaughter are both practically married to you, boy! From now on, these sisters will be living under the same roof. As their husband, you'd better think carefully and make sure they get along harmoniously! If I find out that Ling'er has suffered even the slightest grievance, or that Dou'er is not living peacefully under his care..." Although he was smiling, the warning in his words was self-evident.

Zhang Jingwei breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had finally passed this hurdle without any major incident. He quickly bowed and said sincerely, "Of course, of course! Father-in-law, please rest assured. I will do my best to keep the family harmonious and will never let Ling'er and Ya'er suffer any grievances. They are my family, how could I dare to neglect them?"

"Hmm, with your words, I'll trust you for now." Huangfu Changshui nodded in satisfaction, then, as if remembering something, leaned closer, lowered his voice, and spoke with the straightforwardness characteristic of a military general, "My dear son-in-law, the accounts for the military household land tax you mentioned earlier, and the allocation of provisions and pay for the border troops after the autumn harvest—there are too many intricacies involved. The officials in the Ministry of Revenue are always slow to allocate funds, and the soldiers are all waiting for their rice to cook! Since you've taken on this responsibility, you must act quickly! If you need any cooperation, just tell Hu Zi!"

"I understand! I will not fail you!" Zhang Jingwei assured him again.

The father-in-law and son-in-law exchanged a smile, as if the previous tension had never occurred, replaced by an unspoken political alliance and exchange of interests. However, Zhang Jingwei knew that while the external crisis was temporarily averted, the real test—how to face his wife, Huangfu Ling—had only just begun. He bid farewell to his father-in-law, who was in high spirits, and walked towards the inner courtyard of the familiar yet unfamiliar county magistrate's residence with increasingly complex and uneasy feelings.