Having transmigrated into a book, who would still want to be a secondary wife?

"So who's in charge of Haitian City now?"

Song Ruozhen couldn't help but be surprised. The Ling family had previously dominated Pingyang City, so the county magistrate must have been a member of the Ling family.

Now that the Ling family has gone to the capital, and the only one left, Ling Wentao, is dead, and even the county magistrate has been killed, isn't Pingyang City in a state of being without a leader?

"The magistrate is dead, and Zhou Li has temporarily taken over his duties. This guy has a conscience. We've known him for many years, and he certainly won't exploit the people like Magistrate Yang did."

Song Lin's eyes turned slightly cold. Even if he disliked the magistrate, he wouldn't kill him at this time, as it could easily lead to chaos in Pingyang City.

That guy is just too hateful. Even if he's kept alive, he'll only take the opportunity to exploit the people. It's better to kill him!

Soon, the group arrived at the government office.

"General Song?"

When the acting magistrate saw Song Lishi, his eyes were filled with shock, which quickly turned into joy.

"It's so good that you're still alive!"

"Zhou Li, I didn't expect to meet you at a time like this." Song Lin's expression was gentle. "What is the current situation in Pingyang City?"

When Qi Wu and the others saw Zhou Li, they smiled. They had dealt with each other before, and the reason they were familiar with each other was that Zhou Li had always been in charge of preparing food and supplies for them when they went to the battlefield.

The original magistrate was not a good person, and his attitude towards them was not polite. He entrusted all matters to Zhou Li.

Zhou Li did his best to solve their problems, and even happened to be caught arguing with the county magistrate once, and was punished for it.

"The situation is not good now, and it's partly because I'm useless."

Zhou Li sighed, his eyes filled with helplessness. "The county magistrate is dead, and the Ling family has moved back to the capital. The new county magistrate appointed by the court died on his way to his post, so I have to take over temporarily."

But I am a nobody, and those merchants don't listen to me at all. The only thing I can do is set up soup kitchens to try to keep the people from going hungry.

Unfortunately, the disaster relief grain was extremely scarce, and the previously stored grain warehouses had been burned down.

When he said this, Zhou Li himself felt it was an exaggeration; misfortunes never come singly, but it was indeed the case.

During this period, he was extremely overwhelmed. Faced with the people's grievances, the merchants' rejections, and even everyone's doubts, he even considered leaving, but in the end, he couldn't do it.

"Isn't all of this too much of a coincidence?" Song Ruozhen couldn't help but say. It's like something out of a story: even drinking water can cause a problem.

“I know this is a far-fetched story, but I’m telling the truth,” Zhou Li said.

Song Ruozhen could naturally tell that Zhou Li hadn't spoken. This person's face showed that he was a man of great loyalty and righteousness, with a strong sense of responsibility. Such a person was often an upright and honest man.

It's obvious that the Ling family is behind this.

They were not satisfied with leaving Pingyang City just like that, and they knew that once they returned to the capital, they would no longer have the opportunity to amass wealth. So they orchestrated this whole thing.

These metaphysical masters are all extraordinary, possessing a multitude of methods. If they were to join forces, it wouldn't be impossible for them to create a flood.

It's not the rainy season yet, so the floods happening at this time are quite strange.

"General Song, I heard that the King of Chu and Grand Tutor Gu were supposed to come to Pingyang City this time, but for some reason they have stayed in Haitian City and have not come yet. Now the rice in this warehouse is almost gone."

If this continues, there's simply... no more porridge to give out.

Zhou Li looked dejected. He had tried every method he could think of recently, but there was really no other way.

“We brought some food with us when we came, which we can use for emergency purposes,” Song Lin said.

"That would be wonderful!" Zhou Li exclaimed with delight.

However, when he hurriedly followed Song Lin to check on the grain, he nearly fainted.

Ruan Cheng helped him up and said, "Are you alright? You look pale and have lost a lot of weight since I last saw you. You must have been starving!"

"I'm fine." Zhou Li waved his hand. "I'm sorry you had to see this."

"Leave this matter to us now. You go and get something to eat and get some rest," Qi Wu said.

These scholars all seemed frail and weak. The former magistrate of Haitian City was like that, and now Zhou Li was the same. He really wasn't used to seeing them.

"The Prince and Grand Tutor Gu will be here soon, and this matter will be resolved in no time. You should rest assured and get some rest."

“Zhen’er, you must be tired from the boat ride. I’ve already had someone prepare a room for you to rest. I’ll go take care of the porridge distribution,” Song Lin said.

Song Ruozhen's brows furrowed with worry. "Father, your injuries still need to be properly treated. You shouldn't overexert yourself."

"I'm fine. If there's really something to do, just ask your third brother." Song Lin waved his hand, glancing at Song Zhiyu. "Don't you think so?"

Song Zhiyu nodded repeatedly, "Yes, leave it to me!"

Seeing everyone leave, Song Ruozhen knew that all she had to do was move the grain back and deliver it to the soup kitchen, so she didn't need to help. She simply wandered around the magistrate's residence.

"Miss, are you looking for something?"

Seeing Song Ruozhen quietly looking around, Qing Teng couldn't help but feel curious. He had seen the young lady's abilities before at Magistrate Zhao's residence. Could there be something wrong here as well?

Song Ruozhen smiled slightly, "Qing Teng, go and ask the maids in this mansion how the magistrate died. Was his death sudden?"

The county magistrate here is not young, and judging from the furnishings of his residence, he used to live a very carefree life. Where are his wife and children now?

"Slave, go now."

Qing Teng was puzzled, but obediently went to inquire about the information.

Not long after, Qing Teng returned.

"Miss, I've learned that the magistrate died suddenly while he was out. It's said he was assassinated, but we don't know who the killer is."

"The magistrate's wife panicked completely after learning of his death. After holding the funeral, she took her child and returned to her parents' home, which is now in Pingyang City, not far from here," Qing Teng said.

Song Ruozhen raised an eyebrow slightly. "Did she move out on her own initiative?"

"Because of the floods, the people have been starving, so many people come to the government office to cause trouble every day. Everyone says that the county magistrate's wife is timid, which is why she left with her child."

But when I heard them say that the magistrate's wife left in such a hurry, as if she would be killed if she was late, I found it a bit strange.

It is said that during this period, the magistrate's wife's brother also came here several times, but it is unclear what he came for.

"That's right." Song Ruozhen chuckled. The magistrate was no good, and his wife naturally knew that, so she was worried that someone would seek revenge and cause their whole family to lose their lives.

Unfortunately, the magistrate had not handed over all his property to her before, so after leaving home, she always wanted to come back to see where the silver was hidden.