A master of metaphysics is farming.

Many people were kneeling in the main hall of the county government office.

A large black umbrella caught the eye, and the prefect sitting in the hall asked in confusion, "We are already inside the hall, why are you still holding up the umbrella?"

He Sui'an nodded respectfully, "She is frail and cannot be exposed to much sunlight."

Although he was curious, he didn't think it was a big deal, so the prefect didn't press the matter further. He simply slammed his gavel and glared angrily at the several people kneeling below.

"Do you two plead guilty or not?!"

Startled by the sound of the gavel, the magistrate prostrated himself even lower, "Your Honor, please be wise! How can I admit to a crime I cannot commit based solely on their words?"

"The officers and soldiers have already searched your residence. It's no use trying to hold on any longer."

Whether it was the prefect and others inside the hall, or the common people waiting outside, everyone was waiting for evidence.

The prefect believed what they said, but without evidence he could not draw a conclusion. His gaze shifted to He Suian, and he remained calm even amidst the noise.

He seems confident.

Sure enough, soldiers escorted a man in from outside the door, and Zhu Nan followed behind him, walking a few steps to the side and standing straight.

"Who is coming?"

The man was forced to kneel by the soldiers. "My lord," he said, "this man actually tried to hide the magistrate's ill-gotten gains. Fortunately, this righteous man discovered it in time, so I brought him and the hidden items to you."

The kneeling magistrate turned pale when he saw the newcomer. His lips were ashen, his breathing became rapid, his chest heaved violently, and the fear in his eyes was seen by the prefect.

As the large box was placed on the desk, the magistrate's body went limp, as if he had lost all his strength, and he was filled with a listless aura.

Inside the opened box, rows of gleaming white silver coins were neatly arranged.

The prefect was furious. "Tell me, where did this come from! You're just a county magistrate; your monthly salary wouldn't be this much even after ten years, let alone after only three years in office!!"

The magistrate was at a loss for words, only able to cry out his innocence, "Your Honor, I'm innocent!"

"Injustice? You've been in office for three years, and the bridge has only been under construction for three years. What have you been plotting behind the scenes? Do you really think I can't see through you now!"

He Sui'an, who had remained silent until now, twitched slightly in the hand holding the umbrella, and the corners of his usually straight mouth turned up slightly.

Seeing that the county magistrate had fallen silent, the prefect on the throne slammed his gavel again, saying, "If that's the case, then your official position is also in question! I will certainly report this matter to the Emperor!"

"S-Sir!"

Compared to the county magistrate's panic, the prefect appeared much calmer, but his fists hanging at his sides were anything but calm, as he was suppressing his inner turmoil.

"Sir, we found the prefect's treasury, but the amount is incorrect."

"Bring it up!"

One ledger after another was placed on the desk, and the prefect's eyes widened in panic as he flipped through the ledgers.

Inside, Xiang He sat in front of the large stone lion outside the door, idly swinging her legs, while Xing Ji stood beside her, waiting quietly.

"Xing Ji, how much longer do you estimate?"

Xing Ji, who had been standing silently for a long time, turned to the side and said, "It will take a few more days to determine the verdict, but the young master needs to take the imperial examination. I suppose the prefect will not stay any longer."

"Is it even possible to make it? We've already wasted two days..."

Xiang He wasn't in a hurry to go to the capital; she was just worried that He Sui'an wouldn't make it in time, and that it would be delayed for another three years.

These three years, then another three years, are not a time that most people can afford to wait for.

Xing Ji lowered his gaze slightly, "He should be able to make it. Young Master attaches great importance to this imperial examination."

Seemingly realizing he had said too much, Xing Ji fell silent and looked into the distance.

Xiang He was quite thoughtful; since it was something important, it must be something significant.

The two men had different thoughts. Looking at the crowds coming and going, and more and more people coming to watch the excitement, this was the biggest event in the city, involving two officials, so naturally they had to hear about it first.

At this moment, a man who looked like a Taoist priest ran over, carrying oil paper in his hands. He squatted down next to Xiang He with a fawning expression, "Auntie, are you hungry? I bought you some meat buns. Do you like them?"

Xiang He reached out and took one, then handed one to Xing Ji. "Have some. I wonder how long this courtroom proceedings will take. How about we go for a walk?"

"Your subordinate thinks..."

“Alright,” Xiang He opened her mouth and took a bite, “then let’s wait.”

The voices inside were quite loud, questioning and pleading for mercy were even louder, so why did Xiang He find it so comforting?

After a moment of silence, the stinky Taoist priest was still there. Xiang He kicked his foot, "You should leave now, right? Don't follow me, I don't want to see you again."

"Miss, I'm also traveling with you. Are you going to the capital? Would you like to come along?"

"No!" Xiang He raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. "You'd better leave quickly. I don't want anyone to see me with you."

"But didn't we join forces to fight the enemy last night? How can you just abandon us like this..."

Seeing his aggrieved look, Xiang He really wanted to hit him with a hammer, but in the end she held back. "Alright, go on, go back to your cultivation and stop coming out to harm people and make money. If you don't leave, they'll summon you in for a talk."

"..."

She had chased him away repeatedly, and even if the stinky Taoist priest wanted to stay, he didn't have the nerve to do so.

She stood up quietly, a hint of reluctance in her eyes, but ultimately said nothing and turned to leave.

Seeing him looking back every few steps, Xing Ji broke into a rare smile. "Miss, since he's so willing, why don't you stay?"

"It's useless to keep it; we'll only be nodding acquaintances when we meet again in the future."

Actually, this stinky Taoist priest isn't entirely incompetent; he just uses his skills in crooked ways. That peach wood sword is made of genuine material, so let's see if he can return to the right path.

Seeing her indifferent expression, Xing Ji said nothing more.

He always felt that this Miss Xiang was unassuming and aloof. Putting aside blood ties, her solitary nature was simply what she was like.

Looking down at her as she fiddled with the mirror in her hand, her fingertips tracing the raised edge of the mirror, a drop of blood dripping into the mirror surface and instantly being absorbed.

Curious, he looked down and asked, "What are you doing?"

“I didn’t expect it to take this long,” Xiang He said, licking the wound. “Jinghua is suffering from vulvar injuries, and I’m worried she won’t be able to endure it.”

"Oh."

In broad daylight, one can go out alone, like a mirage or a reflection in water, but if there is something sinister in one's body, one will always be easily affected.

Xiang He scratched his head in boredom, then turned to look inside. He saw that the outside was blocked by a dense crowd, making it impossible to see what was going on inside.

All that could be heard was the resounding clang of the gavel.

From sunrise to sunset, Xianghe recited the Heart Sutra several times.

Finally, just as she was getting tired of it, the crowd dispersed, and He Sui'an came out from inside.

The female ghost under the large umbrella was pale, and Jinghua looked very weak. Xiang He immediately stepped forward to take the large umbrella and supported her arm with one hand.

"How are you feeling? Can you make it to the inn?"

The female ghost nodded, "Miss Jinghua is barely breathing; we must return as soon as possible."

Xiang He immediately helped her up and was about to walk back when they heard a voice calling from behind. They turned around and saw it was the prefect.

He Sui'an clasped his hands in front of him and asked, "Is there anything else you wish to ask, sir?"

“There’s nothing to ask,” the prefect said, standing with his hands behind his back, his eyes filled with admiration. “I just hope that your sails are unharmed and that you will pass the imperial examination with flying colors.”

"Thank you, sir. I will certainly live up to your expectations."

The prefect nodded slightly, followed by two officials escorted by soldiers. A large group of people walked out, and the prefect's last glance fell on He Suian. He Suian's calm smile throughout seemed to have touched a memory.

He opened his mouth in astonishment, his eyes filled with resentment, "It's you! You're that bastard from the main family!"