Chapter 275

Chapter 275: The Commandery Governor Sends a Gift

No one bothered with those confused boys and girls, because the shocks were not over yet. The herald called again: “Commandery Governor Song arrives!”

Everyone in the hall stood at once. The Imperial Court carried a natural pressure wherever it went. If Li Chang Huai’s arrival made people look over without taking it too seriously, then Commandery Governor Song’s arrival set the Martial World crowd buzzing with excitement.

Li Chang Huai might be the Young Lord of Heavenly Domain Manor, but that manor was still not above the Martial Alliance, and he was only the future heir, not yet the master. That identity impressed small sects, but before the great sects’ leaders it only earned mild attention.

Commandery Governor Song, however, was someone even the sect masters treated with respect. The people of the Martial World were unruly, yes, but not foolish. A few years back, the Wanderer Sect had been too free and wild, doing evil and harming the common folk. The Imperial Court wiped them out to the root. Over a thousand from the Wanderer Sect were executed. That struck a warning bell. The Martial World learned that while the Imperial Court would usually leave them alone, if the Court disliked you, it took only one order to end you. So now they held more respect for the Imperial Court, especially for this Commandery Governor Song.

He was a skilled fighter himself, once matching a Heaven-rank master without falling behind. Since he took over Tian’an Commandery, his control over the Martial Alliance had grown much stricter. Even a giant like the Martial Alliance had to give way. Others dared even less to act rashly.

Jiang Yu Wei stepped forward first, came to Commandery Governor Song, and said with respectful warmth: “Lord Song, your presence makes my humble hall shine.”

The sect masters also came to bow and offer praise.

Commandery Governor Song’s cold face showed no expression. Even toward Jiang Yu Wei, he gave little courtesy and said flatly: “I heard Second Master Jiang has found his long-lost daughter. I came especially to see.”

The words “came especially” were well chosen. They showed he had come for Jiang Yu Chuan’s family, not for the Martial Alliance.

Jiang Yu Wei’s face tightened for a second, then smoothed as he said: “So it is for my niece.” He beckoned to Yu Zhi Yi and said: “Jin’er, come greet Lord Song.”

“Ridiculous,” Commandery Governor Song snapped with a cold face.

What a joke. Ask a third-rank prefect of the Imperial Court to salute him? He feared his official hat would fall before the night was through.

The Imperial Court’s inspection of prefects was coming. Every commandery had received notice, and so had he. Of course he had inquired about the new prefect. When he learned that this prefect was the long-lost daughter of the Martial Alliance’s Second Master Jiang, his feelings were complicated and his face must have gone through many looks. Knowing that a girl not yet eighteen was his superior, he would not be foolish enough to ignore or offend her. If she returned to the capital and spoke ill of him to His Majesty, could he keep his post? Could he even keep his life?

He had also heard that on her way here she intervened in only two matters, and the commandery governors of those two places gained great favor in front of His Majesty afterward. She had stayed in those places fewer than three days. But she would stay in Tian’an Commandery for over twenty days. If he handled things well, perhaps fortune would be his. If she spoke a few good words after she returned to the capital, he might spend fewer years away and go back sooner to serve under the Son of Heaven.

As for Jiang Yu Wei, the Martial Alliance Leader? Heh. Just the head of a bunch of Martial World clowns. What did that amount to? How dare he be rude to Commandery Governor Song’s superior?

Commandery Governor Song shot Jiang Yu Wei a cold look, then walked quickly to Yu Zhi Yi. He weighed her thoughts. Since she had not made her identity public, she likely did not want to be too flashy. So a slight smile softened his stern face as he cupped his fists in the Martial World style and said: “Song pays respects to Second Miss Jiang.”

Yu Zhi Yi’s mouth twitched. He had indeed guessed her intent, but not all of it. Knowing she did not want attention, he still scolded her uncle, the Alliance Leader, and then hurried over to curry favor. She could not find the right word for that.

She said simply: “Lord Song, no need to be polite. Please sit and wait for the banquet.”

Not knowing how to talk to a subordinate, she could only invite him to eat.

Commandery Governor Song said with a broad smile: “Good.”

Everyone: “…”

Was that blooming smile for real? They almost did not recognize him. In their minds, Commandery Governor Song was always cold and serious. They looked from him to Yu Zhi Yi, who calmly accepted his flattery, and felt their worldview crack.

In the shadows, Young Master Fang’s gaze grew darker. When does a man curry favor with a woman? Other than pressure from power, there is only beauty. But she was a wild girl with no power in his eyes. So it had to be her beauty. [So she is restless and shameless. How can someone pure and clean like Xin Yue fight against her? I will get justice for Xin Yue!]

By then, Commandery Governor Song and Li Chang Huai had both taken their seats. Yu Zhi Yi had nothing to say about her own welcome banquet. She seldom attended such things and did not deliver flowery speeches. So she said only: “Let’s begin.”

Everyone: “…”

So simple and plain. The Jiang father and sons, however, felt that this daughter and sister was very thoughtful. Many youths, long tortured by boring speeches, liked this Second Miss Jiang even more for being so down-to-earth.

Seats for the family of four had already been kept. Jiang Yu Chuan led his wife and children to sit. Suddenly, a tearing wind cut through the air, aimed straight at Yu Zhi Yi. The angle was very tricky and avoided the crowd at the banquet. Even if it missed, it would not hurt bystanders. Because of that, people on the far side who noticed the danger had no time to save her. They could only hope the Jiang Clan was sharp enough to sense the threat.

In the dark, Young Master Fang’s eyes gleamed with cruel excitement. The hidden weapon would not kill. But when it burst, it would explode into countless splashes of paint. Then that Second Miss Jiang would turn into a rainbow-splattered clown and lose all face. Everyone would see how useless she was. Compared with Xin Yue’s quick mind and strong skill, it would be clear that Xin Yue should be the one to belong with the Jiang Clan.