Chapter 84: A Surprising Visitor

Yan Wan entered the room and saw Ji Xiao sitting there, with Lian Ying standing beside him, bent over, rubbing his back.

Yan Wan glanced at the young maidservant, who quickly went to bring tea and poured it for him.

Ji Xiao showed no intention of drinking. Lian Ying reached out, picked up the teacup, and brought it to his lips. Ji Xiao drank from his hand.

Yan Wan: “…” How come it felt a bit off?

She silently sat opposite Ji Xiao, unable to calm her heart for a long time, occasionally glancing at Lian Ying’s cold face, feeling very worried.

All these years, she never noticed her brother liking men.

That was fine, but why did he find such a tall and cold man?

Could it be that because he was weak himself, he admired others’ strong bodies and came to like him?

Chen Fang quickly arrived carrying the child and leading the household physician.

Because he walked in a hurry, a thin layer of sweat covered his face, and his hands were a bit weak: “Wife, my hands are sore, you hold Jingjing…”

Yan Wan, seeing how tired he looked, reached out to take the daughter into her arms and handed him the teacup in front of her: “Drink some water and take a break.”

“Thank you, wife.” Chen Fang picked up the teacup and took a sip, his expression satisfied.

The household physician was clearly used to the Chen family’s way of interacting, and sat down without hesitation, taking out a pulse pillow and placing it on the table: “Please, young master.”

Ji Xiao placed his hand on it.

After a diagnosis, the physician said earnestly: “Young master, you have been bedridden for many years, and your body is greatly depleted. You must take good care of yourself, avoid heavy labor, and also avoid great joy or great sorrow, or exhausting your mind.”

Finally, he left four words: “Just rest quietly.”

Yan Wan asked nervously: “Can he be cured?”

“His body needs nourishment, but not drastic supplementation. Step by step. I said no heavy labor, but he should move around more,” the physician stood up. “No need for medicine, just dietary supplements. I’ll write some nourishing recipes.”

Ji Xiao withdrew his hand: “Thank you, doctor.”

The physician took back the pulse pillow and went to the side to write the recipes.

Yan Wan: “Husband, go get a hundred taels of silver notes…”

As Chen Fang was about to stand, Ji Xiao stopped him: “No need, brother-in-law. Sister, I have money.”

Yan Wan frowned: “Although you passed the top imperial exam, you haven’t taken office yet. Where do you have money from?”

Ji Xiao looked at Lian Ying.

Lian Ying said: “I have.”

The princess treats her subordinates generously, giving him silver every month for expenses.

Lian Ying had no hobbies and rarely spent in daily life, so over the years, he had saved a lot.

Yan Wan looked at him with a complicated expression: “My brother has been bedridden for years due to illness. His body’s deficiency cannot be remedied in a short time. The money needed is no small amount.”

Lian Ying: “It’s enough.”

Not to mention just money. As a shadow guard, his life belongs to his master. What is money?

Hearing this, Yan Wan’s impression of him improved: “Then my brother, I’ll ask you to take good care of him.”

He looks cold, but he’s good to her brother. He must be cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

Ji Xiao sighed lightly: “Sister, rest assured. He never disobeys my orders. Even if I wanted his life, he wouldn’t blink.”

Lian Ying: “Yes.”

“What life and death? I don’t care if you like men or women. Since you’ve taken him, you must not be unfaithful. The Yan family does not produce faithless people.” She snorted lightly.

Ji Xiao nodded: “Of course. I will never betray Ah Ying in this life.”

Lian Ying: “…”

Chen Xian had already fallen asleep in Yan Wan’s arms.

She said softly: “Now that you’re back, are you going to take office? Where?”

She thought he was visiting her on his way to his post.

“Right in Changhe,” Ji Xiao smiled. “I’m the magistrate of Changhe County. If you miss me, sister, you can come to the county office to see me, but don’t use the main entrance.”

The main entrance leads to the county hall, with the complaint drum outside. Inside there are also meeting rooms, cells, etc. His residence is in the back courtyard.

There is also a door on the back courtyard side, where he lives.

Yan Wan said happily: “That’s really great.”

She didn’t think the magistrate position was too low; on the contrary, it was close and convenient for visits, which made her very happy.

Ji Xiao: “If I have time, I’ll come visit you often.”

Yan Wan smiled with emotion: “Good. I hope you, like father, become a good official who cares for the people.”

“I will.”

…

Ji Xiao and Lian Ying had dinner at the Chen residence and didn’t return to the county office until after sunset.

Xiao Nan and Xiao Bei had already packed everything.

Ji Xiao stayed in the master bedroom and arranged separate rooms for Lian Yu and Cao Mengyang. The two guards shared a room.

The existing cook and servants in the county office remained unchanged.

Xiao Nan, seeing them return, led them to the rooms: “The previous magistrate only hired one secretary, a versatile one who handles everything. After the notice was posted, someone came today wanting to be an accounting secretary… I wonder if you want to hire a versatile secretary or several specialized ones?”

Ji Xiao: “Changhe County is not large, with a population of only two or three thousand, and the people are gentle and kind. Few major incidents occur. No need for multiple secretaries; just hire one.”

“Yes, then I’ll explain the situation,” Xiao Nan continued. “The clerk also came to pay respects, but since you weren’t in, I took the liberty of handling it.”

Ji Xiao: “Mm.”

“The… Fifth Prince, he asked.”

“Don’t bother with her. If she wants something, she’ll find me herself.”

“Yes, then…”

Ji Xiao said with a headache: “Go have someone prepare water for a bath. In the capital, you studied under the steward for so long. I’ll leave the matters here to you. You and Xiao Bei manage together. No need to report everything. Come to me only if you can’t decide.”

Xiao Nan: “…Yes.”

Late at night.

Lian Ying had gotten used to sleeping together with Ji Xiao.

He watched Ji Xiao, who had unconsciously rolled into his arms, and sank into his own thoughts.

He thought about what Ji Xiao had said to the princess and to his sister.

For him, he had never thought about love.

But this person seemed to truly love him.

Otherwise, why would a person of such brilliant talent and bright future go to such lengths?

He promised the princess he would not marry another. He promised him that he would only have him. He was completely open with his sister as well.

He hesitantly reached out and touched his face… No one knew that when he was kissed by him, his heart was not unmoved.

Worried that he would take a liking to some other interesting young man, was it really… just for his younger brother’s sake?

His hand was suddenly grabbed.

Ji Xiao grasped his hand, his voice gentle: “Ah Ying, can’t sleep?”

Lian Ying: “…” Just moments ago, his breathing was steady, as if deeply asleep. So he was pretending?

Ji Xiao held his hand and guided it under the covers, all the way down, pressing it: “Did you feel it?”

Lian Ying felt it was a bit hot to the touch, his body stiffening: “…No.”

“Forget your identity as a shadow guard. Tell me, if I want you, are you willing?”

“…”

“Ah Ying, are you unwilling?”

“…Your subordinate is willing.”

“Perfect. Today I had the physician at my sister’s mansion prepare something good. Let’s try it.”

“What?”

Ji Xiao didn’t tell him. He turned over and covered his lips.

…

The next day.

Lian Yu had just gotten up to find his elder brother when Cao Mengyang blocked his way.

Lian Yu: “?”

“Brother Yan officially takes office today, he’s busy. Your elder brother will certainly be by his side all day, no time at all,” she unfolded her folding fan, waved it a few times, and smiled with a curl of her lips. “Come, accompany me to see what fun there is in Brother Yan’s hometown.”

“I want to see my elder brother…”

“I said, don’t disturb your elder brother. You’re not an unweaned child. Why are you so clingy?”

“I think you’re the one who’s unweaned. Red lips and white teeth, your voice sounds like a child who hasn’t weaned, hmph.”

“…”

When Lian Yu found Lian Ying’s figure, he saw Ji Xiao giving a speech to a group of people, and his elder brother stood behind him, his posture straight, his eyes only on him.

“I told you, don’t disturb them while they’re working. I’ve brought plenty of silver. You really won’t come with me? Then I’ll go alone.”

Cao Mengyang’s teasing voice came. Lian Yu turned and walked toward her with a smile, casually throwing an arm around her shoulder and dragging her out: “How could I not go? Let’s go, let’s go. First find a tavern for breakfast. I’m starving.”

“How dare you! Put your hand down!”

Lian Yu: “?”

He looked at the angry guards and said in confusion: “I have a good relationship with your young master. What’s wrong with putting my arm around his shoulder?”

The guards: “Put it down!”

“I won’t!” Lian Yu not only didn’t let go, but tightened his arm.

Cao Mengyang directly slapped his hand with her folding fan: “That’s enough. What kind of behavior is this, touching and grabbing? Be more refined.”

“Are we still going to eat or not?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Cao Mengyang walked out without looking back: “You two, don’t follow.”

“Young… master!”

“Don’t make me say it again.”

“…Yes.”

Thinking that even without them, there were shadow guards protecting her, the two guards did not defy her orders.

After two days in office, Ji Xiao found that Lian Ying was very capable at work, so he simply removed the notice for hiring a secretary and let Lian Ying take the post.

There were few major incidents in Changhe County, mostly small scuffles. The previous magistrate had not been lazy, so there were no backlogged cases.

The clerk was also competent. Ji Xiao expressed his satisfaction.

This is the life of retirement.

Lian Ying was also satisfied. With fewer matters, his master could rest and recover properly.

To that end, he took on most of the tasks, making it even easier for Ji Xiao.

Until…

Xiao Nan once again asked for instructions: “Your Honor, that child claims to be your nephew and insists on seeing you. Should we let him in or not?”

Calling him ‘young master’ in the county office wasn’t very appropriate, so they changed to calling him ‘Your Honor’.

Ji Xiao: “Bring him in.”

Soon, Xiao Nan brought over a little boy.

He looked about four or five years old, struggling to keep up with Xiao Nan on his short legs. His eyes were red, his clothes a bit wrinkled, and his hair messy.

Yan Xiao had seen his little nephew Chen Yan before.

When he was little, he was carried a lot and very lazy. The elders couldn’t bear to force him, so even at four, he still walked unsteadily.

No one knew what had happened in these few short months. Not only had he become the “naughty” child his parents spoke of, but he also ran with such skill.

Before Ji Xiao could respond, Chen Yan sobbed and hugged Lian Ying’s leg: “Wah, Uncle, you must do justice for me.”

Lian Ying: “…”

Ji Xiao: “Pfft.”

Well, he could see that he was a little clever one.

Look at his red eyes and aggrieved expression. He even knew to hug someone’s leg and seek justice.

Lian Ying stiffened and said coldly: “You’ve mistaken me.”

“Uncle, don’t you recognize me? I’m Chen Yan.” Chen Yan looked up, eyes blurry with tears.

Lian Ying: “…”

Ji Xiao chuckled: “Uncle knows you, but you don’t recognize your uncle.”

Chen Yan blinked, tears falling from his eyes. He looked at Ji Xiao, then at Lian Ying, then turned and hugged Ji Xiao’s leg: “Uncle, my eyes were blown by the wind for too long just now, so I didn’t see you clearly.”

Ji Xiao looked down: “Really?”

“Mm!” Chen Yan nodded heavily. “He dressed more like a magistrate, so I mistook him.”

Ji Xiao looked at Lian Ying upon hearing this. Black clothes with black patterns, very normal.

“How is it similar?”

Chen Yan said seriously: “The color is similar. I’ve seen the magistrate before wearing similar clothes.”

Ji Xiao looked down at his own moon-white robe and suddenly understood. The magistrate’s official robe is black.

He reached out and picked Chen Yan up, smoothing his hair: “Did you come alone? Do your parents know?”

Chen Yan pouted: “I heard that uncle became a magistrate, so I came to file a complaint. But the drum at the main gate was too high, I couldn’t beat it, so I came to the back to find uncle.”

“Evading the question, guilty conscience? It seems you didn’t tell your parents. Who do you want to sue?”

“I’m suing my parents!”

“?”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Love Counter Attack

BLDramalove

Read Now →
Not interested