Chapter 154 - 153: Banquet

Chapter 154: Chapter 153: Banquet

The men were conversing in low tones when, suddenly, footsteps sounded from the staircase.

County Magistrate Zhang Heming, clad in his official robes, entered at a leisurely pace, followed by only two civil servants.

Unlike the last banquet at the Drunken Immortal Inn, which was fraught with implicit coercion and a hostile atmosphere, Zhang Heming today wore a gentle smile and seemed much more approachable.

"So, all the Village Chiefs are here? I’ve arrived a bit late. My apologies, my apologies."

Zhang Heming wore a rare smile, appearing quite friendly.

The men hurriedly rose to salute him. "Greetings, County Magistrate."

"No need for ceremony. Sit, sit."

Zhang Heming gestured for them to sit, his tone light. "I’ve asked you all here today for two reasons. First, it’s been a while, so I wanted us to get together and chat about local affairs. Second, there is a new policy from the Court that I need to communicate, and I hope you will help reassure your fellow villagers."

His gaze swept across the few men present, his face showing a look of perfectly measured emotion. "This year has been an eventful one for Mirror Mountain. It has not been easy for you to hold fast to your homes and maintain a measure of peace. On behalf of the Court, I thank you all."

This opening, so uncharacteristically polite and affable, left the men somewhat bewildered. They could only bow and murmur that they were unworthy of such praise.

Zhang Heming paused, his expression becoming a little more serious as he broached the main topic. "Regarding this year’s autumn tax, the Court, in consideration of the people’s situation, has issued a clear decree. As the Mulberry Seedlings are newly planted and the people still need time to adjust, counties such as ours in Mirror Mountain have been granted special permission. This year’s autumn tax may be deferred until March of next year, at which time it will be collected."

Upon hearing this, the Village Chiefs’ faces first lit up with joy. A postponement of the tax meant they could finally catch their breath.

But then, Zhang Heming’s tone abruptly changed. "However, the amount of the tax silver must be reassessed. In the past, the Land Tax was one tael of silver per mu. But the yield from a mulberry field is far greater than that of a rice paddy. According to calculations from the State and County Government Office, under the new policy, the tax per mu for mulberry fields will be provisionally set at three taels."

"Three taels?!"

Around the table, several stifled gasps could be heard.

One of them couldn’t help but speak, his voice trembling, "County Magistrate, this... isn’t three taels a bit too high? While it’s true that mulberry fields are more productive, we have to pay a separate commercial tax when we sell the raw silk.

Furthermore, if the entirety of Mirror Mountain switches to growing mulberry trees, all our grain will have to be brought in from elsewhere. The price of food will inevitably skyrocket and remain high. This tax rate... I fear the common folk won’t be able to afford it."

Zhang Heming’s expression remained unchanged. Still smiling, he said, "This was set by the Court after its own calculations; it is not something I can alter. A mu of mulberry field can yield as much as thirty taels. A tax of three taels is a mere tithe, a sign of the Court’s immense benevolence. You all understand what’s truly important. I trust that when you return, you will persuade the villagers to pay their taxes on time and in full."

By deftly invoking the Court, he silenced all opposition.

The men looked at each other in dismay, but no one dared to voice another objection.

They all knew this was no longer a negotiation, but an order.

With the official business concluded, Zhang Heming’s warm expression returned to his face, as if the words he’d just spoken were nothing more than a routine instruction.

He clapped his hands, and a servant waiting nearby hurried forward.

"Our official business is concluded. Please, enjoy yourselves. I have already instructed the Drunken Creek Pavilion to prepare a modest banquet, and I’ve also arranged for some lovely companions for you all. Please, make sure to have a wonderful time."

As he spoke, Zhang Heming rose to his feet, putting on a helpless expression as he chuckled. "As an official of the Court, I must adhere to a strict code of conduct, so I cannot partake in such festivities with courtesans. Please, don’t stand on ceremony. Everything has already been paid for."

With that, he took his leave.

Only Chen Li and his father, the five Village Chiefs, and a troupe of gorgeously dressed, chattering women led in by the Steward remained in the hall.

Music from lutes and flutes began to play, and the tables filled with wine and dishes. Yet as the men stared at the scene of song and dance, their faces were blank and bewildered.

...

While undercurrents of tension swirled within the Drunken Creek Pavilion, a different scene was unfolding in a secluded courtyard several streets away.

After hearing Jiang Li’s report, Jiang Chaoshan was overcome with an unbearable itch of anticipation.

As night fell, the urge became unbearable.

How could he possibly wait for the dust to settle at the Drunken Creek Pavilion?

’Anyway, Elder Wu is there, so nothing can go wrong. There’s no point in me staying here.’

So he immediately and stealthily left with Jiang Li, rushing toward the small courtyard that Bai San had described as if it were a golden cage holding a peerless beauty.

The courtyard gate was ajar, a clear sign that everything had been arranged.

Jiang Li stepped forward first and pushed the gate open. The courtyard was perfectly still, the only sound being the soft rustling of a few slender bamboo stalks in the breeze.

He led Jiang Chaoshan to the door of the main house and lowered his voice, a fawning smile spreading across his face. "Young Master, she’s inside. Everything has been taken care of. Just as you ordered, I added a little something to her dinner. I guarantee she’ll be completely at your mercy."

A lecherous gleam filled Jiang Chaoshan’s eyes. He waved his hand impatiently. "I know. Stand guard at the entrance. Don’t let anyone get close."

"Yes, yes. Please take your time and enjoy yourself, Young Master."

Jiang Li bowed again and again before gently closing the courtyard gate behind him.

...

The room was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a faint, almost imperceptible sweet scent.

On an exquisitely carved canopy bed, pink gauze curtains hung low. Within, the slender figure of a woman could be faintly seen lying on her side. A brocade quilt, only half-covering her, traced the breathtaking curve of her body.

Jiang Chaoshan rubbed his hands together, swallowed hard, and tiptoed to the bedside.

He carefully lifted a corner of the gauze curtain, and his breath instantly caught in his throat.

The woman on the bed had her eyes tightly closed, seemingly deep in sleep.

Her lovely face was truly beautiful enough to topple nations.

Her eyebrows were like distant, ink-washed mountains, her skin smoother than cream and whiter than snow. Her features were as delicate as a Fairy from a painting, and she possessed a cold, aloof aura that even Jing Hong lacked.

One jade-like foot peeked out from beneath the quilt. It was delicate and exquisite, with a slender ankle and skin so translucent it seemed carved from the finest white jade.

"Marvelous! Marvelous! Marvelous!"

When had Jiang Chaoshan ever laid eyes on such a peerless beauty?

A wicked heat surged from his loins to his head, and the pent-up frustration of the past several days was instantly consumed by an overwhelming desire to possess her.

He reached out and took hold of her jade-like foot. The skin was smooth and warm, the sensation exquisite, making it even harder for him to control himself.

"A beauty! A truly rare beauty," he muttered. "Fifty thousand taels of silver... worth it! Jiang Li actually did a good thing for me this time. He’s earned my trust."

Muttering to himself, he could no longer hold back. He lunged down and began to brutally tear at the woman’s clothes.

The sound of tearing brocade was exceptionally jarring in the silent room.

As his movements grew rougher, the woman seemed to stir. Her long eyelashes fluttered, her brow furrowed slightly, and a soft whimper escaped her lips.

It seemed an unconscious act of resistance, but it only served to inflame Jiang Chaoshan’s desire to conquer her.

However, in the very instant that his Heart Spirit was at its most unguarded...

On the bed, the woman who had seemed so weak and helpless, entirely at his mercy, suddenly snapped her eyes open.

There was no trace of haze or weakness in those eyes—only a bone-deep hatred and a cold, murderous intent.

Her right hand, which she had kept hidden beneath the pillow, shot out like a bolt of lightning. In her grasp was a silver hairpin, glinting with a cold light.

A strike long in the making, as fast as the wind!

Jiang Chaoshan didn’t even have time to register what was happening. He only felt a sudden cold in his chest, and an indescribable agony instantly engulfed his entire body.

He looked down in disbelief. The silver hairpin was buried deep in his chest, plunged with unerring accuracy directly into his heart. Only the very end of it remained visible.