by winter we won't even have wild vegetables to eat.""There isn't enough food at home to last us through the winter, I'm afraid."The town's granary has started to limit the weight of grain that peopl...Fang Jinshi raised her head and let her have a look at the sky, "Dealing with the King of Hell is easy, but dealing with little devils is troublesome."

Yulian still didn't understand, "But last time you and your elder brother didn't come to the county office to see the magistrate You even said that the magistrate was a sly old fox, I thought you guys had a good relationship."

In her eyes, her sister-in-law could do almost anything. If an ordinary person had a good relationship with the county magistrate, Jade Lotus wouldn't believe it. But if it was her sister-in-law, then nothing would be impossible.

Fang Jinshi smiled helplessly, "Silly girl, even if the county magistrate knew me, the doorman wouldn't. If he insisted on not letting me in, how would the county magistrate know I came"

"In the end, it wasn't my time that was wasted."

"If it's really urgent, I apologize for the delay."

Yu Lian nodded, seeming to understand but not quite. Fang Jinshu didn't expect her to grasp it all at once. As they spoke, footsteps came from behind the county government office, this time more hurried.

The vigilant guard once again opened the door, this time grinning from ear to ear, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor when reporting.

"Excuse my tardiness, Madam Zong. The County Magistrate requests your presence."

"Little one will lead the way, please follow me."

Yu Lian stared in surprise, as if she hadn't expected the official to return with such a drastically different attitude.

What were you doing just now, taking their money!

Fang Jinshu readily followed suit, her demeanor calm and composed.

Pan Zhi'an was an honest official and did not have his own mansion. After arriving in Luoshui City, he moved into the back courtyard of the county government office.

Anyway, he didn't have much family. The court assigned a deputy to the county magistrate, who could also be considered an administrator and half an official position.

Pan Zhi'an wasn't so particular. He simply kept the previous county magistrate's deputy in place, continuing to use him.

He didn't mind living a poor life, and even found it more convenient to work in the county government office located at the back of the magistrate's house.

When Fang Jinxiu arrived, she happened to see Pan Zhi'an having dinner. She glanced at the dishes on the table, just a bowl of brown rice and a dish of stir-fried greens.

Even when cooked, the leaves of the greens still show signs of yellowing, clearly not fresh produce.

Fang Jinshu was a little surprised. Pan Zhi'an, after all, was a county magistrate, and his life turned out to be so poor.

"How did you get here"

Pan Zhi'an saw people coming and immediately put down his chopsticks, apparently also a little surprised.

"Having just bought a hilltop, how could I possibly have time to chat in the county town when I should be clearing and planting right here in the village"

Fang Jinshi looked away from his meal.

Actually, more than one person felt that County Magistrate Pan lived a meager life. His monthly salary was just enough to cover his basic needs for food and clothing. Even the deputies and clerks in his office had chipped in from their own pockets to add extra dishes to Pan Zhi'an's meals.

But they were all rejected by him.

He didn't feel that his life was hard at all, nor did he think there was anything shameful or pitiful about it.

As long as the food fills your stomach, it doesn't matter if it tastes good or not. Right now, the situation in Luoshui City is still unstable. It's best to save as much money as possible; you never know when it might come in handy for something more important.

"Coming so late, I disturb Lord Pan."

"To be honest, things are really tough at home. After buying that piece of land from the government, we're practically broke. That's why I came to the city to try and make some money."

“A large group of people in the village were waiting to eat. Clearing wasteland on the mountaintop isn't something that happens overnight, and food doesn't grow all at once either, do you agree”

FANG Jinxiu started by playing the victim card. He discovered last time that PAN Zhian, while upright, harbored a slight resentment towards the wealthy.

After discovering she had money and some intelligence, he would devise ways to use her fully and take advantage of her.

Last time really scared Fang Jinshi, so now she pretends to be weak and pitiful, hoping to gain some sympathy from Mr. Pan and get him to support her business more.

Pan Zhi'an wasn't buying it. His eyes swept over the person and then looked away.

"Lady Zong, why don't you speak plainly What brings you here so late at night"

He didn't think Fang Jinshu was the kind of person who had time to come to the yamen just to visit and build relationships. She must have her own purpose for coming.

"Well, well, look what Master Pan says. I've always been speaking nicely, haven't I"

She lowered her head and touched her nose. Pan Zhi'an looked young, but there were wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, suggesting he was older than he appeared.

Fan Jinshu secretly guessed his age. To complete the imperial examinations and be appointed an official, he must have been at least twenty-seven or eight years old, even if he wasn't thirty.

At his age, Pan Zhi'an still doesn't have a wife. It's most likely because of his aloof and distant personality!e to stay in bed for three months to recuperate and cannot move around easily!"Zong Yu Lian thought Su Yu Sheng was just too exaggerated."I've been lying at home for almost two months now, and I have...