Female Captain

Dong Yangrong sighed inwardly at the shocked expressions on everyone's faces.

He didn't want to come either, to be honest.

After all, even the County Lieutenant Xu Feng and the Chief Clerk Zhuang Youzhi had to respectfully call him "Mr. Dong"!

And now he was personally attending a celebration banquet for a yamen runner!

What's more, he hadn't even received an invitation!

It was such a loss of face!

But the Prefect was too eager for a promotion.

As his aide, what else could he do?

The Imperial Guard were direct emissaries of the Son of Heaven, their words could reach the emperor directly. A single whispered good word from them was ten times more useful than the highest praise in the imperial examinations!

No one understood Xue Shan's regard for Su Mo better than Dong Yangrong, the aide.

The County Magistrate himself had even wanted to come personally!

The thought of promotion had become an obsession!

Dong Yangrong had immediately stopped the County Magistrate's idea without hesitation.

If the Prefect himself had to show up, what use would he, the aide, be? He'd be packed up and kicked out long ago!

But Su Mo's identity was special. If the county officials dared to contact him privately, what would that imply?

This was the only opportunity to come openly and aboveboard.

Dong Yangrong composed himself and smiled at the stunned crowd, "What's wrong?"

"If you all can come, why can't I?"

Lu Shan swallowed hard and quickly stepped forward, moving a bamboo chair for the aide Dong.

"What are you saying, Mr. Dong!"

"In all of Changping County, is there any place Mr. Dong cannot go!"

"Please, have a seat!"

Luo Lie cursed inwardly!

Good for you, Lu Shan!

He actually beat me to it!

If I hadn't been so shocked just now, I wouldn't have let him get ahead of me!

It seems Su Mo's relationship with the County Magistrate is even more outrageous than the rumors suggested!

He glanced at Su Mo with a complicated expression.

Damn it!

What kind of divine being did this kid crawl out from under which rock!

Su Mo was also a little surprised.

He hadn't expected Dong Yangrong to come.

He naturally stepped forward a couple of paces and bowed to Dong Yangrong, "I am overjoyed that you could grace me with your presence, sir. I only fear that I might have inconvenienced you, how could I possibly say you cannot come!"

"Please, come inside and take a seat!"

Dong Yangrong smiled, "Yamen runner Su, there's no need to be so formal."

"I happened to be passing by, saw the lively gathering here, and decided to come in and see what was happening, and join the fun."

As he spoke, he gestured to Lu Shan to present the box in his hand to Su Mo, "Coincidentally, Magistrate Xue gave me a packet of tea, so I'll just present it as a gift."

Su Mo was stunned.

Dong Yangrong added, "Although it's not a particularly famous brand, it's a well-known specialty aged tea from Wu County. It has a unique flavor!"

As soon as he said this.

Lu Shan and the others swallowed hard again!

Magistrate Xue was from Wu County!

It was the County Magistrate's hometown tea!

Su Mo hadn't quite grasped the implication, but Chen Gan had already rushed forward, taking the aged tea from Lu Shan with both hands, "Su Mo!"

"Hurry up and thank Mr. Dong for his generous gift!"

He then immediately poured Dong Yangrong a cup of tea!

Su Mo cupped his hands and thanked Dong Yangrong, "I shamelessly accept this generous gift from you, sir!"

He paused, then added, "Head Constable Luo brought a wild boar head from the mountains yesterday, I'll share it with you, sir!"

Luo Lie let out a "What the hell!"

What a cunning little fox, holding grudges!

He's already trying to get me in trouble!

No waiting until tomorrow for revenge!

Dong Yangrong took a small sip of tea, then chuckled and teased, "Officer Su, this tea of yours is too coarse; it's really not suitable for guests."

"It seems my offering of borrowed flowers is well-received this time!"

After speaking, he frowned slightly and glanced at Luo Lie, "Reaching the top, the meaning is quite good!"

"Captain Luo has put much thought into this."

"You must follow Captain Luo closely in the future and learn from him!"

Then, his tone shifted, "Unfortunately, my employer has matters that require my attention, so I must forgo dinner..."

"Next time..."

Dong Yangrong didn't finish saying "next time."

A stern shout came from outside the mansion gate: "Is Su Mo here?"

Su Mo froze upon hearing this and looked towards the gate.

He saw the Imperial Guard enforcer Gao Xin, his long saber at his hip, appearing outside the Su residence!

The others followed Su Mo's gaze and looked back.

And then...

It became even quieter than when Dong Yangrong appeared!

Even Dong Yangrong's expression changed slightly, and he immediately swallowed his words.

The Su residence wasn't large.

The main gate was wide open, allowing a direct view into the main hall from outside.

Gao Xin saw the main hall packed with people and didn't enter. He said in a deep voice, "Brother Su, is it convenient for you to come out and talk?"

Everyone heard this.

And collectively swallowed again.

When had the Imperial Guard ever spoken to someone in such a tone?

Su Mo, however, felt a surge of joy in his heart.

Could this be the start of something?

Is that Female Captain finally going through the motions to give me her enforcer's token?

He quickly apologized to Dong Yangrong.

And hurried out of the gate!

Gao Xin lowered his voice, "Brother Su, you need to come to the Captain's office with me right now!"

"Captain Lin wants to see you!"

He paused, then added in a low voice, "It's just that I, as your elder brother, don't know why Captain Lin is looking for you."

Su Mo became even more excited!

"Okay!"

"Please wait a moment, elder brother, I'll go inform them!"

Gao Xin smiled, "No problem, go ahead!"

Su Mo quickly returned to the main hall and said with a wry smile to Dong Yangrong and the others, "Mr. Dong, Captain Lu, Captain Luo, fellow colleagues and brothers!"

"I'm truly sorry this time, but I have to go out for a bit..."

Dong Yangrong swallowed hard and quickly smiled, "Since Officer Su... Young Master Su has something to attend to, it must be important. Hurry along! Don't mind us!"

Su Mo nodded, then said to Chen Gan, "Third Uncle, you must host Mr. Dong and the others well for your nephew; do not neglect them."

"Your nephew will be back shortly!"

Chen Gan nodded heavily, "Go quickly, don't keep them waiting!"

Afterward.

Su Mo and Gao Xin quickly headed in the direction of the Captain's office.

Dong Yangrong watched the two disappear from view. He no longer mentioned needing to leave, picked up a large porcelain bowl, and took a thoughtful sip.

Not long after Su Mo left.

The Chief Constable Zhong Sanyuan, who had just received word and rushed to the Su residence with ten taels of silver, arrived.

He indeed saw Master Dong sitting in the secondary seat, leisurely sipping his tea.

Lu Shan and Luo Lie were accompanying him in the lower seats.

Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he was about to step forward to greet Mr. Dong.

But then he suddenly realized something was wrong.

Where was Su Mo?

With a big shot like Mr. Dong personally arriving, he, Zhong Sanyuan, would have to scurry over.

Su Mo actually dared not be present?!!

At this time, Su Mo had already arrived at the Imperial Guard Centurion's office again.

Led by Gao Xin, they entered the mansion, hidden by high walls, without any obstruction.

Upon entering, he discovered it was a whole new world inside, much more spacious than an ordinary mansion.

The security was so tight it was like a barracks.

There were no less than ten Imperial Guards visible alone.

Naturally, there were also hidden sentries that Su Mo couldn't see watching.

Of course, the current Imperial Guard were at the peak of their power, vast in number, and managed according to military law. They could truly fight tough battles if deployed, otherwise, they wouldn't dare call themselves the Emperor's personal army.

Gao Xin led Su Mo to a side hall and said respectfully, "Reporting to the Centurion, this subordinate has brought Su Mo!"

A cold voice immediately came from within the side hall, "Let him in!"

Gao Xin turned to Su Mo, his expression serious, "Brother Su, please enter!"

Su Mo pushed open the hall door.

The first thing that caught his eye was a welcoming screen.

Painted on the welcoming screen was a tiger descending a mountain.

The fierce tiger's imposing aura made it seem as if it would pounce from the screen at any second, causing Su Mo's heart to clench.

Beyond the screen.

He saw the stunningly beautiful, cold Female Captain sitting behind a desk, appraising him with a blank expression.