Female Captain

Dong Yangrong saw the stunned expressions on everyone's faces and could not help sighing inwardly.

He actually did not want to come either.

One had to know that even County Lieutenant Xu Feng and Chief Clerk Zhuang Youzhi had to respectfully address him as Mr. Dong whenever they saw him!

Yet now he had personally come to attend a celebration feast for a yamen runner!

The man had not even sent him an invitation!

How humiliating was that?

But the magistrate was simply too eager to advance.

There was nothing the adviser could do!

The Imperial Guard were the Son of Heaven's disciples. They could report directly to the emperor, and a single discreet word of praise carried ten times the weight of the highest evaluation in the major assessment!

No one understood Magistrate Xue Shan's regard for Su Mo better than his adviser, Dong Yangrong.

The magistrate had even wanted to come in person!

His obsession with promotion had become a demon in his heart!

Dong Yangrong had stopped the magistrate's idea without the slightest hesitation.

If the magistrate himself had to step forward, what use was there for an adviser like him?

He might as well pack his things and get lost!

Unfortunately, Su Mo's identity was special. If a county official dared to contact him in private, what would that imply?

Thus, he could only seize this opportunity to come openly and aboveboard.

Dong Yangrong composed himself, then looked at the stunned crowd with a beaming smile. "What's wrong?"

"You're allowed to come, but I'm not?"

Lu Shan swallowed hard and hurried forward several steps, bringing a bamboo chair for Adviser Dong.

"Mr. Dong, what are you saying!"

"Is there anywhere in the entire Changping County that Mr. Dong cannot go?"

"Please, sit down!"

Luo Lie cursed inwardly.

What a Lu Shan!

He had actually beaten him to it!

If he had not been so shocked just now, he certainly would not have fallen even half a step behind!

It seemed that Su Mo's relationship with the county magistrate was even more outrageous than the rumors claimed!

His expression complicated, he cast Su Mo a sidelong glance.

Damn it!

What kind of sacred stone had this kid leaped out of?

Su Mo was somewhat surprised as well.

He had not expected Dong Yangrong to come too.

He naturally stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Dong Yangrong. "It's my pleasure to have you here, sir. I'm only afraid I might neglect you. How could I say you shouldn't come?"

"Please, take a seat inside!"

Dong Yangrong smiled. "There's no need to be so polite, Constable Su."

"I happened to be passing by. Seeing how lively the residence was, I came in to see what was going on and join in the fun."

As he spoke, he gestured to Lu Shan to deliver the box in his hands to Su Mo. "As it happens, Magistrate Xue gave me a packet of tea. I'll simply borrow flowers to offer to Buddha."

Su Mo was taken aback when he heard that.

Dong Yangrong continued, "It isn't some precious variety, but it is a somewhat famous specialty aged tea from Wu County. It has a flavor all its own!"

The moment he said this,

Lu Shan and the others swallowed hard once more!

Wasn't Magistrate Xue from Wu County?

Tea from the magistrate's hometown!

Su Mo still could not discern the implication, but Chen Gan hurried forward and accepted the aged tea from Lu Shan with both hands. "Su Mo!"

"Why haven't you quickly thanked Mr. Dong for his generous gift!"

He immediately poured Dong Yangrong a cup of tea!

Su Mo promptly clasped his hands toward Dong Yangrong and thanked him. "Then I'll shamelessly accept this generous gift, sir!"

After a pause, he added, "Constable Luo hunted a wild boar on the mountain yesterday and sent over its head. It's just right for sharing with you, sir!"

Luo Lie let out a silent curse.

What a spiteful, cunning little fox!

He had immediately tried to smear him!

He never let revenge wait overnight!

Dong Yangrong first took a small sip of tea, then teased with a smile, "Constable Su, this tea of yours is rather coarse. It really isn't suitable for receiving guests."

"Looks like I borrowed flowers to offer to Buddha at just the right time!"

After saying this, he furrowed his brow slightly and glanced at Luo Lie. "Taking the top spot—what an auspicious meaning!"

"Constable Luo was thoughtful."

"You must follow Constable Luo closely in the future and learn how to conduct yourself."

Then he changed course. "Unfortunately, my employer has business that requires my attention, so I'll have to pass on the evening meal..."

"Next time..."

Before Dong Yangrong could finish saying "next time," a deep shout came from outside the residence. "Is Su Mo here?"

Su Mo froze when he heard it and looked toward the gate.

Sure enough, Gao Xin, a Strongman of the Imperial Guard, had appeared outside Su Residence with a long saber at his waist!

The others followed Su Mo's gaze and turned to look behind them.

Then...

The silence was even deeper than when Dong Yangrong had appeared!

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

Su Residence was not large.

With the main gate wide open, the central hall could be seen directly from outside.

Seeing the hall packed shoulder to shoulder with people, Gao Xin did not enter. He said in a low voice, "Brother Su, is it convenient for you to come out and speak?"

Everyone swallowed in unison once more.

Since when had the Imperial Guard spoken to anyone in such a tone?

Su Mo, meanwhile, was delighted.

Could it be that the show was finally beginning?

Had that Female Captain finally finished the formalities and decided to give him his Strongman's identity tablet?

He hurriedly apologized to Dong Yangrong and stepped quickly out of the residence.

Gao Xin lowered his voice. "Brother Su, come with me to the Imperial Guard Centurion's Office right now!"

"Captain Lin wants to see you!"

After a pause, he added in a low voice, "Though this old brother doesn't know why Captain Lin wants to see you either."

Su Mo grew even more excited!

"Good!"

"Sorry for the trouble, Brother Gao. Please wait a moment while I go tell them."

Gao Xin smiled. "It's fine. Go ahead!"

Su Mo hurried back into the central hall and said with an apologetic smile to Dong Yangrong and the others, "Mr. Dong, Constable Lu, Constable Luo, and all my fellow colleagues!"

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

Dong Yangrong secretly swallowed, then hurriedly smiled. "Constable Su... Brother Su, since you have business, it naturally takes priority. Go quickly! Don't worry about us!"

Su Mo nodded, then said to Chen Gan, "Third Uncle, you must entertain Mr. Dong and the others properly. Don't neglect them in the slightest."

"I'll be back soon!"

Chen Gan nodded emphatically. "Hurry along. Don't keep them waiting!"

Afterward,

Su Mo and Gao Xin hurried toward the Imperial Guard Centurion's Office.

Watching the two disappear from sight, Dong Yangrong no longer mentioned having business that required him to leave. Instead, he picked up the large porcelain bowl and took a thoughtful sip.

Su Mo had not been gone long

when Zhong Sanyuan, the chief constable, arrived at Su Residence in a rush after hearing the news and bringing a ten-tael silver ingot.

Sure enough, he saw Adviser Dong seated in the secondary seat, leisurely savoring his tea.

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

Cold sweat instantly broke out across his forehead as he prepared to step forward and pay his respects to Mr. Dong.

But then he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

Where was Su Mo?

A great figure like Mr. Dong had come in person. Even Zhong Sanyuan would have scampered over at top speed.

Yet Su Mo actually dared not to be here?!!

By this time, Su Mo had once again arrived at the Imperial Guard Centurion's Office.

With Gao Xin leading the way, he entered without hindrance through the high-walled compound.

Only after entering did he discover that it contained a hidden world of its own. It was extremely spacious and utterly unlike an ordinary great residence.

Its defenses were so strict that it resembled a military camp.

There were no fewer than ten Imperial Guard sentries visible at a glance.

Naturally, there were also hidden sentries watching from places Su Mo could not see.

Of course, the Imperial Guard were now at the height of their power and enormous in number. Managed according to military regulations, they could truly fight hard battles on the battlefield; otherwise, they would not dare call themselves the Son of Heaven's personal army.

Gao Xin brought Su Mo to the front of a side hall and said respectfully, "Reporting to the Female Captain, your subordinate has brought Su Mo!"

A cool voice immediately came from inside the side hall. "Let him in!"

Gao Xin turned to look at Su Mo, his expression solemn. "Brother Su, please enter!"

Su Mo pushed open the hall doors.

The first thing that entered his view was a reception screen.

The painting on the screen was actually a tiger descending the mountain.

The fierce tiger radiated a terrifying aura, as though it would pounce out from the screen in the next instant. Su Mo's heart tightened at the sight.

After walking around the screen,

he saw the breathtakingly beautiful, aloof Female Captain sitting behind the desk, expressionless as she sized him up.