Lian Huan craned his neck, like an upright and incorruptible remonstrating official, and shouted, "I refuse to accept such punishment from Your Excellency! It is my duty to offer counsel—what fault have I committed? Your judgment is unjust!"
At the same time, several officials stepped forward half a pace and gathered together, all staring at Fang Yun. They faintly seemed intent on joining forces to resist him.
Fang Yun's expression did not change. His gaze swept across them all, taking note of every minute movement.
Those who had taken a step, those who had taken half a step, those who had lifted a foot but hesitated to advance, those who remained motionless, those whose faces held mocking amusement... nothing escaped Fang Yun's eyes.
The private soldiers behind Fang Yun grew angry. A black-clad Provincial Graduate in his twenties stepped forward and shouted, "Before a Void Sage, who dares behave so outrageously!"
The speaker was Fang Yun's cousin, Fang Yingwu. He loved the pleasure quarters and willow lanes most of all, yet he was also full of learning and talent, intending to temper himself for a few more years before taking the Metropolitan Graduate Examination.
"There is no Void Sage here, only the officials of Ning'an County. Outsiders are not permitted to interrupt!" Lian Huan rebuked him without ceremony.
Fang Yingwu sneered. "I am Advisor to County Magistrate Fang and have the right to offer counsel on matters of the county office!"
"This concerns an important matter of the county. Step back!" said Clerk Lian Huan.
Though Fang Yingwu was a Provincial Graduate, he held no official post in Ning'an County. He could only retreat half a step and say, "If anyone dares show disrespect to Void Sage Fang, then as a Provincial Graduate, I too have the right to offer