Gift Lists

On the south bank of Cibi Lake, in the study of the Langqiong Zhao government office, County Magistrate Zheng Qingci sat behind his desk, his face full of worry. The flickering lamplight made his face appear even more gloomy.

After a long while, there was a knock on the study door, and a male voice said:

"My lord, the imperial envoy has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qingci's face darkened, but he smiled and said:

"Quickly, please go to the main hall. I'll be there shortly."

The person outside the door respectfully responded and then left.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Zheng Qingci's expression grew increasingly grim.

The candle flame flickered in the night wind, casting half of his face in shadow.

He gazed at the solitary lamp and suddenly recalled the words of advice his nephew Zheng Xuanzhi, who had served as an instructor in this area before he took office, had given him:

"I observe that Qixia Daozi acts ruthlessly. Even during his Foundation Establishment, he was able to unleash numerous high-level Law Technique, demonstrating profound Daoxing. Coupled with the deep foundation of Qixia Temple, Purple Mansion realm is only a matter of time for him. Although my uncle is Holding the Profound and a local magistrate, he can only suppress him temporarily, not forever. It would be better for him to peacefully pass through this period and not get involved."

He just smiled and didn't take it seriously.

Later, the Confucian School offered a very high price. Originally, all that was needed was to send it to the official gazette of the court to inform Su Yao of the edict of self-reproach. However, because of the Confucian School, he went there in person. Even though Su Yao was not happy at the time, he did not care too much.

Little did he know that nine years later, the Qixia Daozi had already ascended to the Purple Mansion. The scene of him casually forcing the Spirit Treasure to retreat in the Great Void with his spiritual treasure was still vivid in his mind, even though several months had passed.

That supervisor was a genuine Purple Mansion True Person, and he cultivated the Confucian School; while I was merely a Xuan Holding the Profound who relied on the blessing of the dynasty, and I cultivated School of Names school of thought that had long since fallen into decline.

So he didn't dare to say a word that day.

Zheng Qingci sat at the desk for a while longer before finally closing the document. He stood up, straightened his clothes, concealed his worried expression, and went out.

In the main hall, a young man sat at the head of the left side; he was none other than Lu Mingtang, the instructor of Langqiong Zhao. He held a teacup, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of the cup. The tea had been cold for quite some time, but he was completely unaware of it.

His visit tonight was not his own idea. Within a radius of several hundred miles Langqiong Zhao, seven or eight aristocratic families, large and small, from the Yin and Wang families who had been chieftains for generations, to the newly arrived Li Household and Yang Household, to the small and medium-sized families that had risen in recent decades, had all sent people to his residence this afternoon to deliver messages.

In short, it all boils down to one thing: the Abbot of Qixia Temple's Purple Mansion Dharma Banquet is tomorrow, and who wouldn't want to take this opportunity to climb the social ladder by associating with Qixia Temple?

However, Magistrate Zheng Qingci hesitated to express his opinion, and since he was not going, it was not appropriate for others to go without authorization.

If it were just an ordinary banquet, no one would be in such a hurry. But this time is different.

The Fengyu Yang Household separated this branch from the main clan more than twenty years ago, leaving it here specifically to train disciples for Qixia Temple. It's rumored that one of their disciples has already reached the Qi Refinement Sixth Layer; the Yang Household's pledge of allegiance has been a success. However, the Yang Household still has collateral branches in Langqiong Zhao. If no one comes to the banquet this time, wouldn't it seem like they've crossed the river and burned the bridge?

The Li Household, the former county magistrate's family, also has a branch that has split up here. Both families have completely submitted to Qixia, so we have to go there; otherwise, the original separation would become a joke.

But the magistrate of the county above is also pressing down on this.

Even more subtle are the two chieftain families, Yin and Wang.

These two families, whose members hold hereditary positions as local inspectors and clerks, each have Holding the Profound posts in the imperial court. They have never aligned themselves with the gentry.

This time, however, both Wang, the inspector of the Wang family, and Yin, the clerk of the Yin family, went into seclusion without making an appointment, and only sent their direct descendants to prepare generous gifts.

It wasn't that they didn't value it; on the contrary, they valued it too much. They just didn't dare to go there without the magistrate's permission, for fear of being impeached and getting into trouble. After all, no one wanted to be accused of "opportunism."

It takes immense courage to produce a legitimate son.

He put down his teacup, stood up and straightened his clothes, just as he heard footsteps coming from the back room.

County Magistrate Zheng Qingci in, his face bearing his usual smile, showing no trace of the sorrow he had displayed while sitting alone in his study just moments before.

Lu Mingtang bowed and said, "This humble official greets the magistrate."

Zheng Qingci his hand, took his seat in the main seat, and gestured for him to sit down and talk.

Lu Mingtang did not sit down immediately, but instead took out a neatly folded gift list from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"My lord, this is a list of congratulatory gifts jointly prepared by seven aristocratic families within the territory of Langqiong Zhao. The Yang and Li families also sent over a copy, along with gift lists prepared by Inspector Yin and Clerk Wang. I have entrusted you to present them all to you for your review."

He gently placed the three forms on the table beside Zheng Qingci, took two steps back, and then sat down.

Zheng Qingci unfolded the thickest document, jointly signed by seven aristocratic families, containing spirit sand, elixirs, Law Artifact, and spiritual materials—a truly substantial amount.

The second document was thinner, listing only a few items. It was prepared by the Yang and Li families, with a neat signature and respectful wording, simply stating that it was "on behalf of the clan's members to thank Qixia Temple for its cultivation."

His gaze lingered on the words "gratitude for nurturing" for a moment, but he remained silent.

The third one is the thinnest, but it is the most precious. Both the Yin and Wang families have prepared one of these Purple Mansion Spiritual Items.

After reading them, he put down the three gift lists and said calmly:

"Weren't Inspector Yin and Clerk Wang in seclusion?"

Lu Mingtang smiled slightly and answered flawlessly:

"The two chieftains have indeed been in seclusion for some time, which is why their Lineage dare not come to disturb you, sir. However, their young sons have long admired the name of the Sword Immortal Abbot of Qixia Temple. If you permit, sir, they will join the various clans' groups to ascend the mountain early tomorrow morning. The gifts will be prepared by the two clans' sons and will not involve any official duties."

He paused:

"But everything is subject to your orders, sir. If you do not grant permission, I absolutely dare not go up the mountain tomorrow."

Zheng Qingci picked up her teacup and slowly took a sip.

The hall was quiet for a moment, with only the occasional soft popping of a candle flame.

He knew perfectly well that Inspector Wang had connections to the Prince Mu's Manor family, and Clerk Yin was related to the Prefect. Although both families treated him with respect, they were shrewder than anyone else.

Now even they are lining up waiting for him to give in. If he continues to suppress it, will he still be able to keep his position as county magistrate?

Seeing that the time was right, Lu Mingtang steered the conversation towards a more practical topic:

"I have another matter to discuss with you today, sir."

Zheng Qingci put down her teacup, glanced at him, and then snorted coldly:

"Explain!"

"Tomorrow is the Purple Mansion banquet held by the Abbot of Qixia Temple. Langqiong Zhao is only a stone's throw away from Golden Ao Mountain, and the county magistrate's office is the face of the court stationed in Nanzhao. Whether to go or not, when to go, and who to take, I dare not act on my own. I would like to ask Your Excellency to set some rules."

Zheng Qingci did not answer immediately.

Looking at the three gift lists on the table, he suddenly remembered what his nephew Zheng Xuanzhi had said to him many years ago.

He said in a low voice:

Are you trying to force me to comply?