I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Zhou An

At dusk the next day, Duan Rong carried a gift box wrapped in red silk. On the silk surface, there was dense embroidery with the words ”Yuan Shun Escort Agency” and a ribbon tied at the closure.

Such a precious gift box is not easily given out.

Duan Rong himself was also dressed in brand new Escort Master attire, as they say, ”A man depends on his clothes as a horse depends on its saddle.” In this outfit, Duan Rong instantly looked much more spirited.

According to the rules, as just an Apprentice Escort Master, he was not qualified to wear the Escort Master attire. However, this outfit was taken out this morning by Zhou An himself from the warehouse for him.

Going to a banquet at the County Government Office, one cannot still be dressed in casual short clothes.

Zhou An led Duan Rong out of a secluded side door in the Inner Courtyard, into an alley.

At the alley’s entrance, surprisingly, there was a small green sedan chair that seemed to have been waiting there for a long time.

Duan Rong, holding the gift box, got into the sedan chair. Zhou An called out to the bearers to lift the chair and, holding a lantern, guided them towards the County Government Office.

Whether it was the gift, the Escort Master attire, or this small sedan chair, all were arranged by Zhou An.

After all, Duan Rong is an Escort Master from the Yuan Shun Escort Agency, and going to the County Government Office for a banquet, if he loses face, it’s the face of the Yuan Shun Escort Agency that’s lost. How could Zhou An not be attentive?

Although Zhou An arranged everything seamlessly, his heart was rather dissatisfied!

He was Ruan Fengshan’s Personal Servant, and even Luan Jingfu had to give him some face when they met.

He often shuttled between various forces in Xianggu County, dealing with others daily, and everyone respected him to some extent.

But, being invited by the County Magistrate, such an honor, he didn’t even dare to imagine.

Unexpectedly, just an Apprentice Escort Master like Duan Rong had such a grand reception, while he was only guiding the way with a lantern in front of the sedan chair.

This made him feel very uncomfortable!

Zhou An was not only from a lowly background but also physically weak, unable to practice martial arts. Fortunately, he was sharp and meticulous, earning Ruan Fengshan’s appreciation, which allowed him to live a dignified life over the past few years.

However, people like him are very concerned about such matters of prestige, almost to the point of psychological distortion!

Duan Rong, sitting inside the sedan chair, felt it gently swaying up and down rhythmically with the stable footsteps of the bearers.

Last night, he was restless until the late hours before falling into a hazy sleep, leaving faint dark circles under his eyes.

He couldn’t be blamed; anyone in such a situation would have trouble sleeping!

But after a whole day of mental preparation, Duan Rong had made up his mind.

So what if it’s the County Magistrate’s daughter? It’s not like he took advantage of her intentionally!

Wasn’t it to save a life?

No matter how much it was exaggerated, he didn’t think he was wrong!

If he showed fear, it would be easier for others to take advantage!

So, he resolved to deny everything, insisting that he was only saving a life!

It was indeed saving a life; to begin with, it was saving a life!

The more Duan Rong thought about it, the more justifiable he felt, even thinking that the County Magistrate should invite him for a meal!

A little gratitude!

Realizing this thought, he unconsciously smiled.

Exactly! That was the kind of attitude needed!

The County Government Office and the Yuan Shun Escort Agency were both located on West Main Street, just about two li apart. With the steady steps of four experienced bearers, it took less than half an incense stick’s time to reach the place.

Duan Rong got off the sedan chair, and Zhou An, holding a lantern, led him to the entrance of the County Government Office.

Two stone lions, taller than a person, majestically stood there, with a large plaque under the eaves illuminated brightly by the lantern, inscribed with the words ”Xianggu County Office.”

At the entrance stood two constables. Zhou An directly led Duan Rong past them.

Zhou An had frequent dealings with the County Government Office, inside and out, and was quite familiar there.

Zhou An smiled and slipped two silver notes into the sleeve of one of the constables, whispered a few words, and without needing to announce, led Duan Rong through the main gate of the County Government Office.

Just past the gate, after a few steps, they suddenly saw Qin Shuban holding a document, heading towards the main hall.

Zhou An immediately called out and bowed.

Qin Shuban returned the salute, tucked the document into his wide sleeve, and said, ”The Magistrate and Madam are already in the flower hall at the back, ready with the feast! I’ll take Escort Master Duan over.”

Hearing this, Duan Rong gratefully bowed and offered a simple smile.

Qin Shuban led Duan Rong along a small path beside the main hall, bypassing the back of the office.

Seeing the two leave, Zhou An, holding a lantern, walked out of the County Government Office to the small green sedan chair.

The four bearers had stopped the chair and were gathering to chat. Seeing Zhou An approaching, an older bearer stepped forward and asked, ”Master An, should we wait for Escort Master Duan, or head back now?”

Zhou An glared at the bearer, as if blaming him for speaking too much, and angrily said, ”Wait for what? He’s not anyone important!”

Zhou An, saying this, swung his sleeves and slipped into the sedan chair, scolding, ”Go! Take me back!”

The older bearer’s expression slightly changed; he waved his hand at the others, and they lifted the sedan chair.

This bearer, having dealt with Zhou An for years, was well aware of his unpredictable temper and didn’t know what had angered this plague god today, provoking a fit of rage towards him.

But as low-level bearers, they earned money by enduring such tempers, so they had to tolerate it!

Qin Shuban led Duan Rong, bypassed the screen behind the main hall, and entered the courtyard behind the office.

Under the eaves of the courtyard, lanterns with ”Xianggu County Office” written on them were hung. The courtyard couldn’t be considered luxurious, but it was quite elegantly simple.

It’s an ancient mansion hundreds of years old, after several renovations and the erosion of time, appearing all the more quaint and serene.

Duan Rong’s eyes shifted; he had heard of the current Magistrate’s simplicity, and it seemed the rumors were true!

As the Magistrate of a county, even living in another mansion within the city wouldn’t have been a difficult task, but Shen Yanliu had continued to live at the back of the office for many years.

Duan Rong knew the office had strict rules, so he followed Qin Shuban diligently, neither wandering nor looking around.

Qin Shuban led Duan Rong to a refined room with carved doors and windows!

Stepping inside, Qin Shuban stood at the threshold and said loudly, ”My Lord and Madam, Escort Master Duan has arrived!”

Duan Rong stood behind Qin Shuban, seeing the room inside brightly lit, as though in daylight, where a middle-aged couple seemed to be chatting over tea beside a table.

”Escort Master Duan is here! Please come in, let me have a look!” a lively and sweet female voice suddenly called out.

Hearing this, Duan Rong quickly stepped inside the hall.

Qin Shuban, seeing Duan Rong inside, quietly retreated, heading back to his duties in the front office.

Upon entering the hall, Duan Rong, holding the gift, bowed deeply and said aloud, ”To the esteemed Magistrate, I wish you prosperity, longevity, and peace in Xianggu, safeguarding the region’s tranquility!”

”To Madam, I wish eternal youth, year after year, all wishes fulfilled!”

The couple, hearing Duan Rong’s blessing, was amused, and the lady nudged the person beside her, saying, ”Listen! He wishes me eternal youth?”

Speaking, the lady turned her head to look at Duan Rong, smiling, ”Is this child an Escort Master or an opera singer? His words come in sets!”

Duan Rong straightened his waist, smiled, and replied, ”Seeing the Magistrate and Madam fills my heart with joy, these words bubble up like boiling water, unstoppable!”

The lady found Duan Rong’s words amusing, his smile foolishly endearing and laughed again, ”What a clever child!”

”Now that the guest is here, let’s take our seats and chat at the table.” Shen Yanliu stood up, gestured with his hand, and said, ”Escort Master Duan, please be seated!”

Duan Rong bowed again and said, ”After you, Magistrate!”

At this moment, a servant stepped forward to take the gift box from Duan Rong’s hand.