My Lady Says She Wants to Marry Me - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Lu Youming bowed in greeting, and the Magistrate immediately motioned for her to sit. “Zijin, since today is your first day on duty, there may be much you are unclear about. I’ve had the Master Secretary organize everything for you.”

The Magistrate patted a stack of documents on the desk that was nearly as high as a forearm, signaling her to take them back and read them at her leisure.

Lu Youming performed a Chashou salute (clasping hands). “Thank you, Excellency.”

“If there is anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me or the County Vice-Magistrate. Our Qinghe County relies on a young person like you now,” the Magistrate said, clearly favoring the candidate recommended from above.

“Then I shall likely trouble your Excellency many times in the future,” Lu Youming offered a small compliment, which brought a delighted smile to the old man’s face.

“Hahaha! This old man’s greatest strength is not fearing trouble. Go study the records first; ask whatever you need.”

Lu Youming sat in her own office—the Banfang. In this yamen, the Magistrate, Vice-Magistrate, Master Secretary, and Sheriff each had their own private offices. Looking at the two large piles of data and books before her, she felt a slight headache coming on.

Left with no choice, she began with the most essential texts. Over the past few days, she had undergone “emergency training” from Su Wanrou on how to greet superiors and analyze government decrees and local regulations.

While Lu Youming was buried in paperwork, Su Wanrou was busy at home decorating their newly purchased residence, another large three-entry courtyard house. Under her direction, the quiet estate became lively. The house had been a surprise gift; she only found out it had been bought when she received a letter and the title deed from her second uncle, who served in another province.

At noon, Lu Youming rode her horse home. Seeing the elegantly decorated flower hall, she couldn’t help but marvel at Su Wanrou’s capability. Su Wanrou handled the vast house and the many servants with perfect order. Currently, Lu Youming’s food, clothing, and travel were all managed by Su Wanrou. She occasionally saw Su Wanrou flipping through account books that were nearly as thick as her own legal codes.

“You’re back. Come and rest,” Su Wanrou said, setting down her brush and rubbing her wrist. She had spent the whole morning managing affairs herself.

“The weather is getting hotter. Riding back, I felt like I was going to melt,” Lu Youming said, fanning herself vigorously. She desperately missed modern air conditioning.

“The flower hall has shade from the trees, so it’s relatively cool. I’ve already sent people to buy ice. Once we have a steady supply, it will be much better,” Su Wanrou replied casually.

“Oh, right! My salary includes a summer subsidy; we can use that for the ice,” Lu Youming offered without hesitation, wanting to hand over her wages.

Su Wanrou smiled. “Then I shall have to ask Husband to work hard at the yamen; the household depends on you.”

Lu Youming glanced at the expensive decor in the hall. Her salary probably barely covered the cost of the curtains in this room alone. “Madam jokes. This home relies entirely on your management.” She quickly poured a cup of warm water for Su Wanrou.

“Is the yamen busy?” Su Wanrou asked, placing a piece of meat in Lu Youming’s bowl.

“Not very. The Magistrate wants me to learn the ropes first.” Lu Youming ate heartily, but noticed Su Wanrou was just picking at her rice. “No appetite?”

“Mmm. It’s too hot. I miss your cooking,” Su Wanrou said, looking at her expectantly. Over the past few weeks, she had grown accustomed to acting a bit spoiled around Lu Youming.

Lu Youming laughed. She viewed Su Wanrou as a sister and a friend, making their interactions natural. “It’s too late to cook now, but if you bear with this for now, I’ll cook dinner when I get home tonight. How’s that?”

“Alright then,” Su Wanrou agreed reluctantly.

After lunch, Lu Youming didn’t rest. She told Liu Qing to prepare the ingredients and headed back to the yamen. Just as she was leaving, Su Wanrou forced a parasol on her.

“Take it. If you get tanned too dark, I won’t be able to see you on the road tonight and might step on you,” Su Wanrou teased, her tone half-threatening and half-concerned. Lu Youming took the umbrella and galloped off.

Back at the yamen, she spent the afternoon studying. Tomorrow, she would have to start patrolling the streets and training her subordinates.

The ancient yamen functioned similarly to a modern police station, with roughly an eight-hour workday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Lu Youming stayed until 5:00 PM (You hour) before heading home with two volumes of criminal case records to study.

A few days later, Lu Youming stood on the martial arts practice field. She looked stern, her hair tied back neatly, wearing durable black training gear. Her sleeves were cinched, and she held a wooden staff. Fifteen constables were shirtless, sweating profusely as they held a horse-stance under the scorching sun.

The Magistrate watched from the corridor, satisfied. Since his energy had waned, the guards had become lazy. But with this new Sheriff, they had become disciplined and spirited. Petty crimes in the county had already begun to drop.

Lu Youming trained them for two hours every day. Initially, some were defiant, but after Lu Youming effortlessly flipped the strongest among them, they became completely submissive. In the yamen, strength spoke loudest.

Seeing their progress, Lu Youming picked up a staff and began practicing her spear techniques. Her movements were fierce and precise, learned from her days at the police academy. With a sudden, dragon-like strike, her staff pierced through the air with a sharp whoosh, puncturing a heavy sandbag.

The constables broke their stance to cheer. “Excellency is mighty!”

The loud shouting reached the County Vice-Magistrate, who was busy with summer tax records. “What is all that noise in the back?” he asked a servant.

“It is the new Sheriff, Excellency, training the men.”

“Oh? Then I shall go take a look as well.” The Vice-Magistrate stood up, rubbing his old aching arms, and headed toward the practice field.