"What is the purpose of the selection? To serve His Majesty! Every selection involves many hurdles. Do you think the palace maids in charge are freeloading? Can’t they tell if anyone is pure or not? If you’re caught in deception, it would mean you defied His Majesty. That is punishable by death, not only for you but also for your entire family!"
Yang Chuxia kicked Steward Cao, who was by her side, and continued, "Not everyone is greedy for wealth and honor. Many people are forced into the selection, resulting in broken families. Shouldn’t I have him thrown in jail?"
Seeing Yang Lichun indifferent, she sniggered, "By the way, there’s a piece of news. You were chosen, not because you caught the eye of Lord Prefect, but because this old man took a liking to you. Do you get what I mean? The daughter of Lord Prefect doesn’t have a chance with you. Even if she follows him, he’s the one benefiting. Do you understand now?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Lichun’s face hardened. Serving the Emperor and serving a servant are not the same.
Realizing that she was almost deceived, she attacked Steward Cao in anger, worsening his injuries.
Meanwhile, County Magistrate Shen was visibly upset.
"Is Madam Ye telling the truth?"
"Of course." Yang Chuxia responded, "Could you, County Magistrate Shen, please take these two back to the county office for custody?"
She then whispered to him, "Lord Shen, you need not fear Lord Prefect. Young Master Mu has already sent someone to the prefecture. Lord Prefect is not going to have a good time dealing with this."
County Magistrate Shen was secretly relieved, realizing the decision to postpone recognizing Lord Prefect as a stepfather was wise. If the Mu family hadn’t intervened, Lord Prefect might have been able to pass the buck to his subordinates, but with the Mu family’s involvement, there was no escaping.
"Glad you understand!"
Without anyone noticing, Mu Shaoling had already joined them. County Magistrate Shen turned his head and saw a remarkably handsome man standing there, his heart fluttered.
He noticed the man speaking softly with Ye Zi’an, catching the words ’Young Master Mu’ and ’Divine Doctor’. He realized the man must be the young Divine Doctor Mu who was highly respected by the Emperor, even more so than the princes. He was even the target of alliances amongst the princes.
Knowing he was in the presence of a significant figure, his previous feeling of being ignored vanished.
Seeing that the man had no intention of acknowledging him despite knowing he was the County Magistrate, he decided to discretely ask Constable Hong to take Steward Cao and Nurse Yun away.
As soon as they left, Auntie Li, who had been pouting the whole time, could no longer hold her tongue and started a fierce quarrel with Yang Lichun.
One accusing the other of disdain for her son’s ambitions.
The other arguing that her son was incompetent to begin with, and so she should encourage him to better himself.
Yang Chuxia, too, lost interest and went home with Ye Zi’an.
Thus, the fake selection event was temporarily concluded.
Three days later, the official court selection started in Funan, much earlier than Mu Shaoling expected.
However, all of this had nothing to do with Yangshu Village, as all the good-looking women in the village were married. Those who were left were taken by Land Officer Yang to town for the selection but soon returned.