Deputy Sun’s wound was deep; by the time they had cleaned it and dressed it, noon had arrived. The yamen runners, who had been distributing grain outside, had already informed Magistrate An. Magistrate An immediately ordered a banquet to be prepared, then eagerly pulled me and Daliwan to the feast.

Though I disliked the feasting and back-slapping of officialdom, Magistrate An’s enthusiasm was overwhelming, making refusal impossible. Furthermore, he kept mentioning his adopted daughter, Cheng Susu, trying to draw me closer, even arranging for a yamen runner to fetch her as well. I truly couldn't just turn and leave. I could only endure his flattering praise throughout the lunch, which left me exhausted. In his telling, I sounded like an omnipotent immortal, capable of routing hundreds of bandits with a mere flick of a finger.

The only regret Magistrate An held regarding the battle was that despite their glorious victory wiping out over three hundred bandits, not a single horse was captured. While the bolted city gates prevented the bandits from entering, they also complicated life for those inside. Moreover, the bandits were cunning; they had slaughtered their wounded horses before departing.

Yet, regret aside, the outcome of this great battle was undeniably splendid. After lunch, Magistrate An sought my advice on drafting the official report for the Imperial Court. Such matters were utterly beyond my knowledge; I couldn't even recognize their script. Thankfully, Linglong was by my side, which prevented Magistrate An from laughing at my ignorance.

I suggested Magistrate An distribute the credit among everyone, advising against painting me as some divine being descending from the heavens. I strongly urged him to minimize my role in the dispatch. Excessive exaggeration would not only be unbelievable to the court but might also raise suspicions about the veracity of the three hundred bandit deaths. After all, the great fire had reduced the corpses to ash, making verification impossible. If it backfired, the result could be a significant loss.

Magistrate An had initially intended to list only our accomplishments, but my reminder immediately dispelled that notion. Instead, he resolved to honestly record the events and the names of all who deserved commendation. Once the report was settled, Magistrate An consulted me on the subsequent city defense arrangements, as well as the militia matter I had mentioned that morning. By the time these issues were ironed out, night had fallen.

Magistrate An tried to persuade me to stay for dinner again. I flatly refused, sending Linglong to the rear courtyard to summon Cheng Susu, who was currently keeping Madam An company. Linglong returned with a long face: “Master, Madam An insists on having Sister Susu stay the night, and she wants you to stay too for dinner, saying she wants a good long chat with your wife.”

Magistrate An seized the opportunity: “See there, virtuous nephew Zhao? If you leave now, you’re insulting me. After all, I am your foster father, aren’t I? What harm is one more dinner here?”

I replied, “We already ate here at noon; I’m embarrassed to impose again. Magistrate An, please let us return. We’ve been out all day; they’ll worry at home.”

Magistrate An countered, “Your wife is here; what is there to worry about at home? No leaving! We are eating. Otherwise, you are showing me no respect.”

Linglong, seeing my distress, intervened, “Master, perhaps you should stay. Daliwan-ge and I can return home. Don't disappoint Madam An’s wishes.”

With that, Linglong tugged Daliwan and left, regardless of my assent. At this point, I couldn't politely refuse. Moreover, Cheng Susu remained at the county seat; I felt deeply uneasy leaving her behind. Back on Earth, no matter how far they traveled, my twenty-odd women could always return home to accompany me by night due to convenient transportation. I had grown accustomed to keeping them near. The thought of them being in an insecure place made it impossible for me to sleep.

Madam An truly missed Cheng Susu. Being childless herself, she adored the sensible, clever, and charming Susu. Over dinner, she heaped lavish praise upon both of us, proclaiming us a match made in heaven—a scholarly man and a beautiful woman. This made Cheng Susu and me intensely awkward, given the current state of our relationship.

Whether intentionally arranged or not, I knew Zhang Wenbing was within the county seat, yet I didn't see him at lunch, nor did I see him at dinner. Perhaps Magistrate An himself realized that letting him out would only stir up trouble.

Cheng Susu clearly held genuine affection for her foster parents. Hearts are made of flesh and blood. Though Magistrate An could be a bit greedy and stingy, his devotion to his adopted daughter was boundless. This deeply touched me. Furthermore, Susu’s words revealed her concern for the elderly couple. The warmth surrounding the dining table made me profoundly miss my own parents back home.

After the meal, Madam An addressed me: “Zhao Qian, the hour is late; you and your wife need not travel tonight. Let Chuntian take you to your room to sleep. Susu’s room has been kept ready all this time. From now on, please don’t stand on ceremony with your Uncle and Aunt. I know you and the Magistrate will soon serve the court together. To avoid suspicion, we haven't officially acknowledged you as our son-in-law, but the reality of the relationship is plain, isn’t it? We keep the relationship private from the outside world, but must we hide it even within our own home? Chuntian, take Miss and her husband to their room to rest.”

Cheng Susu was clearly unprepared for Madam An’s arrangement, and I was momentarily stunned. Yet, a sudden urge to bow thankfully to Madam An welled up in me. I had initially resented her for forcing me to stay for dinner, but now I realized the old lady had been exceedingly thoughtful, trying to facilitate things for us as a couple.

Of course, it was also highly possible Madam An was simply acting on assumption. Seeing that Cheng Susu had acknowledged our relationship and had even returned home with me, she presumed we had resumed our life as husband and wife. But she had no idea we hadn't shared any intimate moments since. Her arrangement for us to share a room tonight—wasn't this a heaven-sent opportunity to break the current deadlock?

Chuntian did not follow Cheng Susu to our room. Naturally, she was unaware that we hadn't shared a marital bed. Seeing Cheng Susu blushing shyly, Chuntian assumed it was normal girlish modesty. She stepped forward solicitously: “Miss’s husband, let’s go. The Master has been commanding the battle all day; he and Madam should retire early.”

I inwardly scoffed: It wasn’t Magistrate An commanding the battle all day! When the fighting got tough, he vanished, only to reappear miraculously once victory was secured. But the couple wasn't wicked, and they treated Susu with immense respect; giving him the credit wasn't undeserved. Moreover, in the afternoon, he seriously sought my advice on the militia, suggesting his heart wasn't entirely closed off to the common folk.

Cheng Susu subtly pulled Chuntian ahead, whispering urgently, “Chuntian, arrange a separate room for Zhao Qian.”

“What!” Chuntian’s face registered pure astonishment. “Miss, I must obey Madam’s orders.”

“Why arrange a separate room for her husband?”

Cheng Susu grew flustered. “Oh, you don’t understand! Just do as I tell you.”

Today, however, Chuntian seemed determined to argue. She replied stubbornly, “That won't do! What if Madam asks tomorrow and scolds me for being incompetent? Wait—are you actually not his wife? Is it true, as Young Master Wenbing claimed, that this Zhao Qian is a fraud trying to steal the Miss’s innocence? No! I must tell the Master and Madam! I’ve been secretly cursing Young Master Wenbing, thinking he coveted your beauty, but he truly is a good man, truly concerned for Miss…”