Chapter 9- The County Magistrate’s Wife – Transcendental Translations

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Chapter 9

Young Master Zhou’s touch made Tian Tian feel utterly disgusted, and the overpowering stench of alcohol nearly caused her to faint.

Tian Tian struggled wildly, shouting in anger, “Let me down! If you think I’m lying, you can send someone to the county office or the Xu residence to verify my identity. If you dare act recklessly, Xu Mu will make sure you regret it, and your family will face disastrous consequences because of your impulsiveness.”

Xianglan, desperate, rushed forward to try to stop him, attempting to pull Tian Tian from Young Master Zhou’s grasp. “Young Master Zhou, please let my mistress go! She really is the magistrate’s wife. We didn’t bring any servants today because she just wanted to stroll around by herself. If you don’t believe me, you can immediately send word to the Xu residence, and my lady’s identity will be confirmed.”

Young Master Zhou, however, had a beautiful woman in his arms, and the delicate fragrance around her only intensified his drunkenness. Impatient and reckless, he had no interest in waiting for confirmation. Besides, he was convinced that his assumptions were correct. Over the years, no one had dared defy him. There was no way the magistrate’s wife would dress in such plain clothes. She was the daughter of the Prefect of Yuzhou, even though she was an illegitimate child, she had grown up in luxury and had to be a refined, formal woman.

“Get lost! Don’t spoil my fun,” Zhou shouted, kicking Xianglan away.

With a loud thud, Xianglan was thrown to the ground, hitting a wooden table hard. A large bruise formed on her forehead, and blood began to seep out. Many witnesses saw what happened, but none dared intervene. Young Master Zhou was notorious in the county for his debauchery, and his family was wealthy and powerful. Even the county magistrate was fond of him, which emboldened him to act without fear in the county.

“Xianglan, are you alright?” Tian Tian, frantic, stopped struggling for a moment and looked at her anxiously.

Tears welled up in Xianglan’s eyes as she climbed to her feet, covering her wound. She shook her head, “Madam, I’m fine.” She then rushed toward Zhou again, shouting, “Let go of my mistress!”

Young Master Zhou’s face twisted in annoyance. “Guards! Restrain this annoying servant!”

“Yes, sir.” A group of Zhou’s servants immediately surrounded Xianglan, forming a tight circle. No matter how hard Xianglan tried to break through, she couldn’t. She could only watch helplessly as Zhou carried Tian Tian away.

“Madam!” Xianglan screamed, her voice hoarse with desperation.

Tian Tian, equally frantic, shouted back, “Go back to the residence and get help!”

Zhou completely ignored Tian Tian’s words and carried her into his carriage, heading straight for the Zhou residence. Stubborn by nature, once he made up his mind, nothing could change it. In his eyes, Tian Tian sending her maid back to fetch help was just a bluff to scare him.

He was well-experienced and wasn’t easily frightened.

Once inside the carriage, Tian Tian stopped struggling, resigned to her fate. Zhou’s hungry eyes stayed fixed on her the whole time. Outside, his servants followed, making escape impossible.

Zhou stared intently at her, finding her more and more beautiful with every glance. Even her anger made her look stunning, her cheeks flushed and her eyes brimming with fire as she glared at him. She was lively, full of spirit, and irresistibly alluring.

“Beauty, as long as you behave, you’ll have the position of the First Lady of the Zhou family,” Zhou said smugly.

The Zhou family was powerful and wealthy in Changping County, with enough money to last generations. Despite his poor reputation, there were many women eager to become his wife.

Tian Tian snorted coldly but said nothing.

Zhou chuckled. “I like a woman with spirit.”

Tian Tian closed her eyes, pretending to rest, not wanting to engage with him.

But Zhou wasn’t ready to give up. He slowly moved closer, trying to steal a kiss.

Tian Tian’s eyes flew open, and she said sharply, “Young Master Zhou, didn’t you want me to behave? We’re still outside, and there are many eyes around. Let’s wait until we’re back at your residence.”

To buy time and wait for a rescue, Tian Tian had no choice but to play along temporarily.

Zhou was already impatient, unable to wait any longer, and his hands began to reach toward her.

Tian Tian quickly stopped him, raising her voice. “Don’t you want me to be the First Lady of the Zhou family? As your legitimate wife, shouldn’t you at least give me some dignity?”

Zhou paused to think. She had a point. As his legitimate wife, she deserved respect, and acting rashly in the carriage was inappropriate.

“Alright, I won’t touch you now. We’ll wait until we get home,” Zhou said, withdrawing his hands with a lewd grin. As long as she was willing to let him have her, he figured, everything would go smoothly. Consent was always better than force.

Xianglan hurried out of Jinxiang Restaurant, running like mad toward the county office. The magistrate was working there at this hour, and he was the only one who could save Tian Tian.

Her forehead was swollen and bleeding, but she didn’t stop to wipe it. Along the way, passersby gave her startled looks.

“What’s going on with that girl? Her face is covered in blood.”

“Why is she running so fast?”

Some people exiting Jinxiang Restaurant began retelling the incident they had witnessed, adding dramatic details. Those who heard it were filled with shock and dismay.

“The woman claiming to be the magistrate’s wife has fallen into Young Master Zhou’s hands. I fear she’s in grave danger.”

“Who wouldn’t agree? Just a few days ago, a young girl who had just come of age was mistreated by him. Unable to bear it, she took her own life. Her parents have been carrying her body around to protest, but that despicable official is still siding with Young Master Zhou. That poor girl, truly pitiful.”

“Who knows if this so-called magistrate’s wife is the real deal? If she is, I’d like to see how that corrupt official will react.”

“She can’t be real. How could the magistrate’s wife go out with only one maid?”

“I’ve seen that woman before. She’s truly stunning, like a heavenly beauty. If she changed her clothes, she could very well be the magistrate’s wife.”

“Let’s just wait and see how this unfolds.”

Meanwhile, Xianglan, panicking, rushed to the county office to seek an audience with Xu Mu. A constable went to notify Zhou Nan.

In recent days, Xianglan had frequently inquired about Xu Mu’s whereabouts from Zhou Nan, so they had become familiar with each other.

When Zhou Nan stepped out of the office and saw her, he was shocked. He hurried over to her, “Xianglan, what happened to your face?” Her face was covered in blood, looking frightening.

Xianglan didn’t care about that. In a rush, she said, “Zhou Nan, take me to see the magistrate, quickly!”

Zhou Nan hesitated, feeling conflicted. The magistrate had no desire to see her, or more accurately, he didn’t want to see the magistrate’s wife. He had given strict orders that no one associated with her should be allowed in.

Seeing his reluctance, Xianglan was on the verge of tears. “Zhou Nan, please go tell him. Madam is in serious trouble!”

Zhou Nan’s pupils shrank, and his face paled. “What happened to Madam?”

“Madam was taken by that rogue Young Master Zhou, and the situation is extremely dangerous. If we’re too late, Madam might…” Xianglan cried as she recounted the events leading to her mistress sneaking out of the house.

Zhou Nan knew the gravity of the situation and hurriedly said, “Xianglan, wait here. I’ll report this to the magistrate right away.”

Xianglan nodded frantically, tears streaming down her face. “Alright.”

Zhou Nan ran into the county office as fast as he could.

Xu Mu was in the back hall playing Go. Suddenly, he heard hurried footsteps, and moments later, Zhou Nan burst in, panting heavily, with beads of sweat on his forehead. Xu Mu frowned slightly. “How many years have you been following me, and you’re still this panicked?” he said, as he placed a black piece on the Go board with a crisp sound. Then, he leisurely picked up a white piece, preparing to make his next move.

Zhou Nan, still catching his breath, didn’t stop to wipe his sweat. “Master, something terrible has happened! Madam has been taken by Young Master Zhou, and she’s been forced to go to his residence.”

Zhou Nan recounted everything Xianglan had told him.

With a sharp clack, the white Go piece fell from Xu Mu’s hand, scattering the entire board.

Zhou Nan stood frozen, afraid to even breathe. “Master, you…”

Xu Mu abruptly stood up, his face darkened. “Gather all the constables immediately and head to Zhou’s residence. Hurry.”

Zhou Nan bowed and hurried out to gather the men.

Xu Mu stood alone, his fists clenched tightly, veins bulging. His gaze fell on the now chaotic Go board. Gone was his earlier calm demeanor. He grabbed the board and flipped it over. The black and white pieces scattered across the floor with a continuous, crisp sound, filling the entire room.

Young Master Zhou—he was as good as dead!

A moment later, Zhou Nan rushed back to report that all the constables were ready.

Xu Mu nodded and swiftly walked toward the main gate, mounted his horse, and rode off toward Zhou’s residence. Behind him, the constables, armed with swords, ran in pursuit. Wherever they passed, clouds of dust rose in their wake.

This scene was witnessed by many passersby, and word spread rapidly. The earlier incident at Jinxiang Restaurant involving the magistrate’s wife was brought up again, and everyone quickly pieced together the situation.

After Young Master Zhou took Tian Tian into his residence, she was immediately brought to his courtyard. On the way, Tian Tian asked to see Zhou’s parents first, but Young Master Zhou had long been lusting after her and wasn’t willing to wait any longer now that he finally had her in his home.

Tian Tian was thrown directly onto the bed. Frightened, she quickly curled up in a corner, her eyes warily watching him.

Zhou looked at Tian Tian with a lecherous grin, hurriedly loosening his belt. “Beauty, come now. A night like this is worth a thousand gold.”

Tian Tian shook her head. No, she wouldn’t allow this.

“I already told you—I need to meet your parents first. We must wait for their approval.”

“After we’ve had our fun, I’ll take you to meet them.”

“And what if your parents don’t approve? As an innocent woman, I would be ruined!”

“Don’t worry. I’m the sole heir of the Zhou family. My parents indulge me in everything I want. If I want to marry you, they’ll definitely agree. Come now, beauty.”

Zhou, unable to wait any longer, took off his shoes and climbed onto the bed, lunging toward Tian Tian.

Tian Tian quickly dodged.

Zhou continued to chase her.

After several back-and-forth attempts, Zhou was exhausted, his body burning with unbearable heat. His eyes were red as he panted heavily. “You won’t comply?” His voice was hoarse and filled with anger.

Tian Tian, equally exhausted, shook her head. “I won’t engage with you without a proper matchmaker.”

Zhou’s gaze turned sharp. “You were just making excuses earlier in the carriage. Now that we’re in my residence, you want to see my parents? Do you think I can’t see through your little tricks? I gave you face in the carriage because I genuinely wanted you to be my wife. But if you keep acting out, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Zhou tore open his white undergarment. “You should understand that the Zhou family is wealthy and powerful. Even the county magistrate gives me respect. If you stay with me, you’ll live a life of luxury and privilege, with everything you could ever want.”