CHAPTER 162: CHAPTER 162: GIVING GIFTS

162 Gifts

At this moment, one of the people who had gone to the county town with Wang Fuhai as a witness for Zhao Dong spoke up, "This person looks so familiar."

Then someone next to him joked, "Hey, come on. I think you find everyone familiar! Just looking at his clothes, this gentleman must be an extraordinary person; how could you recognize him?"

"It’s true," the man insisted and began to rack his brains. After a moment, he suddenly exclaimed, "Ah, I know who he is! This... this is our Anyang County Magistrate!"

"Ah? Really?"

Immediately, some people started to question incredulously, "Would the County Magistrate come to our small village to attend a mere Housewarming Banquet?"

"That’s right, that’s right. Don’t make wild guesses."

"Hey, it’s true, it’s true!" the man said excitedly. "Do you remember when Landlord Qin accused Zhao Dong’s Residence of stealing their design drawings? We went to the County Government Office to testify that day! Although I couldn’t testify in court, when the Zhao family was leaving the County Government Office, I saw him from afar! Our County Magistrate was sending them off, and he looks just like this!"

At this point, the others also seemed to recall and started to chime in.

Shi Tou’s eyes widened, and he exclaimed excitedly, "Ah, I remember now! It really seems to be our County Magistrate!"

Their discussion quickly spread to every corner of the banquet.

The news spread like wildfire, stunning everyone present.

The County Magistrate also came to attend Zhao Dong’s Housewarming Banquet?

This was really hard to believe.

In fact, not only the guests at the banquet found it hard to believe, but Zhao Dong himself was also very perplexed.

His Zhao Family had only met this Magistrate Li once at the County Government Office during the lawsuit with the Qin Clan. They hadn’t interacted since.

It could be said they weren’t well acquainted at all. He didn’t know how Magistrate Li had heard about his family’s Housewarming Banquet, or even why he had come. But since the man was here, Zhao Dong naturally had to entertain him warmly.

Meanwhile, Zhao Zhitong was entertaining her young friends in the courtyard. Qiao Muchen and the others had all come today; even Wei Shulan had managed to come, having asked her annoying cousin to accompany her.

When she saw Magistrate Li walking in, Zhao Zhitong blinked and whispered to Qiao Muchen, "He’s the County Magistrate of our county."

"Ah, really?" Qiao Muchen also looked at him and asked softly, "Is he a good County Magistrate?"

Zhao Zhitong shook her head, "I don’t know."

Just as Zhao Dong led the County Magistrate into the main hall, a villager’s shout came from outside, "Zhao Dong, come out and greet your guests! More people have arrived at your house!"

Zhao Dong knew it must be Boss Feng. He excused himself to the County Magistrate and hurried out.

The County Magistrate also put down his teacup and followed him out.

Sure enough, just as Zhao Dong reached the entrance, he saw Boss Feng walking in. Boss Feng was not alone; next to him stood Pei Yuanqing.

Magistrate Li, who had come out with Zhao Dong, also warmly greeted the newcomers.

At this point, everyone present was astonished.

"Hey, you said the last ones to arrive would surely have an extraordinary background. Look, even the County Magistrate came out to greet them personally!"

"Yes, what kind of status do they have for the County Magistrate himself to come out and welcome them?"

The villagers discussed this for a moment, but their attention soon shifted as they saw people carrying a huge, red coral down from a horse carriage.

Sir Feng smiled at Zhao Dong and said, "I recently acquired a large coral, but my house is already full. Coincidentally, you’re moving into a new home, so I thought it would be perfect for your place. And so, I brought it for you today."

Zhao Dong laughed and waved his hands repeatedly, "Sir Feng, I can’t accept this. This is truly too extravagant."

At this moment, Pei Yuanqing spoke up with a smile, "Extravagant? You have no idea how many corals Sir Feng has at his home. He has so many he doesn’t even value them much anymore. Just accept it. I think it will look just right here."

Saying this, he gestured, and several young servants came over carrying two racks, each covered with a red cloth.

He stepped forward, lifted the covers, and revealed a pair of blue and white porcelain vases and a jade Guanyin statue.

Pei Yuanqing smiled and said, "Just a small token of our esteem. Please don’t refuse."

Zhao Dong cupped his hands and smiled, "Young Master Pei, Sir Feng, you both honor me too much. I am truly undeserving."

Pei Yuanqing immediately laughed, "Hey, don’t say that. If you don’t accept, we’ll feel awkward entering your fine home. You know, our visit isn’t purely social, hahaha."

Zhao Dong naturally understood their meaning and immediately said, "Gentlemen, please come in. The dishes are all served, personally prepared by my wife."

The two men exchanged a look, laughed heartily, and said, "Mm, that’s right, that’s the aroma. I can already smell it. I’m hungry, hungry!"

Chatting and laughing, they followed Zhao Dong into the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Li was bowing and nodding obsequiously beside Pei Yuanqing.

"Oh, Magistrate Li, you’re here too?" Pei Yuanqing said with a chuckle, as if he had just noticed Magistrate Li.

Magistrate Li continued to bow and nod. "Hehe, Your High... ah no, I mean, Young Master, Young Master," he said. "I came specifically to thank you, Young Master. These past few days, after my investigation and trial, it turns out that Guan Tu was indeed wronged. So, this subordinate was thinking I must come and thank you for your guidance. It prevented this subordinate from misjudging the case. You saved this subordinate’s life, in a way!"

It was obvious that Magistrate Li had come to Zhao Dong’s Housewarming Banquet for Prince Liang. This speech was also an attempt to pledge his allegiance to Prince Liang.

However, Pei Yuanqing just smiled, nodded, and said, "Today is the Zhao family’s Housewarming Banquet. Let’s not discuss other matters."

Magistrate Li immediately agreed repeatedly.

Just then, Zhao Zhitong saw Sir Feng and Pei Yuanqing arrive. Her eyes lit up, and she trotted over, greeting them sweetly, "Hello, Uncle Feng! Hello, Uncle Pei!"

Seeing the adorable young girl, Sir Feng’s eyes crinkled with a smile as he praised her, "Hmm, little girl, we haven’t seen you for a few days, and you’ve become even more well-behaved."

Pei Yuanqing also reached out and ruffled Zhao Zhitong’s small head. "Hello, little girl."

Zhao Zhitong beamed happily, watched the two men follow Zhao Dong into the main hall, and then ran back to her seat. She curiously asked, "Qiao Jiaojiao, haven’t you always wanted to meet Uncle Pei? Why didn’t you come with me just now?"

Qiao Muchen fidgeted with his fingers and smiled sheepishly. "I suddenly got a little nervous."

Ever since he had learned from Zhao Zhitong that Pei Yuanqing was a judge, Qiao Muchen had regarded Pei Yuanqing as his role model. Now that he was about to meet his idol, he was indeed a bit flustered.

Zhao Zhitong was stunned for a moment, then mercilessly teased him.

By then, all the guests had arrived. The banquet officially began, and everyone started to pick up their chopsticks and eat.