Hao Yongtai sensed the tension between Chu Qiguang and Ding Daoxiao and he grew concerned for Chu Qiguang. He wanted to step in and mediate, but he had never been good with words, and didn't know how to defuse the situation.

Just as he was struggling to say something, Hao Xiangtong entered the room with a smile. She planted herself between Chu Qiguang and Ding Daoxiao as she asked, "What're you doing here, Brother Ding? I haven't seen you in ages!"

As she spoke, she dragged Chu Qiguang aside, then reprimanded him, "Don't be so rude to Brother Ding, Chu Qiguang. Everyone in the county knows that Brother Ding is a great guy."

She then turned back to Ding Daoxiao and said, "Don't mind him, Brother Ding. He's a bit of a knucklehead. He doesn't really think before he speaks, so he ends up saying strange things."

"I'm not that petty, Xiangtong," Ding Daoxiao replied with a composed smile. "I like people who have the courage to speak their mind. You're a new student at Wise Hero Academy, right? If you need any help, feel free to come find me."

In contrast with his easygoing exterior, Ding Daoxiao was fuming inside.

Quite an opportunistic little runt, isn't he? If I can't make him a subordinate, then I'll have to get rid of him. Otherwise, he'll interfere with my plans.

Chu Qiguang also played along, putting on a warm smile as he replied, "Please bear with me, Brother Ding. I've never been good with words, so if I caused any offense, I assure you that I didn't mean it."

At the same time, he was thinking to himself, Because of Ergou's influence, I can't help but want to rebuke this bastard whenever I see him. If I don't get rid of him, he'll keep affecting my mental state!

The two of them exchanged a few pleasantries, and before long, it was as if they were old friends.

Hao Xiangtong felt very relieved when she saw this. She had been waiting outside the hall the entire time and had come in after seeing her father leave. However, the moment she entered, she sensed the tension between Chu Qiguang and Ding Daoxiao.

Why is this idiot getting on Ding Daoxiao's bad side, of all people? Doesn't he know that Ding Daoxiao can crush him like an ant? Thank heavens I was able to get them to make peace. If he keeps this up, he's going to get himself killed!

Ding Daoxiao soon made an excuse to leave, and that left only Chu Qiguang, Hao Yongtai, and Hao Xiangtong at the table.

During the banquet, Hao Yongtai told his sister about Chu Qiguang's idea, and Hao Xiangtong was both surprised and impressed.

He was able to make sense of the county office's taxation records? I thought only those skilled in accounting could read those records! How is he able to do this when he's just a farmer? Did someone teach him?

After the meal, Hao Yongtai retired to his bedroom while Hao Xiangtong escorted Chu Qiguang out of the Hao Manor.

"When're you going to continue your story, idiot?" Hao Xiangtong asked.

Chu Qiguang's brows furrowed slightly at her rudeness.

No wonder you get abducted to the northwestern grasslands. You must've made a bunch of enemies, you rude little brat! I wouldn't even take a second glance at you if you weren't a cultivation prodigy!

Despite his internal gripes, Chu Qiguang put on a smile and replied, "I'm going to be really busy over the next few days, but I'll resume my storytelling once I'm done dealing with County Magistrate Wen. To make up for lost time, I'll dedicate an entire day to telling the story!"

Hao Xiangtong was ecstatic to hear this, but a thought then occurred to her.

Doesn't that mean I'd have to spend an entire day with him then? He's not doing that on purpose, is he?

However, she couldn't see any ulterior motives from Chu Qiguang's expression. A disdainful look appeared on her face as she scoffed, "I don't have all day to spend listening to you! Even if you have the time, I'm going to get sick of listening to your voice!"

Thank the heavens!

Chu Qiguang was relieved to hear this. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Noticing the look of disdain on her face, he hurriedly said, "I know the way out, so I won't trouble you to escort me any further, Ms. Hao. Goodnight."

With that, Chu Qiguang promptly departed, while Hao Xiangtong watched him leave with a disgruntled expression.

Why is that idiot always in such a hurry to get away from me? What's his problem?

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became.

On the way back to her room, she instructed, "Dong'er, go to the Daoist temple tomorrow and buy me a month's worth of Hundred Refinement Ointment. I'm going into seclusion for an entire month!"

Dong'er was Hao Xiangtong's maidservant, and she was very surprised to hear this.

"Did you hear me?" Hao Xiangtong grumbled. "Once I become a second-state martial artist, I'm going to beat up all the men still stuck at the first state!"

Especially Chu Qiguang! she added inwardly.

***

After leaving from the Hao Manor, Chu Qiguang couldn't help but let out an exasperated sigh.

"The young mistresses of these wealthy clans really are a pain to deal with. She looked so angry just because she had to escort me out of the manor!"

After giving himself a moment to complain, he turned his attention back to the situation at hand.

If the Wu, Hao, and Ding Clans really do as I say, then they'll be able to stir up a great deal of unrest in Azure Sun County. Honestly, all these reforms are good for both the empire and its people, but the people carrying them out are only doing so to serve their own personal agendas.

The land reforms are being used to target Wu Siqi, while tax equality is being used to bring down He Wenyan. No matter how good the policy is, it inevitably turns to shit when personal agendas come into the equation. The problem is the system. No policy can remedy a rotten system.

After returning to the courtyard, Chu Qiguang was approached by Qiao Zhi, who asked him how things went.

Before Chu Qiguang could respond, Qiao Zhi suddenly began sniffing at him, then exclaimed, "There's something off about you!"

"What's wrong?" Chu Qiguang asked, looking alarmed. "Have I been poisoned? Is someone following me?"

Qiao Zhi walked a lap around Chu Qiguang, then asked with a grim expression, "Why can I smell a woman on you?"

Chu Qiguang was stunned.

Qiao Zhi continued sniffing, then stuck out his tongue and licked Chu Qiguang's robe before exclaiming, "It tastes like makeup! Didn't you go to see Hao Wen and Hao Yongtai? Did they take you to a brothel?"

Brothel?

Chen Gang and his two newly-arrived brothers were instantly intrigued, and they stared at Chu Qiguang with curious, excited expressions.

"They didn't take me to any brothel," Chu Qiguang denied, rolling his eyes. "I ran into Hao Xiangtong today and spoke with her for a bit."