Perhaps it was because he walked too much, or because he was so flustered and not focused enough, but Xie Zhaoan bumped into the door frame, making a loud noise.
His hand was on his forehead, his whole body was hot and blood was flowing from his nose, but he seemed unaware of it and walked forward with a gloomy face.
Shen Xining collapsed on the bed and burst into laughter. She laughed so hard that she rolled over on the bed several times before she slowly stopped laughing.
After Xie Zhaoan returned to his room, his face was as dark as if someone outside owed him a lot of money. He asked Yuewei to get a bucket of ice water, but Yuewei refused without saying a word.
"Mr. Yue, you can't use ice water in your current physical condition. Do you want to take a bath? I'll get you some warm water."
What's the use of warm water?! He was about to explode.
Xie Zhaoan closed the door with a dark face without saying a word. Yuewei looked at the door which was only an inch away from his nose, pursed his lips, knocked on the door and said in a whisper.
"Sir, if you need anything, the nearby brothel is now open for business..."
The door was opened again. Xie Zhaoan turned Yuewei around and kicked him on the butt. Yuewei fell to the ground and Xie Zhaoan closed the door again.
He leaned against the door and gasped for breath, feeling that it was outrageous. He wanted to lie down on the couch for a while, but he almost knocked something over when he raised his foot. He pursed his lips, lowered his head, and saw the child that Shen Xining had hurriedly stuffed into his arms yesterday. He looked up to the sky and sighed, walked to the bed, wishing he could just die now.
What’s going on? He has a feeling that Shen Xining has cheated him, but he can’t put his finger on it. Is it his problem
Just after noon, Shen Xining packed up his things and prepared to leave the county and go to the next place.
Because the local magistrate had just passed away and the new one had not yet taken office, and Shen Xining had spent a lot of money on managing the local economy, there was only one carriage available. Shen Xining was too tired and could not ride a horse anymore. She needed to rest.
Xie Zhaoan had always been a hedonist, so naturally he got on the carriage as well. The child was too young to ride a horse, so in the end the three of them sat on the carriage staring at each other. Shen Xining looked at the child, and although he felt a little sad in his heart, he showed joy on his face.
The child has very big eyes and a chubby face, and looks very cute.
Shen Xining couldn't help but pinch his face. The child seemed a little shy and hid in Xie Zhaoan's arms. Instead of being angry, Shen Xining laughed.
"I never knew that our fourth prince was actually a child king!"
Xie Zhaoan was too lazy to speak.
Shen Xining looked at the child and tried his best to smile, making himself look like someone the child would trust.
"Kid, what's your name!?"
The child's fleshy hands were pressed against his head, and he seemed a little unresponsive.
"Name, what's it?"
Shen Xining blinked.
"You don't have a name?"
The evil thoughts in her heart suddenly arose. She looked at Xie Zhaoan and blinked. The latter couldn't help but feel a cool breeze on his back, as if something bad was about to happen. Sure enough, the next second, Shen Xining spoke.
"Then how about I give you a name? How about calling you Xie Ning?"
"Ning" means "peace". She had finally saved the child. She did not ask for his future, but only for him to live a peaceful life. This would be the best.
Xie Zhaoan frowned.
"Why do you take my last name? Can you just take any royal last name?"
Xie Ning seemed to understand and hugged Xie Zhaoan directly.
"So are you my father now? I heard from my mother-in-law that if you have the same surname, then you are my father!"
Xie Zhaoan widened his eyes. He really saw a ghost. Why should he be the father of this child? The shocking crying of the child that day was still lingering in his mind. Xie Zhaoan had never seen a child who could cry so much. However, looking at Xie Ning's soft eyes, no matter what, Xie Zhaoan couldn't say no.
I don't know how long it took, but Shen Xining and Xie Ning were already playing together. They were both very tired, as so many things had happened in the past few days. While playing, Shen Xining and Xie Ning fell asleep together. Xie Zhaoan looked at their faces facing each other. Their cheeks were white, and the fluff on them was clearly visible in the slightly projected sunlight. Because they were lying down, their faces were a little chubby and looked very rubbed.
In fact, Xie Zhaoan did stretch out his hand and rubbed them twice. The two frowned at the same time, as if they were about to wake up. Xie Zhaoan quickly withdrew his hand. He leaned on the carriage and looked at the sleeping faces of the two. For some reason, an idea slowly emerged in his mind. If these two people were really his wife and children, and he was also an ordinary citizen, then it would be great at this moment.
Realizing what he was thinking, Xie Zhaoan frowned and sighed inwardly. He was getting more and more crazy recently, as if he was possessed by a demon.
Shen Xining slept soundly, unaware of the many insights Xie Zhaoan had in his mind while she was asleep. When she woke up again, the carriage had already entered Taohua County.
However, although this county is called "Peach Blossom County", there is not a single peach blossom to be seen within the county, probably due to the flood.
The magistrate's clothes were full of patches and he wore straw sandals. He was over 60 years old and his hair was gray. When he saw Shen Xining and his group coming, his face was full of eagerness and he staggered to shake hands with Shen Xining.
"Master Shen! You are here! I am glad that you are here! I have been waiting for you here for a long time!"
Because of the last time she went to the county town, Shen Xining did not have much feeling about the poor situation of the county magistrate. After shaking hands, she walked towards the county government office. The county government office was also extremely dilapidated. Although there were no cobwebs, most of the wood used inside was already old, and the tables were shaky. In such a big county town, there was not even a place to stand.
Shen Xining took a look and the magistrate wiped the sweat from his forehead and apologized repeatedly.
"Lord Shen, please forgive me. This place is already desolate and is the most remote county in our dynasty. Now with the flood, countless people have starved to death. I really can't spare the money to repair this county government office. I hope Lord Shen will forgive me."