Chapter 607 - 594: Righteous Daughter

Chapter 607: Chapter 594: Righteous Daughter

Zhuang Qisheng spoke rather politely.

Zhuang Qingning was somewhat uncertain about the reason and purpose of Zhuang Qisheng’s sudden visit, so she responded politely, “Master Zhuang is far too kind, these are simply my duties as a common girl. If I can help a lot of people, it is my good fortune.”

“Even along the journey, I heard about Miss Zhuang’s character being benevolent, kind-hearted, and very understanding of social norms and manners, and now I see that it is indeed so.”

Zhuang Qisheng had a smile spread across his face, “You are so young but already with such innovative ideas, having helped so many people, and yet still so humble and respectful afterwards, the more I see, the more I like. From the first time I saw you, I felt very close to you. It turns out that we both have the same surname Zhuang, we share quite a destiny.”

“To be frank with you, Miss Zhuang, I think you are a very good person. As fate has brought us together this way, I would like to adopt you as my foster daughter.”

Zhuang Qisheng wanted to adopt her as his foster daughter?

Zhuang Qingning blinked her eyes, her puzzled gaze swept over Zhuang Qisheng’s all-smiling face.

Zhuang Qisheng’s words didn’t leave any room for discussion, as if he was giving her a direct order. Even though he was all smiles at this moment, his arrogance was considerably evident.

Then again, Zhuang Qinglan’s previous arrogance and overbearing manner was still in her memory. Even though a child’s incompetence doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with their parents, looking at the daughter’s attitude, Zhuang Qisheng probably isn’t a good-tempered person either.

This unsolicited kindness was suspicious to Zhuang Qingning.

Especially now with the waterwheel making a lot of noise outside, Zhuang Qingning had heard others praising her. For Zhuang Qisheng to suddenly come over and ask to adopt her as his foster daughter might as well be taken as a clear intention.

“I appreciate the kindness of Magistrate Zhuang,” Zhuang Qingning responded indifferently, “but adoption is not a trivial matter, there are many ceremonies to be observed. Most importantly, I need to discuss it with my parents first.”

“But I heard that Miss Zhuang’s parents have passed away a long time ago?” Zhuang Qisheng frowned.

“Indeed.” Zhuang Qingning tipped her chin up.

So, there was no room for negotiation.

Zhuang Qisheng wasn’t a fool, and he understood the unsaid part of Zhuang Qingning’s words. The smile that was once all over his face now faded a lot, “I am the Magistrate of Ningming. Does Miss Zhuang feel that becoming my foster daughter would be demeaning?”

“Not feel like it, it is certain.” Zhuang Qingning looked at Zhuang Qisheng and said softly, “Magistrate Zhuang and I have the same surname Zhuang, and you have a daughter named Zhuang Qinglan. If Magistrate Zhuang were to adopt me as a foster daughter, those who are unaware might mistake me as your biological daughter.”

“The magistrate himself said, with the matter of the waterwheel, my reputation has so spread far and wide that people might suspect that Magistrate Zhuang wants to take advantage of my name to build up his own authority.”

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Qisheng’s face slightly changed.

Zhuang Qingning was right; he indeed had that idea. He wanted to take advantage of the situation and pave his way to quick success.

Strictly speaking, he had other plans as well.

When he heard Zhuang Qingning’s name, Zhuang Qisheng was initially surprised at the similarity with Zhuang Qinglan’s name but then conceived a bold idea.

Since their names were so similar, even though the characters were different, they were still homophones. Outsiders looking in wouldn’t be able to discern any difference from that of real sisters. As for the matter of reputation, it all spread by word of mouth, and it wouldn’t be unusual for a character in the name to get mixed up in the process.

In that case, Zhuang Qingning could be transformed into Zhuang Qinglan, and in the future, the credit for the invention of the waterwheel would naturally fall on the shoulders of Zhuang Qinglan.

As for Zhuang Qingning, since human beings eat grains, it’s natural to fall sick, and some diseases can’t be cured. Life and death are destined; it’s not an unusual occurrence.

Zhuang Qisheng calculated all this and then came to find Zhuang Qingning.

He presumed that since he was a Magistrate, after having humbled himself so much, Zhuang Qingning, a mere commoner, should have been scared and grateful. But the Zhuang Qingning in front of him didn’t do so but instead showed smidgens of reluctance and mockery.

Even more, she almost guessed all of his intentions.

“Miss Zhuang, you’re mistaken. As a dignified Magistrate, what kind of business do you think I would need to borrow the name of Miss Zhuang for?” Zhuang Qisheng was displeased, “I only saw that Miss Zhuang has benefited from making the waterwheel and that she’s just an ordinary farming girl. I wanted to lift her up a little. I didn’t expect Miss Zhuang to be so ungrateful.”

“Since it’s like this, then it seems I have trespassed. Just pretend I never came, Miss Zhuang. I bid you goodbye.”

Zhuang Qisheng flicked his sleeve, placed his hands behind his back, and prepared to leave.

Usually, commoners don’t defy officials.

Even if they don’t want to curry favor, there’s absolutely no reason to make an enemy out of them. Zhuang Qisheng thought that once he turned around to leave, Zhuang Qingning must follow him and apologize.

However, when he walked out of the gate, he still didn’t see Zhuang Qingning chasing up.

An ignorant country girl!

She had no idea what kind of glory she would have had after making connections with him!

Many people wanted to curry favor with him and couldn’t even get it. In spite of his mild manner, he was treated coldly. It was really infuriating.

The angrier Zhuang Qisheng thought about it, the angrier he became. He spat heavily on the ground and said fiercely, “You don’t appreciate kindness, wait to see how I will deal with you in the future!”

“Uh…”

Originally, Jing Zhao who was driving the carriage with a smile, hearing these words, immediately darkened his face, pulled the reins, leapt down from the carriage, and stood in front of Zhuang Qisheng, “What did you just say?”

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Zhuang Qisheng was still angry, glancing at Jing Zhao who was better dressed than ordinary people but not extravagant. He curtly said, “Who are you to talk to me like this?”

An official?

Jing Zhao was somewhat surprised. “You are an official?”

Seeing Jing Zhao stunned, Zhuang Qisheng couldn’t help feeling a bit smug. He straightened his back, “I am the Magistrate of Ningming. And who are you, the problematic commoner that dare not kneel before me, how should we punish you?”

“It’s said that resentment often springs from the lower class; this is not without reason. Here in Enji Village, there seem to be some disrespectful and problematic commoners. As an official, I need to have a good talk with the village chief about how to discipline villagers!”

This was just a common Magistrate, yet he was posturing here.

Jing Zhao looked at the manner of Zhuang Qisheng, and his anger surged up even more.

But before he could clench his fist, the curtain on the carriage moved, and a slender white hand stretched out. A cold voice echoed from behind the curtain, “How the villagers of Enji behave is not something that Magistrate Zhuang needs to worry about. Instead, it is curious that Magistrate Zhuang suddenly came to Enji and is in such a fury. May I ask what was your honorable purpose?”

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