The Prefect Comes to Apologize in Person

After being slapped, Captain Evan Young was left dazed, but he quickly realized: there must be a major figure inside Heaven Fragrance Pavilion. Otherwise, Quentin Stone wouldn’t have dared defy the prefectural troops so boldly, and Deputy General Charles Lee wouldn’t have rushed over so urgently.

This realization filled him with deep regret.

Trying to make up for his mistake, he quickly said, "Deputy General, I was wrong. Please punish me!"

But Deputy General Charles Lee had no intention of letting him off. He snorted coldly, "Yang Xiaoshan, you mobilized the prefectural troops without orders from above, committing the crime of deceiving your superiors and hiding the truth. Add to that the crime of attempting to burn civilian property, and your offenses are even greater. Guards, strip Yang Xiaoshan of his armor and escort him to the prefectural military prison to await punishment."

With a swish, Yang Xiaoshan’s face turned ghostly pale. He dropped to his knees with a thud, pleading, "Deputy General, I know my mistake. Please spare me!"

He’d only mobilized the troops to try and please the prefect’s son by surrounding Heaven Fragrance Pavilion, but he never expected to end up like this.

"If I spare you, how will I uphold military discipline? Take him away!"

With a wave of Charles Lee’s hand, two prefectural soldiers stepped forward, stripped Yang Xiaoshan of his armor, bound him, and dragged him off to prison. Quentin Stone, watching from the side, felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

The next moment, Charles Lee’s stern expression vanished, replaced by a fawning smile. "Boss Stone, is Mr. Shawn still inside?"

Quentin Stone replied, "Deputy General, the chief is currently drinking with Susie in her room."

Charles Lee quickly said, "Boss Stone, there’s no need to be so formal. If you don’t mind, why don’t we address each other as brothers?"

"That wouldn’t do at all. I’m just a humble merchant—how could I dare call myself your brother, sir?" Quentin Stone replied, feigning panic, though inside he was quite pleased. After all, Charles Lee was usually so proud he wouldn’t even spare him a glance.

"Stone, are you looking down on me?"

"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! You’re joking, Brother Lee!"

"You’re straightforward, Stone!" Charles Lee praised, then added, "Stone, would you be able to introduce me to Mr. Shawn?"

Although Young Master Shawn is a bandit, he’s no ordinary one. First, he refused the Grand Zhou Emperor’s invitation to become National Preceptor. Second, the emperor personally gifted him a plaque inscribed ‘Number One Stronghold Under Heaven.’

After refusing the emperor, not only did the emperor not get angry, he even gifted the plaque. That shows how highly the emperor regards him. If he could put in a good word for me before the emperor, getting promoted would be easy.

The prefectural lord has arrived!

At that moment, a large red official sedan carried by four bearers appeared.

The sedan stopped, and out stepped Calvin Shaw, the prefectural lord, dressed as a middle-aged scholar.

Greetings, Prefectural Lord.

Salutations, Prefectural Lord.

Charles Lee and Quentin Stone hurried forward to pay their respects.

Deputy General Lee, Boss Stone, there’s no need for such formalities," Calvin Shaw said warmly.

Inside Susie’s room.

Ian selected a few jokes from the real world, making Susie giggle uncontrollably. Just then, Quentin Stone came to seek an audience.

Come in.

Ian said calmly.

Quentin Stone entered and bowed to Ian. "Chief, Prefectural Lord Calvin Shaw and Deputy General Charles Lee wish to pay their respects to you."

Hearing this, Ian’s expression remained unchanged, while Susie and Hannah couldn’t help but gasp, quickly covering their mouths. They were simply too shocked: whether it was the prefectural lord or the deputy general, in their eyes, these were truly formidable figures.

Now, these two important figures actually want to pay respects to Young Master Shawn. Just what is Mr. Shawn’s true identity? Could he be the son of some high official?

Let them in.

Yes, sir.

Soon, Quentin Stone led Calvin Shaw and Charles Lee into the room.

I, Calvin Shaw, have come to beg forgiveness from Mr. Shawn.

Deputy General Charles Lee pays his respects to Mr. Shawn.

As soon as they entered, both men performed a deep bow to Ian.

This left Susie and Hannah even more shocked. At the same time, Susie felt a bit anxious: with Mr. Shawn’s status so high, could he ever care for someone like her? After all, she was just a courtesan. She began to feel uncertain and insecure.

You may rise.

Thank you, Mr. Shawn," the two men replied quickly.

Next, Ian exchanged a few perfunctory words with the two men before making it clear he wanted them to leave.

Calvin Shaw hesitated, his eyes flickering. "Mr. Shawn, it was my failure as a father that caused my son to offend you. I hope you can be generous and forgive him this once. This is a small token of my sincerity."

As he spoke, Calvin Shaw presented a brocade box.

Ian accepted the brocade box and opened it to find stacks of banknotes totaling at least five hundred thousand taels. He thought to himself, "Wow, this prefectural lord is truly wealthy."

Alright, I’ll accept your gift. I won’t pursue your son’s matter any further. You may go now.

Thank you, Mr. Shawn," Calvin Shaw said gratefully, bowing again.

After Calvin Shaw and Charles Lee left, Ian noticed that Susie seemed increasingly worried and uneasy.

So he asked, "Susie, what’s wrong?"

Young Master... Susie, Susie is fine," Susie said, trying her best to hide her feelings.

You say you’re fine, but your worries are written all over your face," Ian said tenderly.

Suddenly, Susie bit her lip and knelt before Ian. "Young Master, I know my lowly status is unworthy of you. As long as you don’t mind, I hope I can stay by your side as a tea-serving maid."

Hearing this, Ian couldn’t help but laugh and cry. He stepped forward to help her up and said, "You silly girl, if your status is low, then what about me? I’m just a bandit."

Susie said with a trace of grievance, "Even now, Young Master, you’re still lying to me? If you were just a bandit, why would the prefectural lord and deputy general…"

Ian waved his hand to interrupt Susie, then said to Quentin Stone, "Boss Stone, why don’t you tell Susie whether I’m really a bandit?"

Under Susie’s puzzled gaze, Quentin Stone nodded. "The chief really is a bandit."

Susie exclaimed, "Ah—how could this be?"

Beside her, Hannah was also full of disbelief. Aren’t officials and bandits supposed to be enemies? If Mr. Shawn is a bandit, why would the prefectural lord and deputy general treat him so politely? She was confused; to her, this question was simply too difficult.

Quentin Stone continued, "But Chief Shawn is no ordinary bandit. The current emperor once personally invited him to serve as National Preceptor, but Chief Shawn refused. The emperor also gifted him a plaque made of solid gold inscribed ‘Number One Stronghold Under Heaven’—and those words were written by the emperor himself!"

Hearing Quentin’s explanation, Susie was dumbfounded, while Hannah’s eyes sparkled as she stared at Ian, filled with adoration.

After a moment, Susie snapped out of it and stared at Ian. "Young Master, is all this true?"

Ian nodded. "Now you don’t have to worry about being unworthy of me."

Young Master… I—!' For a moment, Susie’s face was flushed red, overcome by a shyness she couldn’t describe.

Just then, Quentin Stone signaled to Hannah, indicating they should leave.

Soon, only Ian and Susie were left in the room. With no one else around, Ian boldly took Susie’s delicate hand and said gently, "Susie, you’re truly beautiful."