Chapter 75: For Father,
“Yes, it’s all because of your son’s trouble that we brothers had to travel over mountains and rivers to this godforsaken place. What if we encountered ghosts on the way? Hurry up and let him get out!”
“Quickly, if you anger me, I’ll send him to join the army in the underworld.”
…
The other two civil officials cursed angrily.
“Officers, it’s not that we don’t abide by the law, but my son has indeed lost contact. We are currently asking people to look for him everywhere.”
Huang Kairong explained as sincerely as possible.
“Are you trying to trick me? I’ve seen too many excuses from people like you trying to evade military service. Let him get out quickly, or your entire family will be executed if we find him.”
The leading middle-aged official was panting like a bull, about to lose his temper.
“But I am telling the truth!”
Huang Kairong reiterated helplessly.
“I think you’re seeking death!”
A young official behind him couldn’t hold back and drew his long saber, slashing towards Huang Kairong.
Huang Kairong was greatly alarmed. However, as a commoner, he could not resist and could only close his eyes and await death.
“Don’t be rash! His future daughter-in-law is very powerful!”
The leading middle-aged official surprisingly intervened. It was clear he knew about Huang Qi causing trouble at the county office.
The young official gritted his teeth and retreated somewhat unwillingly.
“Officers, we really can’t contact our son. If you insist on taking someone back, then take me! I am willing to join the army in place of my son.”
Huang Kairong did not want to escalate the situation and implicate his family, so he stated his plan.
“Join the army in place of your son? What use is an old man like you on the battlefield? Don’t think I don’t know your little plan. You want to join the army in place of your son to preserve your bloodline, right?”
The middle-aged official saw through Huang Kairong’s intentions at a glance.
“But the problem is, we really don’t know where our son is?”
Li Fen said with a sob.
“How about this, you come back with us and await judgment from the higher authorities. Wanting to join the army in place of your son is probably not that easy.”
The middle-aged official took a step back.
“Thank you, officers!”
Huang Kairong quickly expressed his gratitude.
Thus, Huang Kairong was shackled and prepared to leave with the three civil officials.
“Constable Yu, aren’t we going to search the house? Huang Qi might be hiding inside.”
As they were about to leave, the youngest official asked the leading middle-aged official.
“Search what? Hurry up and leave!”
Constable Yu rebuked him angrily with an unkind expression.
The young official was startled. Although he didn’t know why, he no longer dared to mention it.
“Wife, if our son comes back, tell him not to blame himself. I volunteered for this. Let him live a good life with Qi Huang, and I will have no regrets even if I die… Also, I leave our father to you… What I owe you… I will repay you in the next life… Oh, and remember to harvest the crops when they ripen… Otherwise, we won’t have any betrothal gifts to give, what can we do?”
As Huang Kairong followed the officials on the road, he suddenly realized he might not return. There were many things he hadn’t explained, so he turned back and repeatedly entrusted his wife with instructions.
Li Fen covered her mouth and sobbed uncontrollably, watching her husband leave helplessly.
“What’s going on? Didn’t Huang Qi already find his fiancée? Why was his father taken away by the officials?”
“Yes, when we went to the county town that day, everyone saw them go to the county office to register!”
“Did that girl change her mind?”
“That’s possible. Girls nowadays are very selective when choosing a husband. If they’re unhappy, they just leave, let alone a wealthy and outstanding young lady.”
“Actually, from the first moment I saw her, I knew that the Huang family’s daughter-in-law was unstable, because that kid Huang Qi wasn’t worthy of her.”
…
The surrounding villagers had already been alerted and began to discuss amongst themselves.
…
Huang Qi was in an inn in the county town, pondering a solution. He soon noticed the three civil officials who had left the county office earlier returning, and in front of them was a middle-aged man with white hair.
Huang Qi’s gaze immediately locked onto him because that middle-aged man was his father, Huang Kairong.
At that moment, although Huang Kairong was being escorted by the three civil officials, he held his head high and walked resolutely towards the county office, showing no fear.
“Why is my father being escorted here? Is it because of my enlisting in the army?”
Huang Qi quickly sent his spiritual sense to investigate.
…
“Constable Yu, why did we leave without even searching?”
The youngest official, still unconvinced, spoke to the leading middle-aged constable.
“Search? Do you dare to search that ghost-ridden place slowly? Aren’t you afraid of ghosts eating you? Two taels of silver a month, and you’re risking your life?”
Constable Yu said irritably.
“Yes, there are stray ghosts everywhere now. I don’t want to spend another moment in that ghost-ridden place.”
The short, stout official, walking at the end, also agreed.
“Afeng, if you’re not at ease, we’ll wait here. You go back and search. If you find him, it will be a great merit for you.”
Constable Yu stopped and suggested with a half-smile.
“No, no, no, that’s not what I meant. I’m afraid the County Magistrate will accuse us of dereliction of duty if he finds out.”
The constable named Afeng quickly explained.
“If you don’t say anything, and I don’t say anything, who will know?”
Constable Yu countered.
Afeng remained silent, merely gesturing towards Huang Kairong with his eyes.
Constable Yu pondered for a moment, feeling that his subordinate’s concern had some merit, and said to Huang Kairong, “Huang Kairong, once we reach the yamen, you know what to say and what not to say, right?”
“I know! I know! If the County Magistrate asks, I’ll say you searched all of Huatian Village and couldn’t find my son.”
Huang Kairong said repeatedly.
“That’s right. Although I don’t know if your son is hiding at home, you should be very clear that if you want to evade enlisting in the army for him, you can only make the County Magistrate believe that he has completely disappeared.”
Constable Yu reminded him.
“I understand! I understand! But regarding this point, I still need to explain something. My son is indeed unreachable. He is not hiding at home. How dare I lie to you?”
Huang Kairong explained very sincerely.
“Enough nonsense, let’s go.”
Constable Yu urged impatiently.
Relieved, the few of them continued their journey.
“Father! I’m sorry! I’ve implicated you!”
Huang Qi retracted his spiritual sense and closed his eyes in pain. He felt like an idiot. His honest father, how could he have been arrested if not for him?
“I only have time to register quickly to save him. But with these big feet, how can I enter the county office? Is there really no other way but to continue the feminization? But once feminized, I will completely bid farewell to my male life!”
Huang Qi frantically pulled at his long hair, trying to use the pain to clear his head. At this moment, his father had already entered the county office, his lonely figure piercing his heart like a needle.
“If I can’t even save my father, what kind of man am I?”
At this moment, Huang Qi seemed to understand the meaning of being a man and made his final choice: “For my father, then I’ll truly be a man for once!”
Huang Qi poured a bowl of water, sat quietly for a moment, and deeply remembered his current feelings. Then, he took out a fifth of the items he had bought from the prefecture capital.
“Goodbye, current me.”
Huang Qi said solemnly, and then drank it. The reason for only a fifth was simple: it was impossible for a single sleep to spread the mask to his feet.
Moreover, Huang Qi could not guarantee that he would dream every time he fell asleep, so he had to prepare to take it multiple times.
Huang Qi lay on the bed fully clothed, his heart filled with immense complexity.
After about half an hour, Huang Qi’s consciousness was gradually swallowed by sleepiness, and the chaotic thoughts in his mind also vanished!
Announcement for going on shelves!
This book has been over a month and is finally going on shelves tonight at 12 o’clock. At that time, I will release twenty thousand words at once. I hope everyone will support me on time!
Of course, before that, I must first thank all my readers for their support. Every collection, every monthly ticket, every reward, and even every like is my greatest motivation! I have nothing to repay you with except to try my best to improve the quality to repay everyone!
Next, let’s talk about the writing direction!
Since my previous book was a solo act, I will try to lean towards a harem in this one. As for who the female lead is, don’t ask. Spoilers are meaningless! However, the protagonist will definitely not push every girl he meets, because I also hate those who think with their lower bodies. She might go for a pure route. You can also consider it as 0. Emotions should happen naturally!
Of course, if the water doesn’t reach the point and the channel forms, then it’s only possible that someone else pushed her! Haha!
Just kidding! Let me report to all my readers again, the book goes on shelves tonight at 12 o’clock, and I hope everyone will support me on time!
