66 Challenge Accepted (1/2)

The death of Ah Shina was the biggest secret of Yaocheng then. Save for Meng Fuyao and few others, only the Rong army that had assassinated Ah Shina knew.

Hence, Meng Fuyao did the roll call by herself, as how Ah Shina would. If Si Lei was really aware that Ah Shina had died, he certainly would havve suspected that the mayor's planned gathering was an ambush and refused it. In the end, his reaction had confirmed Meng Fuyao's suspicion.

Once she was certain of the issue, Meng Fuyao hesitated no further. With a drink, she had sent him on his way.

Yuan Zhaoxu smiled as he watched Meng Fuyao kill someone so suddenly. His eyes revealed that he was in deep thoughts; as if he had recalled something from the past, a look of astonishment faintly displayed itself on his face. Following which, he lightly tapped his fingertips to send out a secret signal.

The secret guard who was always by his side was ordered to be stationed at Si Lei's residence.

Si Lei's blood slowly spread on the floor, and the Rong leaders gradually recovered from a state of shock. Some were evidently angered, and as they were about to say something, Meng Fuyao abruptly and smilingly raised her wine cup once more.

”Everybody,” Meng Fuyao started without even glancing at the corpse. ”I have good news to share. A few days ago, I made a report to the imperial court. The Rong leaders in Yaocheng have been diligently governing and exercising control over the people all these years, which is considered a great contribution to our city. Therefore, the imperial court has specially made concessions, in which a portion of the agricultural tax paid by the citizens would be given as a 'governance prize' for the leaders. From today onwards, the leaders can follow the imperial court order – collect the taxes and keep a portion to yourselves... Oh, about Si Lei's portion... please discuss among yourselves as to how to you can split it up. I believe I will be given a satisfactory answer.”

Again, a boisterous discussion broke out. However, this time around, it wasn't an uproar but a whirl of pleasant surprises. Yaocheng was a small town situated along the border, where the Rong and Han people farmed together. The Rong people were living in the mountains and fields were no longer leading a hunter's lifestyle. As a result, the leaders were also unable to enjoy the spoils-of-war. Most got by averagely, so now that there was this ”governance prize”, it meant that the imperial court had given them the power to collect taxes from their own ethnicity. What's more, they would be given a share of that belonging to Si Lei, the person who held the most power.

Those unhappy faces immediately lit up. In a split second, they were brimming with excitement and eagerness. The new mayor of Yaocheng, Meng Fuyao, who first presented the rod and then the sweets, quietly observed, somewhat mockingly.

Benefits led to fights. History had proven that galloping and vying for supremacy were ultimately all for benefits. Currently, the seven leaders were residing in a city that had no proper differentiation between the ethnic groups, and they had been mutually sharing power. Now that Si Lei's share was available, she had deliberately left it unassigned...

'You can fight! Fight and destroy yourselves. I'll have less to care about!'

Meng Fuyao sat on the high platform specially used for celebration. She overlooked the crowd below and felt good about herself.

She felt a little tipsy again, but nothing could be done about it. Meng Fuyao liked to drink and enjoyed being intoxicated. If she came across wine, she had to drink, and when she drank, she had to get drunk.

However, she wasn't dead drunk that night and was still aware of her status and mission. There was going to be an archery and horse-riding competition, and she wanted to pair the most outstanding lad with the most beautiful lady.

When Mayor 'Ah Shina' was around, Yao Xun had already brought him out to meet the people. Because he had ”suddenly fallen ill and been demoted”, and was not at his best condition, Meng Fuyao politely and modestly received him and staged a show where the duo pretended to share an amicable and harmonious relationship.

While acting, she inwardly praised a certain Mister Yuan, who had created an absolutely believable human mask. It was a pity that he wasn't that genuine a person.

The ”former mayor” appeared waned and bleary-eyed but the six leaders were busily digesting the good news and plotting the next steps to secure their own benefits. No one had noticed the people on stage, and that was how Meng Fuyao smuggled her way through with the lie.

Meng Fuyao felt good about herself and her luck. Yuan Zhaoxu was indeed a handyman who had appeared at her doorstep. She squinted her eyes and looked at him while shifting her bottom outward, bit by bit.

Yuan Zhaoxu leaned on his chair lazily, looked at her with much interest and called out, ”Mayor.”

Meng Fuyao's brows raised in delight while looking at him. ”Sir Yuan.”

”Why do I have a feeling that you are intentionally avoiding me?” Yuan Zhaoxu spoke extremely slowly but got straight to the point. Without even looking at Meng Fuyao's expression he questioned, ”Did you have a change of heart?”

”Eh...” Meng Fuyao was at a loss for words and was momentarily feeling conflicted by his question. After a long thought, she answered firmly,” You are right. I've met a few good men recently and have been thinking of marriage.”

”Oh?” There is no telling from the facial expression of Yuan Zhaoxu. He leaned closer to look at her. Her eyelashes were like feathers, almost sweeping the light off her bright and clean cheeks. ”Who? Zhan Beiye? Zong Yue? Yun Hen?”

Meng Fuyao stared at him. 'Can you be less creepy? Is there anything that you don't already know? It makes sense for you to know about the first two but what about the last one? How did you find out about this adopted son of an aristocratic family in Taiyuan?'

However, that wasn't the crucial issue. The main problem was that she didn't know how to answer that question.

”Yes...” Meng Fuyao turned and, with amorous feelings, smiled at Yuan Zhaoxu, ”These three don't seem bad, and I'm struggling to choose between them. What do you think, Sir Yuan?”

”They are not bad.” Yuan Zhaoxu looked into her eyes without blinking. ”One is a brave and noble fighter from a heroic generation, and the other, a physician, would suit you, a lady who has a lot of shortcomings. The young fellow from the Yun family is a little complicated, but he treats you quite well. In short, they are all good.”