Chen Ping'an followed Fang Shicheng and soon passed by a pavilion and a pond.
Just as the two were leaving, with only their backs remaining, a young woman on the pavilion happened to see them.
"That person... isn't he from our Fang Family?"
"He should be! Who cares about him?"
A young man said dismissively.
"Zuo Wumei, who previously trespassed on our Fang Family's outer territory, seems to have died. I heard from uncle that the one who killed him was a Petty Officer Candidate from the Outer Town Envoyship, and he wasn't very old. Could it be that person?"
"It's possible!"
"..."
On the pavilion, several young men and women conversed, their words mostly nonchalant.
"Alright, so what if Zuo Wumei was killed? He's just a bumpkin from the outer city, nothing to talk about. Come, come, let's continue with the 'Qu Shang Liu Shui' game."
A young man, with a hint of arrogance on his face, said impatiently.
"Alright, Fang Rui, we get it," a young woman said with a smile.
The pavilion and pond, with their elegant flowers and wafting fragrance, were filled with laughter and joy. The world's worries and sorrows seemed to have nothing to do with them.
For scions of aristocratic Families, as long as they were not among the select few being groomed as successors, most of them, before they came of age and started worrying about Family matters, always lived a life of ease, comfort, and vibrancy.
...
When Chen Ping'an arrived, he came in a Fang Family carriage. But on his way back, it wasn't as comfortable or convenient.
He had refused the Fang Family's recruitment, and Fang Shicheng had no intention of sending a carriage to take him back, merely seeing him to the gate as a matter of courtesy.
Walking on the streets of the Inner City, observing the bustling prosperity on both sides, and feeling the stark contrast between his arrival and departure, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but sigh.
"It's still more comfortable to ride in a carriage!"
Chen Ping'an's mind couldn't help but recall the relaxed and carefree appearance of those young men and women by the pavilion and pond. Their expressions showed no signs of life's troubles or being overwhelmed.
"Next time, I'll let Nannan experience it too!"
Chen Ping'an walked very quickly and soon returned to his small courtyard. Chen Er'ya, as usual, was waiting for him early.
"Brother, you're back ~"
Xiao Yatou's smile was like a blooming flower.
"Yes, I am," Chen Ping'an said with a smile, his heart filled with warmth.
The feeling of having a home is truly wonderful.
...
After returning from the Fang Family, Chen Ping'an Cultivated his martial arts Cultivation Technique even more diligently. He rationally allocated his time among Golden Bell Cover, Swift Wind Saber Technique, and Eight Steps Catching Cicadas. Before going to work in the morning, he practiced Swift Wind Saber Technique once. During his leisure time in the day, he Cultivated Golden Bell Cover, and in the evening, after returning, he tackled Eight Steps Catching Cicadas.
Overall, the practice of Swift Wind Saber Technique was smoother and had the most repetitions.
The Fang Family's efficiency was high; in just three days, they delivered the custom-made black cloud brocade boots. Chen Ping'an tried them on, and they fit perfectly. Walking in the black cloud brocade boots felt like walking on clouds, extremely comfortable.
On the same day the Fang Family delivered the black cloud brocade boots, a transfer order from the Nancheng Suppression Office arrived at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
"Chen Ping'an, Petty Officer Candidate of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, for eliminating evil and bringing peace, for meritorious service in killing bandits, and for faithfully performing his duties, is hereby transferred to the Nancheng Suppression Office to serve as the South City Prison Warden."
Upon the arrival of the transfer order, Tian Fuliang breathed a huge sigh of relief.
His biggest worry was Chen Ping'an being promoted two ranks directly to the Squad Leader position at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office. That would make his own acting Squad Leader position awkward.
Phew, his biggest fear didn't come true.
After letting out a sigh of relief, Tian Fuliang immediately began to arrange things for Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an's promotion to South City Prison Warden was also at the Squad Leader level, and since he was registered with the Nancheng Suppression Office, he could even be considered half of Tian Fuliang's superior.
This Chen Ping'an, with his impressive abilities and deep background, might not stop at the Warden position. Now that they were colleagues, it was a good opportunity to curry favor and strengthen their relationship. This might become Tian Fuliang's network in the future.
As soon as the news of Chen Ping'an's promotion to South City Prison Warden spread, Nanquan Lane erupted in a clamor of commotion.
...
"This woman Mu Wanjun, she has quite the tricks up her sleeve. I never expected her to have such a move, hidden so deeply."
Inside the Nancheng Suppression Office, Fu Yuanming sat in a large chair, his face gloomy.
The South City Prison had always been Mu Wanjun's private domain. But he had spent a lot of effort slowly infiltrating his people into the South City Prison. He had finally waited for the previous Warden to retire, and the deputy warden who was preparing to take over was his person. Logically, with the timing and location all in his favor, the South City Prison should have fallen into his hands sooner or later.
He never expected such a kid named Chen Ping'an to suddenly appear.
Killing Zuo Wumei, getting promoted two ranks, and with that woman Mu Wanjun's operation, he actually snatched the position of South City Prison Warden.
"This is simply preposterous. Lord Fu had arranged everything properly; the Warden's position was already Chu Qirong's. I didn't expect that kid to interfere."
The speaker was Fu Yuanming's confidant, a middle-aged man with a beautiful beard, his face showing anger.
"Ultimately, it's still Mu Wanjun's extraordinary methods. She secretly hid such a trump card at Qi and Blood Fifth Stage, and with his meritorious service, when it came to the final decision, most people sided with her."
Fu Yuanming had also investigated Chen Ping'an. However, he didn't know much about him; his attention was mainly focused on the Squad Leader level, and he wasn't very interested in a Petty Officer Candidate who had just been promoted.
He never expected that this very person would disrupt his plans.
"Go and investigate this new Warden, Chen Ping'an, more thoroughly. Be more detailed and diligent in your investigation, don't be like before, where the information was still stuck at Qi Blood Third Stage Perfection, and you didn't even know he was already at Qi and Blood Fifth Stage."
Fu Yuanming showed dissatisfaction, rapping out his words.
The lack of intelligence information left him unprepared for Mu Wanjun's trump card. Ultimately, he lost the initiative in this struggle for the South City Prison Warden position.
Next, he would pay more attention to this young man named Chen Ping'an.
At the age of twenty, at Qi and Blood Fifth Stage, it was indeed somewhat interesting.
The South City Prison Warden was now qualified to enter his sight.
"Also, with the new Warden taking office, tell Chu Qirong not to have too many scruples. Continue to feign compliance where necessary, and keep badmouthing him. He's just a young man with no Foundation, so he might not be able to hold onto this Warden position firmly! Qi and Blood Fifth Stage, wanting to sit firmly as the South City Prison Warden? Let him ask Chu Qirong if he agrees first!"
"With Lord Fu's words, Chu Qirong can act boldly and confidently."
"Hmm, but while he can act and show defiance, you still need to remind Chu Qirong to try to avoid any direct confrontations. If a conflict does arise, incite the subordinates to go, and don't show up yourself. Getting caught with a handle would be unfavorable."
"I understand, sir. You are brilliant. With the subordinates' dissatisfaction, after some time, when the South City Prison is in frequent chaos, we can use that opportunity to impeach Chen Ping'an."
"Go and implement it."
"Yes."