Top Assassin Retires and Becomes a Farmer After Time Traveling to the Past Chapter 62: Be Envied

Turning around, Li Yao saw that three well-dressed n were blocking her and Da Zhuang's way ho. Seeing they were strangers and this was an isolated spot in the woods, Da Zhuang beca wary, keeping a close eye on the three n's actions.

Now that the family had co into money, they were bound to arouse jealousy and greed.

"Mistress Li," the one with a goatee who seed to be the leader ca forward with a chuckle, "may I have a word?"

Da Zhuang said, "Say what you want to here!"

Goatee ignored Da Zhuang and looked to Li Yao, seeming to know she was the one in charge.

Li Yao was unafraid of these n. Even if ten more ca, she could guarantee her own safety. Rather, she worried for Da Zhuang. The boy had only brute strength without any martial arts training.

If a fight broke out, he was very likely to get hurt.

"Da Zhuang, go ho first. I'll co back later."

"But Mother..."

"Go ho."

Seeing her expression turn icy and hearing the uncompromising tone, Da Zhuang felt no urge to disobey. He could only look back worriedly and head ho with the oxcart.

After Da Zhuang had gone far, Li Yao said, "Where to talk?"

"No need to go far, just sowhere away from prying eyes," said Goatee.

Goatee led Li Yao a short way into the woods and stopped.

"Mistress Li, you're quite bold."

"Just say what you ca to say."

"That's even better, so direct," Goatee said. "I've actually co about the matter of the dry well."

Li Yao's brows furrowed slightly.

She had thought Goatee wanted to make a shady "exclusive deal" with her for the Green Grass Ointnt and Fragrant Soap selling so well. It seed she had guessed wrong.

"What about the dry well? No good?"

"On the contrary, very good," said Goatee. "So the magistrate wants to reward you for it."

What?

Li Yao wondered if she had misheard.

The magistrate wanted to reward her, yet sent people to summon her to the woods for a secret eting?

But she understood the key point right away.

The magistrate likely wanted to claim exclusive credit for the dry well.

Although she did not care about credit or rewards, there was no way she would let soone else take it. If it had to be given to soone else, it could only be the Song County Magistrate. At least he had stayed up all night for the benefit of Baichuan County's common folk.

As for this magistrate, he probably hadn't left his yan yet wanted to claim the credit. That was unacceptable.

"What do you think, Mistress Li," said Goatee. "As long as you promise not to say a word about the dry well, I can give you... 50 taels of silver!"

When he finished, he looked expectantly at Li Yao, waiting for her to be overjoyed.

After all, 50 taels of silver was enough for a village woman to live ten years!

But instead of readily agreeing, Li Yao gave a cold smile.

Goatee frowned. "What are you laughing about? Or is it not enough?"

"It's not that it's not enough, but too little," said Li Yao. "To get to give up credit for the dry well, you'd have to offer at least 50 taels of gold."

"You..." Goatee's eyes bulged. "50 taels of gold? What fantasy are you living in! Fine, 100 taels! Take the money and live well. Otherwise..."

Here, the two n behind Goatee took a few steps forward, clearly ready to use force at his command.

Facing their overt threat, Li Yao was utterly unmoved.

"Go back and tell your magistrate if he wants political achievents through this, he should govern properly and do more for the people. If all he thinks about is scheming, who knows how he'll die in the end."

"You, you dare!" Goatee was so angry his hair practically stood on end. "Stupid woman, you dare threaten the magistrate! n, seize her!"

On his order, the two thugs pounced almost in unison.

In their eyes, Li Yao was just a village woman. Even with years of farm work, she wouldn't have much strength. She'd be easy to subdue.

Seeing the glaring flaws in their attack, Li Yao flicked her wrist, sending a dagger from her sleeve into her palm, about to kill them both in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, a roar ca from behind.

"Impudent thieves, you dare!"

Li Yao's brows knitted, imdiately recognizing the voice as belonging to Zhang County Captain. She swiftly hid away the dagger.

Seeing soone from the authorities, Goatee shot Li Yao a fierce glare.

"Let's go!"

The three hastily retreated. As Zhang County Captain was alone, he didn't pursue them for fear Li Yao would encounter other dangers.

"Mistress Li, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"County Magistrate sent ahead to honor you in He Wan Village. I happened to et your Da Zhuang and he said you were taken by three n, so I hurried over."

Li Yao's mouth twitched. The county magistrate was coming again?

This was bad. With Zhang County Captain here, it seed she couldn't avoid it this ti.

"Mistress Li, the county magistrate will arrive shortly. Let us wait for him on the road."

"Alright."

With no choice, Li Yao went back to the road where she saw the anxious Da Zhuang from afar.

"Didn't I tell you to go ho? Why did you co back?"

"Mother...I just couldn't stop worrying..."

"Fine, you're back already," said Li Yao. "But never do this again, understand?"

"Yes."

Soon, Song County Magistrate arrived with two yan runners, riding quickly towards them.

After hearing Zhang County Captain's report, Song frowned deeply. In a few steps he was before Li Yao.

Li Yao bowed.

"Mistress Li need not be so formal."

Song waved his hand to stop her from bowing. Li Yao was delighted and imdiately stood up straight.

As long as he didn't make her kneel, she could tolerate anything.

This was Song's first ti seeing Li Yao up close. As a man from the capital previously holding the third rank, he had seen all kinds of exceptional won.

Yet Mistress Li here was very different from those won, with lively brows and carefree grace in her every move.

Wearing plain clothes, her features were charming yet she emanated a heroic spirit, unforgettable at first sight.

"County Magistrate?" Seeing him lost in thought, Zhang County Captain quietly reminded him.

"Oh, ahem..." Song snapped back to the present, feeling slightly flushed. He quickly got to business. "Mistress Li, do you know who those three n were?"

"They should have been sent by the magistrate."

"The magistrate?" Song exclaid in shock, eyes wide. "This...this...this..."

That was very possible!

The dry well was a huge accomplishnt. If the magistrate could claim sole credit, his year-end performance review would shine brilliantly. He might even get promoted and transferred to an important post in the capital next year.

And because the benefits were so great, he wanted to silence Li Yao.

But how could Song allow this to happen in his jurisdiction right under his nose?

"Captain Zhang, return to the yan."

Zhang was slightly surprised. Wasn't the plan to honor Mistress Li?

Could the county magistrate have changed his mind out of fear?

Seeing Song and his n head back, Li Yao felt relieved. If the county magistrate had co to the village to publicly honor her, she really wouldn't have known what to do.

"Da Zhuang, let's go ho too."

"Yes Mother," Da Zhuang imdiately brought over the ox cart, worriedly saying, "Mother, just stay ho from now on and don't go out. Let handle any business outside."