Volume 5, Chapter 285 – Today, I Will Definitely Help You Fulfill Your Wish

Qi Huang waited only a moment before the Governor Niu came striding out with several constables in tow, their steps brisk and purposeful. This alone spoke volumes about the weight of her current status.

“Esteemed friend of Fairy Qi, this humble official failed to greet you from afar—my deepest apologies!”

Governor Niu did not even ask for identification. From a distance, he clasped his fists in salute, a testament to his political shrewdness.

“Governor Niu, you exaggerate. I am but an ordinary person, how could I dare trouble you to come greet me?”

Qi Huang’s tone was laced with sarcasm.

“Young master, you are too modest. Fairy Qi was personally selected by His Highness as an Imperial Consort. How could her friends be anything less than extraordinary? Ordinary? Impossible!”

Governor Niu offered flattery with feigned sincerity, his eyes, narrow slits in his plump face—discreetly assessing the unexpected visitor. The figure before him was shrouded in mystery, draped in a loose black robe and a dark hooded cloak that concealed every inch of skin. Their build was slender, their voice androgynous, neither origin nor gender could be discerned.

“Governor Niu certainly knows how to flatter.”

Qi Huang continued her mockery. Had anyone else praised her like this, she might have been pleased. But this man? No. He had once conspired with the deputy manager of the Golden Fortune Auction House to embezzle unclaimed relics. Though not the mastermind, he was still an accomplice.

“Young master, you honor me too much. May I ask for your esteemed surname and your relationship with Fairy Qi?”

Governor Niu probed cautiously.

“No need for such formality, just call me Huang. As for Fairy Qi, we are close friends. Here is her Cultivator’s Token.”

Qi Huang brushed off the question casually before producing her token.

“Young Master Huang, please, come inside. It’s nearly dinnertime, this humble official will have a few dishes prepared so we may share a drink.”

After carefully inspecting the token, Governor Niu’s attitude grew even more enthusiastic.

“No need to trouble yourself, Governor Niu. I have matters to attend to.”

Qi Huang declined politely. She had no interest in drinking with someone like him.

“Might I ask what business brings you here, young master?”

Governor Niu inquired cautiously.

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“Helping someone fulfill a wish. I promised him, so I must see it through.”

Qi Huang stated her purpose plainly.

“Fulfill a wish?”

Governor Niu was stunned. Exchanging glances with his subordinates, he asked curiously, “And who might this person be?”

“Constable Peng of your office. Be so kind as to summon him.”

Qi Huang’s expression remained indifferent as she gave the order.

“Truly, only a friend of Fairy Qi would come to the government office just to fulfill a mere constable’s wish. Even the gods in heaven would be moved to shame!”

This time, Governor Niu was genuinely shocked.

“Yes, I thought the same.”

Qi Huang nodded in agreement.

“Might I ask what Constable Peng’s wish is? And… could this young master perhaps grant this humble official a wish as well?”

Governor Niu’s eyes flickered with calculation. If this person was Fairy Qi’s friend, they must have some capability.

“Certainly. But first come, first served. Bring Constable Peng here, and then we’ll talk.”

Qi Huang’s lips curled in a faint, ambiguous smile.

“Of course, of course!”

Governor Niu bowed repeatedly before ordering someone to fetch Constable Peng.

Before long, Constable Peng arrived, his expression relaxed and carefree, clearly assuming this was just routine business.

“My lord, what do you require of this lowly—”

His words died in his throat the moment he recognized Qi Huang. His face paled as if he had just been told his parents had dropped dead.

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“It’s not me who wants you, it’s this young master. He claims to be here to fulfill your wish. So, what is it you desire?”

Still oblivious, Governor Niu asked casually.

Constable Peng’s mind went blank. He hadn’t even processed Governor Niu’s words. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected this person to be so relentless as to hunt him down directly. If they made a move now, his stalling tactics would be useless.

“Constable Peng! Why are you standing there dumbstruck? I asked you a question!”

Governor Niu’s tone turned impatient.

“This…”

Constable Peng snapped back to reality but could only stammer incoherently.

“Let me speak for him.”

Qi Huang interjected cheerfully. “Constable Peng wishes to return home and farm, but he fears you won’t allow it. So, he asked me to plead on his behalf.”

“That’s it?”

Governor Niu’s brain short-circuited momentarily. He turned to Constable Peng. “This is your wish?”

“N-no… that’s not… not it at all!”

Constable Peng frantically denied it, yet he didn’t dare outright lie. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

“What in the world is going on here?”

Governor Niu was no fool. He quickly realized that this so-called “wish-fulfillment” was just a pretext, this person was here to settle a score.

“The truth is…”

Qi Huang briefly recounted the earlier incident before declaring firmly, “Constable Peng swore before everyone that if the Golden Fortune Auction House reopened tonight, he would retire to farm. Well, the auction house is open. Shouldn’t he keep his word? If a constable of the government office goes back on his promises, how can you, my lord, maintain authority?”

Governor Liu’s face darkened as he fell into silence.

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Dismissing Constable Peng would mean losing a capable subordinate and damaging his own prestige. After all, as a lord of this land, how could he let some nobody order him around?

“But if I don’t dismiss him, I’ll offend an Imperial Consort personally chosen by His Majesty.”

After a brief internal struggle, Governor Niu made his decision. Even if Qi Huang wasn’t guaranteed to become Empress, it wasn’t worth risking his neck over such trivial matters. Constable Peng had to go. but he needed a face-saving excuse to preserve his dignity.

“Constable Peng, if I recall correctly, my orders were only to retrieve the relics. Why did you take it upon yourself to seal the auction house?”

Governor Niu began his interrogation with a stern tone.

“My lord, this is a misunderstanding! I never wanted to do it, but the people at the auction house were utterly disrespectful! If we didn’t discipline them, how could we maintain order? How could your authority remain unchallenged?”

Constable Peng scrambled to justify himself.

“Audacious! Not only did you disobey orders, you even dared to drag me into your schemes! Clearly, you are beyond redemption! Men, strip him of his uniform and throw him out!”

Governor Niu roared in feigned outrage.

The constables dared not disobey. They swiftly seized Constable Peng.

“What a sly old fox.”

Qi Huang smirked in disdain. She understood his game, by framing this as an internal disciplinary matter, he could pretend it had nothing to do with him, thus preserving his dignity.

“Young master, I’ve dealt with Constable Peng. Are you satisfied?”

Governor Niu turned back with a strained smile.

“Barely passable. Though you seem quite pleased with yourself, your grin stretches ear to ear.”

Qi Huang’s retort was icy.

Governor Niu’s expression froze. He hadn’t expected this brat to see right through him.

“Governor Niu, there’s one more thing. Who was the person who identified the victim as the auction house’s client?”

Qi Huang cut to the chase. From what she knew, Governor Niu likely wasn’t involved in this scheme—after all, shutting down the auction house didn’t benefit a corrupt official.

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“Might I ask why you seek this information?”

Governor Niu asked cautiously.

“Governor Niu, some questions are better left unasked.”

Qi Huang’s patience wore thin.

“Of course, of course!”

Governor Niu flinched before admitting, “To be honest, this humble official doesn’t know who it was. Constable Peng handled the case—he only said an informant provided the lead. As for who this informant is… I’ve never met them.”

‘Looks like I’ll have to track down Constable Peng after all.’

Qi Huang mused silently before mocking, “Governor Niu, you truly have a leisurely job if you don’t even investigate such matters. No wonder your subordinates run wild.”

“Ah… it’s hard to judge a person’s heart! I never imagined Peng was this kind of man!”

Governor Niu deflected awkwardly before declaring with righteous fury, “I’ll have him dragged back and interrogated at once!”

“Unnecessary.”

Qi Huang refused firmly. She wouldn’t place her hopes in a den of corruption.

“By the way, Governor Niu, didn’t you say you wanted me to fulfill a wish for you? So, do you prefer farming or tilling fields?”

She changed the subject with faux enthusiasm.

“N-no! Young master, your kindness is appreciated, but this humble official has no wishes!”

Governor Niu’s face drained of color as he shook his head faster than a courtesan’s hips.

“Governor Niu, don’t be shy. Everyone has wishes. And today, I will help you fulfill yours!”

Qi Huang’s smile was razor-sharp.