But Donna Smith, staring at the wooden tablet in her hand, frowned deeply. David Smith stood anxiously beside her, thinking there was news of Donald Smith. In just a few days, his hair and beard had turned gray, making him look especially exhausted and anxious. His bloodshot eyes glanced over, and he hurriedly said, “Why has the Prefect of Hejian come? Is it for my son?”

This was exactly what Donna Smith feared.

However, since the Prefect of Hejian had arrived, she could not avoid receiving him. The princes and imperial clansmen of the great Han were the easiest targets, long since becoming the best way for high officials to boost their reputation. These officials would not bully the common people, as they all cherished their own reputations. Their targets were always the powerful clans and these princes and imperial clansmen. Among these two groups, the local powerful clans had a notorious reputation and were hated by the people. As long as an official dealt with them harshly, the people would immediately see him as an upright official, and his reputation would soar—thus, his official rank would naturally rise as well!

Therefore, Han officials were most different from those of other dynasties!

Elsewhere, officials bullied the commoners and bowed to the powerful, but only Han officials delighted in opposing the powerful. The more the powerful hated them, the happier they were. Toward the common people, they were all kind and benevolent—even those called cruel officials and watchdogs were quite friendly to the people! This might seem like a virtue, but from Donna Smith’s perspective, these people were just here to make life difficult! Deliberately picking a fight with her!

Donna Smith, leading many household servants, opened the main gate and bowed slightly, saying, “This humble woman greets the Prefect of Hejian!”

The young man immediately dismounted and returned the greeting, saying, “Such a grand salute is undeserved. My sudden visit—please do not take offense!” Donna Smith smiled and invited them inside. The young man sat in the main hall, formally greeted David Smith, then took a seat among the guests, saluted again, and said, “I am the great-grandson of Yuan Zhaogong, grandson of Yuan Gaoshi, son of the late Grand Commandant Tang, and the Prefect of Hejian, Wade Young! Greetings, noble one!” Upon hearing this long introduction, David Smith’s expression changed instantly. He forced a smile and returned the greeting with proper decorum.

Donna Smith showed no particular reaction, merely watching Wade Young quietly.

“I have come this time because I heard rumors among the people that auspicious omens have appeared at the Marquis’s residence, so I have come especially to see for myself!”

Chapter 0008 Wade Young Arrives

At these words, the atmosphere instantly turned cold and silent.

Donna Smith’s face was frosty, her brows furrowed, and she said nothing. David Smith, however, stood up. These days, with his eldest son missing, David Smith was already grief-stricken and exhausted. Now, Wade Young’s words exploded in his ears like thunder, and he couldn’t help but rise, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Wade Young, unable to speak.

“It seems, Lord Dong, that you know quite a bit about this matter. Why not tell me about it?”

“This matter… was merely fabricated by a servant to amuse the young Marquis. The young Marquis is only eight or nine years old. What, does the Prefect wish to punish the young Marquis?” It was Donna Smith who spoke.

“How would I dare punish the young Marquis? Besides, the young Marquis is but a child—what crime could he have? Those servants, however, may I see them? We only need to investigate a little.”

“It is the busy season for spring planting; they are working under Steward Liu at my residence. You may go in person!”

Wade Young carefully observed the two before him, but in his heart he was thinking: I must pin the blame on the nobles of the Marquis’s household for this to count as an achievement. Otherwise, merely arresting a few servants for fabricating omens is not an accomplishment—it would only damage my own reputation. If I interrogate the servants first, they will surely take the blame themselves. What is the crime of falsely reporting auspicious omens?

As the Prefect, only if I stir up trouble in the Marquis’s household, and best if I can reprimand these powerful nobles face to face, can I gain some reputation. That way, I won’t have to talk about resigning to study anymore—perhaps I can use my father’s influence to enter the Secretariat directly. Using my father’s influence is not nepotism, but leveraging the power of the Yuan clan, whose disciples are spread throughout the land, and my father’s generation has many close friends. As long as I have some achievements, promotion is but a word away.

“Noble one, you have misunderstood Wade. The servants’ rumors and troublemaking are a disgrace to the Marquis’s household. Wade has come this time to clear the Marquis’s name—I do not wish for our Han imperial clan to bear a bad reputation!”

“So, the Prefect has come to reprimand my mother and me. In my Marquis’s household, there are only women and children, not a single man. By acting thus, Prefect, you only invite the ridicule of the world.”

Wade Young’s expression did not change. He looked calmly at Donna Smith, stood up, cupped his hands, and said, “Though the young Marquis is but a child, he is a member of the Han imperial clan, a nephew to the Emperor. Since I serve as Prefect of Hejian, the people are at peace, the king is virtuous, the good officials are united, and the customs improve daily, all from reading the words of the sages. The young Marquis, though young and ignorant, allowed his servants to spread false omens and commit fraud. Even though the young Marquis is noble, I am willing to teach him in his father’s stead! To instruct him in propriety and virtue! To guide him to benevolence and filial conduct!”

“Mr. Young, how dare you!!” Donna Smith shouted angrily.

Yet, Wade Young’s words sounded so dignified and righteous that outsiders would surely be impressed by his character and his fearlessness before the powerful. Han officials truly did not fear the powerful; each one was determined, even deliberately seeking trouble, denouncing the powerful and punishing the great clans. This had become the code of conduct for every Han official. Just this year, the Prefect of Nanyang, Cheng Jin, had arrested the local magnate Zhang Fan and thrown him in prison.