Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 184 Moving to a new home

These days, there haven't been many cases, which is rare, so Shi Wanxia has been able to leave work early every day, making things much easier. She also bought the courtyard that Shuyun had her eye on a few days ago. It's a four-courtyard house with plenty of rooms, enough for everyone to live in.

These past two days have finally been spent arranging all the items and furniture for the new house. I'm thinking of inviting Magistrate Cui to my home for a chat after the court session ends today.

Looking at the girl, who had been exhausted and listless for the past two days, Cui Zhihao almost laughed. He thought to himself that it was already past 3:15 PM, yet the girl was working diligently and doing her tasks beautifully.

With less than seven days until the end of the year, he instructed the head constable to summon everyone in the county government office to the main hall, as he had something to announce.

Soon, Magistrate Wang and his yamen runners gathered in the main hall, wondering what the magistrate wanted to tell them today. Cui Zhihao, because the Cui family of Qinghe lived not far away, was able to return home for the festival on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Dressed in official robes and wearing a black gauze hat, he stood solemnly in the main hall.

"Gentlemen, I have gathered you all here today to discuss an important matter," Cui Zhihao said in a deep and powerful voice. "Recently, several theft cases have occurred in this county, causing great suffering to the people. As the county magistrate, I have a responsibility to protect the lives and property of the people. Therefore, I have decided to form a team, with County Magistrate Wang as the captain, to be responsible for investigating these cases."

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Wang immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will do my utmost to fulfill my mission."

Choi Ji-ho nodded and continued, "In addition, I hope everyone can strengthen patrols and be more vigilant to prevent similar cases from happening again. At the same time, we must also do a good job of reassuring the people and making them believe that we will solve the case as soon as possible and restore a peaceful living environment for them."

"Yes!" the constables replied in unison.

Cui Zhihao glanced at everyone and then said, "Alright, everyone may leave. Magistrate Wang, please stay. I have some matters to discuss with you."

The constables dispersed, leaving only Cui Zhihao and Magistrate Wang in the main hall. Cui Zhihao walked to Magistrate Wang's side and said in a low voice, "Magistrate Wang, this case is no small matter. You must be very careful. If you need anything, you can report to me at any time."

Magistrate Wang nodded and said, "Thank you for your concern, sir. I will do my best to solve the case as soon as possible."

Cui Zhihao patted Magistrate Wang on the shoulder, then turned and left the hall. Magistrate Wang watched Cui Zhihao's retreating figure, secretly vowing to live up to his superior's expectations and bring the criminals to justice.

Then I remembered the matter of the Spring Festival holiday, which I hadn't mentioned yet. "By the way, I have decided to officially begin the holiday on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month in accordance with the imperial law. You should arrange for two people to be on duty at the yamen every day, and we will officially return to the yamen on the 6th of the first lunar month. You should also pass on the word that I have already instructed Miss Shi to prepare this year's reward money. You can go to Miss Shi at 27th of the twelfth lunar month."

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Wang was overjoyed. The magistrate had even prepared a reward for them for the New Year! The magistrate truly lived up to his noble lineage! He quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your kindness, sir. On behalf of all my brothers, I thank you, sir."

Cui Zhihao waved his hand, not taking these trivial matters to heart. "By the way, you need to pay attention to the things I asked you to do. As long as you do a good job, I won't treat you unfairly."

County Magistrate Wang respectfully agreed repeatedly and then withdrew. Cui Zhihao then went to Miss Shi's place, as he still had something to tell her.

He gently pushed open the door and saw Miss Shi sitting quietly at the table, holding a cup of tea in her hand, her eyes unfocused, as if lost in thought. A thought struck him, and thinking that she might be alright, he said, "Miss Shi, if you have nothing else to do, you can go back now."

Upon hearing this, Shi Wanxia's face immediately lit up with joy. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you, but..." she hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I would still like to invite you to my home, sir. I wonder if you have the time?"

He paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded in agreement, "Sure, I don't have anything else to do anyway."

Upon hearing this, Shi Wanxia was overjoyed. She quickly stood up and led him out of the room. She was exceptionally excited the whole way, talking to him incessantly. He listened quietly, occasionally responding, but his mind was elsewhere.

Soon, they arrived at Shi Wanxia's house. She opened the door and let him in. He walked into the yard and looked around. The house was a bit larger, but it was decorated very warmly.

I didn't expect her to move to a new house so quickly, and to decorate it so nicely. I suppose she invited him over today to celebrate her housewarming.

However, he hadn't prepared a gift, which was rather impolite. Thinking about it, he took off the jade pendant he had worn for many years and handed it to her.

"Miss Shi, congratulations on your housewarming today. I came in a hurry and did not prepare any gift. I am really sorry."

"This jade pendant was a gift from my mother when I was born. It is a fine pendant, and I present it to you today to congratulate you on your new home."

Shi Wanxia waved her hands repeatedly in refusal. She had only invited him on a whim and hadn't informed him beforehand, so there was no need for a gift. Cui Zhihao, however, forcefully pulled Shi's wrist and placed a delicate jade pendant in her hand.

"This jade pendant has been with me for many years. The quality of this jade is truly excellent. Please don't be offended that I wore it before." His eyes were full of expectation.

Shi Wanxia picked up the jade pendant with a hint of helplessness and examined it. Inside was a dazzling necklace with a blue gemstone set in the pendant, radiating a captivating light.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Shi Wanxia couldn't help but exclaim.

"Do you like it?" Choi Ji-ho asked.

"I like it, but it's too expensive, I can't accept it." Shi Wanxia wanted to return the necklace to Cui Zhihao.

"This is a token of my appreciation, please accept it." Cui Zhihao held Shi Wanxia's hand, preventing her from taking the necklace back.

Shi Wanxia looked at Cui Zhihao, feeling somewhat moved. However, such a precious item was truly too much for her to handle!

Cui Zhihao smiled and naturally released his hands. "Miss Shi, there's no need to feel embarrassed. The Cui family of Qinghe has passed down its jade as a family tradition. I am from the Cui family of Qinghe, and as a member of a prestigious family, these are merely material possessions. You don't need to feel alarmed, otherwise I would feel guilty."

Shi Wanxia sighed softly, nodded, and put the jade pendant away. At this moment, Shuyun brought people over.

"Sister Shi, Magistrate Cui, it's good to see you here. Sister Shi, you've finished your duties so early today!"

Shuyun respectfully performed a curtsy to Magistrate Cui, her demeanor gentle and dignified. He was sometimes quite curious, as the young lady's words and actions were often unrestrained by convention. It was truly remarkable that this young lady, Shuyun, could be so well-mannered and polite.