My System Is Three Thousand Years Early

Cheng Guang paid no mind to the whispers of the surrounding people and casually grabbed someone to ask for the location of the Ping'an County Office.

The man hurriedly pointed Cheng Guang in the right direction.

Cheng Guang nodded slightly, expressing his thanks with civil courtesy and led his entourage towards the Ping'an County Office.

The person Cheng Guang had asked for directions now felt as if he were dreaming.

The Princely Heir had thanked him?

Ordinarily, the powerful elites hardly took commoners into account, yet the Princely Heir, a top-ranking noble of Great Zhou, was quite polite to them, the common folks.

For a moment, the man felt as if he were floating on air.

If he spoke of this encounter in the future, he could say he had spoken with the Princely Heir, and that would certainly bring him prestige.

Cheng Guang was unaware of the man's reaction behind him; he did not realize that a casual word of thanks could astonish a commoner so greatly.

Before long, following the man's directions, Cheng Guang arrived at the Ping'an County Office.

In front of the Ping'an County Office stood vermilion gates guarded by a pair of majestic stone lions, each several meters tall, with several constables stationed at the front door.

The constables of the County Office were vastly different from those of the Bureau of the Lamp.

One might even say they were as different as heaven and earth, not to be compared.

When the constables at the County Office saw Cheng Guang and his group, they were momentarily taken aback. Realizing Cheng Guang's appearance, they rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

The Princely Heir, Cheng Guang, though the constables had not met him, were amazed by the nobleman's handsome features and the dignified aura he exuded.

Qing Luan stepped forward, her red lips parting slightly, "My Princely Heir wishes to see the County Magistrate. Is he within the Office?"

Upon hearing Qing Luan's words, a constable took a moment to respond, not because of the request, but because he was taken aback by the beauty of this lady. He quickly collected himself, bowed his head, and dared not gaze upon her any longer.
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He was aware that the group before him might be of no small standing, certainly not ones he, a mere patrol officer, could afford to offend.

"The County Order is inside. I will go and announce you now; please wait here for a moment," he said.

Qing Luan frowned slightly at these words, giving the constable an irritated glance.

Did this insignificant constable just dare make her Princely Heir wait here?

Not to mention meeting a mere County Magistrate, even if the Princely Heir were to meet with the current Prime Minister, he would not be expected to wait outside the door.

She was about to reprimand the man when Cheng Guang stopped her, shaking his head nonchalantly.

Although Ping'an County was located at the feet of the Capital city, it was worlds apart from the Capital; it was natural that few in a minor county like Ping'an would recognize him, almost none.

He did not expect everyone to recognize him; waiting outside for a while was not an issue.

Cheng Guang did not have to wait long before a middle-aged man accompanied by several officials, hurried out carrying a cyan official robe.

The middle-aged man was imposing, with neatly trimmed whiskers on his upper lip trembling slightly as he ran.

When the middle-aged man saw the group standing outside the County Office,

even before he approached, he could sense the formidable presence emanating from the group.

His gaze fell upon Cheng Guang at the head of the party, and his face paled a shade, recognizing the Princely Heir's identity.

He rushed forward, bending at the waist before he even reached Cheng Guang, his face the very picture of humility.

"Ping'an County Order Li Mingtang has met the Princely Heir. For not having the honor to welcome you from a distance, I hope the Princely Heir will not take offence," he said.

Cheng Guang was unconcerned, instead curious how this County Order knew him.

Seeing Cheng Guang's confusion, Li Mingtang bowed slightly and said, "I had the fortune to see the Princely Heir once in the Capital city, though the Princely Heir may not remember this minor official."

After speaking, Li Mingtang quickly stepped aside, respectfully ushering Cheng Guang into the County Office.

Although Li Mingtang was not entirely sure of Cheng Guang's purpose in coming to the Ping'an County Office, he dared not show the slightest negligence.

This Nobleman could crush him with a mere spit; to have such a person wait outside the door—while even the current Prime Minister would not have the audacity—was done by him, a mere County Magistrate.

Even though he had not given the order and that the men below did not recognize Cheng Guang, any reason was irrelevant; it was a slight against the Princely Heir.

Li Mingtang raised his hand to wipe the fine beads of sweat on his forehead with his sleeve. Fortunately, the Princely Heir was an amiable character and had not taken offence; otherwise, this incident could have caused him substantial grief.

He hurriedly led Cheng Guang into the Office. Passing by a few constables at the entrance, he bit his lip in frustration and said:

"You few, be more observant next time. When such a noble visits the Office, even if you do not recognize him, you should invite him inside!"

"If there is a next time, take your stipend and leave on your own accord!"

Upon hearing these words from the County Magistrate, Li Mingtang, the officers' faces turned several shades paler. They were only temporary workers, having paid a not insubstantial sum of Silver Taels and pulled numerous strings to secure their positions. If they were to lose their jobs as constables, their entire family's livelihood would be at risk.

They shuddered uncontrollably.

Observing Li Mingtang's cautious manner as he followed behind Cheng Guang, the Princely Heir, they exchanged glances, minds filled with woes they could not voice.

Though they had guessed this party to be of extraordinary status, they never imagined standing before them was an individual whose presence reduced the County Magistrate to such humiliation.

Inside the County Office.

Li Mingtang carefully offered Cheng Guang the seat of honor and ordered the officials to serve him and his party a cup of clear tea. He, along with the assistant county magistrate and the chief clerk, did not dare to sit; instead, they stood beside them, stiff as if being punished.