After a round of pleasantries, Master Hou explained his purpose. After all, if major merchants were to open workshops and shops in Liuxian County, their businesses would inevitably be affected, and they might even be forced to close down if they couldn't withstand the competition.
"Miss Zhan is offering a type of food?" Master Hou pondered after listening.
Although they hadn't found out much about Zhan Feiyu's background, they knew that He Nuan, who served her, was not just a skilled fighter but also an excellent cook. Zhan Feiyu's meals were all prepared by He Nuan in the kitchen, especially the soup she brewed, which was so fragrant that it made the inn's residents' mouths water.
County Magistrate Zhu had already suppressed his anger and politely addressed Master Hou, who had once held a third-rank official position: "Jiangnan is already prosperous. Ordinary families often have a few secret recipes for food."
Although it was said that a generation's eating habits determined their wealth, a second generation's attire, and a third generation's scholarship, ordinary merchants with some money would only indulge in delicacies. They would eat whatever ingredients were expensive, and a dish worth ten taels of silver was enough to show their extravagance.
However, noble families could find sophistication even in a simple vegetarian dish. A small lotus leaf and lotus seed soup, at first glance, seemed like just a lotus leaf and lotus seed broth. But the soup's quality depended on the utensils used.
...
Silence spread through the room. County Magistrate Zhu's expression was even more grim than before. His imposing demeanor cast a shadow, making it difficult to breathe.
In this strange and dangerous atmosphere, Deputy Magistrate Wei subtly glanced at Zhan Feiyu, who sat opposite him. The young girl was completely unfazed, sitting gracefully on her chair, holding a teacup, as if she were enjoying tea in her own backyard.
Withdrawing his gaze, Deputy Magistrate Wei looked at County Magistrate Zhu, who sat in the main seat with an imposing presence. If the business of selling noodles could be linked to the innocent people in the army, wouldn't His Excellency be afraid of the Surveillance Commissioner's keen judgment, which might deem him guilty of dereliction of duty?" Zhan Feiyu retorted with the same cold attitude.
"Miss Zhan, are you intending to deal with me officially?" County Magistrate Zhu slammed his teacup back onto the table and spoke sternly, "Someone, take the murder suspect in the Huang family case to prison!"
Moreover, Zhan Feiyu had requested that His Excellency sell the noodles to the army at cost price.
As the saying goes, cutting off someone's wealth is like killing their parents. It was no wonder His Excellency turned hostile at Zhan Feiyu's actions.
If it were an ordinary ten-year-old girl, she would likely have been terrified by County Magistrate Zhu's imposing authority. However, Zhan Feiyu's expression remained unchanged. "Huang Baocai has been buried, and the murderer, Dong Guizhi, has signed and confessed. This case was reported to the Surveillance Commissioner yesterday. Are you sure you want to reopen the case?"
Showing no fear of confrontation, Zhan Feiyu curled her lips. A mocking smile spread across her fair, rosy face. "Aren't you afraid that the investigation will eventually reveal County Lieutenant Cheng as the mastermind? The county lieutenant of Liuxian, colluding with kidnappers and disregarding human lives. As the parent official of Liuxian, are you completely unaware, or are you complicit?"
If he was unaware, then County Magistrate Zhu should no longer be an official. If he was so incompetent, who would dare let him govern a region? Especially since County Magistrate Zhu had not participated in the imperial examinations; his official position was obtained through the Zhu family's connections. This investigation might even implicate the Zhu family.
If County Magistrate Zhu was aware of County Lieutenant Cheng's illicit activities, then there was even less to say. The collusion of officials in the county yamen was an offense punishable by death.
Perhaps he hadn't expected Zhan Feiyu to be so stubborn and defiant. County Magistrate Zhu, who was accustomed to having his way in Liuxian County, was furious. His face contorted with rage. Being a military man by birth, the murderous aura emanating from him seemed as if he wanted to flay Zhan Feiyu alive.
"Good, very good!" County Magistrate Zhu gritted out the words, his anger turning into a laugh. "I've indeed fallen into a ditch today, being outsmarted by a little brat!"
In County Magistrate Zhu's opinion, Zhan Feiyu's fearlessness stemmed from the fact that Huang Baocai's case had already been closed. Zhan Feiyu was not afraid of the yamen reopening the case, because if it were reopened, County Magistrate Zhu would be the first to be held accountable.
"Zhan Feiyu, don't forget that you are currently standing in Liuxian County. Without my permission, do you think the four of you, mistress and servants, can leave Liuxian County?" County Magistrate Zhu sneered. What if the case of Huang Baocai was closed? As long as he wished, there would be a second Huang Baocai, a third Huang Baocai!
This young girl had truly angered His Excellency, otherwise, His Excellency wouldn't bother with a young girl, nor would he utter such threats.
Zhan Feiyu also stood up and politely cupped her hands in a salute to County Magistrate Zhu, who was in the main seat. "If Your Excellency agrees, I will await your arrival at Changxing Inn. Ann, we should go back."
Just like that? Deputy Magistrate Wei watched the mistress and servant leave, and couldn't help but marvel at the fearlessness of a newborn calf.
"Outrageous!" an angry roar erupted. County Magistrate Zhu, in a fit of rage, smashed the teacup on the table to the ground. Still not appeased, he then smashed the plate containing the noodles.
Zhan Feiyu walked leisurely under the corridor, her unhurried pace suggesting she hadn't just angered County Magistrate Zhu.
The minor official leading the way couldn't help but glance back. This girl truly wasn't afraid of death. Although he was standing far away, he had heard His Excellency's roar, yet this young girl seemed completely unfazed.
Recalling that Zhan Feiyu had once ordered people to break the legs of Constable Wang and his men and throw them from the second floor, the minor official was no longer surprised. She wouldn't have dared to do such a thing if she wasn't bold.
When footsteps approached ahead, Zhan Feiyu looked up and saw an old man walking in front. The minor official leading the way was extremely deferential, and behind the old man followed seven or eight people, all dressed in brocade robes, with ruddy complexions and bright eyes.
"My Lord." The minor official quickly bowed.
Master Hou nodded with a smile and subtly observed Zhan Feiyu. Seeing her in the county yamen's backyard today, accompanied by a maid, it was clear this was the young girl staying at Changxing Inn.
Zhan Feiyu also merely glanced at the group approaching, but without even a greeting, she continued to walk leisurely forward.
Watching Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan turn a corner and disappear from sight, the people standing under the corridor looked displeased.
"So young, yet so arrogant!"
"They say she's a scholar, always with a book in hand. Hmph, with such an attitude, let alone a noble family, even a village girl would be more well-mannered than her!"
The old gentlemen who spoke were all wealthy. Furthermore, County Magistrate Zhu treated merchants well, and they often visited him at the county yamen. The four words of scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant had no impact on them, which was why they were angered by Zhan Feiyu's dismissive attitude.
"Never mind, everyone, follow me to see Lord Zhu." Marquis Hou, however, smiled. A young girl who was almost accused of murder dared to remain in Liuxian County. This was either foolish boldness or a sense of security. Judging from their brief encounter, Marquis Hou leaned towards the latter.
By the time they got out of the county yamen and into the carriage, He Nuan asked, "Miss, those people we just met are the merchants of Liuxian County. To be able to move so freely in the county yamen, it seems County Magistrate Zhu is indeed very lenient towards merchants."
In other places, even scholars with official titles would need to be at least a Juren to visit a county magistrate, and even then, it would depend on whether the magistrate had time.
"They should be here to gather information," Zhan Feiyu said with a smile. Although they hadn't exchanged pleasantries, the hostility and rejection in their eyes suggested they were worried about their businesses being suppressed.
Meanwhile, He Sheng drove the carriage towards Changxing Inn, while Marquis Hou and the group of merchants had already entered the small hall. The servant had cleaned up the broken pieces on the ground.
"Please have a seat, Old Master." County Magistrate Zhu personally walked to the entrance to greet them and invited Marquis Hou inside.
The others also paid their respects. After a round of pleasantries, everyone took their seats, and tea was served again.
Marquis Hou took a sip of tea from his cup. When he entered, a minor official had gone out with a tray, but it only held two teacups. Besides the young girl who had already left, County Magistrate Zhu and Deputy Magistrate Wei were present. With three teacups, one was missing. It had either been accidentally broken or deliberately smashed.
Marquis Hou lowered his head and glanced at the ground. Faint, undried tea stains could still be seen. This spot was in the middle of the small hall, meaning the teacup had been smashed. It was not difficult to guess that only County Magistrate Zhu would dare to lose his temper and smash a teacup in the county yamen.