Chapter 472
"You're not getting away! You scared my precious grandson like this and you think you can just leave!" Seeing that Zhan Feiyu was about to leave, the old woman immediately showed a fierce look and lunged towards Zhan Feiyu, her withered hand reaching out to grab her. "No compensation, no one leaves!"
He Sheng raised his hand and blocked the old woman's hand. "Get out of the way!"
"Bah, you think this old woman is scared easily!" Ignoring He Sheng's cold stare, the old woman started shouting at the top of her lungs, spitting as she angrily cursed, "This is Liuxian County, under the jurisdiction of Magistrate Zhu! No matter who you are, if you dare to break the law in Liuxian, you'll be arrested by the constables and beaten with planks!"
Liuxian County was a hub of commerce, with many workshops not only in the county town but also in some villages. Magistrate Zhu favored heavy punishments. While other counties might only administer ten planks for offenses, in Liuxian, it was at least thirty, followed by fines.
Consequently, both common folk and merchants were law-abiding. The prominent families in Liuxian kept their younger generations in check. Magistrate Zhu was known for his impartiality; once a case reached his court, there was no room for leniency.
Furthermore, County Lieutenant Cheng also frequently employed torture. Thus, Liuxian enjoyed excellent public order, which was why the old woman dared to act so brazenly.
"Aunt Huang, these young ladies are honored guests of our Meiren Zhuang. Since Da Bao was startled, our shop will give you two bars of scented soap," the shopkeeper said, attempting to smooth things over, and bowed apologetically to Zhan Feiyu.
No shop on this street disliked Aunt Huang. Other shops, like Meiren Zhuang, also provided resting areas for female guests to relax, offering tea and pastries without charge.
Normally, guests would only have a cup of tea, and if hungry, they might have a pastry to tide them over. However, Aunt Huang, bringing her grandson, would freeload at various shops. Just like her visit to Meiren Zhuang, she always chose the cheapest scented soap, costing only twenty wen per bar, and would consume a plate of pastries.
If they didn't buy anything, the shop assistants could refuse entry. But Aunt Huang always spent money. As a customer, she was welcome, so the shopkeeper and assistants could only turn a blind eye.
Gui Zhi, a young woman serving in the resting area, whispered to Zhan Feiyu, "She's been here five times this month. She's already eaten back the twenty wen."
Even with a family of over ten people, it was unlikely they would need five bars of scented soap in a month. Zhan Feiyu looked in surprise at Aunt Huang, who was haggling with the shopkeeper. "Does her family use so much?"
"Aunt Huang runs errands for her neighbors next door, delivering vegetables or eggs," Gui Zhi said, her face filled with annoyance. She probably had never encountered someone so shameless.
When others bought scented soap, they could naturally bring their children to have a pastry. But most people had a sense of shame; buying twenty-wen soap and then eating pastries felt improper.
Since Aunt Huang was willing to run errands for them and even deliver vegetables or eggs, the shops agreed. After all, they were getting something out of it.
Zhan Feiyu had always considered herself thick-skinned, but compared to Aunt Huang, who was arguing until her face turned red, she felt utterly inadequate.
"Alright, three bars of scented soap." The shopkeeper didn't want to continue the argument. Seeing Aunt Huang's posture, she was about to lie down and extort them, so he could only agree to give her an extra bar.
"It's also because my old woman is kind-hearted and doesn't bother with you. Otherwise, if you don't pay one tael of silver today, no one leaves!" Aunt Huang said triumphantly, casting a provocative glance at Zhan Feiyu. Unfortunately, they were in Meiren Zhuang. If this were on the street, she wouldn't let it go without a tael of silver.
As greedy as Aunt Huang was, she had a brain. She knew she couldn't afford to offend the shopkeeper of Meiren Zhuang, so she was content with extorting three bars of scented soap.
The shopkeeper signaled Gui Zhi to get the scented soap for Aunt Huang and then stepped forward to attend to Zhan Feiyu as she exited. "A country woman is crude and has offended you, Miss. Please forgive her."
"You are too kind, shopkeeper," Zhan Feiyu replied with a smile. She noted that the shopkeeper had a good temper. If she had encountered someone hot-tempered, Aunt Huang's unreasonable behavior would surely have resulted in her being thrown out.
After all, even if the matter were brought to court, Aunt Huang would not be in the right. As for Magistrate Zhu, even if he were as strict as rumored, Meiren Zhuang was backed by the Prince Yu's Mansion. For the sake of the relationship, Magistrate Zhu, no matter how unsociable, would not go against Meiren Zhuang.
Leaving Meiren Zhuang, Zhan Feiyu walked slowly along the street. The businesses in various shops were thriving. Regardless of Magistrate Zhu and County Lieutenant Cheng's conduct, as long as merchants could make money, were not exploited, and were not suppressed, they would not care whether the county officials were honest or corrupt.
The people of Liuxian County were likely of the same opinion. Without heavy taxes and levies, without local ruffians arbitrarily bullying them, with fertile land to cultivate and wages from working in workshops, such a prosperous life meant the populace would surely be grateful to Magistrate Zhu.
"Miss, shall we investigate thoroughly?" He Sheng asked in a low voice. After all, the people of Liuxian County lived in peace and contentment. As for the child abductors from last night, investigating them would likely require staying in Liuxian for a few days.
Looking at Constable Cao and the others still guarding the inn's entrance, Zhan Feiyu would not have gone out of her way for other matters. However, since child abductors were involved, Zhan Feiyu could not ignore it. "Find out the background of that group and whether there is collusion between officials and bandits in the Liuxian county yamen."