Zhu the innkeeper sat behind the counter, counting on his abacus. The continuous rain had boosted business, especially for the kitchen. He chuckled, thinking the earnings from the past two days were almost as much as from the wine shop.
"Innkeeper..." the waiter's words were cut short as Zhu the innkeeper saw a group of constables storming in. He quickly put down his ledger and went to meet them.
"Constable Hu, what wind blew you here? Please come in. Xiao Liu, quickly bring a pot of hot tea to warm up the officers." Zhu the innkeeper greeted them with a smile, glancing at the door.
The rain had just stopped after two days. Constable Hu and his men had arrived. Were they going to arrest some notorious criminals?
Constable Hu was only in his thirties, stout and strong. He waved his hand at the enthusiastic Zhu the innkeeper, "No need for tea. Yesterday..."
After hearing Constable Hu's words, Zhu the innkeeper was stunned, his expression a little blank. "Someone reported it?"
Zhu the innkeeper had seen the conflict clearly yesterday. Although Zhan Feiyu only had three people, the coachman was feeding the horses in the backyard at the time.
Besides maids and servants, Qiu Jingyuan and Qian Shipeng had more than ten guards, with another twenty-odd people waiting outside. In total, there were over forty people.
But once the fight started, He Sheng single-handedly took down seven or eight镖师 (bodyguards). His combat prowess was undeniable. What's more, Qiu Jingyuan was clearly wary of Zhan Feiyu and had fled with her maids and servants, distancing herself from the situation.
As for Qian Shipeng, who was left behind, despite his imposing demeanor, he was clearly trying to curry favor with Qiu Jingyuan. When Qian Shipeng had shouted to attack, Qiu family's guards had ignored him.
This was why Zhu the innkeeper was so shocked. The young lady staying at the inn clearly had a more significant background and stronger connections. How could the other party dare to report it to the authorities?
Constable Hu cast a warning glance. "Stop the nonsense. Which room are they in?"
"Innkeeper Zhu, the yamen is investigating a case. Are you trying to obstruct us?" Liu Xiaowu, who definitely wouldn't mind a bit of drama, led a group of young masters swaggering in. "I heard Innkeeper Zhu took a jade pendant yesterday. Tsk tsk, this jade pendant could buy your entire inn."
"Innkeeper Zhu is indeed a shrewd businessman, hoarding silver. Have you accepted a bribe and are now harboring criminals?" Hu Yan sneered sinisterly. Everyone on these streets knew that Mr. Zhu was obsessed with money, hating to part with even half a tael of silver.
Zhao Yi and Qian Shipeng walked at the back, chatting and laughing. After a meal, they had become sworn brothers.
Zhao Yi was a good talker. With a few words, he had managed to extract all the information about the Qian family, which largely matched the intelligence he had gathered earlier.
"Young Master Liu, you speak too harshly. How would I dare to obstruct official business?" Zhu the innkeeper quickly distanced himself. No matter how much he loved money, he wouldn't dare offend these people.
No wonder they dared to report it to the authorities. They had found a patron! Thinking this, Zhu the innkeeper felt a pang of regret. He had only just gotten his hands on that jade pendant, and now he would likely have to hand it over.
"Enough, stop the damn nonsense. Where are they? I want to see who dares to be so arrogant in Suzhou Prefecture!" Liu Xiaowu looked disdainfully at the plump Zhu the innkeeper. Since Brother Yi intended to befriend Qian Shipeng, this matter must be settled for Mr. Qian.
Zhu the innkeeper smiled obsequiously and pointed to the right side of the main hall.
Zhan Feiyu had gone out last night to interrogate the servants of the Qiu residence and had woken up an hour later this morning. Therefore, she had missed the mealtime after completing her morning exercises.
Zhan Feiyu was currently eating in the main hall, while He Nuan was simmering soup in the kitchen.
He Sheng had left early this morning, likely to contact the Imperial Guards and instruct the people from Qianzhong Dao to focus their investigation on Qiu Wenlan and Madam Qiu.
Liu Xiaowu and the other young masters followed Zhu the innkeeper's gaze and met Zhan Feiyu's eyes. The young girl had rosy lips and white teeth, looking cute with her plump cheeks still bearing baby fat.
"Are you playing with me!" Liu Xiaowu was the first to lash out, kicking Zhu the innkeeper without hesitation. However, he restrained his strength and scolded him angrily, "Why didn't you say this little girl is a notorious criminal!"
Zhu the innkeeper, having been kicked, wore a pained expression. "Even if I had the guts of a leopard, I wouldn't dare, Young Master Liu. Yesterday, there were only two suites left..."
Zhu the innkeeper quickly explained the situation, glancing at Qian Shipeng, who was standing with Zhao Yi. Zhu the innkeeper lowered his voice, "The young lady who came with that gentleman left at the time, clearly out of fear. How could I have imagined that this young gentleman would report it to the authorities today? Young Master Liu, perhaps you should clarify things first. This young lady's background is definitely not ordinary."
Fearing that Liu Xiaowu and the other young masters wouldn't believe him, Zhu the innkeeper also wanted to make a good impression. He continued, "At that time, the guard didn't even draw his sword and took down seven or eight big men. The maid accompanying this young lady is also skilled in martial arts and is currently simmering soup in the kitchen."
"Young Master Liu, I've been running this inn for over ten years, and this is the first time I've seen someone so particular. A bowl of soup has been simmering since before dawn. According to Chef Huang, the soup contains cordyceps, morels, lion's mane mushrooms, and rehydrated fish maw and scallops..."
Not only Liu Xiaowu but also the other young masters were astonished.
Hu Yan couldn't help but ask, "Just for a bowl of soup?"
"Yes, the base soup is made with two young pigeons to enrich the broth. The bones were simmered until they dissolved, and the residue was removed. It was simmered over a low heat for two hours." Zhu the innkeeper nodded vigorously. For ordinary families, drinking pigeon soup was considered a feast, yet here it was just for the broth.
"Qian Shipeng is truly not a good person." Liu Xiaowu turned and glared fiercely at Qian Shipeng. Fortunately, they hadn't rushed forward directly. Otherwise, offending someone they shouldn't have would have led to great trouble.
As the saying goes, it takes three generations to become an official, and it takes time to understand the nuances of clothing and food. Truly established families are particular about their food, clothing, housing, and transportation. These great families have inherited recipes passed down through generations, any one of which could open a thriving restaurant.
Constable Hu also frowned, whispering to Hu Yan beside him, "This is a difficult matter."
If it were an ordinary person, Constable Hu would have been happy to help, as it would just be a formality. After all, the jade pendant worth a thousand taels of silver that Qian Shipeng had was indeed taken by He Sheng and given to Zhu the innkeeper.
But after hearing Zhu the innkeeper's words, Constable Hu no longer dared to act rashly. If things went wrong, he might lose his official post.
Qian Shipeng had intended to vent his anger, but after waiting for a long time, Constable Hu had not yet made a move.
Qian Shipeng's expression sank, and he impatiently said, "Brother Zhao, don't be fooled by her appearance. That little girl is the mastermind. Without her orders, her two subordinates wouldn't dare to act!"
Even after visiting the medical clinic, Qian Shipeng could still feel the pain in his abdomen.
He Nuan's kick yesterday had been quite strong. Qian Shipeng had a large bruise on his abdomen, but thankfully, it was only a superficial injury and did not affect his internal organs.
"Shipeng is right." Zhao Yi nodded with a smile. Seeing Liu Xiaowu and the others looking uneasy, he knew something was amiss and looked towards Zhan Feiyu.
"Brother Yi." Liu Xiaowu quickly spoke, looking helpless. "This girl is too young. How about we just retrieve Brother Shipeng's jade pendant and let it go? We can't bully the small with our size. If this gets out, my father will break my legs."
Hu Yan echoed, "Yes, Second Brother. I only heard bits and pieces before. I didn't expect it to be a child."
Even if Zhu the innkeeper hadn't said anything, seeing Zhan Feiyu's appearance, Liu Xiaowu and the others found it difficult to bully her. A good man doesn't fight with a woman, let alone a little girl. It would be embarrassing to spread such a story.
Previously, from Qian Shipeng's indignant words, Liu Xiaowu had thought it was a difficult and overbearing young lady, at least fifteen or sixteen years old. Who would have thought that upon seeing her, she looked no older than ten, still a child.
Zhan Feiyu smiled at this point and continued to eat slowly. She had expected trouble, but it turned out there was some sense of justice.
Qian Shipeng's face fell instantly upon hearing Liu Xiaowu and the others' words. In his eyes, there was no distinction between young and old.
Moreover, this wretched girl had made him lose so much face in front of his cousin Jingyuan. Qian Shipeng was determined to regain his honor. Otherwise, if this got out, how could he establish himself in Linzhou Prefecture? How could someone who could be bullied by a little girl become the head of the Qian family!
Liu Xiaowu curled his lips in disdain. Qian Shipeng was a complete scoundrel, actually planning to argue with a little girl.
Hu Yan saw Liu Xiaowu's temper flaring and placed a hand on his shoulder, subtly shaking his head at him. Everything depended on Brother Yi. They would wait and see.
Qian Shipeng strode forward, looking arrogantly at Zhan Feiyu, who sat calmly. He spoke word by word with ill intent, "This girl stole my jade pendant. Constable Hu, according to the laws of Daqing, how should this be judged?"
Constable Hu was also troubled. Putting aside other matters, just looking at Zhan Feiyu's calm demeanor, Constable Hu, having been in the yamen for many years, knew that Zhan Feiyu definitely had a significant background and completely disregarded Qian Shipeng.
Seeing Zhao Yi nod, Constable Hu, along with two constables, walked over. With a stern face and a formal tone, he replied, "If the case is as Young Master Qian states, and if the jade pendant can be recovered, this would not be considered robbery. Therefore, it would be a minor offense with twenty strokes of the cane as a warning."
The conflict was initiated by Qian Shipeng. Furthermore, although the jade pendant was valuable, Zhan Feiyu did not keep it but gave it to Zhu the innkeeper as compensation for the damaged tables and chairs.
If it were truly robbery, coupled with the jade pendant's estimated value of a thousand taels, it wouldn't just be a beating. At the very least, it would be imprisonment and forced labor.
Liu Xiaowu couldn't stand Qian Shipeng's unreasonable behavior and couldn't help but say, "The ones who acted were the servants, and it has little to do with this young lady."
Therefore, even if there was a beating, it would be the guards who acted. A martial artist receiving twenty strokes of the cane was not a big deal. Moreover, the ones who acted were yamen constables. If they were asked to go easy, it would at most be a superficial injury.
He Nuan returned with the soup at this moment. After glancing at Qian Shipeng and the others, she ignored them. "Miss."
As the lid was opened, a rich aroma wafted out. Even though Liu Xiaowu and the others had already eaten their fill, their appetites were whetted.
He Nuan served a bowl of soup to Zhan Feiyu. "It's still a bit hot."
"Sit down and eat together." Zhan Feiyu beckoned He Nuan to sit down as well. The mistress and servant continued to eat, while Qian Shipeng and the others were still ignored.
"Are you not taking me, this young master, seriously?" Qian Shipeng became enraged. He raised his hand to flip the table.
The soup He Nuan had just served was steaming hot. The high-quality purple clay pot retained heat exceptionally well. Even without the fire, it was still bubbling. If Zhan Feiyu were scalded, her face might be ruined.
Even the young masters like Liu Xiaowu were surprised by Qian Shipeng's sudden outburst. However, as Qian Shipeng exerted force with both hands, the table remained unmoved, not even the soup in the bowl beside Zhan Feiyu's hand was disturbed.
Qian Shipeng was stunned for a moment. With another surge of effort, his face turned red from strain, but the table was as if nailed to the ground.
With a snicker, someone started laughing. Liu Xiaowu and the other young masters couldn't hold back and burst into laughter. They had never seen anyone so embarrassing.
He Nuan pressed down on the tabletop with her left hand, looking at Qian Shipeng with a cold gaze. With her right hand, she picked up the lid and covered the purple clay pot again, not wanting Qian Shipeng's saliva to spray into the pot.
Seeing He Nuan's action, Qian Shipeng felt greatly humiliated. He roared in anger and stopped trying to flip the table. He lunged with both hands towards the purple clay pot, intending to smash it directly.