Just after 7 PM, many guests had already gathered in the front courtyard of the Wang family's residence. They were all prominent figures from Pingnan City.

On the surface, Master Wang was hosting a banquet for guests to enjoy chrysanthemums and have fun, but in reality, he wanted to invite Magistrate Zhang to discuss the matter of rent reduction and tax lightening. However, inviting only Magistrate Zhang would probably be criticized by other merchants, who would accuse him of currying favor with them.

Furthermore, now is the time for the imperial court to investigate. Although Magistrate Zhang usually has Shan Qiu by his side to give him pointers and dares not touch the big stuff, he has accepted all sorts of small things.

Several pots of chrysanthemums were placed in the front hall, each with a different posture. However, it was only the beginning of autumn, not the right time of year, so the so-called chrysanthemum appreciation was just a gimmick.

Hu Tingzhi arrived the earliest. Despite being the richest man in Pingnan City, he was a very idle person and always did these kinds of things frequently.

"Manager Hu, you've arrived early indeed!"

Wang Shicheng went to greet them and instructed the maid to prepare the newly harvested white tea.

Hu Tingzhi leaned back in his armchair, waved his hand, and a servant brought up three or four boxes. "A small token of my appreciation, Master Wang, please."

Wang Shicheng laughed and said, "Manager Hu is so generous. He always brings such generous gifts every time he comes. I am really ashamed of the meager wine and food I have prepared!"

"Hey!" Hu Tingzhi pushed his teacup, his expression making it impossible to read his thoughts. "Don't say that. There are so many people in our Pingnan Chamber of Commerce. Lord Zhang only gave you face. I sent people to invite him several times with a sedan chair, but I couldn't get him to come. The boxes I sent piled up like a small mountain. Did it do any good?"

Hu Tingzhi answered his own question, then slammed his teacup on the table and exclaimed, "It's no use! We still have to rely on Master Wang's influence!"

Wang Shicheng could tell there was something hidden in his words. It wasn't that Magistrate Zhang was being accommodating. He was just more perceptive than others. Ever since the Chamber of Commerce had dined with Magistrate Zhang a few times, he had figured out that Magistrate Zhang was a picky person.

That was a gift that was tailored to the specific needs of the magistrate, which is why it touched Magistrate Zhang's heart.

"What are you saying, Manager Hu? I heard that Miss Xiaoxiao has been found? Is she alright?"

It would have been better if this matter hadn't been brought up, because as soon as it was, Hu Tingzhi's expression changed instantly, and he roared, "Fine! Fine my ass!"

Hu Tingzhi slammed his fist on the rosewood table, his palms turning red from the impact, and gritted his teeth as he cursed, "That Shan Qiu is a real scoundrel!"

"Captain Shan, ah, he's notoriously cold and unapproachable."

Wang Shicheng echoed from behind, saying that if Duhuanlou was Hu Tingzhi's life's work, then Dongli Xiaoxiao was Hu Tingzhi's most precious treasure, more important than his own life.

"Wang also heard that it was Constable Shan who found Miss Xiaoxiao that night?"

Hu Tingzhi's face turned pale and then purple, and he sneered, "This guy got incredibly lucky. He brought Xiaoxiao back with his own hands. I think he deliberately didn't go to ask for a sedan chair so he could get his hands on our Xiaoxiao!"

"Manager Hu, anger harms the liver. Isn't it a great joy to have the person found? You should be smiling. Come, let's have some tea."

Wang Shicheng ordered someone to refill the teacups, secretly observing Hu Tingzhi's expression.

Hu Tingzhi sighed, took a sip of the fragrant tea, but could not taste anything: "Xiaoxiao came back last night. She was not feeling well to begin with. Not only did Shanqiu take her back to the inner office, but he also wouldn't let me take her back with me."

"He stood guard outside Xiaoxiao's room all night like a door god."

Wang Shicheng followed up, "Oh? What does Officer Shan mean by this?"

Hu Tingzhi rolled his eyes out of nowhere. "What do you mean?! If I had known what he meant, I wouldn't be so angry! This bastard told me he wanted to investigate a case, and he wants to investigate us? Laughing!"

“This is how Chief Constable Shan always acts; everyone has witnessed it. How can we businessmen compete with officials? Besides, this man surnamed Shan was transferred here with Magistrate Zhang; he's not a local.” Wang Shicheng could only say some nice things to appease him.

Hu Tingzhi's face grew increasingly cold and grim, his teeth grinding together. "I have no problem with him interrogating people; it's all official business. But look at what he's doing! Our Xiaoxiao used to be pampered with donkey-hide gelatin and bird's nest every day, and even her bedding had to be made of silk. He won't let me take her back, nor will he allow me to send anyone to serve Xiaoxiao. I think he's just subjecting Xiaoxiao to torture!"

"What! You want to torture someone to death right under my nose? No way!"

Seeing that it was getting late and the guests had all arrived, Wang Shicheng said with a smile, "Alright, Manager Hu, it seems that Constable Shan will be coming with Lord Zhang tonight. You can discuss things face to face then!"

After saying that, he got up and went out to greet the guests.

The kitchen was bustling with preparations—Sun Miao'er was quite adept at managing the old women, and after adding a few seafood dishes, she simply changed the entire previous menu.

Eight cold dishes and eight hot dishes were also prepared, making a total of eighteen dishes, which is an auspicious number.

"Miao'er, how are the preparations going?"

In the afternoon, Wang Xueru went back to get ready, changing into a scarlet ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and tucking a light pink pearl flower into her hair, which perfectly complemented her smile.

Sun Miao'er finished garnishing the last dish, wiped her hands clean, and said, "Everything is ready."

Wang Xueru took Sun Miao'er's arm and said warmly, "You'll be sitting at the table with me later. I heard my father specially had someone bring a kind of fruit from the south. It's very novel and will be served to the guests at the banquet! If you don't come, you won't get to taste it!"

"Since it is Miss Xue Ru's kind invitation, I will naturally accept."

Sun Miao'er originally intended to decline, but she didn't want to miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After all, being able to come into contact with the wealthy merchants of Pingnan City would also help her understand what kind of opponents she would face in the future.

The saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle."

Before the banquet officially began, Wang Xueru had already led Sun Miao'er to her seat.

Sun Miao'er sat in a corner, looked around, and asked, "Where is Young Master Wei?"

Wang Xueru narrowed her eyes and said with a smile, "You mean Brother Jingnian? Uncle Wei is here, he's probably with Uncle Wei."

Sun Miao'er had heard that the Wei family had strict family rules, and she guessed that with Master Wei here today, Wei Jingnian would probably be much more restrained than before.

Aunt Qin was also among those who had arrived at the banquet early.

She sat diagonally opposite Wang Xueru. There were two tables set up in total: one for the invited guests and the other for the host and the guests' families.

Aunt Qin was dressed exceptionally well today. Although her face was old, it was not hard to see the charm of her youth. Unlike Wang Su's refined elegance, Aunt Qin's eyes and brows revealed an undeniable air of worldliness. Her alluring eyes were truly seductive, but when she glared at people, she was equally ruthless.

Wang Xueru glanced at her irritably and immediately cursed, "Vixen!"

Even though she was cursing like that at today's banquet, Aunt Qin couldn't do anything about it, no matter how much she cursed.

He simply smiled and got up, ignoring everything, and went to greet the women who were coming in.