Yun Zhiyi always thought she was the fake young mistress who had taken another's place. After the real one returned, she held back in every way.
Only after being thrown into the mass grav...
Upon hearing this, the steward cautiously asked, "Shall we send someone over to have a taste first?"
"No need. It's just a few kinds of stuff. If it exists, we can definitely find it. Just go and do it."
"Yes," the steward could only agree.
The following day, Wei Man Zhai was as bustling as ever.
The hall was bustling with waiters, both upstairs and downstairs.
All the guests sat around the table, some engrossed in their meal, others chatting as they ate.
Many of the people who come now are repeat customers.
It wasn't as exaggerated as the first time; at least we could eat, savor, and talk at the same time.
Just then, a constable led several yamen runners in and shouted, "Where is the manager?"
The diners and staff inside the building were all startled.
A crowd of onlookers quickly gathered outside the restaurant.
Lu Jingyi hurried over, cupped his hands in greeting, and inquired politely.
The constable said, "Someone reported that you put Yunzhongxiang in the food. The prefect has ordered the restaurant to be temporarily closed for inspection. All other unrelated personnel must leave immediately. The staff and managers in the restaurant are not allowed to leave. You and I are going to the yamen for questioning."
The last sentence was addressed to Lu Jingyi.
His expression suddenly changed.
Many diners in the hall stood up in surprise, looking at the food with disbelief.
Yunzhongxiang is a drug that can make people feel lightheaded and is highly addictive.
Although not completely banned, it is only permitted for single use, with sales volume limited, and it cannot be used on other items.
For example, there are explicit regulations regarding food, which absolutely prohibit the use of any substances that could cause diners to become addicted without their knowledge.
If Weimanzhai truly used Yunzhongxiang, it would be a crime.
The diners, upon learning what the dish was, were both shocked and furious.
Looking back on this period of time, thinking about these foods every day, I feel even more strongly that there might really be some fragrance in the clouds among them.
Many diners were so enraged that they picked up their dishes and smashed them on the ground.
Some even flipped the table in anger.
Instantly, the building was filled with crackling sounds and shouts of abuse.
The men wanted to step forward to stop them, but they didn't dare.
Because some of the waiters had just had soup splashed all over them by customers.
Lu Jingyi looked grim.
Seeing that the constables did not interfere and seemed to want to wait for the guests to finish making a scene before kicking them out, he understood the hidden reason in a flash, and his eyes turned cold instantly.
He immediately shouted, "Please calm down, everyone. I guarantee with my life that the food in this restaurant has never contained any addictive drugs. If you don't believe me, you can all go see a doctor for a checkup. Wei Man Zhai will cover all medical expenses. If it is found that any of you have such a substance in your bodies, I, Lu, am willing to pay with my life!"
He first called out names for medical treatment, which startled everyone.
If you're worried about your health, getting angry now is not wise; you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
After hearing his words of pledging his life in exchange, even though he was still angry, his mind became a little clearer.
Everyone took a deep breath and stared intently at Lu Jingyi.
"If we really take Yunzhongxiang, not only you, but your master will also have to pay with his life!"
Lu Jingyi's expression was firm. "Of course, but if Weimanzhai suffered this calamity because of someone's harm, I don't ask you all to help me seek justice. I only ask that you not to be so easily swayed in the future."
The crowd paused slightly.
I glanced at the lobby, which was now a complete mess.
They snorted coldly and hurried out to find a doctor.
Seeing that the guests had all left and were no longer causing trouble, the constable merely frowned, glanced at Lu Jingyi, and waved his hand.
"Take the chef with you, open the storeroom, and take one portion of each dish made from all the ingredients."
"Yes, sir." The constables responded with a shout, then gripped their scabbards and walked inside.
The constable turned to look at Lu Jingyi, "Manager Lu is quite eloquent."
Lu Jingyi simply lowered his eyes and said, "I am only being frank and sincere. I also need to write a complaint. Is that alright?"
As he spoke, he took out a purse and stuffed it into the purse.
The constable looked at the purse that had been handed to him and knew at a glance that it must contain a lot of money, and his eyes flashed.
He subtly slipped the item into his sleeve and said coldly, "If the evidence is conclusive, no amount of arguing will help you. Go now, and hurry up!"
Lu Jingyi bowed his thanks, then turned and walked to the counter, quickly writing with his pen.
Soon, a complaint centered on the injustice suffered at the restaurant was written.
The constable glanced at him, picked it up, and quickly scanned it.
Seeing that the entire piece consisted only of crying foul, and even using his own experience of being homeless to elicit sympathy, I couldn't help but scoff.
At this moment, the yamen runners also returned carrying baskets of things, along with Li Kui, whose face was ashen.
The constable waved his hand, and the group walked out carrying their belongings.
The bailiffs closed the door, affixed a seal, and led Lu Jingyi and Li Kui to the yamen.
The road was already crowded with people who came to watch the spectacle.
At this point, many people understood the reason and couldn't help but point and whisper about them.
Some people even shouted insults, inciting the crowd to throw sand and gravel at the two men.
Fortunately, the constables were also affected and immediately shouted to stop it.
Lu Jingyi's face was as cold as frost, while Li Kui's face was flushed red with anger, and veins on his forehead were bulging.
A short while later, the two were taken to the yamen (government office).
At this time, the court had already opened its courtroom, and the prefect was sitting high in the hall.
The two were pushed and stumbled by the bailiffs, and kicked in the back of their knees before being forced to kneel.
A thin man with shifty eyes stood to the side. He glanced at the two of them, but when he met Lu Jingyi's gaze, he was immediately startled.
The prefect slammed his gavel, "Who goes there? State your name!"
Lu Jingyi spoke first, “This humble citizen, Lu Jingyi, is the manager of Weimanzhai. I greet Your Excellency, Prefect.”
Although Li Kui was furious, he still retained his rationality and also gave his name.
The prefect looked down at the two men and said coldly, "You two can wait here until the yamen runners bring your employer here for questioning."
Upon hearing that they had even sent people to capture Yun Zhiyi, Lu Jingyi frowned.
He took out the complaint and said, “Sir, Wei Man Zhai has been unjustly accused this time. This is a complaint written by a humble citizen. Please read it.”
The prefect merely snorted, "I already said I'd wait for your master to arrive so we could interrogate him together, and then I'd punish him with a cane first."
Lu Jingyi held the complaint up as before, his voice low.
“When I once visited this garrison, I heard people say that Your Excellency was a brilliant judge. I have no intention of offending you, but I am here to seek justice.”
The prefect was initially indifferent, glancing at the two men below the hall as if they were insignificant mice.
Upon hearing this, his expression changed slightly, his eyes sharpened, and he stared intently at Lu Jingyi, with a hint of surprise and uncertainty in his eyes.
Upon hearing this, the onlookers outside booed loudly.
Seeing the prefect's cold and stern expression, they thought he would be punished with a cane.
Unexpectedly, the prefect suddenly said, "Bring up the complaint."
Not only were the onlookers surprised, but even the chief clerk and the secretary were somewhat astonished.
The bailiffs quickly stepped forward, took the complaint, and handed it over.
The prefect glanced at Lu Jingyi and unfolded the complaint to read it.
At first, he just frowned impatiently.
Upon seeing what was behind him, his expression suddenly changed, his eyes darkening and flickering.
Lu Jingyi cried out again, "My lord, Wei Man Zhai has never used any illegal ingredients in its dishes. We have been framed for no reason. Please do us justice!"
The prefect's hand tightened unconsciously as he gripped the petition, his back teeth clenched hard, and he scrutinized the man with intense eyes.