Shuojing City was bustling with activity today. However, while the bustling areas were lively, the less bustling areas appeared deserted.
Outside the Gu Family Silver Shop, an unfamiliar young man in brocade robes looked around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he straightened his robes and walked inside.
The Gu family's silver shop almost never does business with outsiders, usually keeping its doors closed. Occasionally, when a familiar merchant needs to exchange cash, they might exchange a few words with them. However, recently, with the increasing contact with the Gu family, it can be said that they have finally opened their doors.
Upon seeing that the visitor was unfamiliar, the manager of the silver shop greeted him with a beaming smile: "May I ask how you are addressed, sir, and what brings you here?"
The bank has always been sensitive to unfamiliar faces.
The visitor did not answer his question, but instead took something out of his pocket and said briefly, "Exchange silver."
He threw the paper away and then remained silent.
The newcomer was dressed in fine clothes and didn't seem like someone who was short of money and had come to cause trouble. The manager felt somewhat relieved and bowed to accept the papers from the newcomer.
The paper was taken from his hand, and the newcomer made no further move, simply watching the shopkeeper's every action with his arms crossed.
The shopkeeper took the voucher and glanced at it; his pupils suddenly contracted—this! This isn't…
The newcomer seemed impatient, his arms hunched over his sides as if something hard was stirring within them. He asked coldly, "How is it?"
The shopkeeper immediately put on a smile and respectfully said to the visitor, "Please wait a moment, esteemed guest, I will send someone to fetch the silver right away."
He turned back to the inner storeroom, his expression immediately changed, and he found a trusted servant, whispering urgently, "Quickly go and invite the master here!"
-
When Gu Yaoniang received the summons from the Jingzhao Prefecture government, she rushed there, and by then the sun was already setting.
Gu Xingzhi also heard about this and was quite worried, but Gu Yaoniang insisted that she could handle it herself. Gu Xingzhi rushed to Jinyulou, wanting to accompany Gu Yaoniang to the capital to be summoned, but ultimately stayed at Zhaocai at Gu Yaoniang's insistence.
Gu Yaoniang said, "You are my support and my trump card. If I can't handle this matter, it's not too late for you to go in."
After a moment's thought, Gu Xingzhi agreed.
As soon as Gu Yaoniang stepped into the gate of the Jingzhao Prefecture, she knew that she didn't need to explain herself; she had already cleared herself of all charges.
When the people from the Jingzhao Prefecture came earlier, she sensibly gave them a purse. On the way there, she had already heard the people from the Jingzhao Prefecture explain the whole story.
At this moment, seeing that the man was already kneeling obediently below the hall with his head down, although he did not know the whole story, he knew that this trip should not have been anything serious.
The Jingzhao Prefecture clearly did not take this matter seriously, and did not even hold a formal trial. At this time, only a deputy envoy was sent to the court to receive instructions.
She first bowed to Vice Envoy Yang in the court, who smiled kindly and said, "Madam Gu has arrived."
Gu Yaoniang responded very respectfully.
She knew this Vice Envoy Yang. He was fairly fair in his official duties, but he enjoyed flattery and was somewhat greedy for money.
Vice Envoy Yang got straight to the point: "This man was loitering at the entrance of the government office today, saying that your Jin Yu Lou refused him entry to listen to the story and even sent someone to injure him."
"
Gu Yaoniang feigned ignorance: "How could that be? Lord Yang, Jin Yu Lou has always been a business that follows the rules, and we have never done anything like this before. Young man, is there some misunderstanding?"
The kneeling man remained silent with his head down. Vice Envoy Yang said loudly, "The government office has already called a doctor for you, and he has examined you. There's nothing wrong! He's just been complaining of pain. So we invited you here to explain things clearly, so there will be less trouble in the future."
The kneeling man interjected softly, "But it really hurts!"
Vice Envoy Yang glared at the kneeling man, kicked him, and said coldly, "Speak for yourself."
He felt he hadn't used much force, but the man still cried out in pain from the kick. Enraged, Vice Envoy Yang wanted to kick him again, but was stopped by his subordinates.
The kneeling man said timidly, "My lord, I never said that Jin Yulou sent people to hurt me. There were just too many people today, and I was injured in the crowd. That's why I can't walk in pain!"
Vice Envoy Yang pointed a finger at the man: "You little brat! Why didn't you say so earlier? You came to the government office to cause trouble, didn't you?"
The man flinched, then forced a defense: "You didn't ask such detailed questions earlier... Sir, but today Jin Yu Lou has gathered so many people. According to the Great Cheng Law, they should have fulfilled their duty to protect the safety of everyone at Jin Yu Lou. Although I wasn't allowed inside, I was drawn there by them, sir! They let me get hurt and didn't care, which is a crime of neglecting to supervise a large gathering!"
His words were simple, yet he cited the laws of the Great Compendium, which seemed extremely clear, making it seem very incongruous.
"May I ask where the guest is injured?"
Gu Yaoniang stepped forward and asked.
Vice Envoy Yang said irritably, "He's not injured anywhere! The doctor has already examined him!"
The man hesitated, seemingly extremely timid, but his words carried a hint of roguishness: "Maybe I was just jostled by the crowd and developed a heart condition! The old lady in our alley is like that; she has chest pains every day, but the doctor says it's nothing..."
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