This matter can be considered a big deal or a small deal; as long as Shen Yuan doesn't pursue it, there's nothing to worry about.
But if Shen Yuan insists on pursuing this matter...
Jin Mudan knelt on the ground, her posture humble and pitiful as she looked at Shen Yuan, hoping she would let her go.
Shen Yuan squatted down and said to Jin Mudan in a voice only the two of them could hear, "As women, we should know the hardships of being a woman. But you want to block the path that Sister Haitang and the others have worked so hard to create, so don't blame me... for giving you a taste of your own medicine!"
After speaking, Shen Yuan straightened up and looked at the bailiff: "Sir, she has humiliated me, a commoner, in this way. I beg you to give me justice according to the laws of the Great Yan!"
"take away!"
As soon as the yamen runner raised his hand, someone stepped forward and captured Jin Mudan.
Shen Yuan followed Jin Mudan and went to the yamen with several onlookers who were willing to testify.
Half an hour later, Shen Yuan came out of the yamen.
A scream of agony rang out behind them.
She was tied to a bench by the yamen runners, and heavy boards were slammed into her one after another.
"Ah—Sir, spare my life! Sir, spare my life!"
The torture was extremely severe; Jin Mudan's face contorted in pain, and her screams were heart-wrenching.
Shen Yuan glanced back at Jin Mudan one last time, hoping that the ten strokes of the cane and ten days in prison would teach Jin Mudan a lesson.
After Shen Yuan left the yamen with Tian Shi and Tian Tian, the three of them hurried back.
On the way, Madam Tian said worriedly, "Yuanyuan, should we see a doctor to check your injuries? If you've broken a bone, that would be a serious matter!"
Shen Yuan: "Don't worry! It's just a superficial injury, the bones are fine!"
Tian advised, "I see your arm is all bruised, you should go see a doctor!"
"I fell down on purpose, how could I have really broken any bones?" Shen Yuan winked at Madam Tian and smiled mischievously, "Besides, I am a doctor myself, why would I need to spend money to see a doctor?"
Ms. Tian was taken aback: "Did you injure yourself on purpose?"
Shen Yuan smiled faintly: "If it weren't for this self-inflicted injury, how could Jin Mudan have been punished so easily?"
After all, Jin Mudan only stood at the entrance of Huajian Restaurant and said a few words today. Although those few words were enough to destroy Huajian Restaurant and force Haitang and the others to have nowhere to stay, it was just a few words. It was neither illegal nor a crime, so they couldn't do anything about her.
Only by using her influence to find a way to suffer minor injuries and change the nature of this matter can Jin Mudan be brought to justice and prevent her from continuing to act so arrogantly!
So Shen Yuan felt that her fall was quite worth it!
She smiled and patted the sweet little head, "You and your sister are so in sync! Thanks to you today!"
"Sweetie can help Sister Yuanyuan, isn't Sweetie amazing?"
Sweetie stared with her bright, sparkling eyes, grinning, looking like she wanted praise.
Shen Yuan, of course, didn't hold back in praising Tian Tian: "Great! Tian Tian is the best!"
Back at the Flower Restaurant, Shen Yuan saw rotten vegetable leaves scattered all over the ground in front of the restaurant, and the smile on her lips instantly faded.
Sweetie quieted down and after a while said, "I'll go get a broom and sweep it clean!"
"I'll go with you!"
Tian followed Tian Tian and they went to find a broom and a dustpan.
Shen Yuan stepped forward and pushed open the door of Huajian Restaurant.
It was noon, and at this time of day, Huajian Restaurant was usually packed with people waiting for lunch.
But at that moment, there wasn't a single customer in the restaurant.
The prepared food was all laid out on the counter, untouched and still warm.
Haitang and the others were sitting at the large table in the center of the restaurant's lobby. When Shen Yuan entered, they quickly stood up.
"Miss Chen, you're back! Are you alright? How badly are you injured?"
"I'm fine!" Shen Yuan walked to the table and sat down. "Please sit down, everyone!"
Haitang poured Shen Yuan a cup of hot tea and said, "After you left, those people gathered outside the door were shouting that Huajian Restaurant was a brothel, saying it was dirty, and they threw a lot of rotten vegetable leaves and eggs at the door. As soon as we went out, they threw even more. Later, we simply stopped going out and listened to you, keeping the door closed and ignoring everything! But..."
At this point, Haitang paused and didn't continue.
But Shen Yuan knew what Haitang hadn't said.
But this isn't a solution. Huajian Restaurant is a shop; it needs to be open for business! What kind of business is it if the doors are tightly shut now?
Moreover, even if the door is opened, no customers will come in; instead, people who throw rotten eggs and vegetable leaves at the door will come.
How can we do business like this?
"It's already noon, everyone must be hungry! Let's eat first!" Shen Yuan said with a smile.
But no one responded. With such a big incident at Huajian Restaurant, no one was in the mood to eat.
Furong wiped away her tears, then suddenly stood up and said to Shen Yuan, "Miss Shen, thank you so much for your help these past few days. I have no way to repay your kindness. But..."
"But I think we might not be suited for business. Miss Chen, you should find some other helpers! That way, Huajian Restaurant can continue to operate!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan did not rush to answer Fu Rong's question. Instead, her gaze followed Fu Rong's and swept over the crabapple, daffodil, peach, azalea, and mimosa trees sitting at the table.
She asked, "Do you think so too?"
"I……"
Everyone remained silent, unsure how to respond.
Shen Yuan looked at Haitang: "Sister Haitang, you go first!"
Meeting Shen Yuan's gaze, Haitang lowered her head. "I think Jin Mudan is right... We used to be prostitutes. How can prostitutes open shops and do business, learning from you law-abiding citizens to earn clean money with your own hands?"
"Let's just consider this period of time as a beautiful dream we sisters have been living. Now that the dream is over, it's all finished! Miss Chen, it's time for us to go our separate ways and return to our original paths!"
After Haitang finished speaking, she lowered her head, overwhelmed by a complex mix of emotions—shame, guilt, and inferiority—which spilled out of her eyes drop by drop.
She choked back tears and said, "Miss Chen, you are an unmarried woman, you shouldn't associate with people like us who come from dirty backgrounds. It will ruin your reputation and make it difficult for you to find a husband in the future. So... everyone, please disperse!"
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