As it is the largest restaurant in Huzhou, the dishes are indeed excellent and taste great. The menu is extensive, offering both light and strong flavors, providing plenty of choices.
"You should all have a good taste. This is the largest restaurant in Huzhou. There's a reason why it's so popular. We should learn from them."
This table of food cost two taels of silver, and not a single vegetable leaf is allowed to be left over.
Of all the items on the table, this jug of fruit wine was the most expensive, because it was chilled, and the price doubled.
The meal took almost an hour, and by the time we came out, the city lights were already on.
Just as Song Ning entered the house, Song Rui returned from outside.
With his head drooping, it was clear he had gained nothing.
"Didn't you find out?"
Song Rui shook his head and remained silent. Song Ning then asked, "Did something happen?"
Song Rui sat down, leaning on the table for support, her voice trembling slightly: "The people at the docks won't say..."
In the candlelight, Song Ning finally noticed something was wrong; Song Rui's face and lips were terribly pale.
He immediately asked, "Cousin, are you hurt anywhere?"
I rushed over to check and saw that his back was already torn open.
"Shunzi, quickly go and fetch a doctor!"
"Cousin, hang in there, the doctor will be here soon." After saying that, he quickly gave Song Rui some spring water to drink and helped him lie down.
"Cousin, are you alright?"
The wounds on his back were truly shocking; he had clearly been beaten.
Song Ning frowned and asked, "Was it done by government officials?"
Song Rui remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Song Ning couldn't help but wonder if the government officials were also involved with brothels.
Although brothels appear to be places where people can listen to music and drink, people know that they are no different from regular brothels.
Human trafficking was commonplace there, with women being forced into prostitution and human life being treated like dirt.
The government officials are so audacious.
Song Ning understood Song Rui's feelings at this moment and comforted him, "Cousin, let's think of something else. Now that we have a clue, we'll definitely be able to find out."
Once you leave the dock, there are only a few towns nearby; if you search, you're sure to find them.
Hearing Song Ning's shout, Xiao Cui ran in from outside. Upon seeing the scene before her, she quickly went out again: "I'll go get some water."
By the time the doctor arrived, the person had already fainted, but fortunately, their life was not in danger.
"Master, how could this be...?"
Song Ning remained expressionless. No matter how resentful he was, the difference in status between a commoner and an official was vast, and besides, he was unfamiliar with the place and people. Seeking justice would likely be difficult.
However, Song Ning did not intend to give up. Collusion between the government and brothels was against the rules.
Song Ning's face looked grim, but the matter was not over yet. The next day, just as dawn broke, Shunzi ran in from outside.
"Something terrible has happened, boss! Something's happened at the shop!"
"I went to the shop early this morning, but there was a fire on Dongyang Street, and our shop... was burned down!"
They had only been in Huzhou for two days when misfortune struck one after another.
How many shops on Dongyang Street were burned down?
Shunzi's eyes flickered slightly, and he hesitated before speaking, "Only our shop."
She just bought that shop yesterday, and it caught fire last night. Who would believe that?
Firefighting? More like arson.
Is the fever high?
"Most of the shop on the first floor was burned black, but the second floor was intact. However, it was only half of the second floor. That shop... I'm afraid it won't be usable for a while."
With such blatant targeting, Song Ning couldn't think of anyone else.
She was new to Huzhou and didn't know many people. The only person she had a conflict with was the young man from yesterday.
"Go and find out the name and home address of that person from yesterday."
"yes."
Shunzi handed Song Rui over to Xiao Cui to take care of, and then went to the shop.
Sure enough, most of the outside of the shop was burned black, the windows were gone, and even the roof tiles were burned away. Many people were watching, but no one went forward.
Song Ning opened the door and went inside; half of the interior was already burned beyond recognition.
The fire stopped abruptly five or six steps in front of the counter; it started suddenly and was extinguished skillfully.
To be honest, the signs of human intervention are too obvious.
It was hard for her not to have doubts.
"Miss Song, how have you been?"
Just then, a voice came from the doorway; it was the person who had come to buy her shop yesterday.
The two of them clearly met just yesterday, so why are they saying "long time no see" today? Who are they trying to annoy?
Who are you?
The man intended to embarrass Song Ning, but the other party didn't respond at all.
However, given the current situation, he was not angry at the sight of the tragic scene before him.
“Miss Song, the shop has been burned to such an extent that it is probably impossible for you to buy it now.”
Song Ning tidied up the items on the counter and asked with a smile, "I still don't know how to address this young master?"
"My surname is Li. My family owns many restaurants in Huzhou, and the largest one is my Li family's."
Song Ning understood. No wonder they hadn't received any news last night. It turned out that they had gone to someone else's territory, waited for them to eat at the restaurant, and then secretly set it on fire.
Song Ning slightly raised her lips. What else is there to investigate?
This person has taken the initiative to introduce themselves.
"Oh, so it's Young Master Li. My apologies for not being more respectful."
Li Ji thought that Song Ning was finally willing to sell the shop, so he said, "Your shop has been burned to such an extent that only my family would want it. Here's what I'll do: two hundred taels, I'll take the shop."
Before Song Ning could speak, Li Ji gave her a mysterious look, then opened his folding fan and waved it in what he considered a very dashing manner.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
