"Brother Cui, what do we do now? We can't just wait to die, can we?"
If we stay here, we'll definitely starve to death.
"Why are you rushing me? Doesn't it take time to come up with a plan?" Cui Ying said, dissatisfied. "It's not like we're out of food, what's the rush?"
The current rations are enough for everyone to eat for three days. If we only give them a few ideas, it could last for one or two months.
"It was my oversight, Brother Cui, don't worry, just take your time."
"Um!"
Cui Ying stopped talking, sat down with a sullen face where the servants had smeared her clothes, and frowned in thought.
Jiang Nuan had no idea that her formation would take effect so quickly. If she had known, she would definitely have said, "Serves you right."
The outermost maze serves no purpose other than misleading people, and it won't harm anyone; in a way, it's actually quite friendly.
Moreover, even if you can't break the formation, it's fine. It's very easy to get out. As long as there are people outside to help, you can use a stick to pull people out.
Indeed, those who reap what they sow cannot escape punishment.
After a day's journey, the three finally arrived in the prefectural city.
"Should we go to the Han family and see if they can help?"
“It’s no use,” Jiang Nuan said helplessly. “The Han family is powerless to fight at this level, and they will be implicated by us.”
"If that's the case, wouldn't the Han family also be in a difficult position?"
"It will definitely be more difficult than before, but Han Yi should be able to protect himself."
"Please don't let anything happen," the old lady said worriedly. "The Han family has helped us so much. If something happens to them, I will feel guilty for the rest of my life."
"It's not that bad," Jiang Nuan reassured softly. "Han Yi isn't stupid; he knows what to do."
That's absolutely right.
Seeing that things were not going well, Han Yi immediately decided to close the restaurant and stop all public business as well.
Fortunately, the decision was made in time, preventing too much loss.
That noon, Han Lei rushed over to report, "Young Master, the Cui family has arrived!"
"What does the Cui family want to do?"
"They wanted to take away our stored wine, saying it was filthy and should be burned."
"Oh?" Han Yi raised an eyebrow. "Let's go out and take a look."
The Cui family's haste to make a move is truly appalling!
In the hall, Cui Minghao's half-brother, Cui Peng, led a group of guards and forcibly broke into the closed restaurant, constantly finding fault with it.
His mouth belittled the restaurant to the point of being worthless, but his eyes made no attempt to hide his covetousness and greed.
"We apologize for not welcoming you properly, but hope you will forgive us," Han Yi said, neither humble nor arrogant.
"You're the owner of Juquanlou?"
"It is I."
"Hand over all the immortal wine, or don't blame me for being impolite." With that, he let out a burp, his eyes glazed as he pointed at the guards behind him. "I'm easy to talk to, but they're not so easy to deal with."
"Does Master Cui want to cause trouble?"
"No, sir, I am merely acting on behalf of Heaven. If you know what's good for you, hurry up and bring out the wine."
"Forgive my bluntness," Han Yi frowned, "but by what right does Master Cui act in this manner? Although I have no power or influence, I will not allow anyone to seize my property."
"You think you can find out the master's identity?" Cui Peng said somewhat guiltily. "Hurry up and bring out all the wine, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
The relationship between Juquanlou and the Lady Protector of the Nation is known to most people in the capital, otherwise, they wouldn't be the only place selling immortal wine.
Alcohol emboldens even the most timid, and Cui Peng had long coveted the lucrative Juquanlou restaurant, but had never found an opportunity to do so.
Now that the Cui family is unstoppable and the reputation of the banished immortal has been trampled on by the people, he can no longer suppress the restless desire in his heart.
"Master Cui, you have quite the nerve," Han Yi laughed. "I'm not one to be trifled with. If you don't have a warrant from the Ministry of Justice, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"How dare you speak to my master like that!" the lackey said, clearly displeased. "You're just a lowly merchant. Just agree to whatever we ask you to do. Who are you trying to scare? The Cui family can crush you into mincemeat with a stomp of their foot, you know that?"
"What arrogance!" Ji Xuan's face was very unpleasant. "Under the emperor's very nose, the Cui family dares to speak so shamelessly and want to rebel?"
Han Yi was surprised to see Ji Xuan dressed in casual clothes. He wanted to bow, but Ji Xuan stopped him with a look, so he could only ask politely, "What brings you here?"
"I had nothing to do, so I came to take a look."
Ji Xuan had mixed feelings about Han Yi; however, she had made a lasting impression on him.
“Young Master Han, the master was worried that you would be affected and unable to cope, so he came to check on you. If you are in any trouble,” Qi Yong said, handing over a token, “you can just send someone to find me.”
"Master?" Upon hearing these two words, Cui Peng turned his head, squinted his eyes, and scolded, "Two eunuchs, how dare you delay my business! You have some nerve!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Yong's face immediately darkened. "You bastard, do you have the right to speak? Men, cut his tongue out."
After saying that, two people rushed down and grabbed Cui Peng.
"Let me go! I am Cui Peng. My younger brother, Cui Minghao, is the head of the Cui family. You damned eunuch, if you offend me, the master will order my brother to kill your whole family."
"Idiot!" Han Yi thought to himself.
He had no idea how to evaluate this Master Cui. After a few drinks, he thought he was the king of the country. With such a stupid brother, it was no wonder that the Cui family was declining.
Cui Peng's words made Qi Yong even more ruthless, "Since you're so stubborn, I'll break all your teeth too."
The Cui family, right? Very well, he'll remember that.
He wouldn't be Qi Yong if he didn't let the Cui family be destroyed.
The imperial guards were very efficient; they had already achieved Qi Yong's goal as soon as he finished speaking.
In an instant, Cui Peng's shrill screams echoed throughout the entire hall.
Seeing this, Ji Xuan frowned deeply.
"Your Majesty," Han Yi bowed, then suggested, "The back hall is quiet and has been prepared with the finest tea. Let's go there."
“Okay,” Ji Xuan nodded. “Qi Yong, come here too.”
"I'll be there shortly." After saying that, she quickly stopped a guard and said, "Take him to the imperial prison. Use every means at your disposal. Be careful not to let him die on the way."
Cui Peng's words thoroughly enraged Qi Yong, who felt that even cutting him into a thousand pieces would be too lenient.
Anyone who dares to plot regicide in front of their master deserves to be torn to pieces.
"Rest assured, sir, I guarantee I will complete the mission."
The guards were also extremely angry.
These close associates of the emperor had their honor and disgrace tied to him.
If the emperor makes even the slightest mistake, they will not escape punishment. Regardless of whether the person can actually do it, they will not let them off the hook if they dare to say such a thing.
The servants that Cui Peng brought were almost scared to death.
If their master, drunk, kicked a hornet's nest and had his tongue cut out and teeth broken on the spot, even if they went back, they would still face certain death if they failed to protect their master.
After thinking for a moment, the leader simply spoke up, "Sir, please arrest us as well."
"Don't worry," the imperial guard scoffed, "not a single one of them will escape."
Although these servants didn't lay a hand on the enemy, they weren't exactly good people either; in fact, no one from aristocratic families could be considered clean.
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