A crowd gathered in front of the Yuelai Inn, and some people went in to be among the first diners. Qingyan informed the innkeeper that everyone who dined in the inn today would receive a discount and a small pot of special Shaoxing wine.
This is one of the signature drinks of Yuelai Inn, and it can be enjoyed by women and children.
This is the first time we've given away Shaoxing wine for free.
As soon as the sign appeared at the entrance, some diners spread the word and prepared to bring their wives and children to dine there. The shop would also give regular customers a discount when paying the bill.
Many guests staying at the Yuelai Inn slept well last night and were unaware of what happened next.
Yin helped Qingyan out of the carriage, and the innkeeper quickly came out from the back to respectfully greet the two and lead them upstairs. Some diners noticed Qingyan's pink and blue qipao, which suggested she came from a wealthy family.
Yin's temperament was unmatched by ordinary people.
"Little darling, walk in front of me," Yin noticed the gazes of those people and immediately became unhappy. Qingyan always wore a cap when she went out. "Don't turn around."
Qingyan walked upstairs ahead of Yin, which made many people below suspicious. This lady was a favorite, being able to walk ahead of this man.
"Whose appearance is so striking that it could make this gentleman so fond of her?" a diner murmured with a laugh.
"Shut up! If you want to die, don't drag us down with you. That guy is a yellow belt!" The person who came with the diner looked at the other person with disdain.
After entering the health center, Yin looked through the back window at the blackened wine cellar and felt somewhat uneasy.
Qingyan poured warm tea for the two of them and they stood side by side by the window. They were still young and could not do anything else. Yin had long been watched by Kangxi's men, and he dared not do anything, for fear that Kangxi's men would find a flaw in him.
"Little darling, will the inn's supplies be affected?" Yin was worried that the little guy might harbor resentment.
Qingyan shook her head, her little mouth pursed tightly. The fact that Fei Yanggu and the others hadn't returned was a warning from Kangxi.
Outside the window, the shop assistants were busy cleaning up the wine cellar. There was hardly any wine left in the wine jars; apart from the two jars that had been thrown away, the rest had been almost completely dried up by the flames.
He put his arms around Xiaoguai's waist and stood behind her, looking outside with her.
"No one from Shuntian Prefecture came yesterday?" Yin was puzzled. Looking at the dark fire scene, he knew the fire must have been quite large. Why didn't anyone from Shuntian Prefecture come?
Qingyan gave a bitter smile. Did he really not know who the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was working for? The little guy had really misunderstood him. Shuntian Prefecture was such a small place that Yin rarely paid attention to it.
"Hmph, it's good that they're here. Don't we Ulanara family have any grudges against their pillars?" Qingyan muttered.
After the fire, she was told she couldn't get involved in these matters anymore.
Yin heard the resentment in Qingyan's words and felt a sudden tightness in his chest.
She would throw a tantrum whenever she felt wronged, and Kangxi's ambiguous attitude made him feel uneasy.
He didn't say much, but held Qingyan even tighter.
"I understand," Qingyan said softly, leaning against his chest with a sorrowful expression.
A hundred jars of wine is a considerable loss, and it's a significant amount for her too. This happened only once, and it was malicious. If she were to encounter a similar situation again, she really wouldn't know what to say.
"Don't sell the medicinal wine at the inn anymore," Kangxi instructed Yinzhi, who then came to request it.
Ugh!
Qingyan was stunned. The medicinal wine was prepared to be sold. Was it intended for people who rode horses for long periods of time?
"If the higher-ups want it, just listen," Yin whispered in her ear.
Outside the door, Su Peisheng and Su Lan stood guard, while inside, the two young masters were being intimate, which outsiders saw as an attempt to damage Qingyan's reputation.
Qingyan sneered inwardly. No dynasty is short of sycophants. If the other party could find medicinal wine in their wine cellar, someone inside must have been bribed.
"Fourth Master, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture has come to pay his respects." Su Peisheng looked at the official in front of him and wanted to complain.
Yesterday, Fei Yanggu was present but he didn't come over. Today, Yin has been here for half an hour, and this person has only just appeared.
"There's no need to come and pay your respects. Just wait for Father's summons." Fei Yanggu would never let himself be taken advantage of. If Kangxi summoned him privately, he would definitely tell Qingyan about his grievances.
The Prefect of Shuntian was covered in cold sweat. Last night, his steward hadn't mentioned that the Yuelai Inn was on fire; otherwise, he would definitely have come.
Qingyan didn't bother with those people; if they did something, they should be able to take responsibility for it.
"Fourth, give them a chance." Qingyan pondered for a moment, wanting to leave Yin with the thought of softening his heart.
As expected, Yin poked her forehead.
"Let him in." After saying this, the prefect straightened his clothes and entered the room.
A three-panel Suzhou embroidered screen blocked his way. He greeted Yin through the screen and caught a glimpse of a pink and blue figure. Perhaps this princess was Yin's most beloved person.
"This humble official has come to apologize." The prefect dared not say more and could only kowtow desperately. He had been planning for a long time, hoping to help Dong E Qi Shi get revenge, as Dong E Shi had a very poor impression of Tai Hou.
By having the Empress Dowager's help, the medicinal wine was delivered to Emperor Kangxi, which could be considered a good deed.
"Apologize?!" Yin said coldly. "I dare not accept that. When Yuelai Inn opened, Prince Yu Fuquan specifically informed the surrounding government offices that if there was anything going on at Yuelai Inn, you should run around there more."
Yin was furious. He had given these ministers face, but none of them wanted it.
When Fuquan learned of the fire, he was furious and even punished the guards from the Nine Gates who had been patrolling the day before.
The prefect of Shuntian Prefecture wanted Yin and Qingyan to forgive him first, hoping that if they could say a few good words to Fei Yanggu, he could probably escape this predicament.
“This servant deserves to die. Yesterday, I went back to bed early and the steward didn’t report it.” The prefect was prepared to make the steward suffer the harassment from Yin and his men. It was better to sacrifice one steward than to have the entire mansion perish with him.
Yin did not believe this reason, but Kangxi's prior instructions forced him to back down.
Qingyan stood aside, coldly watching the prefect explain his lack of knowledge. It sounded reasonable, but upon closer examination, it seemed they would have to make concessions.
He took her hand, which soothed her troubled mind.
She pursed her lips, looking at Yin's slightly worried eyes, Fei Yanggu's warning echoing in her ears.
Emperor Kangxi appears mild-mannered and uninvolved in court affairs; he would be a kind uncle.
Now that the prefect and others cannot punish her, she must endure her resentment no matter how much she feels.
For the sake of her family, she quieted down, her eyes blazing with hatred, yet she still pleaded for the culprit. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)
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