Chapter 52 Testing the County Magistrate, the Shopkeeper's Thoughts
This morning, County Magistrate Niu sent someone to invite Zhang Ting to his residence for a chat.
Zhang Ting had been waiting for news from County Magistrate Niu these past few days. Just now, while having breakfast with Zong Suyi, he was wondering why she was so slow in doing things, but unexpectedly, she arrived just like that.
She took two silver coins from her purse and gave them to the maid who delivered the message. These were silver coins that Zong Suyi had sent someone to the bank to exchange for, specifically prepared for her as a reward.
The maid happily accepted it, bowed to Zhang Ting, and said many auspicious words to her.
Zhang Ting smiled faintly, called Li Ruilian, and followed the maid out with a food box.
Inside the food box was a kind of honey-milk cake that Zong Suyi had recently instructed Du Zaolang to make. It had a lingering milky aroma and was sweet and soft. Seeing that Zhang Ting was about to go out, he also put some snacks in a separate food box for her to take as a gift.
Since the east side of the city is closer to the north side, Zhang Ting didn't even need a carriage; he simply walked there with his maid.
As soon as she stepped into the backyard of the county government office, she saw Boss Mi coming out of Magistrate Song's courtyard with a gloomy expression.
Boss Mi also saw the three of them. She had no recollection of Zhang Ting, but she recognized the maidservant beside Magistrate Niu. When she saw the maidservant leading Zhang Ting in, she smiled and greeted Zhang Ting.
Zhang Ting nodded to her. Her dark hair was tied up with only a hairpin, and her eyes were bright. A ray of sunlight shone down, and her indigo silk robe shimmered with tiny golden light, making her look neat, decisive, and noble.
The two brushed past each other, but Boss Mi stopped and stared at her tall and slender back for a long time. He stroked his chin and thought, "When did such a graceful lady emerge in Lvtian County? Judging from the obsequious manner of that maid just now, she and County Magistrate Niu have quite a close relationship."
County Magistrate Niu had been waiting in the study for a long time. When she arrived at the door, a maid opened the door for Zhang Ting and invited her in. Then she and Li Ruilian stood guard outside the door.
Zhang Ting and County Magistrate Niu exchanged greetings and then presented the pastries they had brought.
County Magistrate Niu opened the food box and saw that the pastries were exquisitely crafted and had a natural milky aroma. They were truly unique. He smiled and looked at her, saying, "Junior Sister, you are too kind. I invited you here today. Why did you bring gifts?"
Zhang Ting smiled and said it was a pastry made by the cook at home. She thought it tasted good and wanted to bring it for her senior sister to try.
County Magistrate Niu had initially harbored some resentment towards Zhang Ting because of the matter of releasing her from her registered residence, but now that he saw that she still treated him with great respect, his feelings softened somewhat.
"Junior sister, you're so kind." County Magistrate Niu stood up and personally pulled Zhang Ting to sit down, handing her the document for releasing officials from his sleeve.
County Magistrate Niu doted on his junior sister, whom he had taken for granted, and fearing that Zhang Ting might go astray in a moment of confusion, he specifically instructed her to be cautious in her actions and to think things through thrice before acting.
Zhang Ting understood the meaning behind Magistrate Niu's words perfectly. It's just that every loss has its gain.
She simply nodded slightly, then lowered her eyelashes and carefully put the document away.
Seeing Zhang Ting's expression, Magistrate Niu was unsure whether she had listened to him. He wanted to say a few more words of advice, but then he heard her ask, "Just now, around the corner, I saw someone hurrying out of Magistrate Song's courtyard. That person even greeted me. Do you know who that person was, Senior Sister?"
Zhang Ting had a deep impression of Boss Mi, who was plump and fair-skinned, resembling a grain of rice. After all, she was now certain that Boss Mi's plumpness was partly due to her own dwindling wallet. Her question to Magistrate Niu was actually a test of his stance.
When Magistrate Niu heard that someone had come out of Magistrate Song's courtyard early in the morning, he knew who it was.
She looked annoyed, closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She actually thought that Boss Mi was extreme in his actions and disregarded the lives of ordinary people, and she looked down on him. However, due to the power of Magistrate Song, the top official, and the fact that she had only just established herself in Lvtian County, she temporarily accepted the rice yesterday to show Magistrate Song her position, so as not to be targeted by others.
However, this matter was both a big deal and a small matter, leaving her in a dilemma and unwilling to get involved.
When Zhang Ting asked about it, he replied casually, "He's the owner of the rice shop on the front street."
"So it was her."
County Magistrate Niu pursed his lips, "That's right." He opened his mouth slightly, wanting to say something sarcastic, but then suddenly stopped himself.
Never mind, walls have ears, beware of backstabbers.
Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Ting had already discerned Magistrate Niu's stance.
Having been at the Niu residence for quite some time, having taken everything she needed and asked everything she needed to ask, she rose to bid farewell to Magistrate Niu.
County Magistrate Niu wanted Zhang Ting to stay for a meal, but she politely declined, so he had no choice but to let her leave.
Zhang Ting went out but didn't see Li Ruilian again. She frowned slightly and asked the maid beside her.
The maid replied, "My lady, the servants in the manor say that the mule has a poor appetite. I heard that Guard Li is good at looking after livestock, so I asked her to take a look."
Zhang Ting had sensed something was wrong last time, and this time her premonition was even stronger. She asked the maid where they had gone, politely declined her request to lead the way, and went alone.
There was no one around the mule stable. Zhang Ting vaguely heard voices inside, so he slowed his pace and approached slowly. He quietly pushed the door open a crack and looked closely.
Zhang Ting's pupils trembled; her bodyguard was actually embracing the husband of County Magistrate Niu!
She lowered her eyes and looked away. She was still at the Niu residence. She didn't know whether to be amazed by the two people's boldness or glad that Zong Suyi's release document had been obtained first.
But when did these two get together?
Suddenly, a slapping sound came from inside. Zhang Ting leaned over to take a look and saw that the two who had been embracing each other so intimately had separated. The wife of County Magistrate Niu was extremely angry and irritable, completely different from the gentle and considerate man she had seen before. His chest heaved violently as he gritted his teeth, pointed at Li Ruilian, and whispered something.
The sound was too soft for Zhang Ting to hear. Then he saw Li Ruilian turn around, her face bearing a bright red handprint.
Zhang Ting didn't dodge; she stood there straight.
Li Ruilian pushed open the door and saw her. Thinking that her employer had seen what had just happened, she couldn't help but lower her head guiltily.
Zhang Ting glanced at her indifferently, taking in her change, and walked away, with Li Ruilian silently following behind.
After leaving the official residence and walking down another street, Zhang Ting pulled her to the side of the road and asked her solemnly, "Master Li, I heard from the maid that you were called to the mule stable, so I came to find you. When I arrived, I saw my senior sister's husband beating you."
"What did you do to make him so angry?" Zhang Ting didn't ask if the two were having an affair, nor did she mention that she saw the two embracing. She only asked about the reason for their argument.
Li Ruilian held Zhang Ting in high esteem and felt deeply ashamed upon hearing this, believing she had betrayed her trust. She replied, "I have something I have kept from you, Master, and I am truly ashamed. The husband of this County Magistrate Niu is none other than the young master of the Yu family."
“Last time, he lured me there under the pretext of looking at horses, and we met. I actually refused him that day, but he still wouldn’t give up. I was afraid he would continue like this, so today I went to formally refuse him, and I ended up getting slapped in the face.”
Zhang Ting realized that this Yu was the young master who had framed Li Ruilian for harassing him.
She glanced at Li Ruilian, wondering if this person could still stay, and then asked how the other party had refused.
Li Ruilian scratched her head, looking quite embarrassed, and said with an awkward smile, "I asked him if he would give me money to raise horses if I agreed to have an affair with him."
Zhang Ting looked at Li Ruilian's clear and conspicuous handprint again and again, feeling both amused and helpless. Finally, he pursed his lips and said, "You should have told me about this sooner. From now on, when you go to the Niu residence, just have Liu Da accompany you."
I felt a little ashamed, for I had actually doubted Li Ruilian's character.
However, she cautioned, "Don't see that person again in the future. I trust your character, but others don't know, so it's best not to cause unnecessary trouble."
Li Ruilian also realized that her actions were inappropriate and repeatedly agreed, promising Zhang Ting that she would never do it again.
On the way back, Zhang Ting made a special trip to Qingfenglou, where the roast chicken is exceptional, and she could bring some back for Zong Suyi to try.
Manager Duan was calculating with a bitter face when he saw Zhang Ting arrive. He greeted her and asked where she had been all this time.
Last time, Zhang Ting borrowed the kitchen of Qingfenglou and cooked ten delicious dishes, which amazed her and left a deep impression on her. She still remembers them vividly to this day.
"I went on a long trip and only recently came back."
Manager Duan exchanged a few pleasantries with her, then put down his abacus and asked her what she wanted to eat.
Zhang Ting said there was no rush and told her to finish taking stock of the accounts first, as this couldn't be delayed.
Manager Duan looked worried and waved his hand, "It doesn't matter, we're just losing money anyway."
Since Manager Duan said so, Zhang Ting didn't stand on ceremony. She named the dishes and said she wanted to take them with her, casually asking, "Manager Duan, why are you so troubled?"
Manager Duan propped his neck up and ordered the kitchen to make a roast chicken. When Zhang Ting asked about it, he assumed the two were just chatting.
"Isn't it all because of the recent price gouging in the county? The price of vegetables, tea, and rice has all skyrocketed, and there are fewer customers in the restaurant, resulting in a severe decline in profits. We're losing money almost every day now."
As he spoke, he sighed, "Qingfenglou is a long-established brand. If we were to follow suit and raise prices, we would really be letting down our customers' trust."
However, Zhang Ting remembered that Qingfeng Tower was not cheap. With rising prices, they could only make a little profit at most, so why were they losing money every day?
Manager Duan told her seriously that a single stir-fried dish at Qingfenglou requires three catties of green vegetables, with only the freshest one or two leaves selected from each vegetable. The ingredients are strictly selected, and no inferior ones are used. This is why it is so delicious and the price is slightly higher, but we do not make extra money from our customers.
In the end, Manager Duan began to worry about the fate of Qingfeng Tower and sighed deeply.
Zhang Ting nodded in realization. Her gaze shifted, and she noticed the bitter expression on Manager Duan's face. A thought immediately popped into her mind, and the corners of her mouth slowly turned up.
She interrupted Manager Duan's contemplation and asked, "Manager, would you like prices to return to normal?"
"Of course I want to, but... alas!" Manager Duan said regretfully, but how could he just think about it and it would come to pass?
Zhang Ting smiled faintly, "It's fine if you want to."
She beckoned Manager Duan to come closer.
Manager Duan looked skeptical. Did this young man have a solution? She leaned closer, half believing and half doubting.
In just a few breaths, Zhang Ting stepped back, leaving Manager Duan standing there.
After a long while, she came to her senses and looked at Zhang Ting in disbelief: "It's that simple?"
"This will work?"
Zhang Ting smiled and nodded slightly, "It's that simple."
Manager Duan still didn't understand the key point, but seeing Zhang Ting's confident and composed demeanor, and recalling her astonishing act that day, he gritted his teeth and looked at her firmly: "Alright, I'll go!"
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