She got into character pretty quickly...
Liu Chuyu gritted her teeth and reluctantly led the way.
He led Magistrate Liu to a corner, to a table facing the wall.
The space was quite small, and it was difficult for Magistrate Liu to squeeze in. He had to take a deep breath to get in.
When He Tiantian saw it, she knew that Liu Chuyu was doing it on purpose.
She shook her head. Sigh, I really don't know how much hatred this child has for his father.
Liu Chuyu looked up at the top of her father's head and asked in a muffled voice, "What do you want to eat?"
The lunch menu at the restaurant is almost always the same, but it changes with the seasons.
When Magistrate Liu came in, he had already looked at the menu hanging outside.
He thought for a moment, "Let's have a braised rabbit, a candied sweet potato dessert, and a bowl of rice!"
Liu Chuyu silently noted down the menu and went to the back to notify the preparation of the orders.
Magistrate Liu came today intending to discuss something with He Tiantian.
However, the store is crowded right now, and Mr. He probably doesn't have time. Besides, he just managed to squeeze in, so getting out now would be difficult.
Forget it, let's wait until he's eaten and drunk his fill before we talk about it.
The dishes were served quickly, and Liu Chuyu herself served them.
It was the first time in his life that Magistrate Liu had eaten food served by his son, and he felt somewhat proud.
He leisurely munched on the rabbit meat; if there were a pot of wine at that moment, it would be perfect.
Magistrate Liu ate his meal until all the customers in the shop had left.
He patted his round belly, feeling very satisfied.
He Tiantian had just finished her work and came forward to greet him, "Your Excellency, how was the meal today?"
Magistrate Liu nodded, "Not bad, not bad. I'll bring my wife next time."
He Tiantian's eyes lit up as she suddenly came up with an even better idea.
She needed to cultivate a good relationship with the magistrate's wife, because she would definitely need her help in the future.
He Tiantian was very enthusiastic, "That's wonderful. If the magistrate's wife is coming, please let me know in advance so I can prepare some different dishes."
Magistrate Liu was drawn to this unusual statement and thought that he had to bring his wife over as soon as possible in order to taste the delicious food.
"By the way, I've come today to tell you something. The matter of Zhang Mazi and his gang of street thugs framing Zhao Yan has been investigated and clarified."
He Tiantian knew the seriousness of the matter; Aunt Zhao had been nagging her about it these past few days, still worried about it.
After all, Zhao Yan will be taking the imperial examination next spring, and he can't let his reputation interfere with it.
"Liu Chuyu, go and call your sister-in-law Zhao over," He Tiantian called out.
Liu Chuyu quickly went to the kitchen and called Zhao Yanniang out.
Upon seeing Magistrate Liu, Zhao Yanniang immediately knelt down and performed the kowtow.
"Your Excellency, Magistrate."
"Get up, get up. I'm not here to put on airs today. The matter of Zhao Yan has been investigated and I came here specifically to tell you." Magistrate Liu waved his hand.
"The one who framed Zhao Yan this time was Cheng Sheng's son, Cheng Fang. That kid also studies at Bailu Academy and is Zhao Yan's colleague. Did they have some kind of conflict before?" Magistrate Liu asked.
Cheng Fang also sent someone to inquire about him, and found that he was even more reckless than his son.
Not only do they not study properly, but they also frequent brothels and brothels, and are utterly ignorant and incompetent.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yanniang quickly shook her head, "Impossible. My Yan'er has always been gentle and kind to people. I have never seen him argue with anyone."
Zhao Yan's mother looked certain; as Zhao Yan's mother, she knew Zhao Yan's character best.
"Just because Yan'er treats others well doesn't mean others aren't jealous of him. That person's name is Cheng Fang, right?" He Tiantian vaguely remembered that name.
She then recounted how she had seen Cheng Fang try to cheat in the test by bribing Zhao Yan with silver.
"I don't know if it's because of this, but I suspect it's very likely," He Tiantian said, offering her deduction.
Magistrate Liu suddenly realized, "No wonder that brat from the Cheng family refused to give any reason. So that's how shameful he is! He's truly disgraced a scholar!"
Liu Chuyu had also studied at Bailu Academy for a few months, so he naturally knew who Cheng Fang was.
He scoffed disdainfully, "Hmph, shouldn't someone like him be punished? The academy should expel him. How can we tolerate such a rotten apple like him?"
These words made Magistrate Liu look somewhat embarrassed.
In fact, Bailu Academy did not make a decision to expel Cheng Fang, also due to the power of the Cheng family.
The academy was established and operated with funding from these wealthy businessmen every year.
The Cheng family practically monopolized daily necessities and other goods in the entire Changning City, no, the entire Quanzhou. Their annual tax payments to the government were among the highest.
Magistrate Liu knew that Zhao Yan had been wronged, but it would be difficult to teach Cheng Fang a serious lesson.
Seeing the somewhat embarrassed look on Magistrate Liu's face, He Tiantian guessed the intricacies of the situation.
"Well... given the mistakes Cheng Fang has made, it's not appropriate for me to put him in jail." Because the law doesn't specify how to deal with slandering a scholar from an academy.
But Magistrate Liu also knew that this matter needed to be handled in a way that Zhao Yan could accept.
Otherwise, he would be unworthy of his position as county magistrate.
“Zhao Yanniang, Zhao Yan is not here today. What do you think Yan’er wants to do about this? I’ll also go to the Cheng family.” Magistrate Liu asked Zhao Yanniang for her opinion.
“This…” Zhao Yanniang looked at He Tiantian, unsure of what to do.
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