Chapter 474: Chapter 475: Looking for Trouble

Li Yong grew frantic, struggling to get free from Lin Dapeng, but it was clearly impossible. The man was holding him by the back of his collar, which cinched so tightly around his neck that he couldn’t even speak.

"And which household might you be from, Madam?" Even if Tian Zhuang were a complete fool, he knew by now that these people must have some background.

Lichun brandished her whip, stepping in front. "As if you’re worthy of asking."

Tian Zhuang’s eyes swept over the group. "Just a bunch of nobodies, daring to put on airs here.

I, for one, would like to see if you can still act so tough in front of the Lord Prefect."

Jin Qianqian had no desire to stand here and waste her breath on him. "Guard Lin, take our household’s calling card and deliver this man to the Lord Prefect.

Lichun, we’re going back to the inn."

Unfortunately, they had walked all the way here and could only retrace their steps back.

In the end, Tian Zhuang didn’t dare order his men to stop them and could only watch as their group departed.

Prompted by his long-term follower, he took his men and hurried ahead to the Prefect’s Office.

’Today, I’ll see just who these people really are.’

Lin Dapeng took Ancient Wen Heng’s calling card and went straight to the Prefect’s Office.

The arrest officer who received the card dared not delay, immediately and respectfully ushering them into the main hall.

He then took the calling card and ran straight to the back office.

Prefect Nan glanced at the card before handing it to Tian Zhuang. "The family of Prefect Gu from Lu City."

Tian Zhuang’s expression immediately turned ugly. "It’s him."

"I suggest you let this matter drop," Prefect Nan said. "Although I am half a rank his senior, the man is not as simple as he appears.

To rise from a Champion Scholar to his current position in less than a year is unprecedented."

"Isn’t Lu City a mess? Who knows if a Prefect like him can even make it out of that post alive."

Prefect Nan’s face fell instantly. ’This man, Tian, is getting more and more insolent. No matter what you say, that man is a city’s parental official. Do the lives of us Prefects mean nothing to him?’

’Give him an inch and he takes a mile. I’ve shown him some respect these last two years, and he’s really started to think he’s somebody special.’

"Cease this nonsense," Prefect Nan said, his tone harsh. "You are but a merchant. How dare you speak so recklessly of a court-appointed official?"

"Lord Prefect, calm your anger," Tian Zhuang said. "I was only speaking of that man Gu. What you may not know, my lord, is that my Tian Family has a bit of a grudge against Prefect Gu."

"I don’t care what grudge you have. As long as Mrs. Gu is within my jurisdiction, you will not make a move against her.

Don’t use your old tricks. There are consequences a mere merchant like you cannot bear."

Having his merchant status pointed out repeatedly, Tian Zhuang felt a flicker of anger. But he knew in his heart that the Tian Family was not as prominent as it had been a couple of years ago.

’My own brother-in-law is now just a minor county magistrate in a remote border town. And while my niece’s husband is the grandson of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he’s still only a Scholar.’

’It was only through years of constantly exchanging gifts with Shangjing that the officials here in Le City learned of my considerable connections to the Minister of the Ministry of Justice Mansion. Otherwise, what place would I have in front of this Prefect?’

Prefect Nan wasn’t siding with Jin Qianqian. Rather, seasoned officials like him were loath to make enemies for themselves.

.bg-ssp-10081{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;}

Ancient Wen Heng had risen several ranks in such a short time; one day, he might even surpass him.

’Furthermore, if Mrs. Gu is harassed by a merchant on my watch and I just stand by and do nothing, might my own family face similar treatment when they go out in the future?’

No matter how displeased Tian Zhuang was, he couldn’t say anything more at the moment. He could only bring up Li Yong. "It’s just that my Steward Li..."

"He is merely a servant. Since he showed disrespect to an official’s wife, he will be punished according to the law. Have him taken outside and given twenty strokes with the heavy plank, then you may take him back."

Tian Zhuang dared not—and could not—refute the decision. He just knew that after today, he would lose all face, both publicly and privately.

’That Mrs. Gu had already announced the actual positions and statuses of his brother-in-law and his niece’s husband in front of the people of Le City. Anyone who bothered to inquire would learn the truth.’

When he thought about how all of today’s losses were caused by Li Yong, Tian Zhuang didn’t even bother to claim the man, leaving hastily with his subordinates.

When Jin Qianqian learned of the outcome, she simply smiled. She was just an official’s family member passing through. As long as they didn’t come looking for trouble, she naturally wouldn’t stir any up.

But clearly, some people were just itching for a beating. Stay in one place too long, and you really start to think you’re untouchable.

Jin Qianqian was now looking at a young lady who was in a standoff with Lichun and her attendants.

"What’s your problem? I got here first. Go find another place to sit!"

As the weather was sunny and pleasant, Jin Qianqian had brought the children out to see the sights around Le City.

They had just found a restaurant and were preparing to have a simple meal when, just as they were about to sit down, someone else swooped in and took their table.

If there had been other tables in the restaurant, she wouldn’t have made a fuss, but it appeared this was the only one left.

Jin Qianqian looked at the young girl’s smug expression and didn’t want to argue. It wasn’t as if this was the only restaurant on the street.

She turned and led her party next door, where they learned a private room was available. Just as Lichun was about to book it, the same girl slammed some silver down on the counter with a CLAP. "I’ll take this private room."

Lichun and the others now understood: this girl was clearly doing it on purpose.

Lichun was about to argue with her but was stopped by Li Qiu, who was at her side. "Shopkeeper, are there any other open tables?"

"Yes..."

"I’ll take them all..." Before the Shopkeeper could finish, the girl produced a silver note.

"Miss, you’re going too far," Li Qiu said, her face darkening. "Are you going to try and steal every spot we pick today?"

Tian Mi tilted her chin up. "That depends on my mood. I guess I just didn’t check the almanac before going out today and ran into someone I don’t like the look of."

Jin Qianqian smiled, her lips pursed. "Shopkeeper, whatever this young lady offers, I’ll double it."

With another CLAP, Tian Mi slapped down another silver note. "Trying to outbid me? If you can double it, so can I."

Jin Qianqian nodded at Lichun, who counted out a few silver notes. The young girl immediately pulled out a handful more and slapped them all on top.

Only then did Jin Qianqian smile and say to Lichun, "It seems the young lady really does want all these empty seats. Let’s let her have them. Shopkeeper, enjoy your windfall!"

Jolted by her words, the Shopkeeper immediately swept all the silver notes from the counter into his cash box, his face beaming with a genuine smile. "Miss, please, come in! With so many tables, you can sit wherever you please, wherever you please."

Tian Mi was speechless.

Jin Qianqian shook her head. ’It’s a good thing this girl doesn’t live in the information age,’ she thought, ’or she wouldn’t have been tricked so easily.’

.bg-ssp-10016{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} #dl-banner-300x250 { max-height: 0 !important; overflow: hidden !important; }

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.