The soldiers made a round through the outer hall, then headed for the inner hall.

The manager followed, along with two other waiters, leaving only a few outside.

“Our apologies, honored guests.”

The remaining waiter looked at the customers with an apologetic expression.

“We have no choice in the matter. We hope the court’s criminal is found soon, so everyone can have peace again.”

“Searching several times a day — I don’t think they’re really looking for a criminal at all!”

Once the soldiers were gone, the bolder townsfolk began to grumble.

“Exactly, and it’s not just a big shop like this one — even ordinary homes aren’t spared!”

“When the higher-ups are corrupt, the lower ranks follow suit. If Xixi City didn’t have such fertile soil and mild weather year-round, I doubt so many people would still be staying.”

“Right, how could there be so many fugitives that they need to check several times a day? Sigh.”

Someone even waved the waiter over.

The waiter walked over with his signature smile.

“Sir, what can I do for you?”

“How much do you pay them each time they come to inspect?”

the guest asked with a low chuckle.

“That, this humble one doesn’t know.”

The waiter shook his head, the same faint smile still on his lips.

Everyone laughed at once.

Feng Jiu’er found it a little strange — this was the Empress’s own shop, and yet people dared to take bribes here?

Before long, the soldiers who had gone inside came back out.

Their expressions were a bit better than before, and they left without further fuss.

It seemed things really were as the townsfolk had said.

Feng Jiu’er took out some loose silver and stood.

Qiao Mu set down her cup and stood as well.

The manager, having seen the soldiers off, was walking back, and Feng Jiu’er and Qiao Mu followed him.

In a corridor leading inward, Feng Jiu’er called out softly, “Are you the manager of this shop?”

The manager, having just sent off a group of ill-intentioned men and now hearing Feng Jiu’er’s words, did not look pleased.

But the moment he turned, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and he showed her no displeasure.

The manager looked at the two women he’d never met before and frowned.

“The two of you, may I ask—” Feng Jiu’er looked around to confirm no one was near, then drew out the token at her waist.

“Do you recognize this?”

The manager’s eyes lit up at once. He stepped forward, looked closely, and asked, “Miss, this is—” “Somewhere we can speak privately.”

Feng Jiu’er instructed.

“Yes.”

The manager nodded, stepped aside, and gestured. “This way, please!”

Feng Jiu’er glanced at Qiao Mu, and the two moved together.

The manager led them to a private room on the second floor and closed the door.

“Miss is one of the Empress’s people?”

The manager turned and looked steadily at Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Yes.”

“Please, sit!”

The manager walked straight inside.

Feng Jiu’er and Qiao Mu sat down at the table inside, but the manager did not sit right away.

“The two of you, would you like something to eat? I’ll have it sent up.”

Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “I didn’t come here to eat.”

“Then what does Miss require?”

The manager leaned forward slightly, raising his eyes. “I should ask — does Her Majesty the Empress have any instructions?”

“Actually, Her Majesty had no particular instructions. She said it had been too long since she’d looked into the shops in various places, so she sent me to have a look.”

“How are things at this shop of ours in Wutong Town?”

“To answer Miss.” The manager clasped his hands. “Business is still fine — after all, we’re particular about what we serve, where our guests stay, and even the staff we hire.”

He raised his eyes to meet Feng Jiu’er’s, a hint of unease flickering in them.

“I don’t know what the waiter just now might have…” “It was fine.”

Feng Jiu’er didn’t deny it. “Since profits are good, I can rest easy.”

“Sigh.”

The manager shook his head.

He let out a sigh and looked up again.

“Miss was there earlier, weren’t you? In just half a day, we’ve already handed over ‘military funds’ three times.”

“This whole affair has grown so large, who knows when it will end.”

“Miss isn’t from Xixi City, so you don’t know the situation here. Sigh.”

“I’ve heard a little.”

Feng Jiu’er gave a light nod. “But I can’t understand — why are the people here so bold?”

“Don’t they know we belong to the Empress?”

The manager frowned, his expression growing heavier.

“Miss, didn’t the Empress tell you this matter isn’t to be spoken of outside?”

The manager glanced at Qiao Mu, then looked back at Feng Jiu’er. “Fenglan Inn belongs to Her Majesty the Empress — not many people know this.”

“Aside from Her Majesty’s own people, that is, those who came from Fengxi Kingdom, no one else knows.”

Feng Jiu’er shook her head plainly. “The Empress really didn’t go into detail about that with me.”

“She only gave me this token and told me to travel around and look into things. So, are you also from Fengxi Kingdom, Manager?”

“Yes.”

The manager bowed in response.

“Her Majesty the Empress said that seeing this token is the same as seeing her in person. Whatever Miss requires, please just say so!”

“It’s nothing much. I just heard the city gates were sealed, and wanted to see what measures you’ve taken.”

Feng Jiu’er rubbed the token in her hand.

Her Majesty the Empress was too good to her — that seeing the token was the same as seeing the Empress herself meant this token carried enormous authority.

But the city lord had no idea this shop belonged to the Empress, and wouldn’t grant her that kind of favor to open the gates.

This wouldn’t be easy to manage! “Miss needn’t worry too much about this.”

The manager pressed his lips together lightly. “The boss will have a way.”

“We have three bosses here in Xixi City, running several shops. With them involved, things are sure to go smoothly.”

Feng Jiu’er frowned and asked, “Does the manager mean paying military funds to the city lord?”

“Mm, and speaking of ‘military funds’ — that’s not really what it is, is it?”

“Sigh.”

The manager sighed. “We pay our full taxes every year without fail. It’s just that this city lord of Xixi City…” The manager shook his head and didn’t finish the thought.

The room fell quiet for a moment before Feng Jiu’er looked up. “Could you arrange lodging for us?”

“She’s one of my people.”

Feng Jiu’er glanced at Qiao Mu. “I also have a few attendants inspecting other shops.”

“We’ll regroup here and continue on to the next city. I wonder if it would be convenient for you to take us along?”

“Of course.”

The manager nodded. “If our people can get out of the city, bringing Miss and the others along won’t be a problem.”

“But for now, I don’t know what the situation is — everything depends on when Boss Yuan returns and decides.”

“It’s an honor for our shop that the two of you are willing to stay. Let this humble one go prepare rooms for you now.”

“Mm.”

Feng Jiu’er waved a hand, then beckoned him back.

The manager, who had just turned to leave, turned back and came to her side.

“Her Majesty the Empress rarely concerns herself with shop matters. This time she sent us out to inspect in secret, so I hope you’ll keep this confidential.”

“Remember — we’re all the Empress’s people. You don’t need to hand over any ‘military funds’ to me to buy favor.”

“Only if the shop thrives will the brothers’ lives get better!”