What pierced Shi Yan’s heart even more was that not only did his master fail to take advantage of being drunk to sleep it off and thus have an excuse to stay overnight at the tavern, he actually returned to the main hall, ate a pot of lamb, and left in a state of tipsiness.

Just left like that!

Because of this, after the tavern closed, the young guard was so angry he ate one fewer steamed bun.

Xu Xi was different—not only was his mouth stuffed with food, his chopsticks never stopped moving.

Kou’er couldn’t stand it anymore and scolded, “Young Master Xu, you can’t eat this fast! What if you choke?”

Before the young man could feel even a trace of gratitude, Hong Dou chimed in, “Exactly! You’re someone our miss bought for fifty taels of silver. If you eat too hastily and choke to death, wouldn’t our miss suffer a total loss?”

Kou’er shot Hong Dou a look and said quietly, “Just understand it in your heart. Why say it out loud?”

The young man grew increasingly indignant as he listened, and shoveled food into his mouth even faster.

Since arriving at the tavern yesterday, he had not been living a human life. If not for this food, he couldn’t have endured it!

As for now, he could still endure a bit longer. After all, the food was too delicious, and besides, he still had to practice his martial arts.

The liveliness in the main hall did not affect Luo Sheng.

Drinking had not brought the peace she had imagined.

Indeed, to find comfort, one must take action rather than drown sorrows in drink.

Today the news of the tavern’s ten-percent discount dish should have spread. She would see tomorrow if she could hook that Censor Ma.

The next day brought more snow—heavy goose-feather snow at that.

The cold wind swirled snowflakes that burrowed straight down people’s necks, causing pedestrians to quicken their pace involuntarily.

By evening, the wind and snow grew more urgent, but this couldn’t stop regular customers’ enthusiasm for There Is a Tavern.

Minister Zhao was the first to arrive.

“You’re here so early, honored guest!” Kou’er welcomed Minister Zhao in with a beaming smile.

The old man nodded with restraint, but his thoughts were: After being fleeced by There Is a Tavern for so long, now that there’s finally a chance to get a bargain, how could he not come early?

Let alone heavy snow—he’d come even if it rained knives.

Minister Qian arrived next.

After clarifying that there was one special-price dish per table, the two old ministers decisively abandoned any thought of sharing a table.

Grand Secretary Lin also came, bringing his second grandson Lin Shu.

He certainly couldn’t bring his eldest grandson. Even with a special-price dish, it wouldn’t make up for the losses from that big fellow eating his fill.

The main hall filled with the aroma of wine and gradually grew lively.

Finally, someone pushed through the door in a rush, bringing a gust of cold air.

The newcomer had a long, stern-looking face—it was precisely the Censor Ma that Luo Sheng had been waiting for.

The main hall was already full.

Censor Ma looked disappointed. “It’s full?”

He had rushed here as fast as he could, yet still arrived too late. Were these people really this wealthy?

Censor Ma scanned the room, seeing Minister Zhao, Minister Qian, Prince Kaiyang… and silently swallowed his indignation.

Kou’er said with a smile, “The main hall is indeed full, but there are still private rooms available.”

Censor Ma quickly waved his hand. “A private room won’t be necessary.”

Who would have the nerve to occupy a private room for just a bowl of spring noodles and a cup of burning liquor?

He glanced to the side and saw the notice listing the special-price dish: lamb hot pot.

Censor Ma’s eyes went wide. “Today’s special-price dish is lamb hot pot?”

“Yes.” Kou’er responded good-naturedly.

“There are still private rooms available?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll take a private room.”

Censor Ma followed Kou’er into a private room and ordered with grand confidence, “One lamb hot pot and one cup of burning liquor.”

The lamb hot pot portion wasn’t small—he could save the spring noodles.

Kou’er helpfully quoted the prices. “Lamb hot pot is eighty taels per serving, burning liquor is ten taels per cup. Please wait a moment, honored guest.”

“Wait!” Censor Ma forced himself to remain calm as he called Kou’er back. “Isn’t the lamb hot pot ten percent today?”

Kou’er said with a smile, “The lamb hot pot is indeed ten percent today, but our boss said that those with poor character or who are irresponsible don’t get to enjoy this benefit.”

Poor character?

Irresponsible?

Censor Ma’s expression immediately changed. “What does your boss mean by this? Have your boss come here. I want an explanation!”

“Please wait a moment.” Kou’er turned and left.

Censor Ma waited huffily, then belatedly realized: The boss of There Is a Tavern was Miss Luo!

His first reaction was to leave immediately. He stood up, but after thinking about how unfair this was, he sat back down.

So what if it was Miss Luo?

Miss Luo couldn’t say he had poor character or was irresponsible, and couldn’t prevent him from eating the ten-percent lamb hot pot!

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

Censor Ma sat upright, gathering courage to confront Miss Luo.

The door opened and Luo Sheng walked in.

“I heard Censor Ma was looking for me?”

Censor Ma glanced at Luo Sheng.

Such a fresh, clean little girl—why did she speak so hatefully?

“Does Miss Luo believe this official has poor character?” Censor Ma asked angrily.

As a censor, he couldn’t allow others to slander him.

Luo Sheng sat down and said unhurriedly, “I haven’t had dealings with Censor Ma, so I wouldn’t dare casually comment on Censor Ma’s character.”

“Then you’re saying this official is irresponsible?”

Luo Sheng smiled slightly. “A little.”

Censor Ma thought he had misheard. His face darkened as he stared at Luo Sheng. “What does Miss Luo mean by this?”

Luo Sheng gave Kou’er a look, and only after Kou’er withdrew did she speak. “Has Censor Ma heard about what happened the day before yesterday?”

Censor Ma sneered coldly. “So many things happen every day. This official doesn’t know which matter Miss Luo is referring to.”

“Of course I’m referring to the matter of the wife of the Marquis of Changchun ordering her servants to commit robbery on the street.” Luo Sheng’s tone was matter-of-fact.

Censor Ma froze, then his face twitched.

He had heard about this matter.

“It seems Censor Ma has heard about it.”

“So what if I have?”

Should he lose a piece of flesh just because he heard about an unverified rumor?

Luo Sheng sighed. “Since Censor Ma heard about it, you should impeach the Marquis of Changchun! You’re a censor. If you don’t impeach such a noble with poor character, are you keeping him around for the new year?”

The corner of Censor Ma’s mouth twitched. “Such rumors appear countless times daily. Even if I were to impeach someone, I couldn’t do so rashly.”

Luo Sheng shook her head. “Censor Ma’s words are mistaken. I’ve heard that censors have the right to memorialize based on hearsay, that they can impeach officials without requiring evidence. How is it that when it comes to Censor Ma, rumors suddenly can’t be taken seriously? Moreover, Censor Ma hasn’t even investigated—how do you know it’s a rumor and not fact? Isn’t this Censor Ma being insufficiently responsible?”

Censor Ma fell silent at once.

He wanted to refute her but found that what she said was correct.

As a censor, he could indeed impeach officials involved in scandals based on rumors. As for verification, that was the job of the Three Judicial Offices.

It was just that he had seen wrongly accused officials before, so he wanted to be more cautious.

Luo Sheng seemed to guess what Censor Ma was thinking and said flatly, “A censor who is too cautious loses the sharp edge that makes a good censor. In one’s position, one serves its governance; holding the office, one fulfills its duties. Does Censor Ma think what I say is correct?”

This time, Censor Ma’s silence lasted even longer.

Kou’er and Hong Dou entered and laid out food and drink.

Censor Ma stared at the table full of aromatic, appetizing food and drink and said sternly, “This official does not accept bribes!”

Luo Sheng smiled. “The people regard food as heaven. How can eating a meal be called accepting a bribe?”