Shen Zhishu lazily rose from bed, rubbing his temples which ached from the previous night’s drinking. He sat still for a while before allowing someone to come in and help him dress and wash up.

The local customs in Qingzhou were unlike those in the capital. People of the northern regions were often unrestrained and wild in temperament. Since taking office, he had encountered many troublesome commoners. So when he heard that a woman had come to collect a debt, he didn’t take it seriously, assuming it was just another woman looking for an excuse to file a complaint.

When he arrived at the front hall of the yamen, he saw a woman in fox fur and green skirt, her sleeves gathered, sitting composedly on a stool. Her eyes were as bright as stars, watching him as he walked in.

Hu Yuelin stood to the side, holding a thin piece of paper, his expression somewhat embarrassed.

Seeing Shen Zhishu approach, she stood up and made a shallow bow. “This commoner Yan Fuzhi pays respect to Prefect Shen.”

She emphasized the title “Prefect” quite heavily, with a somewhat sarcastic tone.

Shen Zhishu stopped, now clearly seeing her face. He was momentarily stunned, recalling that she was the woman he had seen at the Yan family’s Bofeng Tower in Chongzhou Prefecture—

Yan Fuzhi narrowed her eyes, slightly raising her pointed chin. Her lips curved into a smile as she said: “Prefect Shen, I trust you’ve been well.”

Back when she was at the women’s school, she had seen him in secret and knew his identity, so she showed no panic now. He, however, still appeared bewildered, as if he hadn’t quite processed the situation, not uttering a word for some time.

Hu Yuelin slowly walked over, leaned close to his ear, and whispered: “Young Master, this is the eldest daughter of the Yan family from Chongzhou Prefecture…”

Shen Zhishu suddenly raised his eyebrows, and his appraising gaze immediately changed.

Yan Fuzhi.

No wonder she had been so bold and audacious that day at Bofeng Tower—it was her family’s restaurant, after all. Who wouldn’t dare to offend?

He had only heard a little about the Yan family’s reputation in the northern route of Chao’an’s merchant circles since coming to Qingzhou. Though his knowledge was limited, he understood that the Yan family had specifically opened a new shop south of Shangqiu Gate in Qingzhou for the northern border trade fair. Their shop was filled with countless rare antiques, ornamental stones, and colored carvings, attracting everyone’s attention in Qingzhou City. The local merchants viewed them as major competitors.

Understanding this, his expression softened, and he smiled: “I did not know it was Miss Yan that day, and I apologize for any offense. However, I’m curious what debt I owe to the Yan family that would bring Miss Yan personally to the yamen to collect?”

Yan Fuzhi’s eyes glanced at the thin paper in Hu Yuelin’s hand.

Hu Yuelin had already presented it to him, speaking softly enough that only the two of them could hear: “It seems this was done by those people in the yamen.”

Shen Zhishu quickly scanned it, his brows slightly furrowing. He immediately understood but asked her: “These people were not sent by me. I’m afraid the Yan family is seeking payment from the wrong person.”

Yan Fuzhi laughed coldly: “Yesterday they said the carving was commissioned by Vice Magistrate Wang Qi, bought to be given to you, Prefect Shen. And if you were pleased, you would surely have it sent to the capital to be presented to the Emperor and the Crown Prince for their enjoyment. If I don’t collect this debt from you, Prefect, who should I collect it from?”

Shen Zhishu’s face had been somber, but upon hearing her words, it suddenly brightened. He stepped forward and asked in a low voice: “You just said, whose commission was it?”

“Vice Magistrate Wang Qi,” she raised her eyebrows, “Why?”

Shen Zhishu concentrated for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “Very good.” He turned to Hu Yuelin, “Go get that carving and return it to Miss Yan.”

Hu Yuelin’s expression was also strange, but he said nothing and turned to go back to the inner compound.

Yan Fuzhi looked perplexed, not knowing what he was thinking, and even more surprised that he would so readily return the item to her—

It was quite different from the officials she had previously dealt with in Chongzhou Prefecture.

Shen Zhishu walked to the side, lifted his robe, and sat down, gesturing to her: “Please be seated, Miss Yan.”

She lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, then walked over and sat on the stool beside him. “Prefect Shen is certainly straightforward. However, we merchants always emphasize both principle and interest. Although you’re returning the item to me, I still need to collect the interest, otherwise, wouldn’t the Yan family shop have suffered this injustice for nothing?”

“Certainly,” Shen Zhishu continued to smile, his tone even more forthcoming. “As long as Miss Yan agrees to do something for me, I am willing to pay whatever interest is required.”

Yan Fuzhi found this curious. “What is it?”

Hu Yuelin had already returned with the wooden box, placing it on the table beside her.

Shen Zhishu glanced at Hu Yuelin, then looked at Yan Fuzhi, tilting his head and lowering his voice: “Would Miss Yan be willing to write a petition stating that Qingzhou Vice Magistrate Wang Qi, using the pretext of the Emperor’s desire for ornamental stones and colored carvings, has been conducting widespread extortion and plunder among the people of Qingzhou?”

Yan Fuzhi was startled, not expecting him to say such a thing, and for a moment didn’t know how to respond.

Shen Zhishu’s lips curved as he added: “These are all truthful matters, I’m not asking Miss Yan to fabricate anything…”

She frowned. “But those words were only spoken by the yamen officials. How can I be certain they were Vice Magistrate Wang’s intentions?”

Shen Zhishu’s eyes sharpened slightly as he slowly said: “If Miss Yan is willing to write this petition, I won’t need you to ask for interest. I will have all the taxes that the Yan family shop would have to pay to the government during the future trade fair waived. What does Miss Yan think of that?”

Yan Fuzhi lowered her gaze in contemplation, saying nothing, but she was moved by his offer.

If all the taxes for the upcoming trade fair could be exempted, that would be no small sum… With Shen Zhishu’s official backing, the Yan family’s reputation in Qingzhou’s merchant circles would become even more formidable.

Shen Zhishu waited for her, speaking unhurriedly: “I recall that the Yan family also has someone serving as an official in the capital. Miss Yan’s cousin, Yan Qiaofeng, has been in the Imperial Clan Court for many years without promotion. I happen to be close friends with the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, Sun Shuran…”

Yan Fuzhi looked up, smiling as she interrupted him: “Prefect Shen needs to say no more. Tomorrow I will send someone to deliver the petition to you.”

Shen Zhishu smiled.

She rose leisurely, taking the wooden box containing the carving into her arms. “I hope Prefect Shen will keep his word and consider the Yan family’s interests when determining the regulations for the upcoming trade fair.”

Shen Zhishu also stood, accompanying her to the door, and instructed the yamen runners waiting outside: “Escort Miss Yan back to her residence.”

Yan Fuzhi smiled at him and said softly: “Prefect Shen is truly skilled. I didn’t realize that day that Prefect Shen was such a ruthless character.”

She had initially thought he was merely elegant, never expecting him to possess such cunning.

Shen Zhishu only smiled, watching as she turned to leave, and replied softly: “I don’t understand what Miss Yan is talking about.”

Outside, the sun shone brightly in the rare clear winter sky, warming people’s hearts.

He turned back, quickly walked inside, and said to Hu Yuelin: “Draft a memorial today, accusing Wang Qi of three major crimes. Tomorrow, send it by express rider directly to the Crown Prince’s desk!”

Hu Yuelin nodded, following behind him as they walked toward the inner courtyard. “We were just worried that Wang Qi had committed no obvious offenses that Young Master could use against him, and then his subordinates conveniently did something like this… This time, Young Master can submit both this incident and the matter of the Qingzhou garrison’s monthly silver allowance together, severely impeaching Wang Qi. Accusing him of repeatedly using the Emperor’s name to deceive the people and claiming the Emperor’s care for the soldiers as his achievement. Even if the latter lacks solid evidence, it will surely provoke the Emperor’s fury. With the Crown Prince offering support from the side, even if those senior officials in court wish to protect Wang Qi, they probably won’t be able to.”

Shen Zhishu walked with light steps, his sideburns slightly disheveled, his eyes bright. Recalling Yan Fuzhi’s meaningful smile at the end, he couldn’t help but curve his lips and say softly: “Heaven itself is helping me.”