Fuman gaped in astonishment.

Two taels of silver per month? Her monthly salary as a female clerk at the Ministry of Justice was only one tael and seven qian.

“That’s, that’s too much,” she frowned. “You, you, you’re running a, a business, you can’t, can’t afford losses.”

Ruyi was puzzled: “What loss? The best cook here earns twenty taels per month. Once you’ve learned to make good dishes, your wages will increase even more.”

Fuman was dumbfounded, blinking in bewilderment.

Shen Qiyuan watched her expression with genuine surprise.

Everyone in the Ministry of Justice knew that Hua Fuman didn’t like to talk. Even Zhao Yanning, her life-and-death friend, couldn’t pry more than a few words from her mouth.

Yet now, she stood before Ruyi, and though it was difficult for her, she was earnestly opening her mouth to speak: “You, you can’t, can’t deceive me.”

“Why would I deceive you?” Ruyi sat up irritably, lifting her chin to look down at her. “Do you think I’d randomly set your wages just because you’re pretty and adorable? You must be delusional. I’m a boss who recognizes money, not people.”

“Then, then, then let me think about it more.”

“What’s there to think about? This opportunity won’t come again. Hurry up and tell the deputy manager in the front hall. You’ll start work tomorrow.” Ruyi snapped her fingers. “It’s decided. Go, go, go, be quick about it.”

As domineering as always.

Shen Qiyuan frowned, about to say she should be gentler with Fuman, but then saw the latter nod obediently, bow farewell to Ruyi, and then turn to look at him.

She frowned and gestured: Don’t scold the boss anymore, sir.

Shen Qiyuan:?

Come on, they’d been colleagues for five years, going through wind and rain together, facing life and death situations. He’d even saved her life several times, yet it all couldn’t compare to a black-hearted boss?

The door opened and closed again. Shen Qiyuan turned his head to see that black-hearted boss studying him with her chin raised.

“Forget it,” he sighed. “Your saving Fuman can be considered a good deed.”

Ruyi said sarcastically, “I wouldn’t dare discuss good deeds with you, sir. We treacherous demons are naturally destined for bad endings.”

With such sharp teeth, no wonder her bites hurt. Shen Qiyuan pressed his lips together, knowing he couldn’t win with words, so he simply changed the subject: “What did you want to do at the Grand Preceptor’s mansion earlier?”

At this mention, Ruyi’s expression grew slightly pale: “To collect Jian Deng’s corpse. What, is that illegal?”

“It’s not illegal.” He frowned. “Jian Deng is dead?”

The anger that had just been extinguished flared up again. Ruyi sneered and said with downcast eyes: “Yes, dead. Grand Preceptor Liu beat her to death. Can you seek justice for me, sir?”

Shen Qiyuan asked: “Is her contract in your hands?”

“No, it’s at the Grand Preceptor’s mansion.”

Then it would be difficult. Servants had always been their masters’ property. If the contract were in her hands, she could still accuse the Grand Preceptor’s mansion of damaging private property. If not, this matter would be the Grand Preceptor’s mansion’s internal affair, and asking even one more question would be overstepping.

Shen Qiyuan thought for a moment and said, “I’ll help you find her body first. You’re in no condition to go out again.”

Even without him saying so, Ruyi had noticed. Her head was dizzy and heavy, and she could barely lift her hands. Thinking about it now, he was right. If she went to the Grand Preceptor’s mansion in this condition, she’d probably collapse halfway there.

But she didn’t want to bow her head and admit her mistake to him, so she just gave a cold snort and stubbornly buried her face in the soft pillow.

Shen Qiyuan didn’t say much more. He poured her a cup of hot tea, then closed the door and left. As he went downstairs, he pondered how to request an imperial physician from the palace. With her frail constitution, if she didn’t receive proper care, she wouldn’t last two more years.

But just as he reached the front hall, he heard an angry outburst.

“Do I need you to teach me how to do things? Zhou Tingchuan, are you still nursing? Do you know which way the Houcho Gate faces or how many graves are on Cang’er Mountain? Someone who can’t even ride a horse steadily and falls on flat ground is now pointing out my faults. Say one more word and I’ll break your front teeth.”

Zhao Yanning had refined features and an elegant bearing, but unfortunately, he had that mouth, cursing Zhou Tingchuan until he couldn’t straighten his back.

Zhou Tingchuan said miserably: “I was just worried something would happen to you…”

“Something happening? Hasn’t our Ministry of Justice been in trouble all along? We hang white banners three times a year. Our incense offerings are more abundant than those at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.”

“…”

Hearing footsteps, Zhou Tingchuan quickly turned around and called out pitifully: “Sir, save me.”

Seeing Shen Qiyuan there, Zhao Yanning’s momentum diminished somewhat, but he still wouldn’t let up: “What can the sir save you from? Five years with him only earned you the phrase ‘Imperial commands cannot be disobeyed,’ and you’ll probably still be blamed for not considering the bigger picture.”

“You’ve come at the right time.” As if accustomed to his sharp tongue, Shen Qiyuan was completely unaffected and simply said: “There’s a patient upstairs. If you have time, you might take a look.”

Seeing him speak up, Zhao Yanning thought he would explain why he’d stopped him today, but unexpectedly, he opened his mouth only to ask him to treat someone?

Zhao Yanning laughed angrily: “Don’t even think about it.”

“Yanning,” he said, “calm down.”

“Calm down, calm down. You, Shen Qiyuan, spend your whole life telling people to calm down.” Zhao Yanning slammed his hand on the table and stood up. “Do you think everyone was born into a noble family like you, without worries or cares? Everyone in this world has their suffering. What gives you the right to always look down from above and criticize others for not being calm enough?”

“I’ve already seen clearly that in Great Qian’s prosperous age, those who kill and devour people get away with it, while those who uphold justice and law die horrible deaths. Today, I’m determined to take my blade and cut through that Grand Preceptor’s mansion. One life for a hundred lives—I’m getting a great deal!”

He roared out those last few words, his neck flushed red, his eyes bloodshot.

Just then, someone emerged from behind the curtain in the back hall.

Zhao Yanning only glanced at the newcomer once, then stepped down from the stool, his expression quickly changing from ferocious back to normal. The transformation was so rapid he nearly twisted his jaw.

Seeing his reaction, Shen Qiyuan knew who had come without turning around. He simply said: “I’ll explain other matters to you slowly later. The owner of this tavern is seriously injured. The Zhao family has practiced medicine for generations, and your skills surely match those of the imperial physicians in the palace.”

Though he’d restrained his posture, his anger was still there: “I’m a coroner who only examines the dead, not the living. Call me when she’s dead.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Fuman, who had been walking toward him, stopped and deeply frowned.

Sensing something was wrong, he quickly glanced at her: “What?”

Fuman angrily gestured: It’s one thing if you won’t save someone’s life, but why speak such evil words?

“No, I always talk like this. You should be used to it by now. Why are you angry?” He started speaking loudly but his voice grew quieter as he continued. Zhao Yanning muttered a few words, then said impatiently: “Fine, fine, fine, I’ll go up and look.”

He took a couple of steps, then looked at her in puzzlement: “Who’s upstairs? Your friend?”

Fuman’s expression was indifferent; she didn’t particularly want to acknowledge him.

Zhao Yanning said fiercely, “If you don’t answer me, I won’t treat her.”

The threat was quite effective, but she didn’t even pause in her steps, heading straight up to the second floor.

Zhao Yanning stood there fuming for quite a while, scratched his head, then followed upstairs while muttering curses.