The Ningyuan Marquis’ Manor had originally planned to hold their flowing banquet for three days, but after just one day, the manor closed down the festivities, claiming the old lady was unwell and couldn’t tolerate further commotion.

Others might believe this excuse, but the few people at Huixian Restaurant just laughed upon hearing it.

“I suppose they ran out of money. Eight thousand taels per day, twenty-four thousand taels for three days.” Zhao Yanning worked his abacus and chuckled mockingly. “What’s more, they encountered our boss, who collected sixteen thousand taels back on just the first day.”

Zhou Tingchuan clicked his tongue: “That’s quite profitable.”

“It sounds like a lot.” He Tinglan came down from upstairs, shaking her head. “But that Marquis’ wife is petty-minded. After paying the money, she turned around and filed a complaint with the Commerce Bureau, claiming our food wasn’t fresh. The bureau sent people to investigate, and regardless of the outcome, it’ll delay half a month’s business.”

Half a month of business—though it might not necessarily earn back eight thousand taels, having the doors closed and not opening still made everyone unhappy.

Zhou Tingchuan waved his hand: “Those few aren’t here to run a restaurant anyway, so it doesn’t matter…”

“Who do you mean isn’t running a restaurant?” Zhao Yanning was displeased upon hearing this. “I’ve earned every bit through blood and sweat, and haven’t spared any effort.”

He Tinglan also pursed her lips: “My grain shop hasn’t been idle either—it’s earned quite a bit.”

Fuman came out carrying a newly perfected dish, placed it before Zhao Yanning to taste, then turned and silently reproached Zhou Tingchuan.

Zhou Tingchuan raised both hands: “I was wrong.”

But he still couldn’t understand: “Holed up in this little restaurant—what’s the point?”

“You don’t understand.” Zhao Yanning chuckled while tasting the dish. “A restaurant is where one finds great seclusion in the marketplace. Being able to live peaceful days is the best thing.”

Which of them hadn’t been wandering and homeless before, with unresolved hatred? Being able to have this small space to do trivial things was indeed a kind of happiness.

Zhou Tingchuan clasped his hands apologetically: “It was my petty thinking. I thought you all felt the monthly wages here were high.”

“How could that be? Who would care about that bit of silver?” All three waved their hands in unison.

The tightly closed main door was suddenly knocked on.

Zhao Yanning walked over in a few steps, opened the door, and saw Yuncheng standing outside with a pale face.

Since the hunting ground murder case, though Yuncheng still enjoyed imperial favor, he had been impeached by censors for his improper intentions, demoted to a seventh-rank Left Counselor, and had half his family’s property confiscated. He hadn’t appeared in public for quite some time.

Seeing Zhao Yanning, he immediately said: “Your boss said that Huixian Restaurant also handles civil litigation matters.”

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Yanning slammed the door shut with a bang.

Fuman gestured in puzzlement: What happened?

“Unlucky.” Zhao Yanning kept waving his hands. “Finally getting a few days off, and he comes rushing to find us work.”

A weak voice added from outside the door: “I’m willing to offer three hundred taels, just asking you all to save me once.”

Their footsteps paused. Zhao Yanning looked up, exchanged glances with the others in the room, then retraced his steps and reopened the door.

“This honored guest,” he asked with a smile, “what matter do you wish to litigate?”

Zhou Tingchuan watched Yuncheng step through the door with twitching mouth corners, thinking that if they weren’t doing this for the money, he’d eat the table beside him on the spot.

When Ruyi woke up and opened her door, she was greeted by three smiling faces.

She raised an eyebrow and, bypassing Zhao Yanning and He Tinglan, chose Fuman, who was least likely to lie: “You tell me.”

Fuman’s cheeks reddened as she said: “We, we, we took on a case and have to go to Yuncheng’s manor.”

As she spoke, Zhao Yanning generously handed Ruyi a packet of silver: “One hundred taels total, thirty taels for you—quite generous, right?”

Ruyi took the silver and weighed it, fairly satisfied, but then belatedly asked: “Yuncheng?”

“The person who indirectly caused Haiyan’s death.” Zhao Yanning waved his hand. “To others, he might be considered a bad person, but to Fuman and me, he’s done us a favor.”

Fuman’s husband had died at the hands of people sent by Haiyan. Though there were many twists and turns involved, Haiyan was indeed the most direct killer. Yuncheng’s causing Haiyan’s death was equivalent to avenging them.

Ruyi hummed in acknowledgment and didn’t plan to stop them, only saying: “Be careful when you go out. Keep a low profile, or if customers recognize you when the restaurant reopens, it won’t be good for business.”

All three immediately agreed.

Ruyi grabbed He Tinglan, who was about to run off: “Those two are from the Ministry of Justice background—understandably, they like investigating cases. Why are you joining in the excitement?”

He Tinglan said matter-of-factly, “The grain shop makes money too quickly and easily. I want to go with them to see the world.”

There was no way to refute that.

Ruyi waved her hand helplessly: “Don’t try to tough it out if you encounter trouble. Come back and find me.”

“Alright.” He Tinglan nodded, but looked her up and down. “But aren’t you going out?”

She had originally arranged with Wei Zijue to visit his residence, but looking at these few people, Ruyi always felt uneasy: “I won’t go out. Just have someone send word back if you have news.”

Zhou Tingchuan poked his head out from the side: “Perfect timing. I came here originally to tell Miss that General Wei isn’t available today.”

Ruyi raised her eyebrows: “How do you know?”

“He went into the palace with my lord early this morning, and my lord personally went to Wei Manor to fetch him.” Zhou Tingchuan said.

Ruyi blinked.

Shen Qiyuan didn’t like Wei Zijue—she wasn’t being overconfident about this. Just from the look in their eyes when they met last time, you could tell that if possible, Shen Qiyuan would want to throw the man off Lion Tower. So, how had he suddenly gone to fetch him into the palace?

—Wei Zijue was thinking the same thing.

After that day at Lion Tower, he hadn’t been able to sleep all night, his mind full of Shen Qiyuan’s provocative eye corners and the disdainful smile on his lips. Though competing with Shen Qiyuan didn’t carry the same guilt as competing with He Zeyou, this person wasn’t easy to deal with.

He only learned the next day that this person was the Eldest Princess’s son, who oversaw the Ministry of Justice and the Clan Court, wielding towering power. But the oppressive feeling he carried didn’t come from his status and position, but emanated from his very bones—a deterrence that seemed born to look down upon all living things with contempt, making people afraid to even look at him.

Could such a person be swayed by love and affection?

The bronze crane ornaments in the Central Palace were so polished they could reflect people, showing his face that differed little from his own.

Wei Zijue couldn’t help wondering: was Miss Liu’s closeness to him because he looked like Shen Qiyuan?

But if she truly liked Shen Qiyuan, how could she still be close to him?

“How rare that you two entered the palace together.” The Central Palace spoke kindly. “A’jue has grown so tall.”

He came back to his senses and bowed to Her Majesty.

The Central Palace looked at his face, momentarily stunned, then looked toward Shen Qiyuan: “How does Ziyan know A’jue? When he left the capital, he was still just a small child.”

“It’s a long story.” Shen Qiyuan smiled faintly. “Your subject came today hoping to resolve a matter weighing on Your Majesty’s heart.”