Su Xi had taken in everything that had just transpired. She deftly wrapped the Jianbing Guazi in oil paper and handed it to the lead constable, then very naturally struck up a conversation with him.
Before the constable in front could speak, He Shou from behind had already chimed in, lifting his chin with a haughty air as he said, "Our Chief Liu here is the patrol commander in charge of these two streets."
Patrol commander—in more modern terms, that would be a city management officer.
Hearing his explanation, Su Xi’s expression grew even more amiable. She turned to glance at Su Ting, exchanging a look with him, then turned back to the man before her and said with a smile, "Look at me, truly failing to recognize Mount Tai! How could I possibly accept money from you two gentlemen?"
As she spoke, Su Ting pushed the copper coins back toward them.
Chief Liu weighed them in his hand and knew the amount was more than what he had given earlier. Feeling pleased inwardly, he politely said, "You’re too kind, miss. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know."
It was a perfectly ordinary polite remark, and then he heard:
"Chief Liu, there actually is a favor I’d like to ask of you!" Su Xi said with a cheerful smile.
Chief Liu paused.
…
As noon approached, the morning market crowd gradually dispersed.
Su Ting tidied up the pots, pans, and utensils while nervously glancing at Su Xi, asking doubtfully, "Elder Sister, are we really going to the Capital Prefecture to file a complaint?"
Su Xi rinsed the bamboo spatula clean in clear water, washing away the batter and leftover sauce, then nodded gently at him in response.
Once confirmed, Su Ting’s frown deepened, so tight it seemed it could crush an ant.
Su Cheng stood beside the flatbed cart and, seeing his expression, pointed at his tightly furrowed brows and said to Su Xi, "Elder Sister, Elder Brother’s eyebrows look like two green caterpillars."
After saying this, he even scrunched up his face in an attempt to mimic them.
Hearing this, Su Xi helplessly rubbed her forehead.
Su Ting remained unaffected, his expression troubled as he voiced his concerns: "The Fang family’s breaking off the engagement may sound dishonorable, but from the perspective of Great Zhou law, the authorities won’t place too much emphasis on matters of reputation when adjudicating cases. They likely won’t take our side."
He was carefully considering the idea of taking the Fang family to court over the broken engagement.
"We’re not going to sue over the broken engagement," Su Xi stated plainly.
Anyone with a bit of sense would know that something like a last-minute broken engagement couldn’t be legally enforced. Naturally, Su Xi wouldn’t waste her time on such a futile endeavor.
Hearing this, Su Ting looked stunned, as if he couldn’t quite process it.
"Not suing over the broken engagement?" he repeated, his voice gradually softening as he continued with some difficulty, "Then how do we get back at the Fang family?"
Su Xi noted Su Ting’s hesitation.
She understood her younger brother’s temperament a little better now.
He had studied and learned to read and write. He resented the Fang family for breaking off the engagement and having people bully them, but at heart, he was still a kind and honest person.
"When we were engaged to the Fang family, as part of the exchange, Mother and Father also gave them a jade pendant," Su Xi didn’t hold back, directly telling him the purpose of going to the authorities. "That jade pendant is worth far more than five taels of silver."
This was the item Su Xi had previously asked the matchmaker to tell the Fang family they must return within ten days.
Su Xi had originally thought that, with the engagement broken, if the Fang family wanted to avoid further trouble, they would honestly return the pendant.
But now…
From the Fang family’s renewed efforts to turn the village children against Su Cheng, it was clear they had no intention of returning it so easily.
Of course, there was another possibility.
It wasn't that they didn't want to return the items, but rather that the items were no longer in their possession, leaving them with nothing to return.
Su Xi's expression darkened.
"They don't want to return them?" Su Ting could also think of this possibility.
However, having studied and even read the laws, he naturally considered a deeper aspect.
"The Great Zhou law includes a clause on forcibly seizing property. Once convicted, the punishment is exile to two thousand li away," he said gravely.
Exile was considered one of the heavier penalties.
Once again, Su Xi was impressed by his intelligence. She nodded gently and said to him, "Although the Fang family's withdrawal from the engagement is disgraceful, it's also understandable. If they don't stir up any more trouble and return what should be returned, things won't reach the worst outcome. But if they insist on continuing to cause trouble, they can't blame others."
As Su Ting breathed a sigh of relief, another wave of tension rose within him.
"They probably wouldn't…" he said uncertainly, his voice trailing off toward the end.
Su Xi thought it unlikely.
Some people, when it comes to courting disaster, often display a stubborn determination to keep going until they hit a wall.
"Never mind them. Let's go take a stroll near the Jingzhao Yin government office today," Su Xi said to him.
Having heard this much, Su Ting understood that going to the government office was merely a pretext. He no longer resisted and pushed the flatbed cart to follow her.
At the entrance of the Jingzhao Yin government office.
Yuan Ziyou, unlike the casual attitude a Ministry of Personnel official might show toward ordinary officials, was quite amiable toward Xiao Jinyu standing before him. He said warmly, "Chief Xiao, please stay. If the Jingzhao Yin office is short on staff, feel free to send someone to inform the Ministry of Personnel."
Xiao Jinyu nodded, his expression neither angry nor pleased.
Yuan Ziyou didn't mind his demeanor. With a wave of his hand, he signaled for the journey to begin.
The carriage soon disappeared down the street.
Xiao Jinyu watched the carriage depart and was about to turn and enter the office when he heard Chang Fu's voice.
"Young Master," Chang Fu quickly ran over, pulling out an oil paper bag from his embrace as if presenting a treasure. "Freshly made Jianbing Guazi, still crispy! The young shopkeeper said it's best eaten while hot!"
Xiao Jinyu's gaze swept past him and landed on the item in his hand.
After just a glance, he looked away and turned to a nearby guard, saying, "Have everyone in the Jingzhao Yin office gather in the front hall."
With that, he turned and left.
Chang Fu was about to say something when he saw Chang An, who had followed halfway, turn back and extend a hand toward him.
"?" Chang Fu didn't understand.
Chang An pointed at the item in his hand and said helplessly, "When the Young Master is done with his work, if he wants to have breakfast…"
Before he could finish, Chang Fu understood his meaning and quickly handed over the item, saying, "You must make sure the Young Master tries it." That way, his long wait in line wouldn't be in vain.
"…" Chang An thought he was being overly optimistic.
He casually took the item.
Seeing that there were two portions, he realized Chang Fu had brought one for him as well. He raised an eyebrow slightly, patted Chang Fu on the shoulder, then turned and hurried after Xiao Jinyu.
Chang Fu stood in place and sighed softly.
Chang Yue, seeing his dejected appearance, was about to speak when he noticed—
Chang Fu picked up the remaining Jianbing Guazi, brought it to his mouth, took a big bite, and his eyes lit up. He mumbled indistinctly, "This Jianbing Guazi is so delicious!!"
The rich sauce aroma and the fragrance of mixed grains wafted into Chang Yue's nostrils. His gaze lingered on the Jianbing Guazi in Chang Fu's hand for a moment before he turned and walked away.
If I hurry over now, I should be able to get the leftover Jianbing Guazi that the young master doesn’t want, right?