The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

However, these sorts of matters can’t be reasoned out. No matter how much you advise, in the end, it can only be understood by the party involved themselves.

Zhuang Qingning sighed in her heart, but didn’t show it. Instead, she nodded her head and smiled, “Then, I’m looking forward to tasting Uncle Zhang’s cooking.”

“Speaking of cooking, didn’t I mention before that I wanted to have a tofu feast? Uncle Zhang, why don’t you think about how to prepare the tofu feast, what dishes to include? When the time comes, let us try some new dishes?”

“No problem, leave it to me.” Zhang Yongchang boldly patted his chest, “Over the next few days, I’ll come up with a list, try out each dish, and when they taste just right, I’ll prepare a whole table of it and invite you all to come and taste.”

“You promised, I’ll be looking forward to it. Uncle Zhang, you better not forget.”

“How could I laze around and forget about this? I promise.”

Zhang Yongchang laughed heartily.

It was a hearty laughter, and it was clear it came straight from the heart.

Hearing Zhang Yongchang’s laughter, Lian Rong, who was gutting the carp, felt a little relieved.

Seeing that inviting Miss Zhuang over to speak with Zhang Yongchang really wasn’t a mistake, with her frequent visits here, Zhang Yongchang’s mood should gradually improve.

Lian Rong kept smiling as he cleaned the fish and put away all the tofu and prepared everything else. Once all the preparations were complete, he called Zhang Yongchang to the kitchen.

The stewed carp with tofu, made with fermented bean curd, was fragrant and rich, tasted excellent, while the Eight Treasure Lucky Bag was tender and tasty, solving one’s cravings with its refreshing aftertaste. As for the hot and sour soup, it was irresistible, savory and appetizing. The hand-pulled noodles were the best, satisfyingly chewy. By the time you finish a bowl, you would want another.

Zhuang Qingning enjoyed a very delicious and abundant lunch here. She chatted with Zhang Yongchang for a while, figured that Zhuang Sifu should have already arrived at the shop, she then bid farewell and headed for the tofu shop.

Zhang Yongchang and Lian Rong saw Zhuang Qingning off, reminding her to come and chat frequently. They watched her walk away before returning to their chores.

At this time, the sun had slightly tilted to the west, the noon heat gradually dissipating. Especially with the west wind blowing, wafting a faint coolness, it was very refreshing.

However, at this time, Du Yingwei didn’t feel refreshed, he felt cold.

He felt ice-cold all over.

He thought that when Chu Jinnian came, he would just need to make a show of things and then he would be able to send this young novice away. But to his surprise, Chu Jinnian was silent in his actions, never leaving the house, and in just over a month, he had thoroughly investigated all of his affairs.

His corrupt practices, bribery, as well as his plot to frame the previous Magistrate Xia, were all crystal clear, backed by undeniable evidence.

It turned out that; he was underestimating this young master.

Du Yingwei’s gaze was cold and dangerous, staring at Chu Jinnian as if he had been poisoned, he was dying to take a big bite out of him.

“Magistrate Du.” Chu Jinnian, from his high pedestal, sensed his glare and glanced at him, his voice chilled: “Is there anything left you wish to say in this court?”

Is there anything left to say?

Of course, there was a lot left!

“Master Chu.” Du Yingwei gave a cold huff: “At this point, it doesn’t matter what I say, what matters is what some people will say.”

Especially those in power.

Indeed, even at a time like this, he is still thinking that someone may be able to pull him out of this situation.

Chu Jinnian squinted: “This is exactly what I’m thinking.”

“And I, even though I’m not very important, am still a young master.” Chu Jinnian leisurely added: “Probably better off than Magistrate Du, who was born into a humble family.”

Upon hearing this, Du Yingwei’s face changed suddenly.

Indeed, he was supported by Mr. Wei, but Chu Jinnian, on the other hand, had the Fourth Prince behind him. Although Mr. Wei had huge influence, he was the absolute power, and they could ignore the Fourth Prince. But after all, he was just a mere Magistrate. To Mr. Wei, he was just one of many chess pieces on the board.

To him, cutting off a leg of a centipede was no big deal, only a slight loss.

Mr. Wei was only considering himself. It was possible that he would abandon this chess piece at a crucial moment.

Unlike Chu Jinnian, he was a noble son, a future prince, with strong ties to the Fourth Prince, and there was no reason for him to abandon him. Even if there were major faults, the emperor would probably let it pass, considering Chu Jinnian’s noble status and close relationship, let alone this was a fair trial.

This time, the probability of Mr. Wei abandoning this chess piece was extremely high.

“Magistrate Du.” Chu Jinnian squinted his eyes: “Everyone knows it’s good to find a big tree for shade, but you have to see if the tree still wants to provide it to you.”

“What do you mean by that?” Du Yingwei suddenly broke into a cold sweat.

“There’s no need for me to say more. Magistrate Du should understand.” Chu Jinnian grinned: “By the way, I should tell Magistrate Du this. Ever since I arrived in Shouchun over a month ago, all the evidence that I’ve gone through has been sent to the capital in the first instance.”

“And ever since I collected all the evidence of your crimes until today, it’s been about seven to eight days, right? During this long period, Shouchun has been calm. Doesn’t that seem strange to you, Magistrate Du?”

Du Yingwei clenched his teeth. His face had turned paper-white.

Seven to eight days was enough time for a fast-horse courier to bring the news to the capital. In fact, word from the capital has already arrived.

But it’s been quiet. There has been no real movement.

This means that Mr. Wei doesn’t plan to make any waves.

He has become a discarded piece, a thoroughly abandoned piece.

“Magistrate Du is a smart man, and he should understand what he’s about to face.” Said Chu Jinnian.

Du Yingwei’s heart sank.

Of course he understood what he was about to face: corruption, bribery, with the amount involved reaching hundreds of thousands of taels. Plus, his scheme to frame Magistrate Xia for his own selfish ends, all these crimes put together, he could be sentenced to death immediately if each of them was carefully scrutinized.

If the emperor was angry and wanted to make him a warning to others, all the male members of his family could be executed, and his wife and daughter could be made state slaves.

After years of prosperity, he would suddenly fall from grace, with no face left to meet his ancestors.

Du Yingwei’s face turned ashen, and he sat down heavily on the ground.

Chu Jinnian’s lips curled up: “However…”

“I wonder if Magistrate Du is interested in making a deal with me?”

A deal?

A glimmer of hope flashed in Du Yingwei’s empty eyes.