"Grandfather Li, I understand what you mean, but given my father’s character, he’d definitely not want us to do that!"
Mo Yan shook her head, rejecting Lizhong’s suggestion. Her father was a man of integrity and pride. Being branded as corrupt would shatter his dignity for life. Therefore, she wouldn’t resort to using money to resolve disasters until absolutely necessary.
Lizhong was clearly aware of this as well, and he wasn’t surprised by Mo Yan’s refusal.
"What can you do then? This matter cannot be delayed; I’m worried they will use extralegal torture on your father!"
Mo Yan nodded somberly, and after a moment of thought, she suddenly asked, "Grandfather Li, you’ve lived in Jing City before, do you know who the owner of Treasure Pavilion is?"
Upon hearing this, Lizhong could guess Mo Yan’s intention, but he didn’t agree with it.
"Yan girl, regardless of whether your father was framed or made a scapegoat, getting the owner of Treasure Pavilion to intervene is highly unlikely!"
He then carefully analyzed the situation with Mo Yan once more.
Before he renounced his household registration, Lizhong managed a part of his master’s business. Cases of corruption like this happened once or twice every year. Unless the amount was exceptionally large, the owner would typically let his trusted associates handle it. If the corrupt individual could bribe this trusted associate and find someone else to take the blame and reimburse the Silver Coin, the matter would be overlooked by all, providing mutual benefit. The only unfortunate one would be the scapegoat.
The fact that the people from Treasure Pavilion stormed in and demanded two hundred taels as compensation meant that such an amount was unlikely to alarm the owner of Treasure Pavilion. And from what the visitors had implied, it was the Shopkeeper of Treasure Pavilion who was handling the matter personally. And among those at Treasure Pavilion who could frame Mo Qingze or force him to take the fall, the Shopkeeper was the most likely suspect.
That’s why Lizhong initially advised Mo Yan to part with some money to avoid disaster and save Mo Qingze.
After hearing Lizhong’s analysis, Mo Yan’s face turned extremely grim. She had never imagined such unwritten rules existed in this world.
"Grandfather Li, is there really no other way but to pay to save my father?"
She truly couldn’t accept this—not only because her father wouldn’t want to be tainted by such a stigma, but also because she refused to let the schemers succeed. Yet, they were powerless commoners, utterly unable to combat such a calamity—deprived even of a chance to prove their innocence!
A surge of intense helplessness rose within Mo Yan. In that moment, she realized with stark clarity that this was not the rule-of-law society of her previous life. Without power or influence, one could only be at the mercy of others. To avoid being manipulated, she needed to become stronger.
"Don’t panic. I will go and find someone right now, see if I can get the owner of Treasure Pavilion to clear your father of the corruption charge."
Lizhong tried to comfort her, but nearly ten years had passed since he left Jing City. Things had changed so much that he was uncertain if he could persuade his old employer to step in.
"Grandfather Li, I..."
Mo Yan knew all too well, and she looked at Grandfather Li with guilt, not wanting to trouble him. But to save her father, she lacked even the courage to refuse.
Lizhong interrupted her, "If it weren’t for your family, Yanzi and I would have been nothing but bones by now. How could I ignore your troubles now? I just hope my old bones can still be of some use in saving your father!"
Mo Yan was grateful but still said, "Regardless of whether it works out, please don’t force yourself!"
Lizhong nodded, indicating his understanding.
After eating, Lizhong hurried out the door. Mo Yan didn’t just sit at home and wait either. She asked Liyan to look after Xin Er and Zhenzhen, the two siblings, and she herself headed straight to the north of the city...