"Yes," Amo replied, and soon after the carriage arrived, the two of them headed toward the county government office.
They quickly arrived at the entrance of the county government office. Magistrate Li, he had dealt with before, had cost him quite a bit of silver to get Li Fugui out of the jail previously.
This time, to have sealed the restaurant in such an unfriendly manner, it must be that Magistrate Li was short on funds and wanted to extort some silver from him.
As long as Magistrate Li still recognized silver, the matter would be easy to deal with. All it would take was for Magistrate Li to remove the seal himself and post a notice saying the incident was a misunderstanding, and that their restaurant’s food was clean, then Dongfeng Restaurant could turn the danger around.
His lips curled up slightly, now he was actually grateful that the magistrate of Shanshi County was a corrupt official.
After spending some silver, he finally got an audience with Magistrate Li, but he was required to go alone and could not bring Amo.
Spending silver was, of course, something Magistrate Li wouldn’t want outsiders to witness, "Amo, you stay outside and wait for me."
"Yes, young master," Amo could only wait outside.
Li Fuyou followed the government official into the back courtyard and finally met with Magistrate Li. As soon as he entered, he knelt down and kowtowed, "Your humble subject Li Fuyou pays respect to Magistrate Li."
The Magistrate Li, sitting there, glanced at the bowing Li Fuyou, a strange gleam flashing in his eyes, before speaking, "Rise." For original chapters go to NoveIꜰire.net
"Thank you, Magistrate." Li Fuyou stood up.
"Please sit," said the magistrate.
"This humble one does not dare," surprise flashed in Li Fuyou’s eyes. The previous dealings with this magistrate were nothing ; he was very authoritative. Now, he was being asked to sit, but he didn’t have the luxury to dwell on it.
"Don’t be so formal. We are old acquaintances after all, please sit," Magistrate Li insisted.
"Thank you, Magistrate." Li Fuyou had no choice but to sit down. After sitting, he began, "Magistrate Li, regarding the matter of Dongfeng Restaurant being sealed, do you think there might be some misunderstanding here?"
"Young Master Li, regarding the restaurant being sealed, I too am helpless, someone brought the issue to me, and I cannot just ignore it," Magistrate Li said meaningfully, "Finding cockroaches in the food and the kitchen swarming with cockroaches and rats, the common people are watching. It’s difficult for me as well."
"Magistrate Li, our Dongfeng Restaurant has always been careful. This time we were framed. I hope you can help. I believe you will give your humble subject justice," Li Fuyou said, pushing a bundle of silver notes toward Magistrate Li.
But this time, unlike his usual self, Magistrate Li didn’t accept the silver notes and pushed them back, "Young Master Li, rest assured, I always handle matters impartially. If it’s truly a frame-up, your restaurant will surely be fine."
"..." What does Magistrate Li mean? Could it be that he despises small amounts of silver, or did the Chu Family’s young master spend even more?
Li Fuyou took out more silver notes from his pocket, added them to the ones already there, and pushed them again toward Magistrate Li, "Magistrate Li, please help with this matter. Your humble subject will be most grateful."
Magistrate Li still pushed back the silver notes, instead reaching out to touch Li Fuyou’s fair and smooth hands, smiling slyly, "Young Master Li, about this matter, let’s talk nicely. As long as you..."
"Magistrate!" Li Fuyou was startled by Magistrate Li’s action, quickly withdrawing his hand and standing up abruptly. He hadn’t thought that Magistrate Li would be such a person; he thought he was just avaricious, but he did not expect him to also have such tastes. His brows furrowed tightly, enduring immensely.